Struggling with Google Drive integration in Android
I’m trying to add Google Drive functionality to my Android app. I want users to be able to read, upload, and edit files on Google Drive. But I’m totally lost on how to start.
I’ve heard Drive SDK v2 was supposed to make this easier for mobile devs. But the docs are confusing. They seem to focus more on Google App Engine stuff.
Can anyone point me to some good resources for Android? I need help with:
Which libraries to use
What to add to the manifest
How to list, download, and upload files
It would be great if it could handle accounts automatically too, like the official Google Drive app does.
I’ve been at this for hours and I’m stuck. Any guidance would be much appreciated!
Having integrated Google Drive into several Android projects, I can share some insights. The key is using the Google Drive API for Android, which simplifies many aspects of Drive integration.
Start by adding the Google Play Services SDK to your project. You’ll need to implement GoogleSignInClient for authentication. In your manifest, include permissions for internet access and account management.
For file operations, utilize the DriveResourceClient. It offers methods for creating, opening, and editing files. The MetadataChangeSet class is useful for updating file metadata.
One crucial tip: implement proper error handling and consider offline scenarios. The API provides callbacks for various states, which you should leverage for a robust implementation.
Remember to thoroughly test your integration, especially for large files and slow network conditions. It can save you headaches down the line.
I’ve been down this road before, and I can tell you integrating Google Drive into an Android app can be a bit of a challenge. Here’s what worked for me:
First, forget about Drive SDK v2. The Google Drive REST API is more up-to-date and works well with Android.
For libraries, consider using the Google Drive Android API client library. It handles a lot of the heavy lifting for you, including account management. In your manifest, you’ll need to add permissions for internet access and account management. Also, don’t forget to register your app in the Google API Console to obtain the necessary credentials.
For file operations, the Drive API provides methods for listing, downloading, and uploading files, and the DriveContents class is particularly useful for handling file content. One tip: use the GoogleSignInClient for authentication as it makes the whole process much smoother.
It took me a while to figure all this out, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad. Good luck with your integration!
hey emma, i’ve been there too. google’s drive api for android is ur best bet. add the google play services sdk to ur project and use GoogleSignInClient for auth. in the manifest, add internet and account perms. use DriveResourceClient for file stuff. it’s not too bad once u get it goin. good luck!