Database Users

Xoom storage, why MTP instead of USB file system, true APP2SD (from Google developer)

If you are still wondering:
- What is the breakdown of that 32GB Xoom internal memory (how many parition, how much space for apps / files)?
- Why Google is using MTP instead of USB file transfer on Honeycomb?
Here is straight answer from Google developer:
MTP is a big improvement over USB mass storage — for devices with lots of internal memory, a manufacturer no longer needs to come up with some hard partition between the USB mass storage and internal storage. Instead, they are all in one partition, with MTP providing access to the directory of media files that would normally be available through USB mass storage.This means there is no longer a need for apps on SD card for such devices, because what used to be the “internal SD card” is in the same partition as where applications are stored. The storage on your device can be used for either applications or media, depending on what you want to put on it. You aren’t stuck with how much space the manufacturer decided to leave for the two areas.
Oh also this means that the media storage doesn’t need to be unmounted from Android when it is being access through the PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://phandroid.com/2011/02/27/mac-users-require-file-transfer-utility-for-android-3-0/
Finally, true APP2SD You now have 32GB to put all your apps!!!

Sounds like a good thing!

This is a great explanation. Thanks for posting.

There is no doubt that mtp has advantages over mass storage. On the other hand I miss the ability to attach it to any computer and access files. It is not a huge problem but does add a limitation that was not there before.
That saod it is nice being able to access files on my computer without losing access to the partition on the device.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

I only see a problem if you flash different roms and have to do full data wipes.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

jvs60 said:
I only see a problem if you flash different roms and have to do full data wipes.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure future versions of CWM will be set to ignore that one folder.. I hope. Otherwise nandroid backups will take forever.

I'm not sure in terms of security it is a huge improvement; unless there is an option to turn it on/off somewhere.
Previously I would have to plug an Android device in to my computer, turn the device on, enter my unlock code, and then specifically allow the computer access via the USB. This morning I just plugged my xoom in and, poof, access to all my stuff.
At least before someone had to take my sdcard out at put it in their computer manually

Does MTP have anything to do with file size limit? I've seen posted on this forum that you can't load video files larger than 4gb onto the Xoom because of FAT32, is that still the case?

This MTP also seems to hide a lot of file from being seen by a pc. I open folders with File manager on the Xoom and see more folders namely the android folder which has game save data and other odd ball files. When hooked to a pc its blank. With MTP it seems all your allowed to do is transfer music, video and pics.

Malcus1 said:
Does MTP have anything to do with file size limit? I've seen posted on this forum that you can't load video files larger than 4gb onto the Xoom because of FAT32, is that still the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still haven't got around to testing (so many things to try out!), but in some of the video threads, I've been told XOOM uses EXT4 format not FAT32, and thus, should not have that 4GB limit. I've been re-encoding video files to meet XOOM's current playback limitations, and have been reducing them to sub 4GB anyway, so I haven't tested that for myself.

Can't see SD Card contents

Why can't I see the SD Card contents with a file manager app? It only shows me the internal memory contents.
Am I missing something here? It shows me that I have a 16gb SD Card in there and when I connect my phone to my macBook Air, it only shows me the SD Card contents and not the internal memory.
Something is weird here.
I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Dogan

Where are you looking and which app are you using? I use Root Explorer. The external SD card is in /mnt/external1 on my device.

scottjb said:
Where are you looking and which app are you using? I use Root Explorer. The external SD card is in /mnt/external1 on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep mine too
I have a 32gb and part of it shows under mnt/sdcard and a major part of it shows under mnt/external1
Use a file manager and see if it shows there...
Sent from my XT907 Scorpion_Mini
Sent from my XT907 Scorpion_Mini

Got it working. It was just showing the internal memory before but now showing it under mnt/external(or something like that)
Thanks guys

I've noticed at times the external storage seems a bit finicky - randomly things happen like dodolom described. Plus, who decided to put designate the path /mnt/external1 ? Quite a few apps have to be redirected to that and don't find it by default.

There is a file manager on the phone already just go to file and you can see everything.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

jntdroid said:
I've noticed at times the external storage seems a bit finicky - randomly things happen like dodolom described. Plus, who decided to put designate the path /mnt/external1 ? Quite a few apps have to be redirected to that and don't find it by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And some apps that there is no option to redirect :banghead:
Sent from my XT907 Scorpion_Mini

Notrega said:
And some apps that there is no option to redirect :banghead:
Sent from my XT907 Scorpion_Mini
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly...

I have a related question:
Anyone know how to view the internal SD contents when connected to a PC? Given that the M stores photos to the internal storage, I figure it would be nice to pull them off occasionally when connected to a PC. However, when I connect via USB, I see only the SD card.
Thanks.

danieljw said:
I have a related question:
Anyone know how to view the internal SD contents when connected to a PC? Given that the M stores photos to the internal storage, I figure it would be nice to pull them off occasionally when connected to a PC. However, when I connect via USB, I see only the SD card.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it's plugged in, pull the notification bar down and change the usb thing to MTP from Mass Storage (or however it's worded). That should do it.

danieljw said:
I have a related question:
Anyone know how to view the internal SD contents when connected to a PC? Given that the M stores photos to the internal storage, I figure it would be nice to pull them off occasionally when connected to a PC. However, when I connect via USB, I see only the SD card.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also you can store the photos to your SD card it is in the settings of the camera app it says storage change it to SD card.
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

USB Mass Storage (SGS3 Easy UMS)

Our tablet lacks the USB Mass Storage capability, also Note 2 lacks this also.
I have found this little gem app that works on Note 2, i hope that someone here will test this and report back.
It only works on external SD, but it is way better then MTP.
Here is the app thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
[UPDATE] It works very well, also with the SD card formated as exFat! :thumbup:
Thanks.

mdalacu said:
Our tablet lacks the USB Mass Storage capability, also Note 2 lacks this also.
I have found this little gem app that works on Note 2, i hope that someone here will test this and report back.
It only works on external SD, but it is way better then MTP.
Here is the app thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is this better than MTP? I connect my Note and it shows up - I double click on it and it shows me a drive for the internal and external storage and you can drag file in and out of them. The only two issues are that when you copy some kinds of media, you get asked if you want to convert it - and on the Note, it runs an actual app to do the MTP. It's odd because other Android devices don't do that (even the Samsung Nexus doesn't).

TheWerewolf said:
How is this better than MTP? I connect my Note and it shows up - I double click on it and it shows me a drive for the internal and external storage and you can drag file in and out of them. The only two issues are that when you copy some kinds of media, you get asked if you want to convert it - and on the Note, it runs an actual app to do the MTP. It's odd because other Android devices don't do that (even the Samsung Nexus doesn't).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use other OSes then Windows you will notice the difference, it does not work reliable on Linux and Mac. MTP is slow , with UMS i get something about 20MB/s read/write. Also, if you have to modify a file then that file will first be downloaded locally on your PC, modified and the reuploaded instead of modify it on the phone. This is how MTP works.

I have used the app 10 times by now, no issues at all. I also checked the sd card with scan disk on win7, no corruption !

By the way, there's a good technical reason why modern Android devices don't do USB Mass Storage.
USB Mass Storage operates on an *entire partition* and needs *exclusive* access to that partition. So the phone needs to be able to totally *un-mount* the partition (stop using it entirely) which is to be mounted as USB Mass Storage.
Older devices like my Samsung Galaxy S2 had the built-in storage separately partitioned. The downside to this, however, was that app storage was on a small, limited partition so even though the phone had 16GB, apps were limited to a 2GB (or so) partition.
New devices have all data on one partition so the app data can expand as far as it needs to into your storage space, but it means that it's no longer possible to mount it over USB Mass Storage as you can no longer get exclusive access to a partition.

MercuryStar said:
By the way, there's a good technical reason why modern Android devices don't do USB Mass Storage.
USB Mass Storage operates on an *entire partition* and needs *exclusive* access to that partition. So the phone needs to be able to totally *un-mount* the partition (stop using it entirely) which is to be mounted as USB Mass Storage.
Older devices like my Samsung Galaxy S2 had the built-in storage separately partitioned. The downside to this, however, was that app storage was on a small, limited partition so even though the phone had 16GB, apps were limited to a 2GB (or so) partition.
New devices have all data on one partition so the app data can expand as far as it needs to into your storage space, but it means that it's no longer possible to mount it over USB Mass Storage as you can no longer get exclusive access to a partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that is an awesome explanation of the process. I personally have wondered for quite a while why new devices are this way, just never really bothered looking into it. Thanks.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

MercuryStar said:
By the way, there's a good technical reason why modern Android devices don't do USB Mass Storage.
USB Mass Storage operates on an *entire partition* and needs *exclusive* access to that partition. So the phone needs to be able to totally *un-mount* the partition (stop using it entirely) which is to be mounted as USB Mass Storage.
Older devices like my Samsung Galaxy S2 had the built-in storage separately partitioned. The downside to this, however, was that app storage was on a small, limited partition so even though the phone had 16GB, apps were limited to a 2GB (or so) partition.
New devices have all data on one partition so the app data can expand as far as it needs to into your storage space, but it means that it's no longer possible to mount it over USB Mass Storage as you can no longer get exclusive access to a partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right about internal storage, but , this app only exports the External SD Card, which is formtated as FAT32 or ExFat. The app first unmounts the card from phone, export it through USB, then with the middle button, when you are done on PC (end ejected the card), will mount it right back.
This way you could check the SD card on the PC, copy large files very fast, directly modify files, works on linux and mac !

I have tested this on N8000 and it is working perfectly

mdalacu said:
Our tablet lacks the USB Mass Storage capability, also Note 2 lacks this also.
I have found this little gem app that works on Note 2, i hope that someone here will test this and report back.
It only works on external SD, but it is way better then MTP.
Here is the app thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, this app. I posted about this in September in this thread lol: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32103479#post32103479

Sorry, I have missed it.

Great! Thank you! It works like a charm!
Inviato dal mio GT-N8000 con Tapatalk 2

Another weakness in MTP is that if you are in a locked down environment with no admin/privileges to install devices MTP will not be detected. (You'll get the same nonsense with iOS as well)

has anyone been able to get this working with a ps3. I would like to be able to transfer things to my ps3.

So, no method exists that would allow the Note 10.1 to connect as UMS to Windows XP? and/or without the use of the inserted MicroSD?
I installed KIES but it tried to install like 3 versions of Net Framework and other garbage, so I removed it. There is no way I will use the KIES. I tried to use the driver that Kies installed along with the SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe but no luck. I can't believe this is an issue.
I'm a bit of a novice with tablets/android and have searched a long time for a solution with no luck.

It only export the external sd card through UMS, the internal one it is impossible. For me, it works on XP x64 just fine.

Has anyone tried multi mount, i use it on my galaxy s to listen to music while i am mounted to the pc, works well but i think it a bit buggy cause i can't get my external sd card to mount but i don't know if that the rom cause it worked well on the previous rom, try it out multi mount
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Sent from a I9000 running JB Rom
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If I helped you hit thanks

mdalacu said:
It only export the external sd card through UMS, the internal one it is impossible. For me, it works on XP x64 just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. Thank you.

TheWerewolf said:
How is this better than MTP? I connect my Note and it shows up - I double click on it and it shows me a drive for the internal and external storage and you can drag file in and out of them...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For example, how would you run a program like Recuva to scan for deleted files on my S3? Also, they say MTP i smuch slower.

critofur said:
For example, how would you run a program like Recuva to scan for deleted files on my S3? Also, they say MTP i smuch slower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For recovery of deleted files, you can use Undelete for Root users straight from your phone!

mdalacu said:
Our tablet lacks the USB Mass Storage capability, also Note 2 lacks this also.
I have found this little gem app that works on Note 2, i hope that someone here will test this and report back.
It only works on external SD, but it is way better then MTP.
Here is the app thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1711009
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You for posting this!!! I have been sick of playing a crap shoot when I connect my note to my computer!!! :victory:

Can the camera app save pics to SDcard?

Not sure if the camera app has the option to save to sd card. Or do we have to manually do it ourselves.

if its pure Android, then the camera app will have a storage setting to int/ext sd

ttkyles said:
if its pure Android, then the camera app will have a storage setting to int/ext sd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to create a thread. Since I have seen this thread similar to what I wanted to post, I am sharing how I am using external SD to save images taken using Google Camera.
It is very simple and easy using the app Foldersync (I am using pro version to have unlimited folder pairing).
Here is the play store link for Lite version LINK
Use of this app is mainly to transfer files to cloud server but does the job to copy / move from internal memory to external SDcard.
You can see sample screenshot attached.

Yes, you can save pictures to the SD card directly from the stock camera app. If you bring out the side menu while in the viewfinder, scroll down and you'll see a little SD card icon. Tap that, and choose SD card instead of internal storage.
No need for a third party app.

jonathanbailie said:
Yes, you can save pictures to the SD card directly from the stock camera app. If you bring out the side menu while in the viewfinder, scroll down and you'll see a little SD card icon. Tap that, and choose SD card instead of internal storage.
No need for a third party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!

smokarz said:
Exactly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question was how to push images taken from Google camera in to external sdcard without manual copying process from folder to folder. Also, it can be used to move any periodical update on to internal memory to external sdcard (eg. anything downloaded which saves in to internal memory under Download folder).

smohanv said:
The question was how to push images taken from Google camera in to external sdcard without manual copying process from folder to folder. Also, it can be used to move any periodical update on to internal memory to external sdcard (eg. anything downloaded which saves in to internal memory under Download folder).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't see "Google Camera" anywhere in the original question. I just see this:
Subject: Can the camera app save pics to SDcard?
Thread: Not sure if the camera app has the option to save to sd card. Or do we have to manually do it ourselves.
In this case, my directions are what the OP needs to do in order to save photos directly to the SD card.

jonathanbailie said:
Yes, you can save pictures to the SD card directly from the stock camera app. If you bring out the side menu while in the viewfinder, scroll down and you'll see a little SD card icon. Tap that, and choose SD card instead of internal storage.
No need for a third party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My camera isn't showing the option to save to sd. Any ideas as to why?

DattDude87 said:
My camera isn't showing the option to save to sd. Any ideas as to why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should look like this but you may need to spin the settings wheel around
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

dottat said:
Should look like this but you may need to spin the settings wheel around
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I've checked. Not sure why it doesn't show. But they are saving to the card.

DattDude87 said:
No I've checked. Not sure why it doesn't show. But they are saving to the card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using adaptive storage for your card?

uh60james said:
Are you using adaptive storage for your card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's also resetting apps saved to the card. It changes from Swiftkey backnto stock keyboard and I'll have to put passwords back in things like Facebook. Bad card maybe?

If you are using adaptive storage for your SD card, which it sounds as if you are, then you will not get the option on the camera app. Adaptive storage makes the SD card essentially like an extension of your internal storage therefore recognizes only internal storage. There are no other storage options to choose from.

DattDude87 said:
It's also resetting apps saved to the card. It changes from Swiftkey backnto stock keyboard and I'll have to put passwords back in things like Facebook. Bad card maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you are using adoptive storage on your SD card. I use adoptive storage and don't have any issues with it, the camera does save to the SD card for me and I do not have the option to change that in the camera app since the system shows the card as internal storage. So like aybarrap1 said, you will not see the option in the camera app.
The other issues you are having are strange. I suppose your card could be going bad. Do you have a fast card? Perhaps it is too slow and that is why you are having issues with apps saved to it.

Slow cards could cause apps to be flaky. I personally don't use adoptive storage yet. Waiting on the fast cards (90+ read and write speeds) to hopefully come down in price. Since internal storage is not an issue for me ATM, I'm not really stressing it.

I also using adoptive sd card but pics and videos are being saved in internal memory instead external ,actually I don't understand this new feature I still have 2 different memory internal and external,even I'm running out of memory help please
PS I have a 64gb Samsung card so is not slow is the one that came with my s7 edge I'm guessing is good speed

jonathanbailie said:
Yes, you can save pictures to the SD card directly from the stock camera app. If you bring out the side menu while in the viewfinder, scroll down and you'll see a little SD card icon. Tap that, and choose SD card instead of internal storage.
No need for a third party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh that was SO the right answer. Thank you!

My Moto X Pure does not show the option to save on SD card either. I have all the other options in the user manual except the SD card. It runs Android 6.0 and uses SanDisk Extreme PLUS microSDXC UHS-1 64 Gb card.

Internal Storage + SD card

How does the SD card storage work in the G6? I'm concerned about storage space with the 32g internal storage being the only option. I don't download that many apps but I guess with podcasts and audio books I run into capacity issues with a 32g phone. My understanding is with Nougat you can use the SD card for apps etc more so than you could in the past. Could someone please shed some light on how this works with the G6?

Check this out. https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/auto-formatting-sdcard-to-internal-t3583875
LG removed adaptable storage option. This tool works great for me.

Thanks. I'll take a look at it. I haven't bought the G6 yet and I'm a little concerned about having to rely on a hack. I wonder why they removed the adaptable option

Almost all brands removed this feature...
As far as I know, only HTC leaved it available for the customer without the need to do anything funny.

Does it work the same as native with this mod?

Griggs2121 said:
Does it work the same as native with this mod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Far as I can tell the mod works the same

I see it still shows as SD storage, but you can install apps on it?

Griggs2121 said:
I see it still shows as SD storage, but you can install apps on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like it. Just installed super Mario

I really appreciate your responses!

You can also just enable Force Allow Apps on External in developer options.

Is that when you use the move to SD function?

Saythis said:
You can also just enable Force Allow Apps on External in developer options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I enabled Force Allow Apps on External, and it wont allow me to move any more apps that I couldn't already move by just going into each app and changing the storage to SD.
Is there something else that needs to be done?

Rgarcia2296 said:
I enabled Force Allow Apps on External, and it wont allow me to move any more apps that I couldn't already move by just going into each app and changing the storage to SD.
Is there something else that needs to be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you reboot after enabling it?

Hi guys,
a quick question: as I used this tool the overall consumption of memory in my original internal memory seems to be higher than I expected.
So I added up the space needed by the apps on the new internal SD card and this fit. So it seems that the internal SD card things that the Apps are installed there, but the internal memory shows them in them from the storage consumption.
Is that just a bug (or "feature") of the LG due to the fact that they do not increase the overall free space available (with the internal SD card)?
And if this is so, can I just keep installing apps right after 32Gb are full or will the phone still stop accepting that?
Does anybody knows more about that?
Best regards and thanks for the help!

draino623 said:
Check this out. https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/auto-formatting-sdcard-to-internal-t3583875
LG removed adaptable storage option. This tool works great for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing!

with Oreo (V20h) app Settings crashes when selected "Migrate data..." on microSD formatted as internal storage...I think LG does not permit this solution any more (I enabled "Force Allow Apps on External" in developer options too)