Android image picker for local files only

Android Image Picker for Local Files Only

Introduction

Selecting images from local storage is a common requirement in Android apps. This article explores how to implement a simple image picker that allows users to choose images from their device’s internal storage.

Steps to Create Image Picker

1. Add Permission
2. Create Intent
3. Start Activity
4. Handle Result

1. Add Permission

Ensure your AndroidManifest.xml file includes the necessary permission to access external storage.

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

2. Create Intent

Create an Intent to launch the system’s image picker.

Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT);
intent.setType("image/*");

3. Start Activity

Start the image picker activity using the created Intent.

startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_IMAGE_REQUEST);

4. Handle Result

Override the onActivityResult() method to receive the selected image URI.

@Override
protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);

if (requestCode == PICK_IMAGE_REQUEST && resultCode == RESULT_OK && data != null && data.getData() != null) {
Uri selectedImageUri = data.getData();

// Process the selected image (e.g., display it in an ImageView)
}
}

Using Third-Party Libraries

Alternatively, you can use third-party libraries like:

• Glide: For efficient image loading and transformations.
• Picasso: Another popular image loading library.
• ImagePicker: Provides a more customizable image picker experience.

Comparison of Libraries

Example Code with Glide

// Add the Glide dependency to your build.gradle file
dependencies {
// ...
implementation("com.github.bumptech.glide:glide:4.13.0")
annotationProcessor("com.github.bumptech.glide:glide-compiler:4.13.0")
// ...
}

// Inside your Activity:

// Set the image URI
Uri selectedImageUri = data.getData();

// Load the image using Glide
Glide.with(this)
.load(selectedImageUri)
.into(imageView);

Conclusion

Choosing images from local storage in Android apps can be achieved using built-in Intents or dedicated third-party libraries. The best approach depends on the specific needs of your app. Remember to request the necessary permissions and handle the image URI effectively.