[Q] Installation folder on SD card? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello, noob here!
I've searched this forum for an answer but had no luck, so here goes...
I'm considering installing about 2 dozen apps to my phone's SD card in order to leave internal memory available for more important stuff.
Now, I've installed a couple of them already and what I've noticed is that not most of them create their own app folder at SD card root. So if I proceed to install all the selected apps I'll end with a pretty messy root folder - and that's not counting all the data (folders) I would migrate later on.
Could someone please tell me if it's possible to pre-define a folder on my SD card where all apps would be installed?
Presumably, it's just a path alteration so shouldn't be too hard.
Right... ?
Thanks!

Nope.. you can't modify the location...
Those folders normally being used to store cache data or anything. The file won't be huge...
Accidentally sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium

I was afraid of that... Dang. :-\

You can still delete if you like it. Not effect much. Do check what is contain inside.
Accidentally sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium

Related

[Q] Unable to read apps from sd card

Hi
I recently flashed my phone to 2.3.4
Before flashing I moved all my apps to the sd card. Now, while the apps are still there, the phone does not list them in the 'Manage Application' section. It does read the sd card and when viewed from My Files shows all the app folders to be there. No data could have been wiped off since I had removed the sd card when flashing.
Any help will be really appreciated. Had some 150+ apps and may have to redownload them again :-(
I think you have to install them again
Sent from my GT-S5830B using XDA App
rodeoz said:
Hi
I recently flashed my phone to 2.3.4
Before flashing I moved all my apps to the sd card. Now, while the apps are still there, the phone does not list them in the 'Manage Application' section. It does read the sd card and when viewed from My Files shows all the app folders to be there. No data could have been wiped off since I had removed the sd card when flashing.
Any help will be really appreciated. Had some 150+ apps and may have to redownload them again :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You "moved" them, you mean, you have the apk files on your sd card? I think you have to install them again. I have never use it, but I guess titanium backup is good for apps backup. I have already done mine, but I still don't need to restore it so I dont know really know how it works ahahaha
I downloaded them from the market and then moved them to the sd card before flashing the phone! I guess the apk files never got moved. Might have to reinstall all of them! :-(
A portion of app data is in data/system. Flashing removes all these files.
XDA ♥
rodeoz said:
I downloaded them from the market and then moved them to the sd card before flashing the phone! I guess the apk files never got moved. Might have to reinstall all of them! :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey!
Next time if you want to backup or move your files or apps, use TITANIUM BACKUP. After Flashing you can EASELY move then back, where they WAS.
But for now, you must install them AGAIN.
CHEERS!
Thanks everyone for your help! Will be wiser the next time round

[Q] Apps to the SD Card?

I know this is an age old question, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I was wondering what my best option was to get apps and/or their data onto my microsd card. I've tried the method with Directory Bind, but I wasn't to big a fan. Just looking for a point in the right direction, for the easiest/quickest/best method.(I have already rooted my phone, so rooting isn't an issue)
Also while I'm here what's the best method of free tethering, again with the rooted ability.
Same here! I've tried the foldermount method and using shortcuts with the root explorer in Rom manager to no avail. But, for someone with some knowhow, I've accidentally got it to work with Spotify. I don't know for the life of me what I have done, but between hours of using the above to methods, Spotify is now on my external Sd card. I can uninstall spotify, wipe data, cache, the whole nine yards and when I reinstall, boom, straight to my sd card. I can reformat my sd card, and when I install spotify, it will create a folder named Android/data/com.spotify.mobile.android.ui folder. on my sd card. All the songs i download goes in the same directory just like it did under sdcard0 on the internal memory. But now, I can't replicate this at all. I'm trying with zedge, but no luck. If I find anything, I'll post back to this thread.
I downloaded a couple of apps,but when i open ES file explorer i cant find the apps,it suppose to be in the download folder.I did check in the sd card0 and in the ext sdcard and no lock.
android-incredible said:
I downloaded a couple of apps,but when i open ES file explorer i cant find the apps,it suppose to be in the download folder.I did check in the sd card0 and in the ext sdcard and no lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First time I tried with Directory Bind I was able to move the game file to the sd, but when opening the app it requires downloading the files, so it can't find them in the new Directory. The next time was short lived because I couldn't find files for most recent app
tmaclax013 said:
First time I tried with Directory Bind I was able to move the game file to the sd, but when opening the app it requires downloading the files, so it can't find them in the new Directory. The next time was short lived because I couldn't find files for most recent app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone know how I could find out where the apps were installed to. I'm trying a different method but I can't find where the app was installed
?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
tmaclax013 said:
I know this is an age old question, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I was wondering what my best option was to get apps and/or their data onto my microsd card. I've tried the method with Directory Bind, but I wasn't to big a fan. Just looking for a point in the right direction, for the easiest/quickest/best method.(I have already rooted my phone, so rooting isn't an issue)
Also while I'm here what's the best method of free tethering, again with the rooted ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't titanimum backup allow this? I've never personally tried it but I thought I saw a move app to SD card option.
From what I understand this cant be done on JB.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium

Sdcard0

So I saw that I had an SDcard0 file and an SDcard file. I deleted the SDcard0 file and it deleted everything on my SD card....how screwed am I? :/
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
If you have a backup made, your fine. If not, its lost.
Don't delete system folders unless you know what you're doing.
ramongarza said:
So I saw that I had an SDcard0 file and an SDcard file. I deleted the SDcard0 file and it deleted everything on my SD card....how screwed am I? :/
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On a scale to one to ten? About a 8.
If you have rooted your phone, you can get an undelete app (like Fahrbot's Undelete for Root Users on the Market) and recover the folder... hopefully. There's a chance it won't catch the files or whatever. If you're not rooted, I don't think it would be possible to get them back, but I may be wrong (check Google, they may know).
In case you were wondering why this happened, I'll tell you. Android is based on Linux. Linux has these links to files/folders called symlinks. Now, for whatever reason it is, Android has multiply links to the sdcard (probably to help with compatibility). So while they may look like two different folders, they lead to the same place. Think of it as two doors to the same house.
Good luck!
If you are on a 4.2 ROM (One found in Original Development):
The SDcard0 and SDcard are all links to /Data/Media/0. Use a root browser to navigate here and see of your SD cards contents are here. I'm not sure if deleting a symlink will also delete its source, so you may still have the SDcard just not a way to access it without root permissions. If you can see your SD card in /data/media/0, PM me and I'll try to help you restore it. If you don't see anything here, or don't see your SD cards contents (before wipe), I'm sorry to say this but your pretty screwed.
Sent from my Droid DNA running Rootbox

Rooted Verizon s4 MDK is there anyway to get apps to sd?

I searched the forums and I don't see anything sorry if I missed it. Is there a work around to save apps to sd card? Tried updating some apps and phone is telling me insufficient storage. Thanks for your help in advance. I have it set to go to sd card but when I got to where the apps are to move or what have you there is nothing to move to sd.
Folder Mount
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
Insuficent space
najaboy said:
Folder Mount
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess I need to delete a app to get space to even get that app. Thanks for the quick response. I will delete one and see if I can get it. Hope this works. Deleted 3 apps still says the same.. I can't download Folder mount.
Apps to sd card?
Anyone have any ideas how to get apps to sd card tried deleting some apps due to insufficient space (can't even update a app) deleted 3 apps and still can't download Folder Mount as suggested. Any help would be much appropriated as I am stuck can't update apps or install like this. Did I miss a work around in the OP?
How bad is your storage situation? In terms of MB available?
Also, do you already have Titanium Backup installed? If so, just back up a bunch of apps to your SD card, delete the installs, and then restore from the backups after you've got Folder Mount running and your storage cleared up.
stang5litre said:
Anyone have any ideas how to get apps to sd card tried deleting some apps due to insufficient space (can't even update a app) deleted 3 apps and still can't download Folder Mount as suggested. Any help would be much appropriated as I am stuck can't update apps or install like this. Did I miss a work around in the OP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a reminder, the "/mnt/sdcard" device is INTERNAL memory on this phone. You want to move your apps to /mnt/extSdCard, which is the microsd slot.
I've never tried it, but pretty sure I saw an option in Titanium Backup to move app to sd.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Do you have alot of pics and/or videos in your phone right now? If so place them on your computer first then delete them from ur phone then try downloading "folder mount"... then just place the pics and/or videos directly from ur computer to ur ext sd
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Nope not alot Screen shots included
scottgalit61 said:
Do you have alot of pics and/or videos in your phone right now? If so place them on your computer first then delete them from ur phone then try downloading "folder mount"... then just place the pics and/or videos directly from ur computer to ur ext sd
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for any and all help I don't have alot of anything on there. see screen shots.
CrookedKnight
I do have Titanium backup (free version). But have Plenty of storage see screen shots 3.60Gb used out of 9.72Gb Free
Question
k1mu said:
As a reminder, the "/mnt/sdcard" device is INTERNAL memory on this phone. You want to move your apps to /mnt/extSdCard, which is the microsd slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. So can I go into root explorer and just move that stuff to that designation to fix it?
You could flash a rom with the app to the SD card function. Like darkslide
Sent from my VZW Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4
Yes
CrookedKnight said:
How bad is your storage situation? In terms of MB available?
Also, do you already have Titanium Backup installed? If so, just back up a bunch of apps to your SD card, delete the installs, and then restore from the backups after you've got Folder Mount running and your storage cleared up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the resposne. Yes I do have Titanium backup (free version) with apps backed up. But I have so much storage open don't understand. 3.60GB used 9.72GB free internal.
Hope this isn't clogging up the forums just wanted to respond to everyone that responded to me. Thanks everyone who is trying to help me in this situation as well it is greatly appreciated.
question
nativi said:
You could flash a rom with the app to the SD card function. Like darkslide
Sent from my VZW Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I did that wouldn't I still have the same problem when I revert back to stock Rom? Or you thinking flash that save that app(if its a app at all, not sure if the rom your talking about has it baked into it or not) on titanium and restore it on other rom?
stang5litre said:
Thanks for the response. So can I go into root explorer and just move that stuff to that designation to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't just move them there. Applications won't be recognized if you just pick them up and move them.
If you choose to use Folder Mount, that's where you want to move things to.
can't
k1mu said:
No, you can't just move them there. Applications won't be recognized if you just pick them up and move them.
If you choose to use Folder Mount, that's where you want to move things to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok never mind. That isn't going to work. I can't download folder mount that is kind of my problem. out of space when I have plenty. as shown in the screen shots. So basically I am going to have to wipe everything and use my titanium backup to restore apps? I have a feeling even if I erase all of the apps it will still say that as I have so much storage free(internal). Sigh
There are multiple me7 based ROMS that can be flashed that have native app to sd
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
very strange...looks like you have plenty of storage available. Have you tried puling the battery...downloading several different apps?
Tried
jdaniels31 said:
very strange...looks like you have plenty of storage available. Have you tried puling the battery...downloading several different apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't pulled the battery oddly enough..(you would think that I would have done that first)... I will try that when I get home as it is in a otterbox case and I am at work and it's a pain to get out. As far as ME7 Builds go last I heard once you flash to a ME7 build you would be stock on ME7. Which I am not trying to do. I am happy with touchwhiz at the moment. Not really into the plain dark look as it is just that to plain for me. Which Rom where you suggesting that you can revert back to a MDK build with? I have a nandroid already. But I tried deleting apps to see if if would let me download it and all it does is delete that app and I can't put the app i just took off back on. With all the storage available. Just kind of baffled that no one has really ran into this. I have TWRP on it now. I might switch it to 4EXT Recovery as it just has way more options.
1. Deleted apps no difference
2. Deleted Cache no difference (TWRP style wipe)
3. When I get off going to try and wipe Delv/Cach (see if that does anything)
4. If all else fails I will do a complete wipe and start with that app.(Even though you can just change the file destination in root explorer to go to sd card. There is also 2 places it stores on your phone you have a internal sd and a emulated storage. I believe this is wear the hang up is being caused.
Just seems strange that you are getting any type of error with the amount of internal storage you have available. When you get an app from tue store itsaves to your phones internal storage, which is not even close to being full. Also if you are rooted you can go back and forth between MDK and ME7 builds. Devs dont really mess with bootloaders when making roms...

Need to FORMAT SD card

I already have apps on my SD card that I had moved over in the past but any other apps I move now become corrupted and useless. I'm hoping that formating the card will fix this issue. Can I just copy all contents from the card over to my pc then copy them back on after the format? Should everything work correctly? I have 6gigs of spotify music and other big data files. Hope someone answers Thanks!
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Help?
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Are you on a custom ROM?
Which version of Androrid are u using
cyaclone said:
Are you on a custom ROM?
Which version of Androrid are u using
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on lollipop with klte root. Man I messed up. I transfered all the contents from my sd over to my pc to format it and when I switched everything back over the folders came up as all empty. And I can't seem to recreate a folder called .android_secure. My storage info shows that about 9gigs of space are being used on the sd but the folders show nothing. 6gigs were of pure spotify offline music. This is not a good day. Tons of pics were there too.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
I have done the same. In MM was concerned that my SD data would be gone. Made the transfer to the PC of everything. After seeing what MM did to my SD, I formatted the SD again and transferred from the PC to the SD and all was fine. If you want that info back and it is still on the PC, then just do the same. In my case after the format, all was as before.
I lost everything on the card. Dammit. I want to just do a complete hard reset of my phone. If I do a backup with kies will I be able to add all my apps and settings back on my phone afterwards with a recovery of the backup?
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
passport619 said:
I lost everything on the card. Dammit. I want to just do a complete hard reset of my phone. If I do a backup with kies will I be able to add all my apps and settings back on my phone afterwards with a recovery of the backup?
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend using Kies and Another Backup Solution as I've had problems with Kies backups in the past, causing me to lose saved texts, contacts, memos, settings, etc.
I personally recommend using Helium backup from ClockworkMod, a quick search through google play should get it for ya.
Happy resetting! :3
EDIT: Just realized this thread is old... you've probably already reset the phone. Sorry I didn't pay attention to the date stamp..
It's almost scary that you would have responded to this thread right now. I am going through the exact same mess again. I tried applying a fix to make the external card detectable by other apps which were not detecting it. Well after doing that none of my apps or data on the card show up or work. The files are there if I explore root folder though. How do I regain the pathway to the card? Through my USB on pc it does not show the external but it does if I use sd card reader with the sd card by itself. Last time I copied everything from the card to my pc then formatted. It all became a senseless mess when I tried returning everything to the card. Lost everything. I tried backing up with kies before but it did not give option to backup sd card. Please help is an understatement. I just checked the sd card for errors using Windows tools but no errors popped up.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
passport619 said:
It's almost scary that you would have responded to this thread right now. I am going through the exact same mess again. I tried applying a fix to make the external card detectable by other apps which were not detecting it. Well after doing that none of my apps or data on the card show up or work. The files are there if I explore root folder though. How do I regain the pathway to the card? Through my USB on pc it does not show the external but it does if I use sd card reader with the sd card by itself. Last time I copied everything from the card to my pc then formatted. It all became a senseless mess when I tried returning everything to the card. Lost everything. I tried backing up with kies before but it did not give option to backup sd card. Please help is an understatement. I just checked the sd card for errors using Windows tools but no errors popped up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason for this occurrence (as well as how to fix it) depend on how the fix was applied.
Please describe the nature of the fix as specifically as you can. Things like where you found it, what it does, how you installed it, as well as if this is the same SD card, will help the most.
Edit: if you could also include the file system that's on the card that would be great too.
Thank you for responding. I'm not sure what the file system on the card would be but I've attached a screenshot of what I did. The name of the app is there.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
passport619 said:
Thank you for responding. I'm not sure what the file system on the card would be but I've attached a screenshot of what I did. The name of the app is there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I found the app in question in the play store, and was unable to track down exactly what it does, so we can't get anything out of that.
To get the file system that's on the card all you have to do is put it in a Windows PC and look at the drive properties.
At this point the best thing to do would be to back up everything on the card to a computer.

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