Question 1

How to add a Google Drive file picker to my Android app?

Accepted Answer

This quickstart provides sample code for integrating the Drive file picker UI. You can adapt the MainActivity to launch the picker, handle user selection, and save files, but note it's a basic example that may need customization for production use.

Question 2

Is Google Drive Android API still supported or deprecated?

Accepted Answer

The Drive Android API is still supported, but this specific sample has been moved to the android-samples repo, suggesting it's not actively maintained here. Always check Google's official documentation for the latest updates.

Question 3

Google Drive API vs Firebase Storage for Android file uploads?

Accepted Answer

Drive API is better for tight Google Workspace integration and user-managed files, while Firebase Storage offers simpler setup, real-time features, and cross-platform support. This sample focuses on Drive, so for Firebase, you'd need different resources.

Question 4

How to handle authentication errors in Drive API for Android?

Accepted Answer

This quickstart includes minimal authentication setup via OAuth 2.0, but for robust error handling, you'll need to extend the code to manage token refreshes, network issues, and user permissions, which aren't covered in depth.

Question 5

Can I use this sample for uploading videos or other file types?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the code demonstrates setting MIME types and metadata, so you can modify it for videos or documents. However, it's limited to basic uploads and might not handle large files or progress tracking efficiently.

Question 6

What are the alternatives to this quickstart for Drive integration?

Accepted Answer

Consider Google's official android-samples repo for updated examples, or use libraries like Drive REST API with Retrofit for more control. This sample is best for learning basics but may lack advanced features.

Android Quickstart

What is Android Quickstart?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions