I have a large external storage device I am trying to work from and need various apps to be able to access the files without transferring them to the internal storage.
My device detects the USB storage and I can view the files individually through the native files app, this doesn't work for me because I need to be able to access multiple files at once.
MiXplorer sees the storage, lists the device in MiXplorer's menu and states it's location as /storage/XXXX-XXXX however when I navigate to /storage it is not listed there. I am unable to access the storage in other apps.
When I have a microSD card inserted in the device it is listed in /storage as /storage/YYYY-YYYY and it is visible for use within any app, how to I get the USB storage to behave like this and be mounted locally within the /storage location so that the files can be viewed in any app?
I am using a Lenovo P10 Tablet TB-X705F on Android 9 and do not wish to root this device.
Thank you in advance to anyone who can help or point me in the right direction!
@osiris231
AFAIK an app can/will only access files on external storage if it's defined in app's Manifest file
Example:
Code:
<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<external-path name="name" path="path" />
<external-files-path name="name" path="path" />
<external-cache-path name="name" path="path" />
<external-media-path name="name" path="path" />
</paths>
@jwoegerbauer
Thanks for your reply however I would have thought that there shouldn’t be any difference between USB storage and a SD Card with respect to app permissions, please correct me if I’m wrong. The SD card is accessible in all the apps I am in need of use.
Either way it doesn’t appear to be mounting anywhere I can see in the file system. Is there any way to make the USB device accessible like the SD card?
**
osiris231 said:
Is there any way to make the USB device accessible like the SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Google Android provides two types of physical storage locations: internal storage and external storage. Removable volumes, such as an SD card, appear in the file system as part of external storage. Android by default represents these devices using a path, such as /ext-sdcard, for example.
Wondering what you're really meaning when speaking of USB device and/or SD card?
jwoegerbauer said:
According to Google Android provides two types of physical storage locations: internal storage and external storage. Removable volumes, such as an SD card, appear in the file system as part of external storage. Android by default represents these devices using a path, such as /ext-sdcard, for example.
Wondering what you're really meaning when speaking of USB device and/or SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@jwoegerbauer
OK, let me clarify and simplify things a little.
My tablet has a microSD card slot, when I insert a card it is mounted to /storage/YYYY-YYYY. Any files that are on the microSD card are accessible through the apps I use, let's keep things simple and use Google Photos. As you can see from the screenshot below I can view the photos and videos that exist on the microSD card from within Google Photos:
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"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I also have an external 480GB USB SSD which I connect through the Type-C USB port on the tablet, the OS recognises the device, I can view the contents from the default files app or in MiXplorer. Here you can see that both the microSD card (YYYY-YYYY) and USB storage (USB SSD) appear in MiXplorer, you can also see it states that it is mounted to /storage/XXXX-XXXX:
Now with both the microSD card in and the USB drive connected, I only see the microSD as available in Google Photos, if I only have the USB in without the microSD card then still I see nothing and if I have both in and navigate to /storage, which is where MiXplorer states the USB drive is mounted I only see the microSD card:
If there's any other points you would like me to clarify or test I am happy to provide the info.
Related
I am having difficulty accessing external storage connected via USB, micro SD card or the SD card in the keyboard. If I use the built in app FILE MANAGER, I have no problems. If I try and use ASTRO or GHOST COMMANDER I can NOT see these external storage media.
The path for the MicroSD card shows /Removable/MicroSD/ when I use FILE MANAGER.
If I use the program WiFi File Explorer PRO I can access all storage media.
Is this because ROOT is needed?
Is there a setting that I need to configure somewhere?
Is this a limitation of Honeycomb and ICS?
Are ALL apps (except FILE MANAGER) blocked from accessing external storage?
Have I overlooked something very simple?
Thanks for your help.
joepic said:
I am having difficulty accessing external storage connected via USB, micro SD card or the SD card in the keyboard. If I use the built in app FILE MANAGER, I have no problems. If I try and use ASTRO or GHOST COMMANDER I can NOT see these external storage media.
The path for the MicroSD card shows /Removable/MicroSD/ when I use FILE MANAGER.
If I use the program WiFi File Explorer PRO I can access all storage media.
Is this because ROOT is needed?
Is there a setting that I need to configure somewhere?
Is this a limitation of Honeycomb and ICS?
Are ALL apps (except FILE MANAGER) blocked from accessing external storage?
Have I overlooked something very simple?
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its how the later versions of honeycomb did the memory grouping. as you know without a memory card inserted, the normal internal and external memory is all merged together to make more room. there was initial complaints of how storage for apps n games was only limited to 1gb or less. that's why apps came out and features that allowed you to move the bulk of the app to SD card. now honeycomb or even previous android versions has upped that one and busted merged all of internal and external memory together. so you would have full access to memory storage needed. like you could literally waste up all of storage with apps n games if you wanted.
now as far as the issue with memory card goes, those other apps are having a hard time distinguishing the merged internal/external memory with the SD card external memory. of course Asus optimized its built in file manager to distinguish the difference. I think these other file explorer apps either need updating, root access, or maybe a change in the settings somewhere to be able to distinguish the difference and allow you to see the SD card.
I would still think with good searching, the SD card could be found within those other apps. just the same path taken with the stock app might be different for the 3rd party ones. have you tried ES explorer or Root exploerer to see if it shows in those? both are free in marketplace.
good thread though as I plan to get a memory card also asap. post back if those other apps could see it or not. maybe enable the settings to show all files/hidden files n it might pop up then.
Astro works fine if you navigate to / then removable and then microsd
Es won't work because it won't let you navigate to / which is an issue with the app not anything related to root.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
The easy way
I using Astro, i loved, but in the way to get it work righ you have to do this:
Go to >preferences>Directory Options>Removable Storage and change SD Card directory to (/Removable/MicroSD) and USB Directory to (/Removable/USBdisk1
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adiliyo said:
Astro works fine if you navigate to / then removable and then microsd
Es won't work because it won't let you navigate to / which is an issue with the app not anything related to root.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible to navigate in Es by setting the home directory in settings to .. (dot dot). You can then see Removable in the listing.
adiliyo said:
Es won't work because it won't let you navigate to /
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just enable "Up to Root" in the settings menu. From there you can navigate anywhere.
Hello,
I have a galaxy player 4.2 and i wanted to know if i can expand the memory of it.
Because i have a 16 Go SD card and the internal memory have 1,81Go free and the external 600Mo ( of 4.6Go).
So it don't use my SD card.
do you know if i can do something for the player recognize the SD as external memory or something like that?
Thank you so much in advance for your answer
bump!
you need a MicroSD card and not a SD card
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i have a micro SD... i know what i can put in my device lol, but my external memory don't go up... my micro sd work only for music and movies...nothing more like games etc...
so i want my micro sd reconized like external or internal memory...
i have it for the Ace with darktremor script but nothing for my player...
thanks!
you're trying to swap internal and external memory?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda app-developers app
hum not really... will try to explain better.
I have 3 memory on my player 4.2:
- Internal with 2Go
- External with 4,6 Go
- Micro SD card 16 Go.
When i'm on setting > storage , i can see internal memory and external. so i've only 6.6Go.
My micro SD is not reconized as internal or external.
So i want to know if i can get it reconize as internal or external,because for installing big games ( most wanted etc...) i need a lot of space,and don't have enought space in the player...only in the card
hope you will understand me,i'm french and do my best for you ^^
mimi1305 said:
hum not really... will try to explain better.
I have 3 memory on my player 4.2:
- Internal with 2Go
- External with 4,6 Go
- Micro SD card 16 Go.
When i'm on setting > storage , i can see internal memory and external. so i've only 6.6Go.
My micro SD is not reconized as internal or external.
So i want to know if i can get it reconize as internal or external,because for installing big games ( most wanted etc...) i need a lot of space,and don't have enought space in the player...only in the card
hope you will understand me,i'm french and do my best for you ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that internal/external swaps exist, either via hack or via app (google search). I'm not sure though how well it'll work for your device since I'm not too familiar with the 4.2. One program I know that lets you put apps on the actual SD card for use is Gemini App Manager. This is assuming your SD card is mounted.
Your SD card wouldn't be recognized as external or internal, but only as SD card (or something like that)
on my ace,when i put a sd card, it's recognize as external memory but not on my player because when you have those player,it have external memory without sd...
so i will try to find something if i can...
i want to do that: Expand memory but for my player ^^
No one have a solution?
I'm also looking for a similar solution. I've SMP 5.0 and i want to install games, problem is that they are using internal memory which is quite low. How do I install it on sd-card and not use internal memory???
i've maybe find something.
i test it and will report asap if it works for me
don't work,so i always search for that :/
well, good luck! i'm also searching for the same....
ok,if someone find something,post here
So, Moto E has some 4 gig of internal memory and around 2 gigs is for user use, most of it gets consumed when you install everything you need as not all apps can be moved to SD card. This itself is not big problem to me but I've noticed that applications like ''Airdroid'' detect internal memory as SD card and do not detect external SD card at all when tried to change that from settings.
This phone does not come with USB data cable/connector so being able to transfer files on Wifi is important function and I rely on it quite often. Small files do ok, but whenever I try to transfer file exceeding the free internal space it gives me error ''not enough space''. I've 16 gigs SD card so I would like it to be used by Airdroid directly, if that is possible.
Anyone?
root required
.glen said:
So, Moto E has some 4 gig of internal memory and around 2 gigs is for user use, most of it gets consumed when you install everything you need as not all apps can be moved to SD card. This itself is not big problem to me but I've noticed that applications like ''Airdroid'' detect internal memory as SD card and do not detect external SD card at all when tried to change that from settings.
This phone does not come with USB data cable/connector so being able to transfer files on Wifi is important function and I rely on it quite often. Small files do ok, but whenever I try to transfer file exceeding the free internal space it gives me error ''not enough space''. I've 16 gigs SD card so I would like it to be used by Airdroid directly, if that is possible.
Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not without rooting. If you root, you can mount the folder where airdroid stores its data to external sd using foldermount or other similar app
sarthak96 said:
Not without rooting. If you root, you can mount the folder where airdroid stores its data to external sd using foldermount or other similar app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've very little to no knowledge about that, so is there anything like ''guide/how to'' lying around simple enough for newbie to understand?
Also, by rooting, you mean formatting the whole thing or something? And will it void the warranty?
.glen said:
I've very little to no knowledge about that, so is there anything like ''guide/how to'' lying around simple enough for newbie to understand?
Also, by rooting, you mean formatting the whole thing or something? And will it void the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes warranty is void and phone will format on rooting first time.
Gogeta said:
yes warranty is void and phone will format on rooting first time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My my, looks like this is not quite my cup of tea, I may try it in 6-7 months down the line though.
Thank you very much for clearing that up ^^
.glen said:
So, Moto E has some 4 gig of internal memory and around 2 gigs is for user use, most of it gets consumed when you install everything you need as not all apps can be moved to SD card. This itself is not big problem to me but I've noticed that applications like ''Airdroid'' detect internal memory as SD card and do not detect external SD card at all when tried to change that from settings.
This phone does not come with USB data cable/connector so being able to transfer files on Wifi is important function and I rely on it quite often. Small files do ok, but whenever I try to transfer file exceeding the free internal space it gives me error ''not enough space''. I've 16 gigs SD card so I would like it to be used by Airdroid directly, if that is possible.
Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am from AirDroid Team. We appreciate your feedback, and here's our solution to your problem.
How to set external SD card if it is not detected?
If the externalSD card is not detected, you may set it manually:
1. Sign in to web.airdroid.com (Quick Guide).
2. Open Files, click Add external SD card on the left panel:
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"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
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3. Click the pull-down menu:
4. Choose the external SD card path of your device, and click OK:
You’ll see a new folder External SD added in the left panel:
How to delete external SD card?
You can delete the external SD card anytime:
1. Hover the mouse on External SD and click X:
2. Click OK and the external SD card path will be deleted:
What’s the external SD card path of my device?
The external SD card path may vary by devices. Here are some possible pathes:
/mnt/sdcard/external_sd
/mnt/emmc
/mnt/extSdCard
/mnt/sdcard-ext
/mnt/sdcard/_ExternalSD
/HWUserData
/mnt/extsd
/mnt/sdcard/extStorages/SdCard
/mnt/external_sd
/mnt/sdcard2
/Removable/MicroSD
/mnt/sdcard/ext_sd
/data/sdext2
/mnt/ext_card
/mnt/external1
/mnt/flash
/LocalDisk
/sdcard/sd
/mnt/sdcard/tflash
/mnt/nand
/mnt/extern_sd
/mnt/sdcard/sdcard2
/mnt/sdcard/removable_sdcard
/mnt/sdcard/external_sdcard
/mnt/sdcard/sdcard1
/mnt/ext_sdcard
/Removable/SD
/mnt/sdcard/SD_CARD
/mnt/ext_sd
/mnt/external_sdcard
/FAT
/storage/extSdCard
I hope this article will help you. If you have any more questions, please post in AirDroid Sub Forum. http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/airdroid
I am notified by a few programs that I should move certain apps to my card. I go to storage and there is no place to click to move to SD card.
patrick73csun said:
I am notified by a few programs that I should move certain apps to my card. I go to storage and there is no place to click to move to SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well first are you rooted or no?
Sent from my LGE LG-H830 using XDA Labs
I am not rooted. Trying not to yet. Just got it and pretty happy with everything except for the SD card. I read that lg followed Samsung's lead and did not make it possible for the phone to tell a difference with internal and external storage due to cards being accidentally erased when removed.
patrick73csun said:
I am not rooted. Trying not to yet. Just got it and pretty happy with everything except for the SD card. I read that lg followed Samsung's lead and did not make it possible for the phone to tell a difference with internal and external storage due to cards being accidentally erased when removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My sister LG 5 is not rooted. I checked to see if I could move some of them. I was able to move some to sd. It was far in between. Like 1 out of every 5 or so I could.
Are you able to move any at all? I am not going to lie, don't know to much about this. But that's because I always rooted right off the bat. Maybe someone can shed light on this?
Sent from my LGE LG-H830 using XDA Labs
None move but clean master calculates the storage including the SD card. So when the internal storage fills up will it just put them on the SD card?
anybody know if the phone just starts filling up the SD card after the internal storage is full because the LG doesn't consider the SD card a separate storage for some reason i read???
Sorry, in spanish:
Ajustes- aplicaciones-seleccionar la aplicación-memoria en uso-cambiar-tarjeta sd.
Google translator
Settings- applications-select application-memory in use-change-sd card.
HDJ80 said:
Sorry, in spanish:
Ajustes- aplicaciones-seleccionar la aplicación-memoria en uso-cambiar-tarjeta sd.
Google translator
Settings- applications-select application-memory in use-change-sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you finding this setting on the LG G5. i can't locate it anywhere
go to settings>general>apps,now click the app you want to move.In the new window,click on storage,anothe window opens,if you can move it this is where youll be able to
Is there anyone who knows how to move apps to SD card for this phone?
Tested on non-rooted LG G5 H850 with stock Android Oreo 8.0. What info have I gathered:
To move app from internal storage to external SD card storage go through this steps: Settings -> Apps and notifications -> App info -> select app -> Storage -> Storage used change -> select SD card.
But not all the apps have a feature to move itself to SD card. You can easily check availability of such feature using "Apk Analyzer app by Martin Styk" - just look at "Install location" field (tap on field for explanation).
Here you are two pairs of screenshots, where shown:
1. how does look app info, if the app have "move to SD card" feature
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2. and how does it look, if the app doesn't have such a feature
I have an Android 9 phone with a "SanDisk Ultra 200 GB microSDXC" card. When this SD card was installed it was formatted as "internal storage".
This SD card recently appears to have put itself into read-only mode.
I have copied all of the data from the SD card with the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) via the USB port on the phone.
What is the best way to replace the bad SD card with a new one?
@davidmbesonen
Plug the SD-card into phone in question used and change it from "Internal" to "Portable" storage again.
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jwoegerbauer said:
@davidmbesonen
Plug the SD-card into phone in question used and change it from "Internal" to "Portable" storage again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my understanding that performing this operation will not change the data on the SD card (assuming it is in read-only mode). If the SD card is not in read-only mode then this operation will format the SD card thereby erasing all of the encrypted data. Is my understanding correct?
Also, after the SD card stopped functioning correctly, Android 9 Storage information changed. When the SD card was working the Storage information showed a single device listed as Internal storage with the capacity of the SD card. It was as if Android 9 hid the onboard internal storage (32 GB) after the SD card was added (as Internal storage). After the SD card stopped functioning correctly, Android 9 Storage now lists two storage devices, the onboard 32 GB as one device and the 200 GB SD card as a second device. Why does Android 9 seemingly stop showing both storage devices after the SD card is added as Internal storage? And why does it now display both devices again?
Thanks
@davidmbesonen
Just do what you were told to do, even if you don't understand the reason why. Afterwards you can pull out the SD-card and format it in order to make it useable again.
jwoegerbauer said:
@davidmbesonen
Just do what you were told to do, even if you don't understand the reason why. Afterwards you can pull out the SD-card and format it in order to make it useable again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm only asking additional questions because I want to make sure I'm making the best possible choices to increase the likelihood of returning the Android 9 phone to as close to the pre-SD-card-failure state as possible.
I'm sorry I'm currently asking uneducated storage questions.
Prior to posting here, I did search for up-to-date Android storage documentation in order to educate myself on the basics, however, I largely came up empty-handed.
Could you refer me to some documentation that **specifically** details the functionality of Android 9 storage and SD cards in both Portable and Internal modes? I'd be happy to increase my level of understanding, which would likely lead to a more efficient conversation here.
@davidmbesonen
Look inside here.
jwoegerbauer said:
@davidmbesonen
Look inside here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[Sorry for the delayed reply. I had a bigger project I needed to focus on.]
Thanks for that link. I read the information there. It's a helpful overview, and it doesn't provide me with the level of detail I'm looking for.
I have an Android 9 phone with an SD card formatted as "internal storage". This SD card switched to read-only mode. And I have yet to find a document that says something like "here's how to recover from an internal storage SD card that has become read-only **without** losing data".
An example of specific information that I don't yet possess; while I copied all the data from the phone via MTP, it's not clear to me that this is in fact a complete copy of everything the SD card contains. IOW, if I follow the procedure in msg #2 of this thread, end up with a functional SD card, and then copy everything back to it via MTP, will this result in a complete recovery without data loss?
I don't yet understand what Android 9 is doing when it presents a merged view of storage with an SD card set as internal storage. Is Android 9 storing only certain directories on the encrypted SD card? Where can I find a document that describes what happens when an SD card is formatted as internal storage?
Sincerely,
David
Here's some official documentation about SD cards: https://source.android.com/devices/storage/adoptable
[ That link seemed unreliable, so here's a backup: https://web.archive.org/web/20200823170742if_/https://source.android.com/devices/storage/adoptable ]
While the documentation at the above link is useful, it does not answer my questions. If you are aware of the existence of more detailed information about SD cards, please post it.
Thanks