Android Q beta 2 has sparked a lot of controversy over "Scoped Storage", a new set of rules that changes how apps are allowed to access local storage. Google hopes to improve security in this way because the current free system allows bad actors to monitor your device's data. Now, Google has announced that it will stop applying Scoped Storage with version 3 to give developers more time to adapt to the new API.

Previously, Google planned to limit applications that did not use Scoped Storage on Q and only allow applications installed before the beta 2 to use a compatibility mode so that they do not break . With the announcement today, this changes significantly. The legacy mode will be available in the final version of Android Q and Google states that Scoped Storage will only be required in the major version of the platform next year for all applications independent of the target SDK. This means that full realization of the API is reported on Android R. Thus, legacy applications will not disappear on Q. However, applications targeting Qn have no way around the new permission system and must use it.

By way of quick update: Scoped Storage creates isolated storage sandboxes for applications. Thus, applications no longer need additional permissions to write their own files. In addition, they can no longer access the sandbox of another application directly. The default Photos, Videos, Music and Android Downloads folders remain "shared collections" and are accessible to all applications. Basically, Scoped Storage comes down to a system of access to files more transparent and less easily abused. As we have seen in a recent update of Google Files, even file managers will continue to work as before.

The delay will delight many people who have complained about Scoped Storage, the latest addition to Android, as we know it. However, this is only a grace period, because the end of free access for all will certainly come with Android R.