Batch Import Multiple Images

Goal

Allow users to select multiple photos from gallery and get file paths for processing or uploading.

Actions Required

Action	Purpose
MediaServicesSelectContent	Select multiple images
MediaServicesGetSelectContentSuccessResult	Get selection count
MediaServicesGetContentFilePath	Get file path for each image
MediaServicesGetSelectContentError	Read cached error after failure (optional)

Variables Needed

• contentCount (Int)

• currentIndex (Int) = 0

• filePath (String)

• tempDirectory (String) = "ImportedMedia" (optional)

• tempBaseFileName (String) = "photo" (optional)

Implementation Steps

1. State: SelectMultiplePhotos

Action: MediaServicesSelectContent

• Inputs:

  • mediaType: Image

  • allowsMultipleSelection: true

  • maxCount: 5 (limit to 5 photos)

• Events:

  • successEvent → GetSelectionCount

  • failureEvent → HandleCancellationOrError

2. State: GetSelectionCount

Action: MediaServicesGetSelectContentSuccessResult

• Outputs:

  • contentCount → contentCount

• Transition:

  • Set currentIndex = 0

  • Go to LoopStart

3. State: LoopStart

Logic: Int Compare

• If currentIndex < contentCount → GetFilePath

• If currentIndex >= contentCount → ProcessComplete

4. State: GetFilePath

Action: MediaServicesGetContentFilePath

• Inputs:

  • contentIndex: currentIndex

  • tempDirectory: tempDirectory

  • tempFileName: tempBaseFileName

• Outputs:

  • filePath → filePath variable

• Next: This action finishes when the file path is ready. Use the state’s FINISHED transition → ProcessFilePath (or StoreFilePath).

5. State: ProcessFilePath

Use filePath immediately (upload/process/move to persistent storage), then:

• Increment currentIndex

• Return to LoopStart

6. State: ProcessComplete

All selected items processed.

Batch Import Flow

SelectMultiplePhotos (maxCount: 5)
    └─ GetSelectionCount
        └─ Loop (0 to contentCount-1)
            └─ GetFilePath(currentIndex)
                └─ ProcessFilePath
        └─ ProcessComplete

File Path Usage

Local Processing:

For each filePath in filePathsList:
    Read file from path
    Compress/resize image
    Save to persistent storage

Server Upload:

For each filePath in filePathsList:
    Read file as bytes
    POST to server: /upload-photo
    Track upload progress

Common Issues

• Temporary Files: Paths point to a temp cache; copy/move to Application.persistentDataPath if you need them long-term

• Copy to Persistent: Move files to Application.persistentDataPath if needed long-term

• Large Batches: Limit maxCount to prevent memory issues (recommend 5-10 max)

• File Format: Images may be in various formats (JPG, PNG, HEIC); handle accordingly

Platform Differences

iOS:

• Files are copied to app's temp directory

• HEIC format common on newer devices (may need conversion)

Android:

• Files may reference original gallery locations

• Permissions required to read external storage

Performance Tips

Background Processing:

• Process files off main thread to prevent UI freezing

• Show progress bar for large batches

Progressive Upload:

• Upload files one at a time with progress feedback

• Allow cancellation during upload

Memory Management:

• Don't load all images into memory simultaneously

• Process and release one at a time

Use Cases

Photo Album Creation:

• User selects 5 photos

• App creates collage or album

• Saves result to gallery

Batch Upload:

• User selects multiple photos

• Upload to cloud storage

• Track upload status per file

Optional (upload bytes instead of files)

If you don’t want file paths, use MediaServicesGetContentRawMediaData per index to get rawBytes + mimeType and upload directly.