android - ProgressDialog not showing while performing a task

Question

I have a backup routine that copies everything from one folder to an external SD card which works perfectly. I'm trying to get an nice popup dialog box that shows when it's running but it just isn't showing. Doesn't even attempt to run (but the backup does complete).

Here's my code at the moment:

public void doBackup(View view) throws IOException{
    ProgressDialog pd = new ProgressDialog(this);
    pd.setProgressStyle(ProgressDialog.STYLE_SPINNER);
    pd.setMessage("Running backup. Do not unplug drive");
    pd.setIndeterminate(true);
    pd.setCancelable(false);
    pd.show();
    File source = new File("/mnt/extSdCard/DirectEnquiries"); 
    File dest = new File("/mnt/UsbDriveA/Backup");
    copyDirectory(source, dest);
    pd.dismiss();
}

Answer 1

You run long running tasks in a Thread or with an AsyncTask. Then your ProgressDialog will show up.

Do something like:

public void doBackup(View view) throws IOException{
    final ProgressDialog pd = new ProgressDialog(this);
    pd.setProgressStyle(ProgressDialog.STYLE_SPINNER);
    pd.setMessage("Running backup. Do not unplug drive");
    pd.setIndeterminate(true);
    pd.setCancelable(false);
    pd.show();
    Thread mThread = new Thread() {
        @Override
        public void run() {
            File source = new File("/mnt/extSdCard/DirectEnquiries"); 
            File dest = new File("/mnt/UsbDriveA/Backup");
            copyDirectory(source, dest);
            pd.dismiss();
        }
    };
    mThread.start();
}