I noticed that the LibRetro team have found a way around the Scoped Storage restrictions for some files. Not all mind you, but some. For instance Cores and Core Info files can't be changed from /Android/data. If you try, RetroArch simply reverts back to the restricted folder after a restart. But... Overlays, Saves and Save State files can be saved outside of /Android/data and that change in settings persists after app and phone restarts. There are others, but as an example listing those will suffice. It's also worth noting that the version of RetroArch that is available on the Play Store is still 1.16, while the version available from their website and F-Droid is 1.19.1. This might be because versions after 1.16 aren't compliant and thus Google won't allow them on the Play Store, but I'm hoping this isn't the case.
I mention this because I have set up SyncThing to autosync RetroArch saves between my S24+ and my PC and I would like to do this for Dolphin GCI folders as well. I currently have it set up to sync my Dolphin folders on my PC to a user accessible folder on my phone, but I then have to use the Dolphin file browser to manually copy the synced save files to Dolphin's folder inside /Android/data. I would very much like to set it up so that Dolphin can use those user accessible folders as the GCI memcard folders instead of the ones created inside /Android/data.
Are there any obstacles to adding a custom, user select-able GCI path in the Dolphin settings for GCI saves while remaining compliant with Google's Scoped Storage policy by using /Android/data for all other files? Does the Scoped Storage policy completely prevent an app from using user accessible folders for any file it creates?
If this is at all possible, I think I speak for many Dolphin users when I say the most we are concerned with is our game saves. Having the ability to sync our saves between different devices, not only for backup purposes but also to continue game progress when switching devices, is a QoL feature worth having.
If this isn't possible, well that sucks and I'll go away and hope Google reverses course or at least loosens the restrictions enough to make it possible.
I mention this because I have set up SyncThing to autosync RetroArch saves between my S24+ and my PC and I would like to do this for Dolphin GCI folders as well. I currently have it set up to sync my Dolphin folders on my PC to a user accessible folder on my phone, but I then have to use the Dolphin file browser to manually copy the synced save files to Dolphin's folder inside /Android/data. I would very much like to set it up so that Dolphin can use those user accessible folders as the GCI memcard folders instead of the ones created inside /Android/data.
Are there any obstacles to adding a custom, user select-able GCI path in the Dolphin settings for GCI saves while remaining compliant with Google's Scoped Storage policy by using /Android/data for all other files? Does the Scoped Storage policy completely prevent an app from using user accessible folders for any file it creates?
If this is at all possible, I think I speak for many Dolphin users when I say the most we are concerned with is our game saves. Having the ability to sync our saves between different devices, not only for backup purposes but also to continue game progress when switching devices, is a QoL feature worth having.
If this isn't possible, well that sucks and I'll go away and hope Google reverses course or at least loosens the restrictions enough to make it possible.