Use this folder greyed out: To protect your privacy, choose another folder [Fix]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of the ‘Use this folder’ button being greyed out and instead being greeted with the “To protect your privacy, choose another folder” error. One of the major pillars of Android is its open-source nature, however, it seems Google is now doing its best to diminish the stature of the OS. It is placing one restrictive measure after another, all in the name of offering a privacy-enriched ecosystem.

Well, the users know best, and they should be given complete authority over their device. But if the Silicon Valley giant still wants to implement restrictive measures, they should at least give granular controls to its userbase so that they can disable the feature in times of need [the OS can give a warning sign before the users disable such features at the very max].

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LEFT: ISSUE | RIGHT: FIXED!

In this regard, one such restrictive measure that the tech giant has placed is the inability to use data and obb folders. Making matters worse is when an app tries to access a folder in that directory. Till Android 10, you can easily tap on Use that folder to get the job done. However, beginning with Android 11, that button has been greyed out, and on top of that, users get a “To protect your privacy, choose another folder” message [read Scooped Storage].

While this is one of the most infuriating changes, and thousands of users have already criticized it in the feedback they submitted, however, all of them have fallen on deaf ears. So, is there a way to address this problem? Well, there exist a couple of handy workarounds that should help you deal with this issue. So without any further ado, let’s check them out.

  • Fix Use this folder greyed out: To protect your privacy, choose another folder FIX 1: Using Files by Marc App FIX 2: Uninstall Updates of the Files App FIX 3: Uninstall Files By Google FIX 4: Using KDEConnect FIX 5: Using LSPosed

Fix Use this folder greyed out: To protect your privacy, choose another folder

YouTube video - 2

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds a nd then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Using Files by Marc App

There exist a couple of root explorers that are able to bypass this Scooped Storage limitation. One such is Files by Marc , which unlocks the hidden file manager app on your device and allows you to easily access the data and OBB folders. Likewise, FV File Manager is also another app that will help you get that job done. Both of them have been explained in depth in this guide and video . So, do check it out and see if it works out for you or not.

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FIX 2: Uninstall Updates of the Files App

Next up, you should consider removing all the updates from the system files app [not the Files by Google app]. Here’s how it can be done:

  1. Head over to Settings > Apps > All Apps > Show System app.
  2. Then select the Files app and tap on Uninstall Updates > OK.
  3. Once done, try interacting with the “Use This Folder” button.

FIX 3: Uninstall Files By Google

In some instances, the Files by Google app might interfere with this task. Therefore, you should consider uninstalling the app from your device and then check if it spells out success for you or not. Here’s how it can be done:

  1. Download and extract the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
  2. Now enable USB Debugging and connect your device to PC via USB.
  3. Then open Command Prompt inside the platform-tools and type in: adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.google.android.apps.nbu.files pm uninstall –user 0 com.google.android.documentsui
  4. Now try using the “Use This Folder” button and see if it works or not.
  5. If it doesn’t, then reinstall Files by Google and move to the next fix.

FIX 4: Using KDEConnect

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Here’s another impressive solution shared by Redditor ‘dinominant’ that manages to get this job done without root. Let’s check it out:

  1. To begin with, install F-Droid and Termux onto your device.
  2. Then enable storage access in Termux via he below command: termux-setup-storage
  3. NOTE: If ‘termux-setup-storage’ doesn’t work, then first run ‘pkg install termux-am’
  4. The storage folder in Termux contains the paths you are looking for. Add others if you want them too, such as your entire sdcard at /storage/####-####
  5. Open KDE Connect -> … -> Plugin settings -> Filesystem expose -> Add storage location -> Termux -> ☰ -> storage -> This is the path you are looking for
  6. Give it an appropriate name.

FIX 5: Using LSPosed

  1. To begin with, root your device via Magisk / APatch / KernelSU .
  2. Now download, install, and set up the LSPosed on your device.
  3. Then go to the Repository and search for “NoStorageRestrict”.
  4. Select it, head to the Asset section, and download and install it.
  5. Now, launch LSPosed, go to Modules, enable NoStorageRestrict.
  6. Then, restart your device, and the underlying issue will be fixed.
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