File Handling

Smart WebView provides robust support for handling file uploads initiated from your web content, including direct access to the device camera, and manages file downloads.

File Uploads & Camera Access

This functionality allows users to interact with <input type="file"> elements in your web content.

Configuration:

Controlled by properties in app/src/main/assets/swv.properties:

# Globally enable/disable file input.
feature.uploads=true

# Include a camera capture option in the chooser.
feature.camera.uploads=true

# Allow multiple file selection if the HTML input tag supports it.
feature.multiple.uploads=true

Permissions:

The following permissions are declared in AndroidManifest.xml and requested at runtime if needed:

• android.permission.CAMERA
• android.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES
• android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO
• android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE (for older Android versions)

How it Works:

1. A user taps an <input type="file"> element in the WebView.
2. The onShowFileChooser method in FileProcessing.java is triggered.
3. It constructs an Intent that opens a system chooser, allowing the user to select files or use the camera (if enabled).
4. The HTML accept attribute can filter the file types shown (e.g., image/*).
5. The HTML multiple attribute, combined with feature.multiple.uploads, allows for multi-file selection.
6. The selected file URIs are returned to the WebView to be processed by your web application.

Downloads

This handles files downloaded from the WebView.

How it Works:

1. The WebView’s DownloadListener detects a URL that triggers a download.
2. It uses the Android DownloadManager service to handle the download.
3. A system notification shows the download progress.
4. Files are saved to the public “Downloads” directory on the device.
5. A Toast message confirms that the download has started.