Multiple File Selection Does Not Work For Android 4.04 and 4.3

[marsleebrenda]

I have applied jqueryfileupload successfully in a website.
In windows XP /7/vista, I can select multiple files by hitting control key and clicking mouse's left button.

But, in the Android 4.04 and 4.3, I can't find a way to select multiple files.
In android 4.04/4.3 , after hitting "add files", it will pop a list of file pickers in OS such as gallery, file manager, astro,etc.

But none of the file pickers in Andrioid seem to able to select multiple files.

I can select one file, but not multiple files.

I 've tried android Chrome and firefox, and Multi file selection does not work

[marsleebrenda]

I tried it on Sony Xperia phone and it doesn't work.
Just curious of how you do it.
Question 1: How can you select multiple file in Android? holding and pressing the thumbnail?
Question 2: What file picker you use for selecting files? Astro or gallery?
Question 3: What 's version of Android and the phone you tested?

[blueimp]

Sorry, but my original answer was based on false data.
I don't always re-test features and my own browser support chart listed Chrome on Android falsely as supporting multiple file uploads.

However this doesn't seem to be the case, as also highlighted by the following issue posts:
#2803
#2312

Generally speaking, Android doesn't seem to support multiple file selection no matter the browser version:
http://caniuse.com/input-file-multiple

[marsleebrenda]

Update on the Andriod Multiple file selection:

According to the following, Android API18 introduced Intent extra :EXTRA_ALLOW_MULTIPLE

"Android JellyBean MR2 (API 18) introduced an Intent extra which tells the
file picker that it can select multiple files. Each of the files will be
returned as a ClipData entry on the completed Intent."

https://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=348912

In order to make Multiple file selection work in Android,

1. Broswer must allow input type="file" multiple
2. Android OS must be JellyBean MR2 (API18) or higher
3. App must use EXTRA_ALLOW_MULTIPLE(Android have no standard file dialog, it uses app as a file picker)

Android chrome has problem with input type="file" multiple , the bug is fixed in Chromium.
But I have no idea when it will release at least a beta version.

https://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=348912

I don't know whether input type="file" multiple will work in android firefox or opera.
But even if these browser works, I still have to find an Android app which uses "EXTRA_ALLOW_MULTIPLE"

blueimp Do you have any idea what Android app will use "EXTRA_ALLOW_MULTIPLE"?Thanks!

[blueimp]

Thanks a lot for the detailed information, @marsleebrenda! It's very much appreciated.
Unfortunately I'm not aware which app if any uses the EXTRA_ALLOW_MULTIPLE feature.

[marsleebrenda]

Another Update on Chromium( Chrome multi file selection)

The multiple file selection has been added to Chromium.(no beta yet)
To allow multiple selection in Android, it requires

1. Android 4.3(API 18 or higher)
2. A browser with multi-file selection (so far only Chromium has it, no beta yet)
3. An app which provides multiple file selection with the files returned as a ClipData entry on the completed Intent.

I search all over the web and someone have suggested "Google Photos app for Android" and "File Selector/Explorer".

Maybe there 're more apps will work. I guess some apps in google play will work,
possibly the app in the File Manger/ Broswer and/or Gallery categories.

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To see what functions and methods got changed on Android Chrome, go to
https://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=348912

Look for "Changed paths"

I have checked the tree in 92a80fefb8b288e63e50a6b24f1ad473f076f42e
https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/92a80fefb8b288e63e50a6b24f1ad473f076f42e
The build contains all the changes for the multiple file selection

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Download Link for android chrome with multiple-file selection
http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/chromium-browser-continuous/index.html?prefix=Android/289059/

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The download zip file, "chrome-android.zip" contains Contentshell.apk and ChromeShell.apk.

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Any volunteer want to try???
blueimp. you want to try?

Thanks!

[marsleebrenda]

Another Update on the Chrome multiple upload Status
Chrome has just released beta version 38.0.2125.57 for Android.
I tested it with a Samsung Note 3 phone with Android 4.3 and Google+ Photos.
Multilple Upload works great.

[blueimp]

That's great news! Thanks for the continued update, @marsleebrenda! 👍