How can one create/ delete files in the /data/data dir using root in Android?

Question

I'm working on a POC where I need to create and later on delete a file in the /data/data dir of a rooted device. I have tried to create a file in the standard way but it throws an PERMISSION_DENNIED exception as expected. I know this is possible because the Root Explorer app can do it.

How can I programatically create/ delete a file via root?

Thank in advance!

Just run as root, then delete the file. Its just like any other flavor of linux — Gabe Sechan, Apr 08 '19 at 14:21
Hi @GabeSechan! Thank you for your answer. I would like to be able to do that in code from my app. Any idea how might one achieve this? Thank you — android enthusiast, Apr 08 '19 at 14:30

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 08 '19 at 15:07

Based on @GabeSechan comment I was able to achieve this using this commands.

Create new file:

final String[] sCommand = {"su", "-c", "touch /data/..."};
        try {
            Runtime.getRuntime().exec(sCommand);

        } catch (Exception e) {
            Log.e(TAG, "Issue occurred while creating new file " + e.getMessage());
        }
    }

And delete file:

final String[] sCommand = {"su", "-c", "rm /data/..."};
try {
    Runtime.getRuntime().exec(sCommand);

} catch (Exception e) {
    Log.e(TAG, "Issue occurred while deleting " + e.getMessage());
}

How can one create/ delete files in the /data/data dir using root in Android?

1 Answers1