What is the name of SharedPreferences file name?

android sharedpreferences android-preferences preferenceactivity

10,947

I am using Android Studio and created a "Settings Activity".

Then you get your SharedPreferences via PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(). Replace:

SharedPreferences preferences = getSharedPreferences(PREF_FILE_NAME, MODE_PRIVATE);

with:

SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(this);

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Author by

Abbas

Looking for a Remote Android Developer Job.

Updated on June 04, 2022

Comments

Abbas about 2 years

I am new to Android and I am kind of stuck for 6 hours straight.

The problem is I don't know the name of the preferences file, and I need to get values from preferences file. I am using Android Studio and created a "Settings Activity". All the way I had not given name to any file except SettingsActivity.java.

So my question is what is the name of the Shared Preferences file (cause the application is keeping the values). Or otherwise if there is a way to find out.

Or perhaps I am missing something obvious in code. Following is my relevant code.

String key = "example_text";
final String PREF_FILE_NAME = "SettingsActivity";
SharedPreferences preferences = getSharedPreferences(PREF_FILE_NAME, MODE_PRIVATE);
String value = preferences.getString(key, " null");

EDIT 1: I have an activity named RemoteDevice.java, within this activity I have a Async Task subclass for internet usage. Now I have stored IP address through the above mentioned PreferencesActivity and now want to retrieve it. But am unable to find it.

EDIT 2: In the following code I am trying to get value from edit text.

<PreferenceScreen xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

<!-- NOTE: EditTextPreference accepts EditText attributes. -->
<!-- NOTE: EditTextPreference's summary should be set to its value by the activity code. -->
<EditTextPreference
    android:key="example_text"
    android:title="@string/pref_host_ip_address"
    android:defaultValue="@string/pref_default_host_address"
    android:selectAllOnFocus="true"
    android:inputType="numberDecimal"
    android:digits="123456789."
    android:capitalize="words"
    android:singleLine="true"
    android:maxLines="1" />

<!-- NOTE: Hide buttons to simplify the UI. Users can touch outside the dialog to
     dismiss it. -->
<!-- NOTE: ListPreference's summary should be set to its value by the activity code. -->
<ListPreference
    android:key="example_list"
    android:title="@string/pref_title_add_friends_to_messages"
    android:defaultValue="-1"
    android:entries="@array/pref_example_list_titles"
    android:entryValues="@array/pref_example_list_values"
    android:negativeButtonText="@null"
    android:positiveButtonText="@null" />

And I am guessing here android:key is the key to be passed as arguments in

String value = preferences.getString(key, " null");

Abbas almost 9 years

I already tried that but the problem is I am using the above mentioned code in an AsyncTask-SubClass of another activity.
Abbas almost 9 years

I am using my android phone for this, and it retains the changed values. So I think the values are there. Any other suggestions?
CommonsWare almost 9 years

@AbbasA.Ali: So? That does not change how you access the SharedPreferences instance used by PreferenceFragment and PreferenceActivity. You call PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(), supplying as a parameter any Context from your app (e.g., an instance of an Activity).
Aakash almost 9 years

make your question clear, what is the issue you are getting.
Abbas almost 9 years

So u can give any context of any activity in any activity?
Abbas almost 9 years

I tried that but it doesn't work. I am still getting null.
Abbas almost 9 years

I am running it on my android phone. But where is data folder?
Abbas almost 9 years

I don't see my project's package name. Does that mean there is no preference's file? Cause whenever I run the app and change preferences on my phone and re-run it, it stays updated. Also tried 'Show Hidden Files and Folders'
DH28 almost 9 years

May be your app is installed at the external SD. Did you check there?
Abbas almost 9 years

That's the problem I don't have an external SD.
DH28 almost 9 years

You need to get to your file system root. If it is not possible from your file browser try Total Commander for Android.
Abbas almost 9 years

thanks I got it by using your method. I apologize for late response but a few of my friends advised me against rooting my device. But in the end it worked for me and I found the file. Moreover is there a way to change the name of Shared Pref. file? Or change the name at build time? Thanks.
EslamWael74 almost 3 years

This way is Deprecated