Allow me to share with you one of the most vexing issues I encounter when developers use Termux. You’re feeling productive while coding, and then all of a sudden you run into a wall. When you try to access the files on your phone, you get the dreaded “Permission denied” error.
Does that sound familiar? You’re not by yourself. After hours of troubleshooting scripts that ought to function flawlessly, I’ve discovered that the problem is simply with storage permissions. I’m going to permanently spare you that headache today.
Why This Happens (And It’s Not Your Fault)
Here’s the thing: Android changed the game. Remember when apps could just access everything? Yeah, those days are gone. Now, Termux needs explicit permission to touch your files.
When you first install Termux and try something simple like:
ls /sdcard/DownloadOr:
cp myscript.sh /storage/emulated/0/You’ll probably see this beauty:
bash: /storage/emulated/0/: Permission deniedThat’s Android 10+ saying “Hold up, you need permission first.” It’s like showing up to a party without an invitation.
The Real-World Impact (Trust Me, I’ve Been There)
Let me paint you a picture. You’re working on an automation script to backup your photos. You’ve got the code perfect, tested it in your home directory… but the moment you try to grab your actual photos? Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Or worse—you’re trying to share a file you just created with another app, and you realize you’re stuck in Termux’s little sandbox. No way out.
The frustration is real. I’ve seen developers:
- Abandon entire projects because they couldn’t figure out file access
- Resort to manual file copying through the file manager (the horror!)
- Spend hours on Stack Overflow looking for complex workarounds
The good news is that there is an absurdly easy solution.
The All-Fixing Magic Command
Are you prepared for this? It’s just one command. Seriously.
Step 1: Run This Once and Forget About It
termux-setup-storageThat’s it. When you run this, Android will pop up a permission dialog. Just tap “Allow” and you’re golden.
Step 2: Double-Check It’s Working
ls ~/storage/sharedIf you see your Downloads folder, DCIM, and all your usual Android directories, you’re in business.
Step 3: Understand What Just Happened
Termux just created a bunch of shortcuts for you. Think of them like bookmarks to your phone’s important folders:
~/storage/shared— Your main phone storage~/storage/downloads— Exactly what it sounds like~/storage/dcim— All your camera photos~/storage/pictures— Screenshots and saved images~/storage/music— Your tunes~/storage/movies— Videos and recordings
These aren’t copies—they’re direct links. Move a file there, and it’s instantly available to any other app on your phone.
Real Examples You Can Use Right Now
Want to copy a file from Downloads to your Termux projects?
cp ~/storage/downloads/somefile.txt ~/my_projects/Need to move your Python script output back to Downloads?
mv output.zip ~/storage/downloads/Pro tip: I keep this command handy for backing up my photos:
cp -r ~/storage/dcim ~/backup/dcim_photosWhen Things Go Wrong (And How to Fix Them Fast)
Even with the magic command, sometimes things get weird. Here’s your troubleshooting toolkit:
Problem: Still getting “Permission denied”
Quick fix: Close Termux completely and reopen it. Android sometimes needs a refresh.
Problem: “~/storage” folder is missing
Just delete it and recreate:
rm -rf ~/storage
termux-setup-storageProblem: Using Android 13 and nothing works
Check your settings: Settings → Apps → Termux → Permissions → Files and media → Allow all the time
The Setup I Wish Someone Told Me About
Here’s what I do to make sure I never have storage issues again:
- Always use the symlinks. Don’t try to access
/sdcard/directly - Keep a permission checker. I add this to my .bashrc:
# Check storage setup
if [ ! -d "$HOME/storage" ]; then
echo "⚠️ Setting up Termux storage..."
termux-setup-storage
fi - Update Termux regularly. The F-Droid version gets all the latest fixes
Performance Reality Check
Here’s the honest truth: once properly set up, file operations are blazing fast. I’m talking 30-80MB/s on a decent phone. Copying a 1GB video? Takes about 15-30 seconds.
The symlinks don’t slow anything down. It’s like having a shortcut on your desktop—same speed, just easier to access.
Quick Developer FAQ
Do I need to run termux-setup-storage every time?
Nope! Once is enough. Think of it like installing a plugin—it just works after that.
Can I access my SD card too?
Sometimes. Look for ~/storage/external-1. If it’s there, great! If not, your SD card might not be mounted or supported.
What Termux version should I use?
Get the latest from F-Droid. The Play Store version is ancient and will cause headaches.
Bottom Line
Storage access in Termux isn’t complicated—it just needs to be done once, correctly. Run termux-setup-storage, grant permissions, and you’re set for life.
Don’t be like past me, spending hours on complex workarounds when the solution was one command away. Get this setup right once, and you’ll never think about file permissions again.
Now go forth and build something awesome. Your files are waiting for you.
