Kotlin app intermittently receives null response from Google Drive API when listing files in custom folder

Other Questions Google drive
1

I’m working on an Android app using Kotlin and the Google Drive API. I’ve made a custom folder in my app, and I can see it on the Google Drive website. I can even add and remove files from it. But when I try to check if the folder exists using the API, it sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.

Here’s what’s weird: when I use the files().list() method to get a list of folders, it often returns null. But not always! Sometimes it gives me the info I need.

I’ve set up all the right permissions in my manifest file and added the necessary libraries to my Gradle file. I’ve also created the Drive service correctly.

Here’s a simplified version of my code to check for the folder:

fun checkForFolder(): Task<String> {
    return TaskCompletionSource<String>().apply {
        Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor().execute {
            try {
                val folderList = driveApi.folders().list()
                    .setQuery("name='MyAppFolder' and mimeType='folder' and trashed=false")
                    .execute()
                
                setResult(folderList?.files?.firstOrNull()?.id ?: "Not found")
            } catch (e: Exception) {
                setException(e)
            }
        }
    }.task
}

Any ideas why this might be happening? Is there a way to make the API calls more reliable?

2

I’ve dealt with similar Google Drive API issues before. One thing that helped was implementing proper error handling and logging. This way, you can pinpoint exactly when and why the API is returning null.

Consider adding detailed logs for each step of the API call process. This includes before the call, after receiving the response, and during any exceptions. You might uncover patterns in when the null responses occur.

Also, double-check your Google Cloud Console settings. Ensure that the Drive API is properly enabled and that your credentials are correct. Sometimes, intermittent issues can be traced back to misconfigured API settings or quota limits.

Lastly, consider implementing a caching mechanism. If you’ve successfully retrieved the folder information once, store it locally. This way, even if subsequent API calls fail, you have a fallback option.

3

I’ve encountered a similar issue with the Google Drive API in one of my projects. The intermittent null responses can be frustrating, but I found a workaround that might help you.

Instead of relying on a single API call, I implemented a retry mechanism with exponential backoff. This approach significantly improved the reliability of my folder checks. Here’s a basic example of how you could modify your code:

fun checkForFolder(): Task<String> {
    return TaskCompletionSource<String>().apply {
        Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor().execute {
            var attempts = 0
            val maxAttempts = 3
            
            while (attempts < maxAttempts) {
                try {
                    val folderList = driveApi.folders().list()
                        .setQuery("name='MyAppFolder' and mimeType='folder' and trashed=false")
                        .execute()
                    
                    if (folderList != null && folderList.files != null) {
                        setResult(folderList.files.firstOrNull()?.id ?: "Not found")
                        return@execute
                    }
                    
                    attempts++
                    Thread.sleep(1000 * (2.pow(attempts)))
                } catch (e: Exception) {
                    attempts++
                    if (attempts >= maxAttempts) {
                        setException(e)
                    }
                }
            }
            
            setResult("Not found after $maxAttempts attempts")
        }
    }.task
}

This approach has worked well for me, reducing the frequency of null responses. Additionally, make sure you’re handling rate limits and quotas properly, as exceeding these can sometimes lead to inconsistent API behavior.

4

hey man, i’ve seen this happen before. it’s super annoying right? one thing that helped me was checking my internet connection. sometimes the api acts up when ur connection is spotty. also, try increasing the timeout for ur api calls. that might give it more time to respond. good luck!