Did Google restrict our access to SD Card?? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was trying to rename a folder using Root Explorer, but I got a message from RE, saying that it had failed because Google have restricted the access using Write Protect and there is nothing RE can do about it.
What is Going on here? Is Google trying to eliminate SD cards on all Android devices in the future?

From 4.4 onward, Google has stopped access to the external SD except to apps that came with the phone. You can get around it by using NextApp SDFix.

Related

[Q] Accessing ext-sd card?

I'm noticing that some apps (dropbox, ESfile) are not seeing my ext-sd for exporting stuff for whatnot. I can access it through astro and poweramp (and I'm sure root file exp), but it seems that the external sd is invisible to some of these apps. Any fixes for this?
Are you rooted? Root explorer is excellent. Also when I use safe strap to go to cwm it gives the options to look at internal memory or external sd card.
If rooted this may be another option I haven't tried it though.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1545292
Yup, I am rooted. Accessing the info with root explorer or astro isn't a problem. I noticed it when I was trying to export some songs from my dropbox to my ext-sd, and it wouldn't recognize it, only the internal. I was unable to find a path to it either.
Im just taking a guess and trying to help as I dont use it. I read something about the dropbox software. I read depending on when you installed there was an update for the dropbox android software.

[Q] App2SD on Z2 ?

After rooting my Z2 tablet, and installing SuperSU, and editing Platform.XML to allow writing to the SD card, I attempted to install a few apps to move apps to the SD card. Although all were given super user privileges, none of them worked.
"All-In App2SD" gave me an error. "DS Super App2SD Lite" gave me a list to select from and it gave me an error telling me to make sure I am rooted and something else I couldn't read because it immediately opened the app info for every app selected which I had to manually go through.I tried "Root # Data2SD card." doesn't seem to do anything. I tried to create a storage to mount (which is a weird approach), but it won't go any further. I tried installing "Auto App2SD (Move)", but it wouldn't even install. Google Play says there is insufficient space - when I have more than 20 GB free internal and more than 90 GB free external. I tried "AppMGR III" and it opens all the App Info screens as well, but this one gave me a message telling me to use a move to phone option, but none exists.
So is the tablet unable to use App2SD? Or am I doing something wrong?
Elliander said:
After rooting my Z2 tablet, and installing SuperSU, and editing Platform.XML to allow writing to the SD card, I attempted to install a few apps to move apps to the SD card. Although all were given super user privileges, none of them worked.
"All-In App2SD" gave me an error. "DS Super App2SD Lite" gave me a list to select from and it gave me an error telling me to make sure I am rooted and something else I couldn't read because it immediately opened the app info for every app selected which I had to manually go through.I tried "Root # Data2SD card." doesn't seem to do anything. I tried to create a storage to mount (which is a weird approach), but it won't go any further. I tried installing "Auto App2SD (Move)", but it wouldn't even install. Google Play says there is insufficient space - when I have more than 20 GB free internal and more than 90 GB free external. I tried "AppMGR III" and it opens all the App Info screens as well, but this one gave me a message telling me to use a move to phone option, but none exists.
So is the tablet unable to use App2SD? Or am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use "SD Kitkat Fixer" and "FolderMount" from Play Store and have no issues to move app data to SD card.
kulvertti said:
I use "SD Kitkat Fixer" and "FolderMount" from Play Store and have no issues to move app data to SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, for some reason, some apps give me the error "Insufficient Storage Available" from within the Play Store and both of those apps give me that error. (Clearing cache, a call to google, reset device, etc doesn't resolve the issue, and it's strangely specific to apps related to rooting.)
However, I was able to manually edit the Platform.XML folder (which is all apps like that seem to do anyway) and I have mount /system.

[Q] 4.4.4 Move app data to SD, rooted, Nothing works

Hi guys,
I have android kitkat 4.4.4, which is OS that has disabled function of moving large app data (obb files) to external SD card. My device is Huawei Ascend G620S-L01 (same as Honor 4 Play). I have root. I am browsing this and other forums for 2 days. I tried several solutions, but each has a issue. I tried each type of solution with more apps so that I can be sure, there is no problem in the app:
- Clean master says that my device does not allow to move apps to SD.
- System app uninstaller told me there is no need to transfer data, because sd card is shared (wtf?). I tried some more apps that should transfer app data.
- SD unlockers - I thought there would be a need to unlock my sd card, it was written on some forum, so I tried. It went successful, but still nothing was able to transfer app data to sd card.
Then I read about mounting, so I tried several programs. All of them had same issue - the game was looking for its data and trying to download them, eventhough they had been mounted. More people with different devices, had same problem, but most of them were just running game unmounted, or without reboot. I tried reboot and also checked mount before running a game.
I hope I was just doing something wrong and it will be possible to store apps on my SD. One guy had a solution for this, he wrote two scripts to overwrite something that I did not understand, but they made it possible to store obb data on SD card and also made apps look for them on SD (I have no problems to transfer data manually, but no app will look for them on external SD). Please, is there any solution for me?
EDIT: My phone has also emulated SD card, but I need to transfer it to external SD.
root?
chnapo said:
Hi guys,
I have android kitkat 4.4.4, which is OS that has disabled function of moving large app data (obb files) to external SD card. My device is Huawei Ascend G620S-L01 (same as Honor 4 Play). I have root. I am browsing this and other forums for 2 days. I tried several solutions, but each has a issue. I tried each type of solution with more apps so that I can be sure, there is no problem in the app:
- Clean master says that my device does not allow to move apps to SD.
- System app uninstaller told me there is no need to transfer data, because sd card is shared (wtf?). I tried some more apps that should transfer app data.
- SD unlockers - I thought there would be a need to unlock my sd card, it was written on some forum, so I tried. It went successful, but still nothing was able to transfer app data to sd card.
Then I read about mounting, so I tried several programs. All of them had same issue - the game was looking for its data and trying to download them, eventhough they had been mounted. More people with different devices, had same problem, but most of them were just running game unmounted, or without reboot. I tried reboot and also checked mount before running a game.
I hope I was just doing something wrong and it will be possible to store apps on my SD. One guy had a solution for this, he wrote two scripts to overwrite something that I did not understand, but they made it possible to store obb data on SD card and also made apps look for them on SD (I have no problems to transfer data manually, but no app will look for them on external SD). Please, is there any solution for me?
EDIT: My phone has also emulated SD card, but I need to transfer it to external SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I can't help you but was hoping you could help me. What rooting method did you use. I have already unlocked my bootloader. Thanks

Why was I able to write to SD cards on 4.4.4?

So first off, I'm familiar with how KitKat doesn't allow 3rd party apps write access to SD cards.
However, I've been using Solid Explorer to manage files on my SD card for some time now... Long enough to move well over 20GB of music from a LAN share to the card. I'm not sure why this worked, but I didn't question it. This past week, without really doing anything to the phone, that ability went away. Solid Explorer now gives the standard spiel about KitKat and SD cards.
Am I overlooking something here? Why did this ever work, and can I get it to work again?
better .... try esexplorer
I've explicitly removed and avoid ES Explorer for getting progressively sketchier.
Solid explorer is perfect as it is.
First try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix
If it works, then check the permission for Solid Explorer. Usually, the app ask you for permission, don't remember where or how, but you could try to uninstall the app and then reinstall it.
I installed Advanced Tools to fix the SD card write access. Go to Settings and Root, and then 'SD card write access' to fix the permissions. I'm on 5.02 rooted.

Can't write to SD Card (EMUI 10)

I can copy/move files from internal storage to SD Card if I use the built-in file manager. However, if I use any 3rd party file manager, the operation will fail. It is as though the SD Card is read-only. I can copy from the SD Card to internal storage just fine.
I've tried ES File Explorer, File Manager Pro, Solid Explorer and they all failed. I've given grants to write to the root of SD-Card. Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?
Try with a real file manager like
https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/com.mixplorer
Earthkeeper said:
I can copy/move files from internal storage to SD Card if I use the built-in file manager. However, if I use any 3rd party file manager, the operation will fail. It is as though the SD Card is read-only. I can copy from the SD Card to internal storage just fine.
I've tried ES File Explorer, File Manager Pro, Solid Explorer and they all failed. I've given grants to write to the root of SD-Card. Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have exactly the same problem. I tried with solid, mix without success.
Στάλθηκε από το Mate 20 pro
Mixplorer works great. Root Explorer also works.
Thank you for your recommendation!
I really don't get it. At first, nothing works. Then when I install Root Explorer and grant storage access to the root of the SD-card, it immediately works.
Then I tried MiXplorer and it also works. Now when I return to Solid Explorer and it is working now.
What's going on? Does Root Explorer unlock something which makes it "click"? I don't get it at all. I only hope it is reliable in the long run and not switching "on" and "off" randomly.
Earthkeeper said:
I really don't get it. At first, nothing works. Then when I install Root Explorer and grant storage access to the root of the SD-card, it immediately works.
Then I tried MiXplorer and it also works. Now when I return to Solid Explorer and it is working now.
What's going on? Does Root Explorer unlock something which makes it "click"? I don't get it at all. I only hope it is reliable in the long run and not switching "on" and "off" randomly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root Explorer has been the ultimate for me. I bought the paid version when it first came out years ago. It always acomplishes whatever task I need it to do.
Not Working
Not working for me.. I am using Honor V10... recently, I installed the android 10 (EMUI 10) update via ota (over the air). I have tried Root Explorer, ES file manager pro, but no file manager is able to write to external card except default file manager (which is pre installed)
PS: My phone is not rooted.
susheelseth said:
Not working for me.. I am using Honor V10... recently, I installed the android 10 (EMUI 10) update via ota (over the air). I have tried Root Explorer, ES file manager pro, but no file manager is able to write to external card except default file manager (which is pre installed)
PS: My phone is not rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to developer settings and enable the option allow apps to write to external card... Have fun
JustChris20 said:
Go to developer settings and enable the option allow apps to write to external card... Have fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This option is already enabled but still not working... pls see tge attached screenshot for your reference.
Any other workaround?
I still have the same problem...
I have a new P30 Pro and Nano SD card Just arrived.
I can write (and read) the card by external reader, connecting the phone via USB to a PC, etc. etc.
But when the card is on the phone I can only use Heawei file manager!!!
I have enable the option allow apps to write to external card.
I've just update on EMUI 10 build 10.0.0186
I can't beleive I tried a lot file manager and also some alternative app like quickpic and no one works good!!!!
Fix the problem...
After enable the option allow apps to write to external card, I tried to disable developer settings.
Also tried to active some app I've disable before... 2 app, default browser and HiCare!
That's all and now I have no problem writing Nano SD card with all of my app!!!
I also rebbot the phone sveral time...
JustChris20 said:
Go to developer settings and enable the option allow apps to write to external card... Have fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Under what heading is this...only option I have relating to external memory is force allow apps to external memory.
Issue resolved by installing FX file commander
Hi there.
I have the exact same problem.
None of those steps helped me
I tried installing every single Root Explorer there is in the Play Store, but none worked.
Earthkeeper said:
I really don't get it. At first, nothing works. Then when I install Root Explorer and grant storage access to the root of the SD-card, it immediately works.
Then I tried MiXplorer and it also works. Now when I return to Solid Explorer and it is working now.
What's going on? Does Root Explorer unlock something which makes it "click"? I don't get it at all. I only hope it is reliable in the long run and not switching "on" and "off" randomly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which one of the Root Explorer apps that we can find on Play Store did the trick for you ?
Tedo said:
I still have the same problem...
I have a new P30 Pro and Nano SD card Just arrived.
I can write (and read) the card by external reader, connecting the phone via USB to a PC, etc. etc.
But when the card is on the phone I can only use Heawei file manager!!!
I have enable the option allow apps to write to external card.
I've just update on EMUI 10 build 10.0.0186
I can't beleive I tried a lot file manager and also some alternative app like quickpic and no one works good!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tedo said:
Fix the problem...
After enable the option allow apps to write to external card, I tried to disable developer settings.
Also tried to active some app I've disable before... 2 app, default browser and HiCare!
That's all and now I have no problem writing Nano SD card with all of my app!!!
I also rebbot the phone sveral time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I enabled the default browser and the HiCare app (actually they were not disabled, so I just opened them to complete their setup) but this did not help either.
I even formatted the memory card (using my phone "format card" option) and then reset my phone to factory defaults and set it up again from the beginning without restoring backups.
I still have not found a solution to thus issue, though.
Any ideas anyone?
LostEchoes said:
Hi there.
I have the exact same problem.
None of those steps helped me
I tried installing every single Root Explorer there is in the Play Store, but none worked.
Which one of the Root Explorer apps that we can find on Play Store did the trick for you ?
I enabled the default browser and the HiCare app (actually they were not disabled, so I just opened them to complete their setup) but this did not help either.
I even formatted the memory card (using my phone "format card" option) and then reset my phone to factory defaults and set it up again from the beginning without restoring backups.
I still have not found a solution to thus issue, though.
Any ideas anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to instal FX file commander to get SD card write permission....I can't make it stick, every time I reboot I have to reset the sd card write permission.
I have similar problems relating to this thread on my mate 20 pro after updating to Android 10 (EMUI 10). I've tried all the methods mentioned here and it worked briefly before restarting the phone. After restarting the phone, it went back to being unable to copy files to External Storage.
I noticed that i was able to delete and rename files on the external storage but i just can't seem to copy anything into it.
I can copy files from the external card to internal storage but not the other way around.
Tried using MiXplorer, the only way i can copy files into the external card is by this method:
i copied the file and it shows error, but there's an image of the file created on the external card with 0 kb. Then i overwrite the file and replacing the '0 kb' file and it worked. And another method to just to use the built-in file manager which is a pain to use and the UI are crappy.
It was a lengthy method and therefore I decided to downgrade to Android 9 for now.
I also noticed i can't change the download directory of my Ttorrent app to any folder of my choice in external storage.
anyone can suggest a better method to overwrite this external drive issue? Thanks in advanced.
malshadows said:
I have similar problems relating to this thread on my mate 20 pro after updating to Android 10 (EMUI 10). I've tried all the methods mentioned here and it worked briefly before restarting the phone. After restarting the phone, it went back to being unable to copy files to External Storage.
I noticed that i was able to delete and rename files on the external storage but i just can't seem to copy anything into it.
I can copy files from the external card to internal storage but not the other way around.
Tried using MiXplorer, the only way i can copy files into the external card is by this method:
i copied the file and it shows error, but there's an image of the file created on the external card with 0 kb. Then i overwrite the file and replacing the '0 kb' file and it worked. And another method to just to use the built-in file manager which is a pain to use and the UI are crappy.
It was a lengthy method and therefore I decided to downgrade to Android 9 for now.
I also noticed i can't change the download directory of my Ttorrent app to any folder of my choice in external storage.
anyone can suggest a better method to overwrite this external drive issue? Thanks in advanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This this the "official" reply at the Huawei forums:
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/comm...-disabled-for-3rd-party-apps-!/topicId_90489/
Now, what I've come to notice is the following:
- All Huawei and Google apps I have tried, do have access to the memory card (e.g. Google Maps is allowed to save its offline maps on the SD card, the same for Google News and the articles it downloads)
- Some 3rd party apps do have access. E.g. Here We Go maps can save its maps on the external card. ASR Voice Recorder can save its recordings to a specific memory card folder, the one that is automatically created -on the card- by the app when it is installed on the phone. Maybe there are other app that we will find they can, too.
- So it seems that the rule is not general, as Huawei implies at that thread I have posted above.
My biggest concern was that MixPlorer has now limited use, and this is kind of sad as it was my favorite explorer.
Huawei Files manager is not bad, it's actually quite OK, but it bothers me that you cannot add 3rd party clouds on it. If it had that option I would be happy with it. I like it that it has that "favorites" option. For now I have created a folder "My Archives" on the internal memory and I initially save almost everything there (e.g. my Nova Launcher backups). Then I use Huawei Files manager to move them to the external memory card on the folders I want.
LostEchoes said:
This this the "official" reply at the Huawei forums:
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/comm...-disabled-for-3rd-party-apps-!/topicId_90489/
Now, what I've come to notice is the following:
- All Huawei and Google apps I have tried, do have access to the memory card (e.g. Google Maps is allowed to save its offline maps on the SD card, the same for Google News and the articles it downloads)
- Some 3rd party apps do have access. E.g. Here We Go maps can save its maps on the external card. ASR Voice Recorder can save its recordings to a specific memory card folder, the one that is automatically created -on the card- by the app when it is installed on the phone. Maybe there are other app that we will find they can, too.
- So it seems that the rule is not general, as Huawei implies at that thread I have posted above.
My biggest concern was that MixPlorer has now limited use, and this is kind of sad as it was my favorite explorer.
Huawei Files manager is not bad, it's actually quite OK, but it bothers me that you cannot add 3rd party clouds on it. If it had that option I would be happy with it. I like it that it has that "favorites" option. For now I have created a folder "My Archives" on the internal memory and I initially save almost everything there (e.g. my Nova Launcher backups). Then I use Huawei Files manager to move them to the external memory card on the folders I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey that's a good idea of creating a temp folder on your internal drive before using Huawei file manager to transfer everything out to your external card. However it requires additional steps to get it done but it's a good idea nonetheless. Thanks for that suggestion. For me i'm so used to be using solid explorer to do all my file operations as it has google drive integration which makes it easy n fast to transfer between drives. So i guess my best bet is to downgrade to android 9, it's just much more comfortable to work with and in my opinion, android 10 is not that big of a deal and not much substantial changes anyway. Hehe.
Every reboot I always have this facing problem!
Sometime I must reboot because my smartphone switch off for low battery....
When I reboot try to disable and re-enable the special option in developer menù, also try to uninstall and after install again the memory card (from setup/memory menù).
After that try to copy some file to memory card with default file manager an default Gallery...
Sometimes it is enough sometimes I have to try more and more... But after several time it works!
Xplore
Try xplore by lonely cat games. It's working on my mate 20 pro and survived reboots.

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