Google has successfully developed and incorporated new Application Programming Interfaces (API). These allow users to access microSD cards that have received an enhanced level of security.
Users can take advantage of such security when accessing applications that are stored in removable memory hardware.
Android 5.0 Lollipop will let users gain access to stored apps found within the external SD cards. By creating access permissions in a universal level, apps can be accessed without the need to ask permission repeatedly.
In other words, a developer can absolutely gain access to SD card directories and files. He can now declare a permission on installation to do something on the device storage, which includes removable storage.
"In KitKat we introduced APIs that let apps read/write in app-specific directories on secondary storage devices, such as SD cards," says Jeff Sharkey of Google. "We heard loud and clear that developers wanted rich access beyond these directories, so in Lollipop we added the new ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE intent."
Apps may launch this intent when picking and returning a directory from any supported Document Provider. These include any shared storage supported by a mobile device. Therefore, apps are allowed to update, create and delete data and directories without seeking further user interaction.
Users can now choose which folder on the SD card he wants to be changed with the application. It can be the Music folder or top level folder. Anything that is kept in the directory can be written, read and even deleted.
Apps like Poweramp will be able to edit tags on songs that are saved in the Music folder. A photo editing app will have the capacity to save files in the Pictures folder as opposed to saving them solely in a designated folder. A file manager app can easily move files around on the SD cards. With all this added freedom, the developer will only have to update the app with the new methods.
"If an app places a file into a folder returned by getExternalMediaDirs, it is essentially available to any other application to access via the MediaStore service," says Android Police.
Files produced by certain apps such as the sound recorder or camera app can become instantly and easily available to any other app. Moreover, users can be free from worrying about the complications brought on by removing their SD cards and placing them back again.
