Search code examples
androidandroid-sdcardfileobserver

Android: FileObserver monitors only top directory

According to the documentation, 

"Each FileObserver instance monitors a single file or directory. If a directory is monitored, 
events will be triggered for all files and subdirectories inside the monitored directory."

My code goes like,

    FileObserver fobsv = new FileObserver("/mnt/sdcard/") {

    @Override
    public void onEvent(int event, String path) {
        System.out.println(event+"    "+path);
    }
    };
    fobsv.startWatching();

However, the onEvent() is triggering only when a file is changed in the /mnt/sdcard/. If I create a file in /mnt/sdcard/downloads/, the method is not getting fired.

Is there any problem with the code?

Solution

  • According to the documentation

    The documentation is incorrect, as is noted in this issue.

    Is there any problem with the code?

    No, but FileObserver is not recursive, despite the documentation to the contrary.