How to pick a .xml file on android 11?

Question

I am trying to select a file from an external storage on Android 11. I got read and write permissions, as well as ActionManageAllFilesAccessPermission. It doesn't work

var file = await CrossFilePicker.Current.PickFile();

Help me please =(

Answer 1

For now, we use File Picker of Xamarin.Essentials to pick a single or multiple files from the device.

Install Xamarin.Essentials NuGet package.

Update Android Manifest:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

Replace:

var file = await CrossFilePicker.Current.PickFile();

To:

var file = await FilePicker.PickAsync(PickOptions.Default);

After allowing the permissions, you could pick the file you want.

For more details about the File Picker, please check the MS document. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/xamarin/essentials/file-picker?tabs=android