Deleting downloads and pictures over ADB - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I have some tablets that multiple people are going to be using...have them pretty locked down I think, but I'm running into one final minor issue. The plan was to plug them all into a hub, and have a script go tablet by tablet deleting the files in the downloads and pictures directories via ADB. This more or less works, but if I goto the "Downloads App" I see a non-working file with the files name. I am guessing it's cached somewhere? How do I clear this out? If I install a file manager on the tablet there is nothing in the downloads.
Thanks,
Matt

Related

[Q] How to move app data to another device

Here is my situation. I am on vacation and I am using 3g with my laptop to access the internet and ad-hoc wifi to connect the G-Tab. Me wife has a 7" black Pandigitial Novel (android 1.5, rooted and set so Market thinks it is 1.6) and it does not support ad-hoc wifi. She has a crossword puzzle app (Shortyz) that she can not update with new puzzles. I have downloaded the app and the new puzzles. Now, how do I get it to her device? I thought I could move it (only the new data part) to the external SD card and then pull it and put it in her device and she could move it from there. Then I realized that App2SD only moves to the internal SD card. So, now I'm stuck as what to do. Is there an app that will allow me to move data to an external SD card or some type of work around? Could I download it to the laptop and then put it on the SD card? Thanks
If you already have Shortyz installed on your gTab, its crosswords, updates and WIP files should be in /mnt/sdcard/crosswords/.
If your wife also has the app installed, then you can just copy the contents of that directory to the (same?) directory on the Pandigital.
If you also have to update her app, then you'll have to copy your apk file and overwrite her version on the Pandigital.
All this is slighty tricky if you don't know the app locations--on the tablet/moved to SD card/USB storage--on both your and your wife's tablets. Try this command as a starting point for sniffing out the locations (on both tablets):
Code:
gTablet$ [B]su[/B]
gTablet# [B]find /data -name *totsp*[/B]
I assume I can use Terminal Emulater to do the sniffing on the G-Tab. Is the transfer done via USB between the two tablets or do I have to use me laptop? You will probably have to walk me through this if it is okay with you, I have only been activily working with android for about two months. Thanks
UPDATE: Using a app "Sniffer" I found the different puzzles that was downloaded for Shorthand on the G-Tab but I do not have "Sniffer" on my wife's or Terminial Emulator. I do have a couple of file managers if they could be of use. Also, how will I overwrite the data that is already there(on the Pandigital)?
I may have over-complicated your reply. I do not have to update my wife's Sportyz, I only need to update the puzzles. How would I do this between devices. Both devices have DropBox but, I have only used it to install apk files I have downloaded to my pc and Thanks put in the DropBox. Thanks
lartomar2002 said:
I do not have to update my wife's Sportyz, I only need to update the puzzles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it's very simple (if, potentially, a bit tedious). Copy the entire tree (all files and directories) from /mnt/sdcard/crosswords on your gTablet to your wife's crosswords directory--after you locate where that dir. is on the Pandigital.
How you make the copy is up to you. Zipping up the whole directory on your gTablet, sending the file to your wife and unzipping it in the proper place on the Pandigital will be the easiest. If you can't zip things up for any reason, you'll have to transfer each file individually after creating the correct directories. You can use Dropbox, email, ftp, SD cards, USB sticks, ... to transfer the file(s). You mentioned that the Pandigital didn't support ad-hoc WiFi. If you're near any kind of public access point, use that to get networking going on both devices then.
Use your imagination. At least one of you likes solving puzzles. Think of this problem as one. Best of luck.
Thank you, While waiting for your response I did exactly as you have suggested. I zipped the directory and put it on my SD2, then put it in my wife's tab and unzipped it to the proper directory.

Possible? Trick dropbox into mounting as sdcard2

As far as I can tell dropbox for android doesnt make a mount point like it does on a PC, but the function is there. Could android be tricked into doing this?
Hello, i a, looking for for something like this aswell. The only posibility i know is dropsync, but this mirrors the dropbox to the local storage... It would be great to be able to Mount the dropbox like a network drive
Es file Explorer can add your dropbox folder as a share in its app. Actually it supports GDrive and Box too...
david279 said:
Es file Explorer can add your dropbox folder as a share in its app. Actually it supports GDrive and Box too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but the share in not available to other apps as if it were mounted as another external SD drive. I want to use an encryption software but I need to point it to the encrypted file. For that the dropbox folder needs to look like an android system folder.
ParrSt said:
Yes but the share in not available to other apps as if it were mounted as another external SD drive. I want to use an encryption software but I need to point it to the encrypted file. For that the dropbox folder needs to look like an android system folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been looking for something similar. so far, (apart from apps like es file explorer) the closest i have found is [puts on protective suit] this
https ://github.com/arekzb/dropfuse
now - yes, I know that it is linux and not android, but given the similiarities in the systems (ducks flaming posts), it may server as a planning base for a (much smarter/more knowledgeable) person to expand upon.
My thoughts (possibly invalid) would be that the mount point could be created at/after(?) boot via some sort of script - not sure if this is even possible, but if it could be done, you could then potentially modify for other storage services.
Purpose's could be to - stream media, store files for online viewing/editing/reading etc...
******
update - just tested and have not got it working on my ubuntu system - possibly due to a backend dropbox change (or just me not being able to follow instructions)
*******
okay - so tried again and it works (for ubuntu) - help read instructions and google - works wonders
needed to install setuptools and pyquery, and it only works while the terminal window is open (there may be a way to run as a service or something - but not checked yet).
so all good - so far.
Did some checking and there is python for Android around, so am thinking (once i get a chance) I will try to see if i can emulate the linux success.....
Great for Ubuntu, any chance for Android

hide it pro files missing

Need help badly.
Have a number of pictures and files in hide it pro. Was just viewing them. I tried to change vault location, it initially said something went wrong. Tried again and it said successful. Went to look at files, they're all gone. I can't find them in file explorer or anything.
In addition, I downloaded a program they recommend to recover deleted files... although they say its impossible for the app itself to delete them (?).. but I can not get my phone to connect to my computer via usb. running cm10.1 unofficial. enabled usb debugging, have it set to usb mass storage.
cgibsong002 said:
Need help badly.
Have a number of pictures and files in hide it pro. Was just viewing them. I tried to change vault location, it initially said something went wrong. Tried again and it said successful. Went to look at files, they're all gone. I can't find them in file explorer or anything.
In addition, I downloaded a program they recommend to recover deleted files... although they say its impossible for the app itself to delete them (?).. but I can not get my phone to connect to my computer via usb. running cm10.1 unofficial. enabled usb debugging, have it set to usb mass storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you access it via ADB? If so, shell into it and look around the filesystem.
Could you elaborate? Not really sure what adb is.
I tried using file explorer and searched for anything with .img for my pictures for example, and some actually came up, but I believe they were just in recent text history as they came up in some kind of /thumbnail folder. Most still missing.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
cgibsong002 said:
Could you elaborate? Not really sure what adb is.
I tried using file explorer and searched for anything with .img for my pictures for example, and some actually came up, but I believe they were just in recent text history as they came up in some kind of /thumbnail folder. Most still missing.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Certainly! ADB is the Android Debug Bridge (found in the Android SDK folder under the platform-tools folder). If you don't have this, you can grab it from the developer portal on android.com (I'd link you direct, but I'm still under 10 posts).
If you Google ADB you'll see the page I'm referring to (it has a nifty list of commands and what not), it'll have a download section on the left for the Android SDK.
Once you get the SDK and install the tools from the SDK Manager (it'll download the platform-tools for you) you'll have the ADB tool at your disposal.
Running ADB in command line with "adb devices" should show you your device.
If so, you'll type "adb shell" and be prompted with a command prompt. It is important to note that at this point, you'll be issuing commands to the phone.
If you know the names of the files you are looking for you can do a blanket search:
find . 2>&1 | grep -v 'permission denied' | grep "FILENAME/PART OF NAME YOU ARE LOOKING FOR"
This will filter out the permission denied errors and will make the output a little more readable. You can also add a " | less" to step through the results if you have a lot. With some luck, you can find the path of the files you are looking for with ease.
Good luck, I hope you haven't had any data loss.
---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------
Also, your phone will have to be plugged in via USB for you to issue these commands. I just performed the steps above to ensure they should work for you - I do make the assumption you are on Windows, but if I'm wrong please let me know.
You may also need to do an "adb kill-server" and "adb start-server" to ensure the device is listed in the devices section.
Also..in addition to having the phone plugged in... in settings/developer options you MUST enable usb debugging
You seem to be in the right track getting help with your current issue.
But op... apps to hide media are not needed whatsoever...
If you have stuff you don't want showing up in the gallery, put it all in a separate folder, then make a file in that folder called:
.nomedia
Now Reboot
Once back up Look in your gallery and be amazed that you hid your own seedy pictures.
studacris said:
Also..in addition to having the phone plugged in... in settings/developer options you MUST enable usb debugging
You seem to be in the right track getting help with your current issue.
But op... apps to hide media are not needed whatsoever...
If you have stuff you don't want showing up in the gallery, put it all in a separate folder, then make a file in that folder called:
.nomedia
Now Reboot
Once back up Look in your gallery and be amazed that you hid your own seedy pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or, just put a "." in front of any file you do not want to be seen and it will not be seen. In some file explorers (i.e., ex file explorer) there are options to hide or unhide hidden folders.
studacris said:
Also..in addition to having the phone plugged in... in settings/developer options you MUST enable usb debugging
You seem to be in the right track getting help with your current issue.
But op... apps to hide media are not needed whatsoever...
If you have stuff you don't want showing up in the gallery, put it all in a separate folder, then make a file in that folder called:
.nomedia
Now Reboot
Once back up Look in your gallery and be amazed that you hid your own seedy pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. I'll definitely try this in the future. First, I really just need to find these files. I'll be honest I'm a bit lost with adb. Is there a better method? Further, I tried a file recovery app which pulled up old deleted files but not what I'm looking for so I honestly don't think they really got deleted. What if the file got over written and took my files with it? Is that possible?
I would think if I could find the correct file or extension I could simply find them with es file explorer? Maybe one of you guys could try the app for me and see if maybe you can figure out anything about the hidden files? I know I'm asking a lot but I honestly really appreciate the help I wish I knew more!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Yes, you can recover files lost in hide it pro. See this data recovery solution.
hope this helps.

Android USB File Transfer - Major Problems

This is one of the strangest problems I have ever encountered, so be prepared to be stumped.
I have many android devices, as you can see in my sig. Lately, I have been having problems with pulling files off of all of my devices., Here's what happens.
Say I use mybackup pro. I create a backup of my apps and their data on 9-6-2013. Then I create one on 9-7-2013. If I plug in my device on 9-8-2013, and attempt to copy the 2 backups I made, not all of the files will transfer to my computer.
Guessing that the files are corrupt or something, I deleted them. I create a new backup on 9-8-2013. HOWEVER, when I plug the device back into my computer (doesn't matter which machine), Explorer still shows me the OLD files that I deleted off of the device! It appears that something is caching my device's filesystem but I cannot clear that cache or refresh the device's content list.
This happens with all of my computers and all. of my Android devices. The only similarity is that I am running Windows 7. That's it.
Can someone help me please diffuse this problem?
jerry43812 said:
This is one of the strangest problems I have ever encountered, so be prepared to be stumped.
I have many android devices, as you can see in my sig. Lately, I have been having problems with pulling files off of all of my devices., Here's what happens.
Say I use mybackup pro. I create a backup of my apps and their data on 9-6-2013. Then I create one on 9-7-2013. If I plug in my device on 9-8-2013, and attempt to copy the 2 backups I made, not all of the files will transfer to my computer.
Guessing that the files are corrupt or something, I deleted them. I create a new backup on 9-8-2013. HOWEVER, when I plug the device back into my computer (doesn't matter which machine), Explorer still shows me the OLD files that I deleted off of the device! It appears that something is caching my device's filesystem but I cannot clear that cache or refresh the device's content list.
This happens with all of my computers and all. of my Android devices. The only similarity is that I am running Windows 7. That's it.
Can someone help me please diffuse this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT
----------------
Ah did some more digging around. It appears it's this known bug.
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=38282
Solution for now is to reboot before using MTP to copy files off the tablet. Simple enough workaround for now.
Thank you for the reply, even if the thread was necro'd, Lol! At least I finally got an answer

Download Files

I have a B&N Tablet, 16GB (BNTV250). I downloaded cm10 and the relevant files to install cm10 onto my toy. The setup went reasonably well and after a couple of minor hiccups, it's running nicely.
It runs, I can downloads apps from the Playstore, I can go to the usual places on the web, and my bookmarks were successfully synced into Firefox from my desktop PC. I found a B&N (actual) charger and cable, so it charges quickly and well, at least faster than a plain old USB cable and a random charger.
So I thought that I could download some files just like I can on my PC (running Linux, by the way). Oh, so sadly mistaken. I go into Firefox, go to a known website from which I have downloaded files on my PC, try to download those same files to my Tablet - nothing except failure to download. So I go into Firefox to setup a download directory, just like I would on my PC. No place to configure that. I look in my Tablet, and permissions look O.K. on various directories, except for sdcard1 which is root only. So, I'm at a loss. Where's the magic decode ring for doing a simple download? I've looked - no clue. Help!
jglen490 said:
I have a B&N Tablet, 16GB (BNTV250). I downloaded cm10 and the relevant files to install cm10 onto my toy. The setup went reasonably well and after a couple of minor hiccups, it's running nicely.
It runs, I can downloads apps from the Playstore, I can go to the usual places on the web, and my bookmarks were successfully synced into Firefox from my desktop PC. I found a B&N (actual) charger and cable, so it charges quickly and well, at least faster than a plain old USB cable and a random charger.
So I thought that I could download some files just like I can on my PC (running Linux, by the way). Oh, so sadly mistaken. I go into Firefox, go to a known website from which I have downloaded files on my PC, try to download those same files to my Tablet - nothing except failure to download. So I go into Firefox to setup a download directory, just like I would on my PC. No place to configure that. I look in my Tablet, and permissions look O.K. on various directories, except for sdcard1 which is root only. So, I'm at a loss. Where's the magic decode ring for doing a simple download? I've looked - no clue. Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may have found the solution - or at least a solution. I went into Terminal Emulator and changed permission on sdcard1 to "777". I tried another download through Firefox - it worked this time. That of course works, but why wouldn't there be usable permissions established from the git-go for the primary/owner user?
Also, after doing that, I created a subdirectory under /sdcard1/Download called Woodworking. It did not inherit the "777" permissions. Do I need to be in some group? If so, why isn't that established for the primary user (me) when I installed cm10?
jglen490 said:
I may have found the solution - or at least a solution. I went into Terminal Emulator and changed permission on sdcard1 to "777". I tried another download through Firefox - it worked this time. That of course works, but why wouldn't there be usable permissions established from the git-go for the primary/owner user?
Also, after doing that, I created a subdirectory under /sdcard1/Download called Woodworking. It did not inherit the "777" permissions. Do I need to be in some group? If so, why isn't that established for the primary user (me) when I installed cm10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't work - it's not persistent. I've installed CM10 a couple of times now. Same result, no downloads via the Firefox browser. I tried the same download with the standard browser and actually received an error message "An SD card is required to download (the requested).pdf". Now I'm really confused - why can't files be downloaded to my internal storage which has a lot of available space?

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