Why not make entire SD card EXT4? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

If you do not use your phone to connect to a PC, does it make more sense and any benefit to just format the entire card to EXT4 format?

no because android doesn't support ext4 for sd cards :/
Sorry for my bad englisch

Ok, so there always has to be a fat32 partition no matter what?
Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using xda app-developers app

the sd card must be fat32 but the internal storage is ext4 in custom roms and rfs in stock roms (samsung). maybe you can mount the sd card as ext4 by yourself. i dont know if your kernel supports loop devices but if you can try it
sorry for my bad englisch

use Minitool Partition Wizard
http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

I've used the boot cd method as well as 4ext, sticking with 4ext from now on, it's just awesome.
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Related

Is ext4 format possible on external SD?

Does ext4 become an option for the external SD card as well now that we have Voodoo on the internal SD? Would it not offer similar speed benefits?
What is the default format used currently FAT32? I don't know, so I'm asking.
I don't believe it's possible. Voodoo converts your system from RFS to ext4, it's not an application.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Yes. I guess what I'm asking is if the external SD will benefit from the same format. I assume it would quite be possible via PC to format the external SD to ext4, maybe using Linux.
So you want to know if you can convert the SD card to ext4? Somebody with more knowledge will have to answer that for you. But yes, the SD card is FAT 32 for sure.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I think the idea is that the ext4 partition is for apps and system functions.
The main benefits I've seen listed for ext4 are improved performance (especially for filesystem checks and file deletions), higher storage capacity and more scalability. I can't see why this wouldn't be a good idea for the external SD, particularly since the internal is already in this format.
Doesn't that make sense?
Main problem if it is possible is that you would need a linux computer to access sd cards. Windows won't read the sd's in ext4
Does that mean that the internal SD is invisible when you have Voodoo installed? I thought all Voodoo did was install the ext4 files system.
Easy way to find out is to format an sdcard as ext4 from linux and see if it works, if you don't have then just download a livecd and see if it mounts. I think the fstab entry is set to auto, but might be worth checking.
Seen as the voodoo kernel will include ext4 support, I expect this should just work but I haven't tried it myself.
donalgodon said:
Does that mean that the internal SD is invisible when you have Voodoo installed? I thought all Voodoo did was install the ext4 files system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can only access user specific areas when you mount your phone as a USB storage device - /sdcard and the external SD card, if you format external SD card as EXT4 you will need a linux box to read/write to it, unless there are tools available on that other desktop os platform.
lqaddict said:
You can only access user specific areas when you mount your phone as a USB storage device - /sdcard and the external SD card, if you format external SD card as EXT4 you will need a linux box to read/write to it, unless there are tools available on that other desktop os platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont agree with that , think at 5% users who used linux and on the other hand why not ntfs which is better than fat32
I would think it would work. The ext4 support is provided by a kernel module. If the module is loaded, you should be able to mount any ext4 file system. You might need to change the fstab entry for the sdcard, but it should work. I'll try it tonight and report back...
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enthalpie said:
I dont agree with that , think at 5% users who used linux and on the other hand why not ntfs which is better than fat32
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Click to collapse
You would need the ntfs kernel module to mount an ntfs file system. I have not seen a kernel built for android that supports it (though I haven't looked too hard).
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lqaddict said:
You can only access user specific areas when you mount your phone as a USB storage device - /sdcard and the external SD card, if you format external SD card as EXT4 you will need a linux box to read/write to it, unless there are tools available on that other desktop os platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are ext2 drivers for Windows. You can mount an ext4 filesystem as ext2, you just don't get journaling or ext4 specific features. I do it alk the time on my Windows 7 box.
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Well, it doesn't work. I get an error saying the file system is unsupported, and an offer to format the SD card. Running Project V.
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ext4 or NTFS
Hi
If it looks like android developpers does'nt think about ext4 for linux based kernel android that's funny.
but they also does'nt think abour NTFS for external sd card so we have limitation at 4 Go files !! and I don't understand why ? Windows PC users who should be 95% of android smartphone users can use NTFS OR fat32 as they want ? !
If u guys want ill look into ntfs or ext4 as available sd card format options =3 can't promise anything though
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HI
YES GOOD NEWS !!!
I will be very very very nice
hi
when somebody said "you need linux to acces at your ext4 partition, it is right , but if this partition is in the android file system for exemple /ext_sd, it will be seen by application from android and by files management, so we don't need a pc with linux to use it, like now with ext3 sdcard partitions
we are waiting !

Gingerbread problem

I install the rom and i follow the instructions mentioned. All work perfectly except from the sd card my phone doesnt mount it!!!!!!!!!!! in all froyo i have not this problem WHY????????????????? I have a second ext3 partition
Delete your ext3 partition. And reformat with fat 32
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[Q] Partition my SD Card

Hi All...
I am tired of trying partition of SD Card..
I was using MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition for partition..but after successful partition...firstly Windows doesnot recognised my SD Card and my cell phone flashing a message "Demaged SD Card"
Pls help...
silver2706 said:
Hi All...
I am tired of trying partition of SD Card..
I was using MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition for partition..but after successful partition...firstly Windows doesnot recognised my SD Card and my cell phone flashing a message "Demaged SD Card"
Pls help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You done something WRONG. You have partitioned your SD. In what format they are(partitions)and how big is your SD?
CHEERS!
I am using 4GB Card..
First Partion is for FAT32 say ~3.5 BG
Second Partition is for ext4 ~.5 GB..
I also tried other way around..means First ext4 and then FAT32..
silver2706 said:
I am using 4GB Card..
First Partion is for FAT32 say ~3.5 BG
Second Partition is for ext4 ~.5 GB..
I also tried other way around..means First ext4 and then FAT32..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, but you spelled little wrong(3.5gb and 5gb=8.5gb). Not matters. Try to make NOT ext4, but ext2. And but them both like PRIMARY PARTITIONS.
CHEERS!
casiocas said:
OK, but you spelled little wrong(3.5gb and 5gb=8.5gb). Not matters. Try to make NOT ext4, but ext2. And but them both like PRIMARY PARTITIONS.
CHEERS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is .5 GB.. so 3.5 + .5 = 4..any ways..u want me to make ext2 & FAT32 and both primary ..right..?
Any other tool to make partition...?
silver2706 said:
it is .5 GB.. so 3.5 + .5 = 4..any ways..u want me to make ext2 & FAT32 and both primary ..right..?
Any other tool to make partition...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.. Dude just reverse the partition order... first fat then ext... worked for me as windows does not recognise ext and may be if you have partitioned ext4 and your current rom does not support it (or mount it) it would say damaged SD.
silver2706 said:
Hi All...
I am tired of trying partition of SD Card..
I was using MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition for partition..but after successful partition...firstly Windows doesnot recognised my SD Card and my cell phone flashing a message "Demaged SD Card"
Pls help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure but i have formated my sd card many times. sometimes that tools gone crazy. i suggest u select the sd card in minitools and run 'wipe' first by click in menu partition->wipe partition. than u can format like it should.
btw my laptop cannot read if my sd card partition fat32 + ext4. it asking me to format again if wan to open (in my computer). but other laptop can open.
matrixloaded said:
.. Dude just reverse the partition order... first fat then ext... worked for me as windows does not recognise ext and may be if you have partitioned ext4 and your current rom does not support it (or mount it) it would say damaged SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jep, make SECOND partition ext2 and FIRST FAT32. And both PRIMARY PARTITIONS(like matrixloaded sayed).
CHEERS!
Thanks to all for there valuable suggestions..matrixloaded and casiocas..based on ur hint "Some ROM does not support partitioned SD Card"...I partitioned my SD card first FAT32 and then ext2 (both primary)..ingnoring dmaged SD card warning..I flashed Coderom v2..and yeppeeeeeee............successfully installed with partitioned SD..
Thanks to both of u...
What rom are you on? I believe that's the first thing that matters.
XDA ♥
consegregate said:
What rom are you on? I believe that's the first thing that matters.
XDA ♥
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed....

64Gb with NTFS

Hey guys ,
I have a 64gb SD card formatted to Fat 32 as exfat does not work properly. Unfortunately downloading large files will not work due to the fat32 limits. So my question is can android address NTFS correctly ?
I run CM10 with Siyah Kernel 1.8.
Thanks !
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panzerscope said:
Hey guys ,
I have a 64gb SD card formatted to Fat 32 as exfat does not work properly. Unfortunately downloading large files will not work due to the fat32 limits. So my question is can android address NTFS correctly ?
I run CM10 with Siyah Kernel 1.8.
Thanks !
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried using the phone itself to format the sd card? I would suspect it would put ext3/ext4 on it which does not have the fat32 limitations.
The phone would use fat32 aswell as it's made default for the external sd. Also ext3/4 can only be used if you mount the card after every reboot by hand in the terminal/with a startup script => you can't use mtp to move files between pc and phone. I still wait that the cm team apploes the patchs that ext4 will be possible format to be used as on the internal sdcard
L
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9Lukas5 said:
The phone would use fat32 aswell as it's made default for the external sd. Also ext3/4 can only be used if you mount the card after every reboot by hand in the terminal/with a startup script => you can't use mtp to move files between pc and phone. I still wait that the cm team apploes the patchs that ext4 will be possible format to be used as on the internal sdcard
L
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm that is a pity as I was hoping to be able to transfer larger files. I was looking into NTFS and using a mount app, but realised I would not be able to use the Backup features in recovery as it may not see the SD card . What a pain.
Actually is there a way to possibly format the SD card 1 partition FAT32 and the other NTFS ? Could the phone (S3) address two separate partitions ?
I've been having this problem and its really ****ing me off. Tried allsorts. Currently using cm10 and tried NTFS mounted with paragon but the fs keeps corrupting and so I have to run chkdsk on it to repair it. Also it doesn't stay mounted. Tried 2 partitions under windows using acronis disk director, the second wouldn't mount under windows or be assigned a drive letter, so I'm guessing that's an SD limitation.
I'm just on fat32 at the minute via guiformat but if I play music from the SDcard it locks up and just stops playing and I have to reboot. Even did this in stock Sammy ROM as exfat. Also tried sd speed increase and tested my read and write speeds. These improved and I got decent speeds so I can't understand why this is happening. Its such a ****ty stupid issue that you just can't play music from a memory card on such a phone with all of these different combinations, its ridiculous.
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which FS for 64GB microSDXC card?

I know this is technically a question, but I was hoping to spark some discussion on filesystems in android.
I just got a 64GB microSDXC card and I know that the LGOG is compatible with it. I just checked and noticed that:
a. it comes preformated with exfat and
b. my ubuntu install is not cool with that.
I'm all linux over here, so I'd actually prefer something like ext4, or something more flash-storage specific (forget, but there were several flash-friendly FS's in the works way back) and I'm just fine with the 'other OS's' not being able to mount my microsd card.
The primary concern, of course, is what the LGOG is gonna require. At first I thought this would have to be exFAT, but seeing as FAT32 supports up to 2TiB, maybe FAT32 is still the only option? I tried ext4 in my xperia ION, and it wouldn't mount unless it was FAT32.
If you want mount it in CWM , I'm pretty sure it has to be FAT32.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
JasonJoel said:
If you want mount it in CWM , I'm pretty sure it has to be FAT32.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good point, though at this point I'm unlikely to use CWM on this device, though, that could change. I've just read that many people are opting for NTFS on their sdcards in android to avoid the 4GB file-size limit of FAT32. I had no idea android supported NTFS, though linux support is quite good at this point apparently, so that makes sense....
I formatted NTFS (in linux, tho) and the stock LGOG firmware refused to mount it, so I guess I'm stuck with FAT32....
razholio said:
I formatted NTFS (in linux, tho) and the stock LGOG firmware refused to mount it, so I guess I'm stuck with FAT32....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can format the SD cart to ext4 using Gparted and it should be usable and much faster than FAT32. I've formatted my SanDisk 64 SDXC to two separate partitions so that I can utilize the primary partition for storage and the secondary partition for apps synced with Link2SD. Works quite nicely formatted into two 29GB partitions.
Fracto said:
You can format the SD cart to ext4 using Gparted and it should be usable and much faster than FAT32. I've formatted my SanDisk 64 SDXC to two separate partitions so that I can utilize the primary partition for storage and the secondary partition for apps synced with Link2SD. Works quite nicely formatted into two 29GB partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does this work with stock firmware? I tried ext4 on my ion and it would not mount the external SD card formatted with ext4.
Fracto said:
You can format the SD cart to ext4 using Gparted and it should be usable and much faster than FAT32. I've formatted my SanDisk 64 SDXC to two separate partitions so that I can utilize the primary partition for storage and the secondary partition for apps synced with Link2SD. Works quite nicely formatted into two 29GB partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to download a live CD and try that out.
I'm also primarily a linux user. I have been using fat32 on my 64gb class 10 card and recommend it for convenience.
I did try exfat and although I did not run benchmarks, I think exfat is slightly faster (and I'm sure ext4 would be faster that fat32). However, you cannot beat the convenience of downloading a zip file straight to your card and installing via CWM all in just a few minutes.
It's no ext4 and so I lose a tiny bit of peace of mind, but it's worth it.
razholio said:
I know this is technically a question, but I was hoping to spark some discussion on filesystems in android.
I just got a 64GB microSDXC card and I know that the LGOG is compatible with it. I just checked and noticed that:
a. it comes preformated with exfat and
b. my ubuntu install is not cool with that.
I'm all linux over here, so I'd actually prefer something like ext4, or something more flash-storage specific (forget, but there were several flash-friendly FS's in the works way back) and I'm just fine with the 'other OS's' not being able to mount my microsd card.
The primary concern, of course, is what the LGOG is gonna require. At first I thought this would have to be exFAT, but seeing as FAT32 supports up to 2TiB, maybe FAT32 is still the only option? I tried ext4 in my xperia ION, and it wouldn't mount unless it was FAT32.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fracto said:
You can format the SD cart to ext4 using Gparted and it should be usable and much faster than FAT32. I've formatted my SanDisk 64 SDXC to two separate partitions so that I can utilize the primary partition for storage and the secondary partition for apps synced with Link2SD. Works quite nicely formatted into two 29GB partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone else tried this?
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DeathmonkeyGTX said:
Has anyone else tried this?
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Click to collapse
Yeah I formatted mine into one 50 Gb partition (User) and another 9 GB partition (apps) and Link2SD works great. However, for apps that download additional data into the obb folder it doesn't move that over. Another thing to note is the highest app that I linked only saved about 50 MBs. Not really saving that much space but after I linked several 50 MB and under apps, I recovered about 1 GB of space on the Internal. It's worth it and not that complicated.
I you want to try: Backup your SD, format it to Fat32, use MiniTool to resize the first partition, then create a second partition (FAT 32 and make sure it is Primary, Don't use ext4 it didn't work for me) using the remaining space.
EDIT: Even 9 GBs is too large. Anyone who is gonna try this, you would only need about 3 to 6 GBs for Link2SD. I also tried using GL to SD in combination with Link2SD and had some issues.
Okay, in the morning I'll make a 50gb the exfat partition for use in android and a 9gb FAT32 for recovery.
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DeathmonkeyGTX said:
Okay, in the morning I'll make a 50gb the exfat partition for use in android and a 9gb FAT32 for recovery.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you misunderstood. The first partition will be used for files and recovery in android and must be FAT32. You can use another format but I haven't tested any others. I also know the recovery won't recognize any other format besides FAT32. The second partition can only be used for link2sd and the only one I got to work was FAT32.
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I don't use Link2SD. Just exfat for music, videos, and map data and FAT32 for Android crap and recovery.
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