Hey there,
I was reading about encrypting my SD card via settings > storage, but am turned off by the thought that flashing a rom or doing a factory reset will render the sd card useless because the encryption key would be bad. What is the best alternative for securing the SD card say, if the device was stolen? Can this be avoided by "keeping the previous Android device ID" in titanium backup when prompted?
As for the device itself, I am putting some trust into the Android Device Manager, which finds the phone much like Apple's 'Find my iPhone' via the google dashboard, but worry about the feature working when the time comes (if ever!)
Ammi doing it rite? What are some security advices you can give an android user, or perhaps a worthy article on the topic?
EDIT: After looking into the security > storage screen for my phone(HTC One M8), the process only encrypts new files, not currently existing files- which seems to be ineffective and a pain for encrypting all files. I am assuming files transferred to the SD card via USB connection on a PC is never encrypted? Only files loaded onto the SD card through the OS?
Related
Hello,
I'm interested in encrypting my phone (rootbox 4.2) including the external SD Card (if that's possible..?) but i need to know if you do it, then let's say you take that sd card out of the phone and plug it in your pc, how do you access the data? And is that still impossible to unencrypt the phone after it was encrypted (i mean on last android versions)?
Thanks.
Never got any answer here... Still interested by any feeback : i need full encryption!
Yes it is possible to encrypt and unencrypt the phone and sd card or just the phone itself via the setting menu on your phone. To access encrypted files on a device or pc I don't think it is possible because your sd was encrypted with your phone.Here's also another website for more info type in( do you encrypt your sd card? android central) on your web browser.
Sorry but i don't get all you're saying, can you give a link? I'd like to encrypt everything AND being able to decrypt it on a PC whenever i want. That's probably possible but maybe not yet avalaible by user friendly methods..
Bump, if anyone knows more about all these things..
Hi to all
after going thru all relevant pages about this I could not find solution.
I wish to password protect sd card in my phone. I have Sony Xperia neo with latest official rom and option for sd card encryption is missing. Now I know that there are programs to encrypt specific folders but that to my knowledge is not transparent to system and requires me to decrypt each file before use. I had older phones (nokia and palm) that could set sd card password and remember it but sd card was useless on other device, or if original device was reseted to factory defaults.
Any idea on how to address this problem? I find it interesting that this simple option is missing from such advanced os as android is.
I'm using the Samsung Tab S2 (SM-T710 variant) and I've been testing out the SD card encryption feature.
When I've encrypted the SD (Transend 32GB) card, I get confirmation it's been encrypted. I see the progress bar etc as it encrypts the files on the card.
But, if I put the card in a card reader and connect it to my PC, all the files on the card are visible and editable.
If I put the card in my Note 4, it thinks the card is encrypted.
The tablet is rooted stock ROM 6.01 MM, with Xposed and other Mods installed.
But, even disabling them and rebooting doesn't help.
And I've re-flashed the "clean install" backup I created when I first installed Marshmallow n the tablet.
Does encryption only work in Android's own little world or should it be secure on all platforms?
If Android's encryption is useless, can anyone recommend any 3rd party software that works, either on Android or with Android/PC? (I've tried "Eds" in the past on a Fuse enabled custom ROM, with TrueCrypt/Veracrypt and it doesn't work for me).
Thank you
Very interesting. Did you try to update your android version ?
Did you find any solution to your problem ?
darkman088 said:
Very interesting. Did you try to update your android version ?
Did you find any solution to your problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
I don't think there's been an update from 6.01 for the Tab S2, if there has been, I've not updated.
No, I gave up on the idea. I couldn't get it to work at all and I couldn't find any 3rd party software either.
Well, this is a huge drawback...
I am having a very similar problem. I got a Galaxy Note 3. I went through the process of encrypting it - it didn't boot after that. Then I decided to install this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...hwiz-marshmallow-note-3-t3349306/post69109669
It managed to encrypt the phone, but the part for encrypting the SD card is simply not there. I don't see a three-dots menu from where I can choose if to join the SD card to the internal storage or not. I choose to format the card. It says it'll make it secure, but actually it only puts a few Android folders and on another phone I can see, read and play a file which I've put there!
This is really embarrassing, I've been fighting with encryption for 1 week!
Also, I tried to find a software, which would do that. EDS sounds promising, but when I launch it, it just hangs
How can the quality of software be sooooo poor! I'm very very disappointed
I will now try another ROM(s)
My microSD was almost full and I kept takeing pictures with my phone then feel day after I realize that I has noone of photos saved, then when I tried access micro sd a message shown saying that my sd was corrupted.
So I tried to use a small usb adapt with sd in windows and explorer could not show the memory properly to access it and then I realize if I format in android I could then recovery the files in windows after.
I formated to use to share files betwen pc and android, now I tried Ease, Recuva and some others recovery softwares and all of them cant show my old files even with deep scan and using the original microsd-to-sd adaptator. Tried some store apps too, they dont even run in my android.
I did not write upside the files I had but android automatically put a lot of folders inside, no one with much amount of files.
So now I ask, can a diferent software or trick take my old files back? this micro sd is old, I had important files from 2010 there. :crying:
Ive mi a3 with android 9. 16g c16g micro sd
Recovery will depend on if you encrypted the SD or not. If the SD was previously encrypted you will not be able to recover any of the files. That is kind of the point of encryption.
If you did not encrypt the SD and Recuvva failed you may still be able to recover some of the files. I had a similar issue where I knew the deleted files were on the drive and while Recuvva managed to pull a few it was not finding the one that I really needed. This lead me to looking for other recovery programs online. I Googled "apps similar to recuvva". I found a site with 10 programs like recuvva and I found one in that list that worked. I did have to try 3 or 4 to find that one but it not only found the file I needed but it found about a dozen more that I didn't even know I was missing. I would tell you which program it was but I don't remember and I uninstalled it after using it.
Best wishes.
---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:25 AM ----------
While I have your ear, backup backup backup… I really can't say it enough. I hate to see people on here who've lost memories or important docs because they didn't back them up. Google provides so many ways to backup all for free. Google Drive will backup your docs and files, Google Photos will backup your photos and videos, Gmail Contacts will backup your contacts. Many carriers also provide backup options. Verizon Cloud will essentially backup your device similarly to iTunes. It doesn't backup your game progress and all of that, I think iTunes does, but it will backup your texts, files, settings, contacts and photos.
dionei said:
...
So I tried to use a small usb adapt with sd in windows and explorer could not show the memory properly to access it and then I realize if I format in android I could then recovery the files in windows after.
...
I formated to use to share files betwen pc and android, now I tried Ease, Recuva and some others recovery softwares and all of them cant show my old files even with deep scan and using the original microsd-to-sd adaptator. Tried some store apps too, they dont even run in my android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMHO it mainly depends on Android SD card's filing system whether there is a chance to recover data after having formatted it. For an Android device, the compatible file system of external storage is FAT32 or exFAT.
To unformat the SD card in Android phone to get back the deleted files, I suggest you to try iBeesoft Data Recovery. It is designed for users to unformat SD card on Android phone specially.
Here are the simple steps for how to use iBeesoft Data Recovery to unformat SD card in Android phone:
Step 1. Install iBeeSoft Data Recovery software on computer
Step 2. Connect your Android device with computer
Step 3. Select "Unformat File Types"
Step 4. Select Formatted SD card to scan
Step 5. Unformat SD card in Android phone
Full guide here.
I've attached Google's USB driver (read: Android Debug Bridge - ADB-client) software for Windows computer.
Hi all
I have a Samsung S20 Ultra with a memory card that all of my photos are saved to, unfortunately I had to take my phone into Samsung experience store for a screen / back cover repair, the staff removed my Memory card and told me to factory reset due to GDPR as the device had to be sent away, when my device returned in the post 5 days later I went to put the memory card back in and a notice appeared stating the memory card is encrypted to a different device! I am totally devastated as there are pictures of my father who has passed away and other images that they are the only copies I have, I know now I should have unencrypted the memory card before the factory reset. I have spoken to Samsung directly so say there is nothing that can be done.
does anyone know of a way I can get round this I would be so very grateful!
Thanks in advanced
Stu
The best thing I could suggest is a third party solution that may be able to decrypt the information on the card, such as FeExplorer. Check to see if you have a "Decrypt SD card" option in the Lock Screen and Security settings, although I suspect it won't be able to do it.
The problem is, the encryption key is unique and stored in user data. When data is wiped during a factory reset, the key is wiped as well, so even if the user configures the same lock settings (password, pattern, etc) they key would be different.
I am not aware of an absolute solution, but here is what I would strongly suggest you do:
If able, make sure the contents of the card are backed up. Use cloud storage such as Google Drive.
Keep the card in a safe place; maybe put it in a small envelope or something, and mark it in such a way as to discourage accidental discarding or wiping.
Buy a new SD card to use in the meantime while you look for a way to recover the information on the encrypted card.
I am sorry for your loss, and I wish I had a better answer for you.
Edit: Found this on another site, maybe it's worth a try. MAKE SURE YOU BACK UP THE DATA ON THE CARD IN CASE THIS GOES WRONG.
On a PC: Copy (the encrypted and unreadable) contents of the sd card from the phone to your harddrive
On the phone: Settings -> Storage -> Sd Card -> Format sd card (this erases all the data on the sd card but don't worry you have a copy on the PC)
On the phone: Settings -> Security -> Encrypt sd Card (should be real fast since it's an empty sd card)
On the PC: Copy the contents of the sd card onto the phone
On the phone: Settings -> Security -> Decrypt sd card (edit: this may take a while depending on how much data was on the card)
sorry but none of the above "solutions" makes any sense. it is not possible to recover data. encryption key was located /data/misc/vold and /data itself was encrypted, too. Furthermore one can't access /data aka userdata partition.
BUT... and here comes the but.. adoptable-storage usually is DISABLED in One UI
So how is it possible your MicroSD Card is encrypted at all? It's not, except you have installed custom ROM or installed any 3rd party encryption tool (you would remember)
There is a good chance your MicroSD Card is plain exFAT or Fat32 unencrypted file system. I recommend to use a card reader for PC and make a 1:1 dump with gddrescue and analyze the dump with photorec or other file carver solutions.
There exist tools for windows too, for example
https://www.klennet.com/carver
https://www.z-a-recovery.com
https://www.runtime.org
Don't buy any software if your MicroSD Card is encrypted, it will definitely not work.
You can easily check if your MicroSD Card is encrypted by opening raw disk image with HxD hex editor and search for any plain text or series of zeros. gparted or testdisk will tell you if partition table exist
aIecxs said:
sorry but none of the above "solutions" makes any sense. it is not possible to recover data. encryption key was located /data/misc/vold and /data itself was encrypted, too. Furthermore one can't access /data aka userdata partition.
BUT... and here comes the but.. adoptable-storage usually is DISABLED in One UI
So how is it possible your MicroSD Card is encrypted at all? It's not, except you have installed custom ROM or installed any 3rd party encryption tool (you would remember)
There is a good chance your MicroSD Card is plain exFAT or Fat32 unencrypted file system. I recommend to use a card reader for PC and make a 1:1 dump with gddrescue and analyze the dump with photorec or other file carver solutions.
There exist tools for windows too, for example
https://www.klennet.com/carver
https://www.z-a-recovery.com
https://www.runtime.org
Don't buy any software if your MicroSD Card is encrypted, it will definitely not work.
You can easily check if your MicroSD Card is encrypted by opening raw disk image with HxD hex editor and search for any plain text or series of zeros. gparted or testdisk will tell you if partition table exist
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you put an SD card into a Samsung ultra it asks if you want to encrypt it through their own software, no third party apps were used
True, I realized after posting. Samsung is always bit special, they tried to think differently... In that case your data was lost in the moment of factory reset.
https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/how-to-encrypt-decrypt-sd-card
Stu_C said:
Hi all
I have a Samsung S20 Ultra with a memory card that all of my photos are saved to, unfortunately I had to take my phone into Samsung experience store for a screen / back cover repair, the staff removed my Memory card and told me to factory reset due to GDPR as the device had to be sent away, when my device returned in the post 5 days later I went to put the memory card back in and a notice appeared stating the memory card is encrypted to a different device! I am totally devastated as there are pictures of my father who has passed away and other images that they are the only copies I have, I know now I should have unencrypted the memory card before the factory reset. I have spoken to Samsung directly so say there is nothing that can be done.
does anyone know of a way I can get round this I would be so very grateful!
Thanks in advanced
Stu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, have an experience that my samsung device were dead and my sd card still encrypted.
Firstly, you have to backup entire data on your sd card just in case.
And then, format your sd card using another device (maybe your another android).
Last, put your sd card to windows device and recover all data with DiskDigger software.
It's work on my sd card, give it a try.. Dont forget to backup all data