[Q] Mounting internal sdcard folder as usb mass storage - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Is there any way I can mount a folder from the internal sdcard as USB mass storage?
( I am aware that I can mount an external sd but I don't happen to have one.)

jhonwds said:
Is there any way I can mount a folder from the internal sdcard as USB mass storage?
( I am aware that I can mount an external sd but I don't happen to have one.)
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Once I connect my phone it shows internal and external as two drives. You just can't mount e.g. the system folders if I am right.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

No.

jhonwds said:
Is there any way I can mount a folder from the internal sdcard as USB mass storage?
( I am aware that I can mount an external sd but I don't happen to have one.)
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Click to collapse
No.
And here is why:
On the newer phones there is no seperate phone memory and internal SD, its just one big memory. The good thing about ir is, that you can install a lot more apps, because the whole memory is usable for the phone. The bad side is, that you can only access it through MTP.
In order to make it available as USB mass storage it needs to be unmounted, but this is not possible, because it is used by the phone. If you do it, the phone will crash. Its just like pulling a memory chip out of a running PC.

A filesystem can be mounted on different locations. If more than one location has write access, it will cause irreparable damage though.
The main problem here is that that the device uses the ext4 filesystem which Windows cannot process.
As a fix (sort of) you can
- swap internal and external storage.
- use a Smb over Wifi app and mount the share in Windows
- use a pseudo-filesysem such as sshfs from your computer
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Jumbodriver said:
No.
And here is why:
On the newer phones there is no seperate phone memory and internal SD, its just one big memory. The good thing about ir is, that you can install a lot more apps, because the whole memory is usable for the phone. The bad side is, that you can only access it through MTP.
In order to make it available as USB mass storage it needs to be unmounted, but this is not possible, because it is used by the phone. If you do it, the phone will crash. Its just like pulling a memory chip out of a running PC.
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I dont think so and disagree with you... galaxy s i9000 and galaxy s2 i9100 also same. But they can mount internal and external as UMS or MTP.
Maybe the different in filesystem is the main cause.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

On the S3, the whole internal memory is one big chunk (called /data). How would you go about mounting that as UMP when android is running? Android is using /data, therefore you can't unmount it and remount is as UMS.
If I'm wrong (which I may very well be), then post valid proof.

Theshawty said:
On the S3, the whole internal memory is one big chunk (called /data). How would you go about mounting that as UMP when android is running? Android is using /data, therefore you can't unmount it and remount is as UMS.
If I'm wrong (which I may very well be), then post valid proof.
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Click to collapse
Understood.. thanks for the info.. just found it out...
So internal sdcard is a mount point of folder /data/media
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

hopeful curious
syamsoul said:
Understood.. thanks for the info.. just found it out...
So internal sdcard is a mount point of folder /data/media
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
HI there, by chance are you able to recover from the "internal memory" after a factory reset, on a galaxy s3.
I am not sure what the consensus was-
-i recently thought google had all my photos backed up and did a factory reset, and lost everything.
Am hoping if I keep the phone that I can find a way to recover the photos.
Thank you.

resetrebel said:
HI there, by chance are you able to recover from the "internal memory" after a factory reset, on a galaxy s3.
I am not sure what the consensus was-
-i recently thought google had all my photos backed up and did a factory reset, and lost everything.
Am hoping if I keep the phone that I can find a way to recover the photos.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i myself never try but you can try this
XDA post
techiesstuff
Both same way

syamsoul said:
i myself never try but you can try this
XDA post
techiesstuff
Both same way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just wanted to say thanks for posting that second link. I've been looking everywhere for a way to export the raw mount to recover files from internal /sdcard.
Oh and in response to the first thread, I believe the reason they were getting that error (the thread is locked unfortunately) is because they used -1 (the number one) rather than -l (the letter L). I made this mistake too.
Edit: Probably should have used the 'thanks' button, sorry. Can't delete post.

If you have a custom recovery installed boot into that and mount ums from there, as recovery doesn't depend on the data partition it can unmount and remount it

Related

[Q] Internal /sdcard

can the internal sdcard be formatted from a PC just like an external sdcard ?
I dont care about anything data I have on it, I just need to know if i wipe it I am not effing anything up that needs to run.
Thanks!
The "Internal SD" is not really an SD card in the sense of a removable or separate device. It is part of the internal memory, but from the stand point of the system is treated as a separate drive. Kind of like the way you can take a hard drive a partition it into two "logical" drives that can be separately addressed.
In any case the formatting of the internal SD is a function of the Android system and not the PC. I'm not sure what happens if you try to format while the device is plugged in via USB. I know there are several hidden directories that Android needs on the SD card and if you try to format from the PC they are likely to be destroyed.
If you look at "Settings-Storage" you should find the formatting tool.
mbamberg said:
The "Internal SD" is not really an SD card in the sense of a removable or separate device. It is part of the internal memory, but from the stand point of the system is treated as a separate drive. Kind of like the way you can take a hard drive a partition it into two "logical" drives that can be separately addressed.
In any case the formatting of the internal SD is a function of the Android system and not the PC. I'm not sure what happens if you try to format while the device is plugged in via USB. I know there are several hidden directories that Android needs on the SD card and if you try to format from the PC they are likely to be destroyed.
If you look at "Settings-Storage" you should find the formatting tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, back to the original question: how do you format (wipe) the internal SD card?
This whole issue of the pictures and mp3s that can't be removed is really bugging me.
kevincwelch said:
But, back to the original question: how do you format (wipe) the internal SD card?
This whole issue of the pictures and mp3s that can't be removed is really bugging me.
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Click to collapse
did you try going into root explorer and mounting r/w and then try to delete the files? Just asking because there has been a few bricks on here from people formatting their internal.
Sent from my ADR6300 using xda premium
kevincwelch said:
But, back to the original question: how do you format (wipe) the internal SD card?
This whole issue of the pictures and mp3s that can't be removed is really bugging me.
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If you remove those files, you may not be able to use the OTA updates....the updates don't seem to like changed or removed files.
Bob
monkey10120 said:
did you try going into root explorer and mounting r/w and then try to delete the files? Just asking because there has been a few bricks on here from people formatting their internal.
Sent from my ADR6300 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Good thought: I did use Root Explorer to mount R/W. It did NOT let me delete those files.
(I really have no serious intentions of formatting my internal "SD" card; I'm just fuming that I have no control over the files, which show up in my Google music.)
I also can't seem to put a .nomedia file in the directory either.
---------- Post added at 12:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 AM ----------
robertg9 said:
If you remove those files, you may not be able to use the OTA updates....the updates don't seem to like changed or removed files.
Bob
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Click to collapse
Not necessarily worried about that. I've found a ROM and kernel that work pretty well, and since this isn't my phone, I don't need it to be running 24-7.
There's nothing in System Settings-Storage?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA

[Q] Is there a way to enable mass storage mode?

Any pointers?
I am currently looking for some information on this also.
Definitely keep this thread alive. Also annoying to not have a Charge Only mode.
I'm not the only one with this problem?! WTF is going on? I can't transfer anything from my computer into my phone!
I seen in the SGS3 MANUAL that debugging must be unchecked in order to view the sd card. Very strange but its in there.
Sent from my Rezound using Tapatalk 2.
vinnyjr said:
I seen in the SGS3 MANUAL that debugging must be unchecked in order to view the sd card. Very strange but its in there.
Sent from my Rezound using Tapatalk 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But mine won't let me view internal
Are your drivers installed from the SGS3?
Sent from my Rezound using Tapatalk 2.
There's no mass storage mode, because apps and data are no longer stored in separate partitions so there's no way to unmount a partition (in order to remount as mass storage on the computer) without borking running processes. Don't know why Samsung/carriers couldn't have included mass storage mode for the external card only (and there's a hack for the international SGSIII (rooted) that does this) but they didn't - only MTP/PTP.
plaut said:
There's no mass storage mode, because apps and data are no longer stored in separate partitions so there's no way to unmount a partition (in order to remount as mass storage on the computer) without borking running processes. Don't know why Samsung/carriers couldn't have included mass storage mode for the external card only (and there's a hack for the international SGSIII (rooted) that does this) but they didn't - only MTP/PTP.
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Click to collapse
Try using the app named USB switcher. Galaxy S2 Epic Touch on 4.0.4 has the same "feature/issue."
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.zatta.USB_switch&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImluLnphdHRhLlVTQl9zd2l0Y2giXQ..
There is an app. Here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
I have the international i9300 but it should work fine for you as well.
There's a bunch of ways to get at the SD card... you can use any number of free apps to do it, try what vinnyjr suggested, or even just pop the SD card out and plug it into your computer.
I think the bigger problem is the internal storage...
I'm completely aware of the partitioning issue Google created in ICS (see plaut's description above) as it was covered heavily when the GNex was released, but I must admit I forgot about it for a while. Now I'm starting to regret shelling out the extra $50 for the 32GB version when the data is so difficult to access.
Does anyone know of a way to get at the internal storage without having to put stuff on the SD card and manually move it using a file manager?
Why is the data so difficult to access..? I have no problems transferring files to and from and I'm using Windows 8..
Yeah I agree. I miss the old USB storage method. Anytime I try to copy a file off of the memory card (in stock [MTP] mode), I get an error. However half the time if I copy and paste it works.
joshnichols189 said:
Why is the data so difficult to access..? I have no problems transferring files to and from and I'm using Windows 8..
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Click to collapse
Because I'm not talking about the SD card... I'm talking about the internal storage. I don't have my SGSIII yet, so anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but it can't mount the internal storage. And I've also been unable to find 3rd party apps to do it. That is why I said it's difficult to access.
joshnichols189 said:
Why is the data so difficult to access..? I have no problems transferring files to and from and I'm using Windows 8..
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Click to collapse
U would have no problem on windows as mtp is a Microsoft protocol, but not every one uses stupid windows..lots here use Linux
Some even use osx
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent ICS Blue Tapatalk 2
Accessing internal and external memory on T-Mobiel S III
I have a T-Mobile Galaxy S III with 32 GB internal and 64GB external.
The internal memory shows up as the sdcard and the external memory can be found in /mnt/extsdcard.
This is causing problems with many applications that are not aware of this potential.
I use File Expert Pro and though cumbersome to go through the mnt directory it isn't too difficult.
I was thinking of creating a hard link on the pseudo sd card for the external sd card but I'm not sure how Android handles soft and hard links.
I hope someone figures out how to correct the problem at the android level or many application programmers are going to need to fix this in their code.
The Root said:
Try using the app named USB switcher. Galaxy S2 Epic Touch on 4.0.4 has the same "feature/issue."
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.zatta.USB_switch&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImluLnphdHRhLlVTQl9zd2l0Y2giXQ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Product F(RED) said:
There is an app. Here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
I have the international i9300 but it should work fine for you as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but neither of these apps work on the AT&T SGS3 (SGH-i747).
So any word on how to access internal from Linux/MacOSX? I have MacOSX by the way...
I'm on Win7 and have been moving mp3s and apk back and forth on both internal and external.
It'd be nice to have UMS (USB Mass Storage), but doesn't look like that's coming anytime soon.
For those that are new to the SGS3, if you're on W7 or W8 you can xfr files if you open the Samsung-SGH-I747 Portable Media device on your Windoz computer while the phone is hooked up to your computer.
Double click and it will expose Card and Phone. Click on either and you should be able to see all the files and do drag and drops to either card. I've been moving files back and forth using this method. You MUST have the SGS3 drivers installed for this to work!
The down side is, if you have applications that sync from your desktop, like Ewallet, that expect a UMS connection - they don't work anymore. Or at least I haven't figured out how to make them work.
That definitely sucks.

How to mount SDCARD as USB??Not ExtSDCARD

i don't know WHY samsung has removed the USB connection from International SGS3 and kept only crappy MTP files transfer,NOW ican't even scan my SDCARD with kaspersky for virus or malwares.If anybody has any "SAFE" solution for this, give your thoughts Below.Thanks guys!
nhariamine said:
i don't know WHY samsung has removed the USB connection from International SGS3 and kept only crappy MTP files transfer,NOW ican't even scan my SDCARD with kaspersky for virus or malwares.If anybody has any "SAFE" solution for this, give your thoughts Below.Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is ICS feature.
Why not you try install antivirus apps to do the job.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
if your phone is rooted, you can try out Easy UMS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
ligu said:
if your phone is rooted, you can try out Easy UMS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that will only mount extSd
This is not possible, AFAIK. Since Android 4.0 united data and app partitions, internal storage is one big EXT(Not sure if EXT3 or EXT4, or even EXT2) partition, where both apps and movies/music/etc are stored. And mounting one filesystem in two places (Even journaled one) is a really bad idea. Plus, all EXT drivers for Windows i've seen are buggy as hell.

Reformatted internal storage, now sdcard not detected

Hey guys, so my galaxy s2 has been running on RR 3.0.5 with the latest siyah kernel. A problem I've been having is frequent media corruptions, and to solve that, I thought reformatting the internal storage would help. After doing so, it doesn't recognize my sdcard. What can I do to fix this?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
How did you reformat?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
I reformatted using cwm, the "reformat internal storage" option.
Ah, then it is not possible to format from within the phone under Settings>Storage>Format USB card?
The phone should be able to format it.
If not, plug the microSD into the computer and format it as FAT32.
If still does not work, try to format it via another phone.
As of right now, the problem is in the phone because it won't recognize my sd card. I have swapped sd cards with another one, and again, it doesn't recognize.
Guess: You don't have the mount point any more after the reformat. Recreate it. Hope you know what's it called.
I.e. create the directory /sdcard/external_sd or what it's supposed to be called.
Check in /etc/vold.fstab, it should be found there, the name of the mount point.
kuisma said:
Guess: You don't have the mount point any more after the reformat. Recreate it. Hope you know what's it called.
I.e. create the directory /sdcard/external_sd or what it's supposed to be called.
Check in /etc/vold.fstab, it should be found there, the name of the mount point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly sure how to do that...
richcity64 said:
Not exactly sure how to do that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in non Samsung Android phones we don't have an internal SD card. Using root explorer, we see /sdcard/ and that is our microSD. For Samsung devices, /sdcard/ is actually the internal sd card, and what kuisma is saying is that the folder of the external sd card must be in /sdcard/something.
He is trying to say that the /sdcard/something was erased, and you have to create the folder which the external sd card is in (mount point). And instead of "something" the folder should be named something else (unknown right now) but you should be able to find the correct name in /etc/vold.fstab
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
richcity64 said:
Not exactly sure how to do that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Create an empty directory /mnt/sdcard/external_sd using your favourite tool (file explorer, mkdir or whatever ...). Restart the phone. See if it works now.

[Q] Internal Storage? Which is which

What is the path for internal storage??
And does it wipe with system wipes?
I did a factory reset after I screwed up my telephony database and I was shocked to see some pics I had taken earlier that day still there after I had done the hard reset.
On my vivd it was "ext_sd" where I could put stuff that wouldn't get wiped,
When I put the HOX+ into the comp with the usb all I see is a drive called "Internal Storage" --- are you telling me this will never get wiped during all our flashing rooting wiping activities?? That would be awesome. Less awesome than having expansion drives for SD cards of course, but..
The HOX+ has no mock SD card. Because it uses MTP not mass storage. All 64GB are on the /data/ partition. If you go to /data/media/ that is the folder mounted when you connect to a PC.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk 2
grafik2 said:
What is the path for internal storage??
And does it wipe with system wipes?
I did a factory reset after I screwed up my telephony database and I was shocked to see some pics I had taken earlier that day still there after I had done the hard reset.
On my vivd it was "ext_sd" where I could put stuff that wouldn't get wiped,
When I put the HOX+ into the comp with the usb all I see is a drive called "Internal Storage" --- are you telling me this will never get wiped during all our flashing rooting wiping activities?? That would be awesome. Less awesome than having expansion drives for SD cards of course, but..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes as long as you don't touch a WIPE DATA button, you will never lose the "sdcard" shizz this is all documented on the sticky in general
AndroHero said:
The HOX+ has no mock SD card. Because it uses MTP not mass storage. All 64GB are on the /data/ partition. If you go to /data/media/ that is the folder mounted when you connect to a PC.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect -- thanks!
Cool good to know

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