Xamarin Essentials's FilePicker doesn't allow picking any files on iOS - xamarin

Question

I need to import CSV/SQLite3 files in my app to restore settings from previous offline backups. I use Xamarin.Essentials.FilePicker and it works perfectly on Android, however when trying it on iOS all the files are greyed-out and I can't select any file.
I use the following file types for Android and iOS:
var customFileType =
new Xamarin.Essentials.FilePickerFileType(new Dictionary<Xamarin.Essentials.DevicePlatform, IEnumerable<string>>
{
{ Xamarin.Essentials.DevicePlatform.iOS, new string[] {
"public.comma-separated-values-text",
"text/csv",
"comma-separated values",
"CSV document",
"csv",
"public.database",
"application/x-sqlite3",
"application/vnd.sqlite3",
"application/octet-stream",
} },
{ Xamarin.Essentials.DevicePlatform.Android, new string[] {
"text/csv",
"Comma-separated values",
"CSV document",
"application/x-sqlite3",
"application/vnd.sqlite3",
"application/octet-stream"
} },
}) ;
I've also tried adding text/plain for picking CSV files on iOS and it didn't work.
In addition, I've tried selecting PDF files using pdf and it didn't work.
I feel like I'm missing something that is not related to the MIME/UTTypes I'm putting, but I couldn't find any such thing up till now.
Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

this a weird issue that even I have faced and after scratching my head for a week I gave up(This was last year) I did not know this was still an issue in any case I would suggest you create a Bug in Essentials GitHub https://github.com/xamarin/Essentials/issues
And what you can do is for the time being use FilePicker Plugin(I am still using this): https://github.com/jfversluis/FilePicker-Plugin-for-Xamarin-and-Windows
And then use it like this :
try
{
FileData fileData = await CrossFilePicker.Current.PickFile();
if (fileData == null)
return; // user canceled file picking
string fileName = fileData.FileName;
string contents = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(fileData.DataArray);
System.Console.WriteLine("File name chosen: " + fileName);
System.Console.WriteLine("File data: " + contents);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
System.Console.WriteLine("Exception choosing file: " + ex.ToString());
}
This Library is marked deprecated by Gerald Versluis(Owner) but he will probably still accept PRs if needed in the future.
I hope this helps you out :)