File.listFiles returns null when it shouldn't

Question

I am trying to get list of files existing in the Phone Pictures folder (internal storage, no SDCard inserted) using this:

 File file = Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES);
 File[] files = file.listFiles();

but files value is always being null. I also add this to AndroidManifest.xml

 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

Any ideas will be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If you are targeting Android SDK >=23 you need to take permission at run-time.

https://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting.html

Answer 2

It returns null as Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory will/is supposed to handle files from external storage like SD card..as you are stating no sd card is inserted