Emby can't access external storage!

[Justin757 8]

Emby server is unable to access external storage on android 12,13! 

All other apps can access the storage. 

Emby server app simply ask to access storage during initial start, I think it means only access to internal storage + SD card storage. 

All other apps ask "allow access to all files". I think this also include external access.

I think its not hard to implement with few lines of additional code in emby as all the apps works without any issues. 

 

[sa2000 674]

As far as I know Emby Server on the NVIDIA Shield has access to external storage - permissions that I believe came in with Android 11

I have just tried it with Emby Server 4.8.10.0 running on NVIDIA Shield Software version 9.2 and I can see /storage/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx showing when adding a library folder path - this being my external USB connected disc drive

 

 

 

[Justin757 8]

You are lucky! None of the android device that I have can't access external storage when emby server is selected! But all other apps can see my ssd connection to my mobile and can transfer data without any issues. 

[Luke 42077]

@Justin757you could try what users are saying in this topic and see if it helps:

 

[Justin757 8]

Thanks, as said in that article emby server android is not asking permission to access all the files like in the image shown below copied from that article.

Emby asks like a popup in the app.

https://emby.media/community/uploads/monthly_2025_01/Screenshot_2025-01-04-04-58-59-637-edit_com.android.settings.jpg.99d71ea294ab54dcced64833049a324e.jpg

All other apps asks permission like that image and can access external storage like ssd. 

For adding apk like that I need to uninstall my current android emby server and reinstall the repacked one. But I will loose all the individuals custom folder set to emby library. 

Its like messing everything! 

I think emby can add the permission in coming build so I just need to update the app and can preserve all the settings.

[Luke 42077]

8 hours ago, Justin757 said:

Thanks, as said in that article emby server android is not asking permission to access all the files like in the image shown below copied from that article.

Emby asks like a popup in the app.

https://emby.media/community/uploads/monthly_2025_01/Screenshot_2025-01-04-04-58-59-637-edit_com.android.settings.jpg.99d71ea294ab54dcced64833049a324e.jpgFetching info...

All other apps asks permission like that image and can access external storage like ssd. 

For adding apk like that I need to uninstall my current android emby server and reinstall the repacked one. But I will loose all the individuals custom folder set to emby library. 

Its like messing everything! 

I think emby can add the permission in coming build so I just need to update the app and can preserve all the settings.

I would think you can just install over the top. You shouldn't have to uninstall.

[Justin757 8]

14 minutes ago, Luke said:

I would think you can just install over the top. You shouldn't have to uninstall.

I will try. Also when can we get an update on photo sliding issue on android? As of now photos are unusable as its skipping images in android phones and tabs.

[Luke 42077]

Let's continue that discussion in the topic for it. Please let us know how you get on with this. Thanks.

[Justin757 8]

I gave all those info to my android DEV friend and it now works on my device and emby now asks for permission like this like all other apps. Can access all my external devices.

[Luke 42077]

What did your friend do?

[sa2000 674]

@Justin757You mentioned Android 12 and Android 13. Curious as to what you are installing Emby Server on.

My NVIDIA Shield is on Android 11 and that is probably why I do not have an issue

 

[Justin757 8]

On 3/10/2025 at 10:44 PM, Luke said:

What did your friend do?

DEV said emby is not asking permission to access external storage only asking permission to sd card and internal memory.

 

See the screenshot 

 

Here is another app, ftp server asking permission for everything. 

Ftp server can now access all the storage devices. 

[Luke 42077]

Can you please try again with the latest release of the server? Thanks.

[Justin757 8]

Tried its not working. 

[Luke 42077]

2 minutes ago, Justin757 said:

Tried its not working. 

What exactly did you try? ?What exactly happened?

[Justin757 8]

Just updated the server and it still can't access connected otg/ssd or anything. 

[Luke 42077]

Hi, can you please try 4.9.0.44 beta? Thanks !

[Justin757 8]

Tried not working 

[Luke 42077]

5 minutes ago, Justin757 said:

Tried not working 

Hi, what exactly did you try? What exactly happened?

[Justin757 8]

com.emby.embyserver_4.9.0.47.apk 

 

Its not able to get external storage. 

Storage access permission is asked in same old way. As said previously. 

No Android app can access external storage if storage access permission is asked like that.

[Luke 42077]

On 4/15/2025 at 1:19 AM, Justin757 said:

com.emby.embyserver_4.9.0.47.apk 

 

Its not able to get external storage. 

Storage access permission is asked in same old way. As said previously. 

No Android app can access external storage if storage access permission is asked like that.

What version of android does the device run?

[Justin757 8]

Android 12

 

com.emby.embyserver_4.9.0.47.apk 

 

Its not able to get external storage. 

Storage access permission is asked in same old way. As said previously. 

No Android app can access external storage if storage access permission is asked like that.

[Luke 42077]

@Justin757

please try 4.9.0.50 and let us know how things compare. Thanks.

[Justin757 8]

Ok

[Justin757 8]

Not working. New version also ask storage permission in same old way!