User-defined Default Storage Location #924

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opened 2026-04-24 23:42:29 +02:00 by adam · 13 comments
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Originally created by @ryanboyd on GitHub (Mar 22, 2024).

A nice quality of life feature would be an option in the settings where one is able to choose the default storage location of files downloaded from the server. This would allow users to make more direct use of expanded storage (e.g., SD cards).

Originally created by @ryanboyd on GitHub (Mar 22, 2024). A nice quality of life feature would be an option in the settings where one is able to choose the default storage location of files downloaded from the server. This would allow users to make more direct use of expanded storage (e.g., SD cards).
adam added the enhancement label 2026-04-24 23:42:29 +02:00
adam closed this issue 2026-04-24 23:42:29 +02:00
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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Mar 22, 2024):

Is this for iOS or android?

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Mar 22, 2024): Is this for iOS or android?
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@ryanboyd commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024):

@advplyr — I was thinking for Android, as I'm not especially familiar with iOS mobile devices. However, I'd imagine iOS folks would be happy with the feature as well if it can be supported by the hardware.

@ryanboyd commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024): @advplyr — I was thinking for Android, as I'm not especially familiar with iOS mobile devices. However, I'd imagine iOS folks would be happy with the feature as well if it can be supported by the hardware.
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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024):

This should be supported for Android if you go into the side drawer and "Local Media". Select a folder from the picker. This is only not supported for Android 10 and below.

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024): This should be supported for Android if you go into the side drawer and "Local Media". Select a folder from the picker. This is only not supported for Android 10 and below.
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@ryanboyd commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024):

There is a chance that I'm misunderstanding, so please forgive me. What I see under this menu is the default "Internal App Storage" which seems to be a predefined location, then the ability to add additional local folders. What I'm suggesting is the ability to change the "Internal App Storage" location to a user-defined location rather than a predefined location.

@ryanboyd commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024): There is a chance that I'm misunderstanding, so please forgive me. What I see under this menu is the default "Internal App Storage" which seems to be a predefined location, then the ability to add additional local folders. What I'm suggesting is the ability to change the "Internal App Storage" location to a user-defined location rather than a predefined location.
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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024):

If you add a new location then press download you can select that location to download to. That menu that pops up to select the location you want to avoid?

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024): If you add a new location then press download you can select that location to download to. That menu that pops up to select the location you want to avoid?
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@ryanboyd commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024):

Ahh, I see. Yes, I think that that would make sense from a UX perspective. As a newcomer to the application, it was not clear to me that this was an option at all. I actually spent an embarrassingly large amount of time scouring all of the application menus looking for a "Default Storage Location" setting somewhere. Even after experimenting with the "Local Media" menu, I didn't find any indicators that this was possible at all.

It's wonderful to see that the feature exists, so perhaps I might reframe this as simply a suggestion to add a dropdown menu to the "Local Media" page that gives users to choose the "Default Download Location" that is populated with the existing "Local Media" folders, plus an option that says something like "Ask me every time I download"

@ryanboyd commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024): Ahh, I see. Yes, I think that that would make sense from a UX perspective. As a newcomer to the application, it was not clear to me that this was an option at all. I actually spent an embarrassingly large amount of time scouring all of the application menus looking for a "Default Storage Location" setting somewhere. Even after experimenting with the "Local Media" menu, I didn't find any indicators that this was possible at all. It's wonderful to see that the feature exists, so perhaps I might reframe this as simply a suggestion to add a dropdown menu to the "Local Media" page that gives users to choose the "Default Download Location" that is populated with the existing "Local Media" folders, plus an option that says something like "Ask me every time I download"
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@nichwall commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024):

The easiest solution would probably just be adding a link to the guide on the website for that page

https://www.audiobookshelf.org/guides/android_app_shared_storage

@nichwall commented on GitHub (Mar 25, 2024): The easiest solution would probably just be adding a link to the guide on the website for that page https://www.audiobookshelf.org/guides/android_app_shared_storage
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@navy676aw commented on GitHub (Sep 3, 2024):

Is there a way to transfer downloads from internal app storage to an external folder?

I have a downloaded book that I lost due to a failed harddrive and want to retrieve it from internal app storage and can't seem to find a way to move it or export it. If anyone knows of a way to access the internal storage on a rooted phone or a method to extract it that would be greatly appreciated. Maybe even a way to upload to a different server from internal app storage would work.

@navy676aw commented on GitHub (Sep 3, 2024): Is there a way to transfer downloads from internal app storage to an external folder? I have a downloaded book that I lost due to a failed harddrive and want to retrieve it from internal app storage and can't seem to find a way to move it or export it. If anyone knows of a way to access the internal storage on a rooted phone or a method to extract it that would be greatly appreciated. Maybe even a way to upload to a different server from internal app storage would work.
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@AythamiEsp commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024):

This should be supported for Android if you go into the side drawer and "Local Media". Select a folder from the picker. This is only not supported for Android 10 and below.

What's the override button for then?

I get a permission denied error when tapping "New Folder".
Any idea why?

Running Android 9

@AythamiEsp commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024): > This should be supported for Android if you go into the side drawer and "Local Media". Select a folder from the picker. This is only not supported for Android 10 and below. What's the override button for then? I get a permission denied error when tapping "New Folder". Any idea why? Running Android 9
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@nichwall commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024):

There is not an override button. It is not supported on Android 10 and below due to storage API differences.

@nichwall commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024): There is not an override button. It is not supported on Android 10 and below due to storage API differences.
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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024):

I actually did put an override button that is only shown to android 10 and below. It may be unnecessary if there is no case where someone would have it working.

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024): I actually did put an override button that is only shown to android 10 and below. It may be unnecessary if there is no case where someone would have it working.
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@nichwall commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024):

Oh, thanks for clarifying.

@nichwall commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2024): Oh, thanks for clarifying.
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@chelming commented on GitHub (Mar 3, 2025):

I'd love a "default" or a way to hide "internal storage."

@chelming commented on GitHub (Mar 3, 2025): I'd love a "default" or a way to hide "internal storage."
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Reference: starred/audiobookshelf-app#924