How do I delete files programmatically on Android?

Why don't you test this with this code:

File fdelete = new File(uri.getPath());
if (fdelete.exists()) {
    if (fdelete.delete()) {
        System.out.println("file Deleted :" + uri.getPath());
    } else {
        System.out.println("file not Deleted :" + uri.getPath());
    }
}

I think part of the problem is you never try to delete the file, you just keep creating a variable that has a method call.

So in your case you could try:

File file = new File(uri.getPath());
file.delete();
if(file.exists()){
      file.getCanonicalFile().delete();
      if(file.exists()){
           getApplicationContext().deleteFile(file.getName());
      }
}

However I think that's a little overkill.

You added a comment that you are using an external directory rather than a uri. So instead you should add something like:

String root = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().toString();
File file = new File(root + "/images/media/2918"); 

Then try to delete the file.

Try this one. It is working for me.

handler.postDelayed(new Runnable() {
    @Override
    public void run() {
        // Set up the projection (we only need the ID)
        String[] projection = { MediaStore.Images.Media._ID };

        // Match on the file path
        String selection = MediaStore.Images.Media.DATA + " = ?";
        String[] selectionArgs = new String[] { imageFile.getAbsolutePath() };

        // Query for the ID of the media matching the file path
        Uri queryUri = MediaStore.Images.Media.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI;
        ContentResolver contentResolver = getActivity().getContentResolver();
        Cursor c = contentResolver.query(queryUri, projection, selection, selectionArgs, null);

        if (c != null) {
            if (c.moveToFirst()) {
                // We found the ID. Deleting the item via the content provider will also remove the file
                long id = c.getLong(c.getColumnIndexOrThrow(MediaStore.Images.Media._ID));
                Uri deleteUri = ContentUris.withAppendedId(queryUri, id);
                contentResolver.delete(deleteUri, null, null);
            } else {
                // File not found in media store DB
            }
            c.close();
        }
    }
}, 5000);