How can I share pdf file in android?

Question

I try to share a pdf file from android/data/mypackage/files/file.pdf I generate these pdfs also in this app, and when I try to share it, the pdf doesn't appear in on attached files from email, or google drive says something like: "No data to share". Here is my code for sharing pdf:

            val aName = intent.getStringExtra("iName")
            val file = File(this.getExternalFilesDir(null)?.absolutePath.toString(), "$aName")
            val shareIntent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND)
            shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM,  file)
            shareIntent.flags = Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION
            shareIntent.type = "application/pdf"
            startActivity(Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, "share.."))
            Toast.makeText(this,"$file",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()

The pdf path looks correct when I toast it:

Answer 1

The problem is that you are not using a URI, just sending a path, you need several things.

Provider paths

You have to create provider_paths.xml under xml folder in res :

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <external-files-path
        name="files_root"
        path="/" />
</paths>

Set the provider in the Manifest under Aplication:

<provider
  android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
  android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
  android:exported="false"
  android:grantUriPermissions="true">
     <meta-data
       android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
       android:resource="@xml/provider_paths" />
</provider>

Get the URI

fun uriFromFile(context:Context, file:File):Uri {
  if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
  {
    return FileProvider.getUriForFile(context, BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ".provider", file)
  }
  else
  {
    return Uri.fromFile(file)
  }
}

Your final code:

val aName = intent.getStringExtra("iName")
            val shareIntent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND)
            shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM,  uriFromFile(context,File(this.getExternalFilesDir(null)?.absolutePath.toString(), "$aName")))
            shareIntent.flags = Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION
            shareIntent.type = "application/pdf"
            startActivity(Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, "share.."))

I didn't test the code, write it from "memory", let me know if it works for you.

Answer 2

In Kotlin : res/xml folder add file provider_path.xml write code:

   <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths>
    <external-path name="external_files" path="."/>
</paths>

Then in manifest file add code: <application ..>

<provider
            android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
            android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
            android:exported="false"
            android:grantUriPermissions="true">
            <meta-data
                android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
                android:resource="@xml/provider_paths" />
        </provider>

Than Activity File Add below Function:

private fun sharePDF(file:File ) {
      //  val file = File(pdfFilePath)
        val uri = Uri.fromFile(file)
        val URI = FileProvider.getUriForFile(
            this@MainActivity,
            BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ".provider",
            file
        )
        val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND)
        intent.type = "application/pdf"
        intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM, URI)
        intent.flags = Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION
        startActivity(Intent.createChooser(intent, "Share PDF"))
    }