Android 11 Scoped storage permissions

My App use the file paths of images provided by Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() to create albums of photos, but with Android 11 I won't be able to access directly files.

According to the Android developers documentation they recently introduced the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, but I didn't understand if adding this permission I'm able to continue to access file by Environment or not.

I tried my application on an Android 11 Virtual device and it seems to work perfectly even without requesting the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission!

Reading the documentation on Android Developers, it seems that the applications that uses the File API for accessing Photos and Medias only locations can continue to work, but I'am not sure.

Is there anyone who better understood the Android Documentation???

Android 11

If you are targeting Android 11 (targetSdkVersion 30) then you require the following permissions in AndroidManifest.xml for modifying and document access.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
    android:maxSdkVersion="28" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

For Android 10 you place the following line in your AndroidManifest.xml tag

android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"

the method below checks if the permission is allowed or denied

private boolean checkPermission() {
    if (SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
        return Environment.isExternalStorageManager();
    } else {
        int result = ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(PermissionActivity.this, READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE);
        int result1 = ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(PermissionActivity.this, WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE);
        return result == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && result1 == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;
    }
}

The below method can be used for requesting a permission in android 11 or below

private void requestPermission() {
    if (SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
        try {
            Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
            intent.addCategory("android.intent.category.DEFAULT");
            intent.setData(Uri.parse(String.format("package:%s",getApplicationContext().getPackageName())));
            startActivityForResult(intent, 2296);
        } catch (Exception e) {
            Intent intent = new Intent();
            intent.setAction(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
            startActivityForResult(intent, 2296);
        }
    } else {
        //below android 11
        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(PermissionActivity.this, new String[]{WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
    }
}

Handling permission callback for Android 11 or above versions

@Override
protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, @Nullable Intent data) {
    super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
    if (requestCode == 2296) {
        if (SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
            if (Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) {
                // perform action when allow permission success
            } else {
                Toast.makeText(this, "Allow permission for storage access!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
        }
    }
}

Handling permission callback for OS versions below Android 11

@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
    switch (requestCode) {
        case PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE:
            if (grantResults.length > 0) {
                boolean READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE = grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;
                boolean WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE = grantResults[1] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;

                if (READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE && WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) {
                    // perform action when allow permission success
                } else {
                    Toast.makeText(this, "Allow permission for storage access!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                }
            }
            break;
    }
}

NOTE: MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is a special permission only allowed for few apps like Antivirus, file manager, etc. You have to justify the reason while publishing the app to PlayStore.

Android 11 doesn't allow to access directly files from storage you must have to select file from storage and copy that file into your app package chache com.android.myapp. Below is the method to copy file from storage to app package cache

private String copyFileToInternalStorage(Uri uri, String newDirName) {
    Uri returnUri = uri;

    Cursor returnCursor = mContext.getContentResolver().query(returnUri, new String[]{
            OpenableColumns.DISPLAY_NAME, OpenableColumns.SIZE
    }, null, null, null);


    /*
     * Get the column indexes of the data in the Cursor,
     *     * move to the first row in the Cursor, get the data,
     *     * and display it.
     * */
    int nameIndex = returnCursor.getColumnIndex(OpenableColumns.DISPLAY_NAME);
    int sizeIndex = returnCursor.getColumnIndex(OpenableColumns.SIZE);
    returnCursor.moveToFirst();
    String name = (returnCursor.getString(nameIndex));
    String size = (Long.toString(returnCursor.getLong(sizeIndex)));

    File output;
    if (!newDirName.equals("")) {
        File dir = new File(mContext.getFilesDir() + "/" + newDirName);
        if (!dir.exists()) {
            dir.mkdir();
        }
        output = new File(mContext.getFilesDir() + "/" + newDirName + "/" + name);
    } else {
        output = new File(mContext.getFilesDir() + "/" + name);
    }
    try {
        InputStream inputStream = mContext.getContentResolver().openInputStream(uri);
        FileOutputStream outputStream = new FileOutputStream(output);
        int read = 0;
        int bufferSize = 1024;
        final byte[] buffers = new byte[bufferSize];
        while ((read = inputStream.read(buffers)) != -1) {
            outputStream.write(buffers, 0, read);
        }

        inputStream.close();
        outputStream.close();

    } catch (Exception e) {

        Log.e("Exception", e.getMessage());
    }

    return output.getPath();
}

Review Android 11 Scoped Storage Updates here

Quick Solution is here :

For Quick Solution if you put your android target and compile sdk version is 29 then your app will run on android 11 with the same implementation as u did on android ten here

In mainfest file

When you updating your android Device from api 10(29) to android 11(30) Api , its not working to retrieve data from your device storage or mobile directory i have checked today on play store thousand of the apps having millions download live on play store they are not working on android 11 , because android 11 introduced new scoped storages update where you have to implement new methods to get media file using MediaStore Object,

some useful information that i wants to share with you after reading the android documentation are listed here:

> in android 11 , you can access the cache only for their own specific apps.

> apps cannot create their own app-specific directory on external storage. To access the directory that the system provides for your app, call getExternalFilesDirs()

> If your app targets Android 11, it cannot access the files in any other app's data directory, even if the other app targets Android 8.1 (API level 27) or lower and has made the files in its data directory world-readable

> On Android 11, apps can no longer access files in any other app's dedicated, app-specific directory within external storage.

> Apps that run on Android 11 but target Android 10 (API level 29) can still request the requestLegacyExternalStorage attribute. This flag allows apps to temporarily opt out of the changes associated with scoped storage, such as granting access to different directories and different types of media files. After you update your app to target Android 11, the system ignores the requestLegacyExternalStorage flag.

before this on android 10 we were using

 android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"
    tools:targetApi="q"

in manifest under application attribute now this method is not working in android 11.

so migrate to the new updates now thanks

Review Here Scoped Storage Updates

follow the tutorial guidelines here Follow the Scoped Storage tutorial at GitHub

> According to the Android developers documentation they recently introduced the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, but I didn't understand if adding this permission I'm able to continue to access file by Environment or not.

Yes, you will. However, bear in mind that if you intend to distribute your app on the Play Store (and perhaps elsewhere), you will need to justify the reason for requesting that permission. So, unless you have a very good reason to use MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, please use something else.

I found this way for Android 11 (SDK R - 30):

1- In Manifest must add this permission: (just for R)

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
        tools:ignore="ScopedStorage" />

2- Request the OS dialogue to ask for permission:

ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
                        new String[]{Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,
                                Manifest.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, 1);

3- Check your app can access to the storage :

if (!Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) 

4- Use Intent to open the "All Files Access " for your app

Intent intent = new Intent();
                    intent.setAction(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
                    Uri uri = Uri.fromParts("package", this.getPackageName(), null);
                    intent.setData(uri);
                    startActivity(intent);

Note: This answer does not require MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

In android 10 and above MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE we can't use it for play store applications unless it is file manager or antivirus that makes it pretty useless.

so to access photos from storage without MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE below answer would be useful

In Manifest

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
    android:maxSdkVersion="28" />

To access media files

// Need the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission if accessing video files that your
// app didn't create.

// Container for information about each video.


data class Image(val uri: Uri,
    val name: String,
    val duration: Int,
    val size: Int
)
val imgList = mutableListOf<Image>()

val collection =
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
        MediaStore.Images.Media.getContentUri(
            MediaStore.VOLUME_EXTERNAL
        )
    } else {
        MediaStore.Images.Media.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI
    }

val projection = arrayOf(
    MediaStore.Images.Media._ID,
    MediaStore.Images.Media.DISPLAY_NAME,
 
   MediaStore.Images.Media.SIZE
)



// Display videos in alphabetical order based on their display name.
val sortOrder = "${MediaStore.Images.Media.DISPLAY_NAME} ASC"

val query = ContentResolver.query(
    collection,
    projection,
   null,
   null,
    sortOrder
)
query?.use { cursor ->
    // Cache column indices.
    val idColumn = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(MediaStore.Images.Media._ID)
    val nameColumn =
            cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(MediaStore.Images.Media.DISPLAY_NAME)
 
    val sizeColumn = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(MediaStore.Images.Media.SIZE)

    while (cursor.moveToNext()) {
        
        val id = cursor.getLong(idColumn)
        val name = cursor.getString(nameColumn)
     
        val size = cursor.getInt(sizeColumn)

        val contentUri: Uri = ContentUris.withAppendedId(
           MediaStore.Images.Media.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI,
            id
        )

        // Stores column values and the contentUri in a local object
        // that represents the media file.
       imgList += Image(contentUri, name, size)
    }
}

To create a file

// Request code 
const val CREATE_FILE = 1

private fun createFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "Type of file"
        putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "Name of File")

  // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be  opened in
    
  // the system file picker before your app creates the document.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }
    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE)
}

In Android 11 This is my fully functioning Code to get a Camera up and running:

`

<!--Still need to request legacy storage for devices running on API 29 and below otherwise they won't work -->
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.example.yourpackage">

<!-- For Various Types -->
<queries>
    <intent>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.SEND" />
        <data android:mimeType="vnd.android.cursor.dir/email" />
    </intent>
    <intent>
        <action android:name="android.media.action.IMAGE_CAPTURE" />
    </intent>
    <intent>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.CALL" />
    </intent>
</queries>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<!-- ... Rest of manifest -->

<application
...
android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"
...
   <provider
        android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
        android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
        android:exported="false"
        android:grantUriPermissions="true">
        <meta-data
            android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
            android:resource="@xml/file_paths">
        </meta-data>
    </provider>
</application>
</manifest

`

The file_path.xml document goes in the res/xml folder and contains the following for pictures:

` http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

<external-files-path
    name="internal_images"
    path="files/Pictures" />
<external-files-path
    name="internal_images_alternate"
    path="Pictures" />
</paths>

`

Then when actually checking for storage options I implemented the following piece of code:

`

private boolean hasManageExternalStoragePermission() {
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
        if (Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) {
            return true;
        } else {
            if (Environment.isExternalStorageLegacy()) {
                return true;
            }
            try {
                Intent intent = new Intent();
                intent.setAction(ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
                intent.setData(Uri.parse("package:com.example.yourpackage"));
                startActivityForResult(intent, RESULT_CODE); //result code is just an int
                return false;
            } catch (Exception e) {
                return false;
            }
        }
    }
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
        if (Environment.isExternalStorageLegacy()) {
            return true;
        } else {
            try {
                Intent intent = new Intent();
                intent.setAction(ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
                intent.setData(Uri.parse("package:com.example.yourpackage"));
                startActivityForResult(intent, RESULT_CODE); //result code is just an int
                return false;
            } catch (Exception e) {
                return true; //if anything needs adjusting it would be this
            }
        }
    }
    return true; // assumed storage permissions granted
}

`

Next for the permission request: `

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, Manifest.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE); //permission request code is just an int
        } else {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE); //permisison request code is just an int
        }

`

Then (and I know this is out of scope for the original question) you have the prospect of using the camera intent which goes like this now:

`

public static Intent getCameraIntentWithUpdatedPackages(Context context){
    List<ResolveInfo> resolveInfo = new ArrayList<>();

    final Intent capturePhoto = new Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE);
    PackageManager pm = context.getPackageManager();
    resolveInfo = pm.queryIntentActivities(capturePhoto, 0);
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R){
        // For Android 11 we need to add specific camera apps
        // due them are not added during ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE scanning...
        resolveInfo.addAll(getCameraSpecificAppsInfo(context));
    }
    return capturePhoto;
}

private static List<ResolveInfo> getCameraSpecificAppsInfo(Context context){
    List<ResolveInfo> resolveInfo = new ArrayList<>();
    if (context == null){
        return resolveInfo;
    }
    PackageManager pm = context.getPackageManager();
    for (String packageName : CAMERA_SPECIFIC_APPS) {
        resolveInfo.addAll(getCameraSpecificAppInfo(packageName, pm));
    }
    return resolveInfo;
}

private static List<ResolveInfo> getCameraSpecificAppInfo(String packageName, PackageManager pm){
    Intent specificCameraApp = new Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE);
    specificCameraApp.setPackage(packageName);
    return pm.queryIntentActivities(specificCameraApp, 0);
}


public static File dispatchTakePictureIntent(Context context, String photoNameSuffix) {
   
        Intent takePictureIntent = getCameraIntentWithUpdatedPackages(context);
        // Ensure that there's a camera activity to handle the intent
        if (takePictureIntent.resolveActivity(context.getPackageManager()) != null) {
            // Create the File where the photo should go
            File photoFile = null;
            try {
                photoFile = createImageFile(activity, photoNameSuffix);
            } catch (IOException ex) {
                ex.printStackTrace();
            }
            // Continue only if the File was successfully created
            if (photoFile != null) {
                Uri photoURI = Uri.fromFile(photoFile);
                if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
                    takePictureIntent.putExtra(MediaStore.EXTRA_OUTPUT, photoURI);
                } else {
                    File file = new File(photoURI.getPath());
                    if (!file.exists()) {
                        file.mkdirs();
                        file.mkdir();
                        try {
                            file.createNewFile();
                        } catch (IOException e) {
                            e.printStackTrace();
                        }
                    }
                    Uri photoUri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(context.getApplicationContext(), context.getApplicationContext().getPackageName() + ".provider", file);
                    activity.grantUriPermission(photoURI.getAuthority(), photoUri, Intent.FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION);
                    takePictureIntent.putExtra(MediaStore.EXTRA_OUTPUT, photoUri);
                }
                //disable strict mode policies
                StrictMode.VmPolicy.Builder builder = new StrictMode.VmPolicy.Builder();
                StrictMode.setVmPolicy(builder.build());
                context.startActivityForResult(takePictureIntent, REQUEST_TAKE_PHOTO);
            }
            return photoFile;
        }
    
    return null;
}

static final String[] CAMERA_SPECIFIC_APPS =  new String[]{
        "best.camera",
        "net.sourceforge.opencamera",
        "com.google.android.GoogleCamera",
        "tools.photo.hd.camera",
};

`

And just like that we have a picture we can rename into our own directory assuming the package name is granted all files access!

MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is strict permission and should be used for valid purposes only, e.g. file manager and anti-virus apps. See the usage.

I would offer something simpler with this library. You can access the scoped storage without the full disk permission (MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE). This code will ask the user to grant the access:

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {

    private val storageHelper = SimpleStorageHelper(this)

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)

        setupSimpleStorage(savedInstanceState)
        setupButtonActions()
    }

    private fun setupButtonActions() {
        btnRequestStorageAccess.setOnClickListener {
            storageHelper.requestStorageAccess()
        }

        btnSelectFolder.setOnClickListener {
            storageHelper.openFolderPicker()
        }

        btnSelectFile.setOnClickListener {
            storageHelper.openFilePicker()
        }
    }

    private fun setupSimpleStorage(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        savedInstanceState?.let { storageHelper.onRestoreInstanceState(it) }
        storageHelper.onStorageAccessGranted = { requestCode, root ->
            Toast.makeText(this, "Yay, granted!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
        }

        storageHelper.onFileSelected = { requestCode, file ->
            Toast.makeText(this, file.fullName, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
        }

        storageHelper.onFolderSelected = { requestCode, folder ->
            Toast.makeText(this, folder.getAbsolutePath(this), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
        }
    }
}

Since direct file paths (java.io.File) are no longer reliable, thus you need DocumentFile which manages files via URI. The library also provides rich extension functions, i.e.:

• DocumentFile.getProperties()
• DocumentFile.search()
• DocumentFile.deleteRecursively()
• DocumentFile.openOutputStream()
• DocumentFile.copyFileTo()
• List<DocumentFile>.moveTo(), etc.

I have solved the issue -

Do -

1. Save in the external directory as this will help to read in SDK version 30 or above.
2. Add '//' + directory path & your problem will be resolved So it means that your path will be '//'+ getExternalStorageDirectory())!.path
3. Add read and write permission - In Manifest

to access media files

Don't use this as your app will not be accepted in the play store.

1. <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" tools:ignore="ScopedStorage" />

This is the code to save and retrieve the file & it works on both SDK > 30 and SDK =< 30.

final directory = (await getExternalStorageDirectory())!.path;
  ByteData? byteData =
      await (image.toByteData(format: ui.ImageByteFormat.png));
  Uint8List pngBytes = byteData!.buffer.asUint8List();
  File imgFile = new File('$directory/screenshot${rng.nextInt(2000)}.png');
  await imgFile.writeAsBytes(pngBytes);
  setState(() {
    _imageFile = imgFile;
  });
  // Add '//' + directory path & your problem will be resolved
  return '//'+imgFile.path; 

Now share the file - takeScreenshot().then((value) => Share.shareFiles(['$value'], text: 'Hello'), );

If you want to write and read files from the device. You can basically use Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOCUMENTS)(it doesn't have to be DIRECTORY DOCUMENTS) instead of Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), you don't need to ask for MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission. It is working normally on Android 11 in this way.

I also looked for a solution for several hours and tested some approaches. In my app, users can send emails with an pdf document as attachment and suddenly since android 11 the attachment was empty due to the permission changes of android. For getting the file I use a FileProvider. The suggested methods I found here but also in other threads didn't work, until I tested around for my own and casually did the same as Monu meena and added this in my android manifest file:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" tools:ignore="ScopedStorage" />

This is the only working solution in my case.I didn't remove read or write permissions and I also didn't set target sdk to 29 or lower, my target sdk is still 30 and it is also working for devices with API lower than 30. I have tested successfully on several devices with different API version in android studio emulator.

So give it a try, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

In File Location (wherever you are using it) use

mContext.getExternalFilesDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES);

instead of

Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();

And in permissions use (see comment out of permission)

 if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
            // return Environment.isExternalStorageManager();
            return true;
        }

In my case just need was create an .csv file then send to server i had follow this document.

This document.

 File folder  = new File(getBaseContext().getFilesDir(), "/test/CSV");
 filepath = folder.toString() + "/" + id + ".csv";

private fun loadFilesFromSharedStorage() {
    try {
        val projection = arrayOf(
            MediaStore.MediaColumns._ID,
            MediaStore.MediaColumns.DISPLAY_NAME
        )
        val selection = when (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT == Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
            true -> "${MediaStore.MediaColumns.RELATIVE_PATH} LIKE ?"
            else -> MediaStore.Images.Media.DATA + " like ? "
        }
        val selectionArgs = arrayOf("%test%") 
        val uriExternal = MediaStore.Files.getContentUri("external")
        contentResolver.query(
            uriExternal,
            projection,
            selection,
            selectionArgs,
            null
        )?.use {
            val idColumn = it.getColumnIndexOrThrow(MediaStore.MediaColumns._ID)
            while (it.moveToNext()) {
                try {
                    val contentUri: Uri = ContentUris.withAppendedId(
                        uriExternal,
                        it.getLong(idColumn)
                    ) /*Use this URI for next*/
                } catch (e: Exception) {
                    e.printStackTrace()
                }
            }
        }
    } catch (e: Exception) {
        e.printStackTrace()
    }

}

Use block to fetch files Shared Storage in Android11 and use it

Ins simple way only we need to enable below permission

$<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" tools:ignore="ScopedStorage" />

then we can use our old codes to perform any action