Database Users

How annoyed are you by MTP?

I am thinking of getting the M, but it appears the device uses MTP when you connect it a PC. I am coming from ThunderBolt, and certainly enjoyed simply mounting the SD card in Windows, then copying whatever I wanted in and out. I even recovered some files that I accidentally deleted. I would also copy files to the phone for books (in random formats) , apps (apk), videos, photos etc.
Judging by the name I would guess you can copy MP3s to phone under MTP. Can you copy other types of files? Is there a way to just mount the internal storage in Windows? Thanks!
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

You should be able to copy everything, if you double click on the device in Explorer (on Windows, anyway). It should give you a display of all the folders on the device, I think.
But yes, MTP sucks. For whatever reason, it simply doesn't work with my current phone. Even on a fresh clean install of Windows 7, the driver will not install, and this is seen across multiple computers, stock ROMs and custom ones. I haven't been able to transfer data to or from my phone using the USB cable in ages. I can do it over WiFi, thankfully, and I can also just pop out the microSD card if needed, but MTP still frustrates me to no end.
It works with my tablet just fine, though, so it's the Motorola driver that's messed up.

Engadget review also reported a failure to install drivers for MTP on one of their test machines, despite best efforts to trouble shoot.
Is there even a benefit to MTP? To me it sounds like pure pain.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

cowisland said:
I am thinking of getting the M, but it appears the device uses MTP when you connect it a PC. I am coming from ThunderBolt, and certainly enjoyed simply mounting the SD card in Windows, then copying whatever I wanted in and out. I even recovered some files that I accidentally deleted. I would also copy files to the phone for books (in random formats) , apps (apk), videos, photos etc.
Judging by the name I would guess you can copy MP3s to phone under MTP. Can you copy other types of files? Is there a way to just mount the internal storage in Windows? Thanks!
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you be annoyed at all, you can just mount the device as Mass Storage (just like the Thunderbrick) and move files that way. MTP is not an issue.

jimmydafish said:
Why would you be annoyed at all, you can just mount the device as Mass Storage (just like the Thunderbrick) and move files that way. MTP is not an issue.
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Click to collapse
That's the answer I was hoping for, thank you! One last question : how do you mount the device as mass storage, using the standard Android dialog that shows up in the notification bar?
Please be patient with me, I don't have the phone yet.
Finally, my Thunder hasn't bricked yet, but it's getting close...
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

cowisland said:
That's the answer I was hoping for, thank you! One last question : how do you mount the device as mass storage, using the standard Android dialog that shows up in the notification bar?
Please be patient with me, I don't have the phone yet.
Finally, my Thunder hasn't bricked yet, but it's getting close...
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It simply gives you the option when you plug it in - you can choose to mount it as usb storage, or mtp.

jntdroid said:
It simply gives you the option when you plug it in - you can choose to mount it as usb storage, or mtp.
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Click to collapse
Not anymore! Since the JB update, the USB mass storage option is gone! This pisses me off since I need that to connect to my vehicle's audio system. WTF would they remove that feature?!

Yeah. It makes me angry... I hate mtp. Gawd Google y u no usb mass storage?!? ¡¿¡
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

I've never had this problem -- until I upgraded to KK. Now my work PC will not allow me to install the MTP driver. Haven't tried yet on my home pc, but I am not optimistic. Come on! Some genius hacker dude out there has to have figured this one out by now!

Wi-Fi file explorer is my method of choice.
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app

I do not get it. My Maxx mounts what appears to be MTP but when in click on the phone icon in Win7 (actually Parallels desktop on a Mac) the internal SD is mounted! Just like before. That is with 444. So is 442 way different on the older msm8960s?
Now on a Mac it is doodoo.

I can access both SD cards from PC without any problem in MTP mode. I installed the drivers while I was on JB I think

mrkhigh said:
Wi-Fi file explorer is my method of choice.
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I used to use that on my old phone but forgot about it. I'll have to give it another go. Thanks for the reminder.

USB debugging not connecting to mac

I have usb debugging checked, i even downloaded that android file transfer utility for mac, i selected the media file transfer option under the android u.i ..and still nothing has worked, i even tried mounting the storage through twrp but nothing seems to be working. Please help i'm trying to flash roms but i won't be able to if i don't have usb debugging working to put the files on the internal storage. Anyone know how to solve this issue? :crying:

yoh65 said:
I have usb debugging checked, i even downloaded that android file transfer utility for mac, i selected the media file transfer option under the android u.i ..and still nothing has worked, i even tried mounting the storage through twrp but nothing seems to be working. Please help i'm trying to flash roms but i won't be able to if i don't have usb debugging working to put the files on the internal storage. Anyone know how to solve this issue? :crying:
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Click to collapse
Android File Transfer has never worked for me on Mac going back to several of my android devices as far back as the OG Epic/Epic 4G/S3. The only Android phones it ever worked with for me were oddly Nexus devices, Nexus S 4G and Galaxy Nexus (could have something to do with those phones not having external SD and the way the internal NAND is set up).
Anyway, i'd suggest you just use your memory card to move things back and forth or do what i do which is use FTP wireless between phone and Mac. I use Transmit on the Mac and ES File Explorer (file manager) and SwiFTP (FTP server) on the phone. Never have to plug and unplug USB or take out memory card. My Mac's I.P address is mapped to ES File Explorer and i just browse it and copy back and forth whatever i want OR i run SwiFTP on the phone and browse it from the Mac.
Of-course there are tons of other FTP apps out there you can look into that work just fine as well.
I do find it odd that even mounting via TWRP does not work for you. At least that works fine for me but who wants to turn off their phone anytime they want to transfer a file..

LordLugard said:
Android File Transfer has never worked for me on Mac going back to several of my android devices as far back as the OG Epic/Epic 4G/S3. The only Android phones it ever worked with for me were oddly Nexus devices, Nexus S 4G and Galaxy Nexus (could have something to do with those phones not having external SD and the way the internal NAND is set up).
Anyway, i'd suggest you just use your memory card to move things back and forth or do what i do which is use FTP wireless between phone and Mac. I use Transmit on the Mac and ES File Explorer (file manager) and SwiFTP (FTP server) on the phone. Never have to plug and unplug USB or take out memory card. My Mac's I.P address is mapped to ES File Explorer and i just browse it and copy back and forth whatever i want OR i run SwiFTP on the phone and browse it from the Mac.
Of-course there are tons of other FTP apps out there you can look into that work just fine as well.
I do find it odd that even mounting via TWRP does not work for you. At least that works fine for me but who wants to turn off their phone anytime they want to transfer a file..
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you saved my life !!! <3 using all my thanks on you!

N4 USB mass storage

I read it is not possible to do USB mass storage on the N4 because you would need position to be fat32.. and read that if you do enable it you couldn't read the partition on windows as it's ext4..
I run Linux so I can read ext4 no problem.. so is there a way to enable USB mass storage to use in Linux?
I hate the options we have for USB support to transfer files as half the time it don't work in Linux, and if I use on windows on other people's computers you need to download drivers..
USB mass storage you don't need any special drivers..
I doubt it, but hopefully when nexus 5 comes out they will give us an SD card slot and USB mass storage!

urhaxable said:
I read it is not possible to do USB mass storage on the N4 because you would need position to be fat32.. and read that if you do enable it you couldn't read the partition on windows as it's ext4..
I run Linux so I can read ext4 no problem.. so is there a way to enable USB mass storage to use in Linux?
I hate the options we have for USB support to transfer files as half the time it don't work in Linux, and if I use on windows on other people's computers you need to download drivers..
USB mass storage you don't need any special drivers..
I doubt it, but hopefully when nexus 5 comes out they will give us an SD card slot and USB mass storage!
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Click to collapse
Won't happen for Nexus 5. SD cards are not liked by Matias Duarte. And I think they've fully have moved to MTP. I do feel your pain win Linux. But you can get MTP to work. I have it working on my Ubuntu machine
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

I am using Kubuntu 13.10 and MTP is working very really well without issues, first Ubuntu version that have it working right for me.
You can also try Go-mtpfs which will mount the drive and you can manipulate the files just like UMS and using syncing app, but its not entirely bug free as of now: http://www.webupd8.org/2012/12/how-to-mount-android-40-ubuntu-go-mtpfs.html

I had mtp working, but seems only pictures and videos transfer.. no other file types..
Maybe I had something wrong..

urhaxable said:
I had mtp working, but seems only pictures and videos transfer.. no other file types..
Maybe I had something wrong..
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Click to collapse
Same here. I figured maybe I missed something. I have connected it using MTP and PTP. It will only allow transfer of pictures. I really need to know how to transfer files from computer to my phone. If I select zip to transfer it says not compatible. If I am connected to laptop and using Nexus 4 Toolkit, it recognizes the device, still can't manually transfer files though.

I've only been using Ubuntu for about a week and I'm having no trouble with transferring files via MTP. You need the Android SDK installed, just google it, I don't have a link. It seems to freeze up if I try to copy multiple large files, like a ROM plus Gapps for example, but it's fine if I copy them one at a time.

Browse Z3 SD Card

I Hope theres some Mac users here
Is there any chance to browse the SD card in my Z3C on my computer ?
Which program to use ?

Just plug it in and it should pop up the SD card, check your phones USB settings in the overflow menu of storage

Tried Sony Bridge for Mac?
It works for me.

Sorry. I mean with WIFI

xalodogan said:
Sorry. I mean with WIFI
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Click to collapse
im suggesting use "airdroid", just install the app, open it, login from your mac/pc and voila
but remember since its on kitkat, u can just browse/read the contents in sd card, but cannot edit/write e.g upload a file to it, unless you are rooted

xerophyll said:
im suggesting use "airdroid", just install the app, open it, login from your mac/pc and voila
but remember since its on kitkat, u can just browse/read the contents in sd card, but cannot edit/write e.g upload a file to it, unless you are rooted
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Click to collapse
Hmmm....thats bad. I also need to write to SD Card. Any other solutions than Cable connection ?

Use dropbox? I've used it to get mp3 files to my phone without having a cable around before. it's an extra step essentially, but it works.

No app will be able to write on the SD card freely, unless it's a system app or the device is rooted.

Iruwen said:
No app will be able to write on the SD card freely, unless it's a system app or the device is rooted.
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Click to collapse
That's fortunately not exactly true. Use MyPhoneExplorer via USB and you do have read/write access. Works like a charm, highly recommended phone management tool. Only for Windows though...
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app

It's still true because I obviously meant an Android app. And it also doesn't answer the OP's question because he's using a Mac.

Yes...and i want to transfer files over WIFI

That'll work only with built-in functions (i.e. system-apps) or with a rooted device because there's no other way to have write access to the whole SD card.
There's some built-in function to connect to PC companion via WLAN, doesn't that work? I can't look it up, no Z3C at hand.

SD Card Issue

So I just purchased a 128gb sd card off amazon and it came in the mail today. I got it and first tried copying all of my data over from my old sd card. I have a mac so I used disk utility and formatted it ms-dos(fat) because it wouldn't show up in my finder without formatting it. Everything copied but then when i plugged it into my phone it would not show up. I also tried the same process with exfat but my media wouldn't show up, at least it mounted though, but only 200mb. The only way i can get my sd card to work on my phone is formatting it through android but then it doesn't work on my computer. Any ideas of what to do? The phone is also not showing up when I plug it in directly via a usb cable and try to use android file transfer.

Thanks to limited file support by your mac
You can connect your phone, select mtp and should show up in file explorer (if mac supports mtp). Android offers few more connectivities as well if mtp doesn't work. If nothing works, well, use Windows or Linux.

Zeljko1234 said:
Thanks to limited file support by your mac[emoji14]
You can connect your phone, select mtp and should show up in file explorer (if mac supports mtp). Android offers few more connectivities as well if mtp doesn't work. If nothing works, well, use Windows or Linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use a Mac, download the official Google app 'android file transfer.'
Then when you connect any Android a window will open showing you the contents of your device and you can drag and drop ...
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