Database Users

Guide REQUEST! apps2sd

I read, and read, and read. Most of the chefs cook this mod into their ROM's but i am using the desire from modaco, so i`m left out.
As far as i understand, you have to create 3 Partitions on the SD Card:
- swap
- Ext2/3?
- FAT32
After that you do some shell editing and that's about it.
I`m sure some are wondering as i do if:
- Can i create the partitions in Windows and then place the card back into the phone?
- If i install apps2sd is backup still required? Or will a new ROM Flash automatically use the installed apps?
So this is an appeal to someone with the heart and knowledge to help us out with a guide.
Thanks

Found this thread, so basically it should work after flashing that ROM on top of the current OS.

You do not need the swap partition... just an ext partition (size your choice)... the rest vfat... and you partition it using Amon_RA's recovery...
And when you flash a new ROM, you might need to re-enable App2SD in that ROM to see the apps installed in the sd ext partition...

a related question.... can the files of the existing apps be moved from /data to the new partition /sd and still function.....or do they need to be reinstalled?

I highly doubt you can just move them...

britoso said:
a related question.... can the files of the existing apps be moved from /data to the new partition /sd and still function.....or do they need to be reinstalled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried this... was not successful!

I can't even get the "SD Secondary" to show up?!?
I've wiped everything
partitioned:
swap 0
ext 640
then installed a fresh rom I copied over and no "SD Secondary" showing up on the phone... any ideas?
I followed these steps exactly... (minus the memory number difference)
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3T2mf5Pu8
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdKBmWU-ALg

Guys,
If you want to use A2SD. Enothmer's new ROM seems to be the easiest at the moment, BUT many smart devs are putting efforts towards this.
Basically.
Copy your SD to your computer.
Partition it via Recovery.
512mb 96 swap our my settings
do an EXT2 to 3
I did a 3 to 4, you can use 3 though.
Re copy your stuff from computer BACK to your SD.
WIPE everything via recovery. factory, EXT partition, battery, davlik.
Flash Enom's 1.7.1 rom, Log in, Go into spare parts, click disk mgmt, check A2SD stuff, reboot. Your good to go. Use titanium back up, download, whatever.
Again, other good versions should be coming out soon. I think of the current models Enom's seems to be the easiest.

Yeah I pretty much gave up on it for now... it will be more worth it in the future when I get a larger SD card and my list of install apps goes up. For now I just don't go download a ton of apps...

Intuitive guide to Apps2SD?

I knew this time would come....
I've got too many apps on my phone and Im running low on space, and I've noticed my phone has been dragging lately.
I have an 8GB class 6 SD card, so hopefully speed shouldnt be an issue.
I have yet to use A2SD...
If I partition my drive, do I lose everything that's on there? Obviously that's not a problem as I can just move everything over to my computer then copy it back, but if I can leave the data on there and partition that'd be great.
Im having a hard time finding a step by step "from day one" guide.
Mind pointing me in the right direction? The only thing Ive found in the wiki is moving to a new SD card with A2SD.
Im currently running DC 2.07.2

BACK UP SDCARD
Boot into recovery. Partition SD card (default values)
Download http://www.darktremor.com/files/misc/a2sd-2.5-signed.zip
Flash above .zip as any normal ROM
Boot phone
Open command prompt and type:
adb shell
a2sd install
Tada.

Ok great, got that part down.
Now moving the already installed apps over to the SD card? What else do I do from here?
Thank you for the help!

Actually, looks like everything went ok...
ls -l /data reveals all the locations as /system/sd/app
I didn't bother to look at free internal space before installing, but my interanal free storage is now at 130MB. Sound right?
Last question i have for now....
Now that all my apps are on the SD card, if I were to flash a new ROM (say a new ROM Flipz comes out with) that has A2SD support... I dont' have to re-install them as both the apks, odex, and dalvik are all stored on the SD card right?

poor_red_neck said:
Actually, looks like everything went ok...
ls -l /data reveals all the locations as /system/sd/app
I didn't bother to look at free internal space before installing, but my interanal free storage is now at 130MB. Sound right?
Last question i have for now....
Now that all my apps are on the SD card, if I were to flash a new ROM (say a new ROM Flipz comes out with) that has A2SD support... I dont' have to re-install them as both the apks, odex, and dalvik are all stored on the SD card right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only version that I'm aware of that moves Dalvik-cache to the sd card is Apps2SD version 2.5. I don't know if anyone has that in the ROMs yet. Many of them are either using an Apps2SD that was built for Fresh 2.0d, Apps2SD version 2.0, or the Apps2SD which is common in the 1.5 builds.
Your apps in /data/app and /data/app-private are on the sd card. You can flash Apps2SD version 2.5 (A2SD) from http://www.darktremor.com/files/misc/a2sd-2.5-signed.zip if you want to move the dalvik-cache.
EDIT: I really should read the instructions that was posted before I stick my foot in my mouth. The file is the one located at Darktremor, which is the version 2.5...so, yes...your dalvik-cache is on the sd card.

So I tried the above method, but all my apps stopped working and when I go to reinstall them, it says "Insufficient Space for App"...
What did I do wrong?
EDIT: Okay, nevermind, it seems to be working now. I tried installing the app again and it installed fine the second time. Trying another one now.

I did this recently and just found out that I cannot install/download apps from the market, it just gets stuck there. Does it know where its downloading too after a2sd is installed?

memory partition for apps

searched around and can't really find right answers.
I currently have HD2 with 512mb running android. Due to the lack of internal storage space, all apps are stored in the EXT4 on the SD card. This is a very neat function actually. Every time I flash a rom, all the apps will still be there.
I am about to get the DHD soon and since it's got plenty internal storage I guess it's natural to install app on internal rather than on SD (i know some rom do have support for EXT on SD). My question is, is there a way to partition the internal storage so part of it act as EXT, this way every time flashing a rom I don't have to restore all the apps??
If there is another way to achieve this, please let me know as well.
thanks,

No need to do anything like that. Before you flash a new ROM just wipe all the partitions apart from the data partition. Once you have flashed the ROM your apps will still be there.
You can use an add on script for apps to SD as well if you prefer.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Blinkydamo said:
No need to do anything like that. Before you flash a new ROM just wipe all the partitions apart from the data partition. Once you have flashed the ROM your apps will still be there.
You can use an add on script for apps to SD as well if you prefer.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know that there will be no problem re-installing apps. Since I can't get hands dirty with an actual unit yet, could you please explain a little on the "wiping all the partitions apart from data partition". So by default, apps will be installed in a separate partition? what do you use to WIPE paritions? Clockwork or wipe-all?

Go into clockwork recovery you can select which partitions to wipe. Go into the mounts part and you can wipe them individually, wipe each one in turn apart from the data partition.
If however you experience problems yo. May have to wipe the data partition. Just do a backup first.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[GUIDE][07/07/11]How to Partition your SD Card

With the GingerSense ROM’s being the new hotness right now, there is a overwhelming amount of questions about partitioning. This guide is intended to help anyone that may want to partition their SD and not sure where to start. This information was gathered from The Mynions and posted several times in Myn’s Warm2p2 and Project Synergy threads. This guide was created while using Project Synergy RC1, which runs a CM script that has been modified. Come get assimilated!
Please, READ first before attempting if you are a noob, it’ll save you some gray(grey) hair. I am in no way responsible for any issues you have for following this guide, use at your own risk.
WARNING: This will erase EVERYTHING on your SD card so please transfer the contents of your SD card to a computer or external hard drive PRIOR TO starting this procedure.
1. Boot into recovery (hopefully you have amonRA v2.3)
2. Select "Partition SD Card". You will be prompted to set an amount for the SWAP, ext2 and FAT.
3. Enter zero for the SWAP size, 1024 or 2048 for ext2 and the rest for FAT*
4. After the process finishes, select "Upgrade ext2 to ext3"
5. When the process is complete, go to the wipe menu and wipe EVERYTHING in it.
6. From the main menu, select USB-MS (your phone should be connected to your PC) and copy the Synergy ROM(or your ROM of choice) to the root of your SD Card.**
7. Flash Synergy(or your ROM of choice)
8. Be patient at initial bootup because it can be quite long.
9. I recommend that your 3rd party apps be installed freshly from the market initially. They will automatically be place in the ext3 partition. You can verify it by checking to see that they are listed in the /system/sd/ folder which itself contains 3 folders: app, app-private & dalvik-cache.
After you have followed the directions to partition your card, followed by a flash of the rom and installation of your 3rd party apps & games, go to Menu-Settings-SD & phone storage and check your available internal storage space. If it is 300+, it is safe to assume that the built-in a2sd is working. Furthermore you will need a system level file manager to see the /system/sd/ folder. The Astro File Manager cannot see it.
*These sizes are only used for reference, but excellent choices. You may want to consider a swap partition, even though the stock HTC kernel does not support it. Future kernel development may take advantage of swap and doing so now can save the hassle of re-partitioning later. Food for thought.
**This guide was done while using THE Project Synergy ROM, however it should work across the board.
Hope this helps.
Special thanks to dougjamal, lowetax and all the Mynions helping out around the world (We Global!)

F.A.Q.
Q: Do I have to partition my card?
A: No. The main reason people partition is to take advantage of Apps2SD script. This allows for more internal memory and, depending on which version, control over various system settings (Ex.: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7021317&postcount=1).
Q: Do I need to format my SD Card after partition?
A: Actually, no. Will it hurt if you do? No. Creating partitions wipes the SD Card, sets up logical drives(partitions) and formats the space(or you couldn’t write to it). The time consuming part of partitioning is the Card formatting.
Q: Can I run the stock/android A2SD after partitioning?
A: No. The Apps2SD script is different from stock. Using the stock A2SD will give you problems.
Q: Can I do a nand restore after I partition?
A: No. Your SD card's file system has changed and you may experience unfavorable results.

Since there is no "thanks" on the mobile app. Nice guide.
EVO4G SALVAGEMOD TIAMAT YES

Do you need to do this every time you flash a rom?

Chris 2155 said:
Do you need to do this every time you flash a rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. it's just like windows partitions.. Once they are setup you don't have to redo them. Just wipe the data and reinstall...

interloper said:
Since there is no "thanks" on the mobile app. Nice guide.
EVO4G SALVAGEMOD TIAMAT YES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I appreciate it.

Since the stock Kernel doesn't support Swap, after first boot, go to terminal, type Su then enter, then type a2sd check.
It will probably say swap not running at boot. It should say that the partition is present and a bunch of other things.
Next type a2sd swappy10 then enter.
Now type a2sd reswap.
If you get an error, you can run a2sd reinstall which will reboot your phone.
Go back to terminal and type Su and then a2sd reswap.
Should be good to go, but you have to run the reswap after every boot til we get custom kernels.
Swyped From The Hippest Phone Using XDA Premium

Chris 2155 said:
Do you need to do this every time you flash a rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As answered, no. Remember however, when you do a wipe now, include SDEXT if you don't already.

Also might want to add in there to backup your SD to your computer so you won't lose any important files, music, or backups.
And after using cm or darktremmors a2sd do not use the Android a2sd or you will have problems.

HipKat said:
Since the stock Kernel doesn't support Swap, after first boot, go to terminal, type Su then enter, then type a2sd check.
It will probably say swap not running at boot. It should say that the partition is present and a bunch of other things.
Next type a2sd swappy10 then enter.
Now type a2sd reswap.
If you get an error, you can run a2sd reinstall which will reboot your phone.
Go back to terminal and type Su and then a2sd reswap.
Should be good to go, but you have to run the reswap after every boot til we get custom kernels.
Swyped From The Hippest Phone Using XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the added info HipKat! When we get custom kernels for GingerSense, I'm going to update the OP with swap instructions. I will use your info provided with it.

androidsupra said:
Also might want to add in there to backup your SD to your computer so you won't lose any important files, music, or backups.
And after using cm or darktremmors a2sd do not use the Android a2sd or you will have problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The warning was already there, i just put it in bold to stick out. I will add the stock A2SD info to the faq.
Thanks.

If I am already running Synergy but have not done this, can I just follow the steps and reboot phone or do I need to reflash the ROM to take advantage of the benefit? And if I need to reflash, can I just wipe cache and dalvik or is a total wipe required.
Thanks for the instructions.

Dredz said:
*These sizes are only used for reference, but excellent choices. You may want to consider a swap partition, even though the stock HTC kernel does not support it. Future kernel development may take advantage of swap and doing so now can save the hassle of re-partitioning later. Food for thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn.. i wish i would have known this last night.. I would have added this part..lol

derrickj said:
If I am already running Synergy but have not done this, can I just follow the steps and reboot phone or do I need to reflash the ROM to take advantage of the benefit? And if I need to reflash, can I just wipe cache and dalvik or is a total wipe required.
Thanks for the instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to reflash the rom, this WILL erase your entire SD Card. Total wipe required for best results.

one last question... after doing this.. when installing apps from market or whatever... you don't have to run an apps2sd app??? They just automatically install to the sd card???

yznhmr said:
Damn.. i wish i would have known this last night.. I would have added this part..lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm running a 2GB part on the OG 8GB card w/no swap. I always wipe everything when I flash a ROM. When we get custom kernels, i will flash the ROM with at the same time. Then I will get SWAP.

Chris 2155 said:
one last question... after doing this.. when installing apps from market or whatever... you don't have to run an apps2sd app??? They just automatically install to the sd card???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as long as the ROM you are flashing supports it.

Dredz said:
When we get custom kernels, i will flash the ROM with at the same time. Then I will get SWAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh??

Dredz said:
Yes, as long as the ROM you are flashing supports it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what if it doesn't? Do you use the apps2sd app?

yznhmr said:
Huh??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bag. I will flash the ROM and The kernel at the same time. Since this requires a full wipe(by my standards anyway) I will re-partition then and designate a swap size.

Internal storage issues??? Check this out!!

hey guys I was doing a little searching around and was reading a thread in the ARC section which eventually lead me to this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1310309
Now check out this beefy internal storage Thats 3.5 gigabytes!!!

It's data2ext, I can send you some links for some scripts, but be warned, if you dont have a class 10 SD Card, your phone will grind to a holt

I'm using a class 4 with that mod and it's working great tons of space for whatever I've got no force closes all my apps work just as they should with no problems at all
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

This looks great! But do i have to flash my device for this, and do i have to install everything again? Like your using the phone for the first time?

crash_b. said:
This looks great! But do i have to flash my device for this, and do i have to install everything again? Like your using the phone for the first time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it works like apps2sd, but rather than just symlinking /data/app and /dalvik-cache/ it symlinks the whole data partition. so all your apps would be auto symlinked. You will need a custom kernel with init.d support though.
---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------
thatsupnow said:
I'm using a class 4 with that mod and it's working great tons of space for whatever I've got no force closes all my apps work just as they should with no problems at all
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool maybe data2ext has been improved since i lasted tried it on my Desire HD

AndroHero said:
No it works like apps2sd, but rather than just symlinking /data/app and /dalvik-cache/ it symlinks the whole data partition. so all your apps would be auto symlinked. You will need a custom kernel with init.d support though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this work on all DoomLord's kernels?
The end result is so cool, im just not confident on myself enough to do the procedure yet, its all technical for me
I'm using Link2Sd for internal storage issues for now..

noojster said:
Does this work on all DoomLord's kernels?
The end result is so cool, im just not confident on myself enough to do the procedure yet, its all technical for me
I'm using Link2Sd for internal storage issues for now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried on all dooms kernels so far just the CM kernel and all I did was make a partition from recovery, I made a ext4, then flash the script it was just that easy now I've got space for whatever I need. I made a modest 1.5 gig partition and away I went
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

I get problems with internal storage, but mine are different. I'll have 70 megs free, but if I want to update a bunch of apps that are ~5 megs each, it'll say I don't have enough free space and stops. ugh.

dassub said:
I get problems with internal storage, but mine are different. I'll have 70 megs free, but if I want to update a bunch of apps that are ~5 megs each, it'll say I don't have enough free space and stops. ugh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had that very same problem when I moved the dalvik cache then I came across this script and problem solved!
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

dassub said:
I get problems with internal storage, but mine are different. I'll have 70 megs free, but if I want to update a bunch of apps that are ~5 megs each, it'll say I don't have enough free space and stops. ugh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to clear your /cache/
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

thatsupnow said:
I haven't tried on all dooms kernels so far just the CM kernel and all I did was make a partition from recovery, I made a ext4, then flash the script it was just that easy now I've got space for whatever I need. I made a modest 1.5 gig partition and away I went
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: found the problem.

another way to free up internal memory
check this out.... force moving apps to sd card
muffinresearch.co. uk/archives/2011/02/02/android-force-moving-apps-to-an-sd-card

crash_b. said:
Edit: found the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get that working on the other doom kernels?
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

I thought i did, but it still was buggy. Simcard problems and bootloops. Unfortunately...
Tried latest DoomKernel and v06.
So i went back to link2sd.
The original thread seems dead, i posted there, but no response.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

AndroHero said:
You need to clear your /cache/
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this the same as clearing the dalvik cache? I've done that in TB.

Please help. I don't know which method is better to move those unmovable apps.
Hi!
I need help, please.
My internal storage is very low (getting a message). I have gone through all the apps and moved everything that can to SD Card.
I don't know which method is better to move those unmovable apps to the SD card.
I have a Sony Xperia Play
My Phone details:
Model - R800i
Android Version - 2.3.4
Kernel Version - 2.6.32.9-perf [email protected] #1
Build - 4.0.2.A.0.42
I have heard about Titanium Backup root, DroidSail Super App2SD, adb, Link2SD and so on.
The methods above can let me move those unmovable apps to the SD card.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of them? How do they compare? Which method is safer or more reliable? Which method can move more apps?
If you know, please let me know, thanks.
I look forward to this, thanks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got this information from the official Link2SD website, this is comparing Native apps2SD to Link2SD. But I don't know how Link2SD compared with Titanium Backup root, DroidSail Super App2SD, adb and so on. If you know which method is safer or more reliable and which method can move more apps, please let me know, thanks.
Comparision of Native apps2sd and Link2SD:
(Native apps2sd
Starting with Android 2.2 (Froyo) Google introduced native apps2SD.
This method moves
* apk file on Android 2.2
* apk + lib files on Android 2.3+
into a secure folder on your SD card in the main FAT partition.
It is the easiest method because it doesn't require you to partition your sdcard and root privilige.
It has some disadvantages though.
First disadvantage is that application files are just stored on the sdcard's main FAT partition.
When you enable USB mass storage to share files with your computer (or otherwise unmounts or removes the external storage), any application installed on the external storage and currently running is killed.
The system effectively becomes unaware of the application until mass storage is disabled and the external storage is remounted on the device.
Besides killing the application and making it unavailable to the user, this can break some types of applications in a more serious way.
So second disadvantage is that not all apps can be moved with native apps2sd method because of above reason.
In order for the application to consistently behave as expected, developer should not allow the application to be installed on the external storage if it uses any of the following features, due to the cited consequences when the external storage is unmounted:
Widgets, Services, Alarm Services, Live Wallpapers, Live Folders, Account Managers, Sync Adapters, Broadcast Receivers listening for "boot completed".
Force move (requires root);
You can force the apps move to SD card with native apps2SD even the application does not support moving as described above.
Link2SD and some other apps can force move apps if you have root priviliges. But, note that this can break some applications, as described above.
)

i can't use that on trueanscetor and NXT ( with doom kernel )
it goes on boot-loop , sometimes it succeed to boot but can't detect my sim-card ( i couldn't have call )
can you please help me

Which method of moving those unmovable apps to SD is better, safer and more stable?
Hi!
I need help, please.
My internal storage is very low (getting a message). I have gone through all the apps and moved everything that can to SD Card.
I don't know which method is better to move those unmovable apps to the SD card.
I have a Sony Xperia Play
My Phone details:
Model - R800i
Android Version - 2.3.4
Kernel Version - 2.6.32.9-perf [email protected] #1
Build - 4.0.2.A.0.42
I have heard about Titanium Backup root, DroidSail Super App2SD, adb, Link2SD and so on.
The methods above can let me move those unmovable apps to the SD card.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of them? How do they compare? Which method is safer, more reliable or more stable? Which method can move more apps?
If you know, please let me know, thanks.
I look forward to this, thanks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got this information from the official Link2SD website, this is comparing Native apps2SD to Link2SD. But I don't know how Link2SD compared with Titanium Backup root, DroidSail Super App2SD, adb and so on. If you know which method is safer or more reliable and which method can move more apps, please let me know, thanks.
Comparision of Native apps2sd and Link2SD:
(Native apps2sd
Starting with Android 2.2 (Froyo) Google introduced native apps2SD.
This method moves
* apk file on Android 2.2
* apk + lib files on Android 2.3+
into a secure folder on your SD card in the main FAT partition.
It is the easiest method because it doesn't require you to partition your sdcard and root privilige.
It has some disadvantages though.
First disadvantage is that application files are just stored on the sdcard's main FAT partition.
When you enable USB mass storage to share files with your computer (or otherwise unmounts or removes the external storage), any application installed on the external storage and currently running is killed.
The system effectively becomes unaware of the application until mass storage is disabled and the external storage is remounted on the device.
Besides killing the application and making it unavailable to the user, this can break some types of applications in a more serious way.
So second disadvantage is that not all apps can be moved with native apps2sd method because of above reason.
In order for the application to consistently behave as expected, developer should not allow the application to be installed on the external storage if it uses any of the following features, due to the cited consequences when the external storage is unmounted:
Widgets, Services, Alarm Services, Live Wallpapers, Live Folders, Account Managers, Sync Adapters, Broadcast Receivers listening for "boot completed".
Force move (requires root);
You can force the apps move to SD card with native apps2SD even the application does not support moving as described above.
Link2SD and some other apps can force move apps if you have root priviliges. But, note that this can break some applications, as described above.
)

I can vouch for link 2 SD. Gave me quite a lot more storage space. "Lordbattlebeard" helped me set it up in another thread. Admittedly, I don't know much about the other 2 so can't help on that front
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app