Cannot Import Books into Moonreader

[HisLittleOne]

I am using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 on android 4.4.2

I installed Calibre Companion and MoonReader plus.

I have books in Calibre Companion but MoonReader cannot access them. Every time I try to change the directory path in MoonReader to where Calibre has the books, I get an error message. And if I try to change the path in Calibre Companion to where MoonReader has its directory it will not allow me to do so! I know there are restrictions with the 4.4 operating system of Android. But HOW do I get MoonReader to access the books in CC? Does anyone know how I can do this using my SD card and what the correct path would be?

[theducks]

I just use the Read button in CC, and I told Moon to NOT keep a copy.
CC manages books.
Moon+ displays them.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by HisLittleOne

I am using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 on android 4.4.2

I installed Calibre Companion and MoonReader plus.

I have books in Calibre Companion but MoonReader cannot access them. Every time I try to change the directory path in MoonReader to where Calibre has the books, I get an error message. And if I try to change the path in Calibre Companion to where MoonReader has its directory it will not allow me to do so! I know there are restrictions with the 4.4 operating system of Android. But HOW do I get MoonReader to access the books in CC? Does anyone know how I can do this using my SD card and what the correct path would be?

The basic answer is "you can't do what you are trying to do" for the reason you mentioned. Android 4.4 and later will not let two apps share a writable directory. (Yes, I know about the lollipop extensions but have not yet explored them.)

Your problem arises because you are trying to import the books into Moon+, probably to be able to see the books in the moon+ library view. That requires Moon+ to have write permission on the books because it can change them. Clearly CC must have write permission on the directory so it can put books into it.

There are a few workarounds:

1. Put the shared book folder in main memory so both apps have write permission.
2. Put the directory for one of the apps in main memory and have moon+ make a copy of the books when you import them.
3. Don't import the books into moon+. This is what theducks suggested. Moon+ is happy to open books for reading no matter where they are. Use CC's 'Read' command (in book details or long-press on a book) to launch the reader.