Hey everybody, the Atrix is my first Android device and I havent stopped playing with it since I got it. Im curious to what the difference is between the "Media Area" (manage applications>move to "media area") and the internal phone storage? from what i see, anything i move to the "media area" goes to the internal phone storage.
Also while using Root Explorer i saw 2 folders "/sdcard" and "/sdcard-ext" where ext is my external sd. i checked this after noticing that my ADW launcher backup files were NOT on my sd card. and with root explorer the files were in the "sdcard" folder, which is different from my "sdcard-ext" folder.
Can anyone please explain how or why the files that claim to be saved to my sdcard are actually saved to the other "sdcard" file setup by Android? and the difference between the media area and phone storage, why are applications set to "move to media area" rather than "move to sd card".
There is a storage location option under sd card settings. I haven't played with it yet though.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Your phone has an "internal sd card" due to the way the OS is configured. sdcard-ext, as you already know, is your external SD card. Your "internal card" is divided as follows: 2GB for Android OS and webtop software, 2GB dedicated for app installation, and 11GB for media storage. This 11GB partition is called /sdcard/ in addition to media storage.
edgeicator said:
Your phone has an "internal sd card" due to the way the OS is configured. sdcard-ext, as you already know, is your external SD card. Your "internal card" is divided as follows: 2GB for Android OS and webtop software, 2GB dedicated for app installation, and 11GB for media storage. This 11GB partition is called /sdcard/ in addition to media storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So out of curiosity how do you mount the External SD card when you plug your phone into your computer? In my cappy it would just show both SD cards as different drives but it seems when I plug in my Atrix it only wants to show me my internal SD card.
It shows both for me, but sometimes it bugs out and doesn't properly mount the internal storage. A quick reboot fixes it for me.
edgeicator said:
It shows both for me, but sometimes it bugs out and doesn't properly mount the internal storage. A quick reboot fixes it for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that explanation..but yeah I've never seen both when plugged via usb ...good to know tho. Is there a way to set apps or back ups to the external SD card ?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
if you go to sd card & phone storage settings and change the windows media sync storage location to the external sd card both will show if you mount the phone as mass storage.
if you mount it as windows media sync whichever is shown will be the one that shows on the media sync window that comes up on the pc
another thread
jzaslice said:
Thanks for that explanation..but yeah I've never seen both when plugged via usb ...good to know tho. Is there a way to set apps or back ups to the external SD card ?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973768
according to a couple of users this partition of SD/memory and the external card, cannot be remedied for apps and such to backup or save on the external? Why would Motorola do this..
Related
When I have installed games like Sniper vs Sniper, Homerun Battle 3d and Asphalt. They all have me to download more files but they are always installed on the internal SD instead of the External SD. Is there a way to prevent this?
anyone have any ideas?
Any reason why you would NOT want them on the near 2 gigs allocated?
I want the installations to go on the External Card and they are all installing on the internal card. Maybe the thread topic is misleading....
No, just curious why 2 gigs is not enough. Especially when faster than external. Doesn't make sense...
Its the way the SDs are mounted. Sdcard/sd is the external. The app just looks for sdcard/ which is the internal.
He's taking about the internal sd not the /data apps dir.
Sent from my SGH-T959
tissimo said:
Its the way the SDs are mounted. Sdcard/sd is the external. The app just looks for sdcard/ which is the internal.
He's taking about the internal sd not the /data apps dir.
Sent from my SGH-T959
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Click to collapse
Yes thats what im referring to. I want everything to be on the external. On other phones like the Evo, the games "extra" files are installed on the Ext SD Card.
correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is there are 3 storage options:
1. Phone's 2GB internal memory: this is where apps are installed
2. Phone's 12GB internal memory: internal memory you can mount to PC and move files back and forth
3. External SD card slot: can use up to 32GB of microSD card here.
OP, what exactly are you looking to do? Put the apps installed on the 2GB internal ROM on the external SD card? I don't think this is doable w/o rooting, maybe 2.2 Froyo will have it.
jkcheng122 said:
correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is there are 3 storage options:
1. Phone's 2GB internal memory: this is where apps are installed
2. Phone's 12GB internal memory: internal memory you can mount to PC and move files back and forth
3. External SD card slot: can use up to 32GB of microSD card here.
OP, what exactly are you looking to do? Put the apps installed on the 2GB internal ROM on the external SD card? I don't think this is doable w/o rooting, maybe 2.2 Froyo will have it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Games like Homerun Battle 3d. When you install it, it tells you that it has to download more information to store on your SD Card. On the HTC Evo, the downloaded information stores on the external SD Card in the /com2us folder. On the Vibrant, the extra information that is downloaded stores on the internal SD card in the same folder. I would rather have all the extra info store on the EXT SD Card.
acjames said:
Yes thats what im referring to. I want everything to be on the external. On other phones like the Evo, the games "extra" files are installed on the Ext SD Card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I wasn't really clear on my on my post. Most phones don't have an internal SD card, so the standard mount for the external SD card is the sdcard/ partition, so the app automatically mounts the data there. You'll have to reprogram the app to see the SGS external SD card mounting directory of sdcard/sd
Sent from my SGH-T959
So, Marshmallow for Pure should be right around the corner, and it's nice to be able to use SD card as internal memory. My question is, when I need to upgrade the SD card (say, from a 32GB to 128GB in the future), what is the process? The thing is I have a 32GB card lying around, and I don't need a storage at the moment, so I plan to just start using that for now. But then later, may need to upgrade it to a larger/faster card.
namartlu said:
So, Marshmallow for Pure should be right around the corner, and it's nice to be able to use SD card as internal memory. My question is, when I need to upgrade the SD card (say, from a 32GB to 128GB in the future), what is the process? The thing is I have a 32GB card lying around, and I don't need a storage at the moment, so I plan to just start using that for now. But then later, may need to upgrade it to a larger/faster card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is from the Styles update notes: https://motorola-mobility-en-in.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/108821
Expandable Storage
Android Marshmallow enables your SD card to fully extend device internal storage rather than just being used for media files.
After inserting a new SD card to your phone, you will see a notification to set it up. You can choose to use your new SD card as a portable storage or as internal storage:
Portable storage: use your SD card to store your pictures, videos, audio and other media files. You can remove the SD card at any time and transfer it to other device.
Internal storage: in addition to media, you can store downloaded apps and games, all their media and data. The SD card acts as an extension of the internal storage of your phone.
If you have an SD card inserted in your phone when you upgrade it to Android Marshmallow, the card will be defaulted to portable storage. Any existing application stored in your SD card before the upgrade will run as expected (in portable storage). In order to move any new application to the SD card, you have to adopt it as internal storage first. To set your SD card as internal storage:
Back up and preserve any data you have on the card, as formatting for internal storage will erase it.
Swipe the status bar down with two fingers and tap the gear icon at the top right corner of your screen.
Once in the Settings menu, scroll down and tap Storage & USB, then select your portable SD card from the list.
Tap the menu icon (3 vertical dots) at the top right corner of the SD card screen and select Settings.
Select Format as internal and follow the steps in the tutorial.
Important: when the SD card is adopted as internal storage, it is formatted and encrypted to protect your information. It cannot be removed and transferred to other device. If you want to use the SD card as portable storage or in another device after adopted as internal storage, then you need to format it. When doing so, please remember that formatting erases all the data stored in your SD card.
thanks, I have read that but doesn't seem to answer my question... I suppose someone could write an app to do it... migrating from one SD card to another...
Dump the smaller card's data on to a pc, then transfer that to the larger card. But if you choose to designate it as internal storage I think you'd have to dump it into the cloud first.
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app
namartlu said:
So, Marshmallow for Pure should be right around the corner, and it's nice to be able to use SD card as internal memory. My question is, when I need to upgrade the SD card (say, from a 32GB to 128GB in the future), what is the process? The thing is I have a 32GB card lying around, and I don't need a storage at the moment, so I plan to just start using that for now. But then later, may need to upgrade it to a larger/faster card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My assumption is that since this is a formatting to internal storage extension, then you will later (when ready to upgrade to the larger storage card) dump the current data either into a cloud, or usb into a desktop by copying/moving the files (app, media, system etc) onto the desktop into a new folder with just those files, (maybe name it moto x files) then copy/move them from the desktop folder onto the device with the new larger memory card via usb after it's been formatted as the new internal extended memory.
If we change the SD card to internal storage will it mean that sdcard read/write operations will be slower??
So, if adopting the SD card as internal encrypts the card what happens if you try to download music to it from a streaming service like Rhapsody? Will it successfully download? Will it successfully play back in the Rhapsody app on the phone? I have the feeling Rhapsody support won't even have a clue what I am asking. ?
opti1 said:
So, if adopting the SD card as internal encrypts the card what happens if you try to download music to it from a streaming service like Rhapsody? Will it successfully download? Will it successfully play back in the Rhapsody app on the phone? I have the feeling Rhapsody support won't even have a clue what I am asking. ?
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Click to collapse
I believe as long as it is in the phone it will work as normal. If it is removed from the phone you won't be able to read it.
Sent from my Moto XPE
I wanted to use the micro SD card for storing my application in Moto X Pure. But it looks like if I use the micro SD card as internal storage (which looks like is the only way I can move apps to SD card if it is mounted as Internal Storage) I cannot copy files to it from PC. When I connect it via USB to PC (formatted as internal storage) and use File Transfer option I can only see the internal phone storage and not the SD card internal storage. If I format it as internal storage I cannot access it outside of the phone since it is encrypted so that also does not work. I wanted to copy files to the SD card and also use it for my larger apps location but looks like I cannot have both Anyone has resolved this or is there another way? I do not want to use the SD card as portable drive since then I cannot move apps to the SD card i.e. do not get the option to manage storage on the apps. This is with MM.
obb to sd module, maybe its working with large obb on sd card
How do I browse the SD Card?
Don't know how I can copy files to SD card. Is there a file explorer that I can use to browse the SD card if I have formatted it to act as internal storage?
---------- Post added at 08:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 AM ----------
Also, my laptop does not detect my phone when connected via USB Debugging. Please help! I am not able to browse my SD card on my phone and internal storage on my laptop.
punjabi.dhiren said:
Don't know how I can copy files to SD card. Is there a file explorer that I can use to browse the SD card if I have formatted it to act as internal storage?
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Click to collapse
punjabi.dhiren said:
Don't know how I can copy files to SD card. Is there a file explorer that I can use to browse the SD card if I have formatted it to act as internal storage?
---------- Post added at 08:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 AM ----------
Also, my laptop does not detect my phone when connected via USB Debugging. Please help! I am not able to browse my SD card on my phone and internal storage on my laptop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use something like ES File Explorer App to browse the content of the SD card in the phone. When you connect the phone to your laptop, you need to look at the notifications and change the "USB For File Transfer" from "Charging only" to "Transfer Files (MTP)".
for transferring media files there is an option under Settings>Storage to move to SD Card.
I experience the same problem... It appears the microsd card is not visible to the PC for file transfer after selecting to use the sdcard as internal storage.
This means if your internal memory is full you can not copy the files over (as it stores it only in the internal memory space and it isnt smart enough to spill into the sdcard).
This is a big pain in the ass. So essentially microsd as internal memory means you cant get your pictures etc from the phone or store extra music to the phone. You are still limited to the 10gigs on the 16gig model etc.
This is a super let down...
Could you use gparted and split sd card into two partitions? Use partition1 for internal and partition2 for files/media.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Ptikjp said:
I experience the same problem... It appears the microsd card is not visible to the PC for file transfer after selecting to use the sdcard as internal storage.
This means if your internal memory is full you can not copy the files over (as it stores it only in the internal memory space and it isnt smart enough to spill into the sdcard).
This is a big pain in the ass. So essentially microsd as internal memory means you cant get your pictures etc from the phone or store extra music to the phone. You are still limited to the 10gigs on the 16gig model etc.
This is a super let down...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I just struggled figuring out how to put media on my SD card via micro USB, after combining the SD with the phone's internal memory.
Now I used the Android manager that's available for Mac. And it worked flawlessly. It doesn't show the SD card content only the entirety of storage. But I tested this buy making a folder on the internal. (Via Android manager)
Then I called it *Google play music*
I put about 14 gigs of music on the phone and went to view and monitor my storage change on the phone under settings and low and behold!
Only the SD card memory increased not the internal
So it's not a let down par se. If it works for music it'll work for anything bro.
And that's after I finished.
masterjay21 said:
And that's after I finished.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill try to use Android Manager to manage this and i iwll let you know if it works. Its crappy that i need a third party software to manage what worked without issue before, but it is better than nothing. Thank you.
New android version Marshmallow has a feature to use microSD card as internal storage.
When Marshmallow detects a microSD card for the first time it asks to chose Portable or Internal storage mode.
If you choose "Use as portable storage" you will use it as before. You can save your photos, videos, some applications or their data,
backup/restore your phone, etc. and you can see your files if you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, as usual.
But if you choose "Use as internal storage" and click "ERASE&FORMAT" button at next screen,
then your microSD card will be formatted as ext4 and encrypted. You will loose everything in your microSD card and it will
become your only internal storage. Now, If you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, it will not possible to see your files
since it is encrypted. Your microSD is usable only with your phone.
Than, what is the advantage of using microSD card as internal storage?
If your phone's real internal storage very small (ex: 4gb) and you have trouble installing new apps then you may put a 32 GB microSD card and use it as internal storage. Then your internal storage will be 32 GB (Not total of 36GB).
It will act as your phone's internal storage.
Disadvantages?
microSD card used as internal storage is useless out of your phone since it is encrypted. You can not use it taking out of your phone and putting into another device to transfer your photos, music files, zipped ROM files etc.
It will not be visible as external storage anymore.
Phone's real internal storage is not visible.
So,
If your phone's real internal storage is not too small and especially if you want to use your external storage as usual, there is no need to use a microSD card as internal storage.
darkRd said:
New android version Marshmallow has a feature to use microSD card as internal storage.
When Marshmallow detects a microSD card for the first time it asks to chose Portable or Internal storage mode.
If you choose "Use as portable storage" you will use it as before. You can save your photos, videos, some applications or their data,
backup/restore your phone, etc. and you can see your files if you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, as usual.
But if you choose "Use as internal storage" and click "ERASE&FORMAT" button at next screen,
then your microSD card will be formatted as ext4 and encrypted. You will loose everything in your microSD card and it will
become your only internal storage. Now, If you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, it will not possible to see your files
since it is encrypted. Your microSD is usable only with your phone.
Than, what is the advantage of using microSD card as internal storage?
If your phone's real internal storage very small (ex: 4gb) and you have trouble installing new apps then you may put a 32 GB microSD card and use it as internal storage. Then your internal storage will be 32 GB (Not total of 36GB).
It will act as your phone's internal storage.
Disadvantages?
microSD card used as internal storage is useless out of your phone since it is encrypted. You can not use it taking out of your phone and putting into another device to transfer your photos, music files, zipped ROM files etc.
It will not be visible as external storage anymore.
Phone's real internal storage is not visible.
So,
If your phone's real internal storage is not too small and especially if you want to use your external storage as usual, there is no need to use a microSD card as internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way to read or write in ext4 in pc???
jaswinprakash said:
No way to read or write in ext4 in pc???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possible, on Linux
Ranpe said:
Possible, on Linux
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But its still encrypted, so that won't help I guess. Also once you flash your phone or something, the contents won't be available anymore I think. It's just a guess though, I don't know how it is decrypted and all.
Sent from my MotoG3-TE using XDA Forums
jaswinprakash said:
No way to read or write in ext4 in pc???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to be not possible out of your phone by anyway since it is encrypted.
I don't not know whether it is possible to extract encryption key from phone and decrypt the files using this key but this shouldn't be possible because of security reasons.
No one desires access to the important files in the sd card if it is captured by any one else.
darkRd said:
It seems to be not possible out of your phone by anyway since it is encrypted.
I don't not know whether it is possible to extract encryption key from phone and decrypt the files using this key but this shouldn't be possible because of security reasons.
No one desires access to the important files in the sd card if it is captured by any one else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible done it in my Lenovo A328. Courtesy of this mod:
http : / / forum.xda-developers.com / android / development / rom-flight-a328-custom-rom-based-150429-t3137708
I tried the Adoptable storage mod using ADB and everything went through fine with no errors during ADB.
The file size of internal storage is still 32GB reported through the phone's storage setting. It also shows my 64 GB SD card through the phone's storage as well.
SD card disappeared from the File Manager on the phone and does not show up on my PC when connecting the phone.
I filled up the 32 GB internal storage with apps and movies and I am unable to put anymore on. Pretty much indicating that the adoptable storage feature is not working.
I am in the process of factory resetting with the partitioned SD card to see if that fixes anything.
sekigah84 said:
I tried the Adoptable storage mod using ADB and everything went through fine with no errors during ADB.
The file size of internal storage is still 32GB reported through the phone's storage setting. It also shows my 64 GB SD card through the phone's storage as well.
SD card disappeared from the File Manager on the phone and does not show up on my PC when connecting the phone.
I filled up the 32 GB internal storage with apps and movies and I am unable to put anymore on. Pretty much indicating that the adoptable storage feature is not working.
I am in the process of factory resetting with the partitioned SD card to see if that fixes anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same happened to me and I formatted the SD to return to normal
sekigah84 said:
I tried the Adoptable storage mod using ADB and everything went through fine with no errors during ADB.
The file size of internal storage is still 32GB reported through the phone's storage setting. It also shows my 64 GB SD card through the phone's storage as well.
SD card disappeared from the File Manager on the phone and does not show up on my PC when connecting the phone.
I filled up the 32 GB internal storage with apps and movies and I am unable to put anymore on. Pretty much indicating that the adoptable storage feature is not working.
I am in the process of factory resetting with the partitioned SD card to see if that fixes anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the mod to split my 200gb card in half. It worked for me as you can see by the ss.
I finally got mine to correct the total device storage size. Now to see if apps install properly if I fill up the internal storage.
Time to download a ton of crap from Oculus and I'll see what happens.
When you guys say you finally got it to work, what exactly did you do different because I tried exactly as the how-to says and couldn't get it.
pablo1215 said:
When you guys say you finally got it to work, what exactly did you do different because I tried exactly as the how-to says and couldn't get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try say 179,0 or whatever instesd of 179:0
Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
After you follow the steps to partition the SD Card, Go to Settings > Storage > SD Card > More (upper right corner). Then migrate files to the SD Card.
Once the migrate completes then I believe that the SD Card is properly made into adoptable storage.
New apps and data should now fill you your SD Card first, before using internal storage.
mik_suey said:
After you follow the steps to partition the SD Card, Go to Settings > Storage > SD Card > More (upper right corner). Then migrate files to the SD Card.
Once the migrate completes then I believe that the SD Card is properly made into adoptable storage.
New apps and data should now fill you your SD Card first, before using internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that and it filled my internal but wouldn't go to sd
Sent from my SM-G935P using XDA-Developers mobile app
mik_suey said:
After you follow the steps to partition the SD Card, Go to Settings > Storage > SD Card > More (upper right corner). Then migrate files to the SD Card.
Once the migrate completes then I believe that the SD Card is properly made into adoptable storage.
New apps and data should now fill you your SD Card first, before using internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a new problem ...
I did everything on the tutorial and no errors but still wont WORK
My internal phone storage is full and i migrated the internal sd-card (go to Storage-->internalSD-card--->dots uppercorner and migrate) like u said but still the apps won't install on the internal sd-card...
it just asking me to delete some apps to able to install the new one...
Help me with my Sony Aqua m4 8gigs... PLZ
I'm curious about something. Been trying to get this to work but after doing "sm partition disk:179,0 private" (without the quotes) it is my understanding that it may take a while but in no less than 2 seconds it goes back to hero2qltespr:/ $
I also do not see the Migrate data option in (Storage-->internalSD-Card---> upper corner dots). On my Sprint S7 Edge it's Settings --> Device Maintenance --> Storage --> and the 3 dots only has Storage Settings. Once in there there isn't an option to migrate data.
Any idea what I can be doing wrong or does Nougat remove that Migrate option on the Sprint version.