[Q] Sharing apps and media files between users - Nexus 10 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I've tried to search but didn't find an answer...
I've just got my N10. I want to have two profiles: one for myself, the other for my wife.
The problem is the apps I installed on my own user are not shown on my wife user. I don't want to install twice every app. In addition, I don't want to pay twice for payed apps both my wife and I want to use.
Same problem with media files: pictures I took on my user are not available on my wife's user gallery.
So, my questions are:
1. How can I share apps between users?
2. How can I share media files (photos, music) between users?
Thanks in advance!

Sharing apps
Animor said:
Hello,
I've tried to search but didn't find an answer...
I've just got my N10. I want to have two profiles: one for myself, the other for my wife.
The problem is the apps I installed on my own user are not shown on my wife user. I don't want to install twice every app. In addition, I don't want to pay twice for payed apps both my wife and I want to use.
Same problem with media files: pictures I took on my user are not available on my wife's user gallery.
So, my questions are:
1. How can I share apps between users?
2. How can I share media files (photos, music) between users?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, did you find an answer to this? Same problem.

Hi,
1. I've found out that if an app is installed for one user, then when I install it for another user, it doesn't really get installed twice, but uses the same installation. It only makes a separate folder for saving app related data for the other user. In other words - the app is installed only once, but users have their own data, settings, etc.
2. I've also found out that I can define play store on the other user account with my own google account. That means that my wife has her own gmail and all other google things, but the play store on her user is defined with my own google account. By doing that, I solve the payed apps issue - they appear for both of us as already payed and we can just install them on my wife user without paying again.
3. As for shared files (pictures, movies, etc.) - Unfortunately, I didn't find any solution. I still hope that someone can help me with that.

Sharing apps
Animor said:
Hi,
1. I've found out that if an app is installed for one user, then when I install it for another user, it doesn't really get installed twice, but uses the same installation. It only makes a separate folder for saving app related data for the other user. In other words - the app is installed only once, but users have their own data, settings, etc.
2. I've also found out that I can define play store on the other user account with my own google account. That means that my wife has her own gmail and all other google things, but the play store on her user is defined with my own google account. By doing that, I solve the payed apps issue - they appear for both of us as already payed and we can just install them on my wife user without paying again.
3. As for shared files (pictures, movies, etc.) - Unfortunately, I didn't find any solution. I still hope that someone can help me with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply Animor, really helpful.
Para 2 makes sense to implement, particularly when I have purchased apps specifically for the Nexus, at least I don't have to buy them twice!
The shared files problem is a bit of an issue, I should be able to share music and photos without having to double up on valuable storage space. Any fixes for this welcome!

Animor said:
3. As for shared files (pictures, movies, etc.) - Unfortunately, I didn't find any solution. I still hope that someone can help me with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try putting a couple files in /data/media/obb/ and see if all users can access them. If I recall correctly, the purpose of that directory is sharing files between users.

Sharing apps
dafunk60 said:
Try putting a couple files in /data/media/obb/ and see if all users can access them. If I recall correctly, the purpose of that directory is sharing files between users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - I'll try that.

dafunk60 said:
Try putting a couple files in /data/media/obb/ and see if all users can access them. If I recall correctly, the purpose of that directory is sharing files between users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I didn't find this directory on my Nexus 10...
However, I've got a solution from another forum:
Directory /sdcard/android/obb/ can be used to share files beteween users. Basically this directory is used by large applications, but it can be also used for sharing files by adding directories or files there.
It doesn't require root, btw. All users have direct access to it.

Maybe put the shared pictures and whatnot in a Dropbox folder you share with your wife?
Not the exact solution you're looking for, but it might fit your specified requirements.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app

Thank, but using dropbox is not necessary since I've already found a solution.
As I stated in my previous reply, /sdcard/android/obb/ is common to all users, so I just put there everything I want to share.
Thanks all

Answer
Try using 'SendFile'...Its available on the playstore....very simple UI and u can share any type of file between mobiles and PC's....what attaracted me was the fact that u dont need the app to download the files.....

dafunk60 said:
Try putting a couple files in /data/media/obb/ and see if all users can access them. If I recall correctly, the purpose of that directory is sharing files between users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just updated Nexus 4 to Lollipop and got excited with the new "multi-user" feature.
And following your suggestion, I managed to share files between users.

Related

Please, where are applications data ?

I mean, i installed splashid and i'm not able to find the related vid file that usually create the app.
Thank a lot.
Not familiar with splashid but most app created data (such as sound recordings, videos, pics, downloads, etc..) are placed on your SD card.
sepulcrio said:
I mean, i installed splashid and i'm not able to find the related vid file that usually create the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would try it out myself, but it costs $9.95. So I can only offer two possible scenarios:
1) If you're asking where an application might save a media file: normally this is on the SDcard, in a subdirectory relating to the app's name, So it could be /sdcard/splashid/myfile.3gp.
2) If you're asking where an app keeps its internal data, such as where SplashID stores passwords, it could be the phone's internal memory. I'm guessing here, but it might be somewhere like /data/data/com.splashdata.pro. Unfortunately, you won't be able to access this folder or its files unless you have root.
Hope this helps!

Dropbox for Android - Access your pc files

I have just installed Dropbox on both my PCs and on my Desire. This is a great way of synching files between 2 computers without the need for emailing them to yourself or continually copying them between computers.
THe PC version is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTc1MjQzMTQ5
For the Andriod version search 'Dropbox' in the market.
With Dropbox on your Andriod you can access files from your home PC without having to actually have them installed on your device. Never forget a file again and save valuable space on your SD card!
How did I ever manage without it?!
If you install keepass on your android and pc and save the file to the dropbox folder, you can have a synced pc and phone password app.
Rob
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Excellent idea - I was already putting passwords in there, but better to have them protected!
Thanks for the tip!
The dropbox for android app is a bit useless. It only lets you upload certain file types. I was trying to upload a zip file. Why not just allow any file to be uploaded instead of showing you that silly menu of images, videos, music or text files (which didn't even work)? For the other way round, it is useful yes.
There is a work around (forgot it...) but yeah I agree... though it's only a beta, had to be expected.
The dropbox for android app is a bit useless. It only lets you upload certain file types. I was trying to upload a zip file. Why not just allow any file to be uploaded instead of showing you that silly menu of images, videos, music or text files (which didn't even work)? For the other way round, it is useful yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly. Sorely requiring updates. Basic rar, pdf, txt and such files don't even upload. Nor did vids with mine, after 2 hours on WiFi, the file size was still 0 KB. There's no obvious way to link to someone over Android for them to download the aud/vid (not stream, which it defaults to). At the moment, I'm only using it to manage already uploaded files from my PC/laptop, and to retrieve them from the phone.
As I've posted in previous threads, I've been using this app for just over 2 weeks now.
-------------------------------------
- Sent via my HTC Desire -
Have you reached 8gigs of space now?
ascot17 said:
I have just installed Dropbox on both my PCs and on my Desire. This is a great way of synching files between 2 computers without the need for emailing them to yourself or continually copying them between computers.
THe PC version is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTc1MjQzMTQ5
For the Andriod version search 'Dropbox' in the market.
With Dropbox on your Andriod you can access files from your home PC without having to actually have them installed on your device. Never forget a file again and save valuable space on your SD card!
How did I ever manage without it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
th3 said:
My thoughts exactly. Sorely requiring updates. Basic rar, pdf, txt and such files don't even upload. Nor did vids with mine, after 2 hours on WiFi, the file size was still 0 KB. There's no obvious way to link to someone over Android for them to download the aud/vid (not stream, which it defaults to). At the moment, I'm only using it to manage already uploaded files from my PC/laptop, and to retrieve them from the phone.
As I've posted in previous threads, I've been using this app for just over 2 weeks now.
-------------------------------------
- Sent via my HTC Desire -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya, dropbox app for android pretty much sucks, but you can download Droidbox from the market, which allows you to upload all kinds of files, even the ones in the cell memory
https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTc4MDcyNzg5
There if you guys want, you can sign up and get me 250 more megs!!! :$ I'd appreciate it!!
zkyevolved said:
https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTc4MDcyNzg5
There if you guys want, you can sign up and get me 250 more megs!!! :$ I'd appreciate it!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Estrongs file manager is ALL you need, plus no restrictions
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=680992

Dropbox FTMFW! Not sure if a lot of people here use it

I've herd about it in the past but never really paid any attention to it. This is the most used app by me now. If you were ever looking to sync your pictures and files from computer to your phone or pc this is IT! Install .apk's by dragging them to a dropboxfolder on your pc and go install on your phone, I am not sure but I think they also have a picture folder sync option from phone to pc? Anyways the 2gb account is free and if you do sign up please use me as a refferal
Ref-feral link (we both get extra space)
https://www.dropbox.com/link/21.ey4bQIW9qp
if you don't want to refer me,
https://www.dropbox.com/register
I was using Eye-Fi on my camera before this, but this is awesome for file sharing.
Its a great application, I wish it did automatic syncing with folders on the android version. I cant wait for them to add it. (They only just added it on the desktop version).
of course I'd just be happy with the option to sync a whole folder or multi-select files.
I've been using dropbox for awhile for general file access ease, but started using it on my phone as soon as the app came out. I wish titanium would backup from dropbox, but it's nice that it saves to it. I always save pics and files to it before flashing a new rom.
Sent from my <tw> powered vibrant.
I use it all the time, on all my devices.
by the way, in order for the referral to validate. The individual referred must install the desktop client.
I used dropbox to install my first custom ROM (Axura 2.2.6) the other day. Amazing app. I can't believe more people don't use it, if for no other reason that it makes t so painless to put things on your phone, like apks.
+1 amazing! Apps are available for loads of mobile platforms too. If yiu long press an item in root explorer and send you can select dropbox and it lets you choose any folder to send to the shared folder is really useful too!

Drop Box/Online Storage

Not sure if you guys have used this but Ive found it pretty handy for online storage. Called drop box, you get 2Gb free and can upgrade and get more if you need it!
http://db.tt/2yz87DL
If anyone else has found simliar apps that offer more storage would love to know so just post here!
ShaunD103 said:
Not sure if you guys have used this but Ive found it pretty handy for online storage. Called drop box, you get 2Gb free and can upgrade and get more if you need it!
http://db.tt/2yz87DL
If anyone else has found simliar apps that offer more storage would love to know so just post here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. And by clicking that referral link above, both parties get a little extra space.
It's a pretty popular online storage / file sharing service and along with the DropBox Android app, a great extension for storage on tablets.
gammaRascal said:
Right. And by clicking that referral link above, both parties get a little extra space.
It's a pretty popular online storage / file sharing service and along with the DropBox Android app, a great extension for storage on tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, so far loving it!
Another online storage tool is Spideroak. It works across many platforms including Android and Linux. I am still in the process of testing it out. Not quite as intuitive as Dropbox. But I used the promo code *worldbackupday* and got a free upgrade to 5GB of storage. Not bad.
I'm using ubuntu one for my tablet and pc with ubuntu
Wysłane z Acera A500
Just trying out Asus Web Storage. It has a very cheap option for unlimited storage.... Tempting!
I personally can't think of any use for these online storage systems. It would be okay if you could mount them and then have all your applications be able to access the files there directly, but if you always have to copy stuff back and forth first then... meh.
Well the great thing about DropBox is that it integrates into windows just like a regular folder.
Once you've installed the application (which has a very small footprint) you can use the Windows 'Send To' context menu option and send anything to the DrobBox folder on your computer and it syncs with the account, making whatever you put in there available from any web-connected device. (either in a public or private folder which you can also set up)
You can also setup shared folders between people/teams which has a semi-type check-in/check-out feature that shows when others are working on them. So, say I'm working on a design doc - I can open it directly from my DropBox folder (since its a regular windows folder) make changes, edits etc, save it and it syncs the new version with anyone else I'm sharing the folder with.
As far as the tablet goes, it really is an extension to storage but only in a minimalist sense. Launching the Android App shows you all your DropBox folders and you can navigate though folders and open files or download them to your tab (without having to mount the tab to your computer or do that SD card dance). The primary point being, you can access them directly from the DropBox app and not actually have them on your tab.
I use it mainly to store books and other documents (also my bootanimations and screenshots) so when I want to access them (or give access to them) I can share the link, or open the files directly on my tab - make changes, save and it saves to DropBox.
It really is flawless and elegant.
gammaRascal said:
It really is flawless and elegant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's also entirely reliant on people and systems over which you have no control. It can fail without warning, just because something between you and their servers goes wrong, and you have zero assurance of security either.
I hate the "cloud". I think it's stupid, pointless and potentially downright dangerous. You have zero control over your data or who has access to your data.
FloatingFatMan said:
It's also entirely reliant on people and systems over which you have no control. It can fail without warning, just because something between you and their servers goes wrong, and you have zero assurance of security either.
I hate the "cloud". I think it's stupid, pointless and potentially downright dangerous. You have zero control over your data or who has access to your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What.are.you.talking.about?
All that reads like over sensitive hyperbole and paranoia to me.
You're suggesting that just because you have files in your DropBox folder that it's unsecure?
Anything can fail without warning - that's hardly an ongoing and preventative concern of mine. I could turn on the light in my bathroom and *might* pop and yet, here we are. I'm not about to take a flashlight in with me every single time *just in case*.
Your HDD can fail. Your CPU can pop. Your MB can short... I mean, what are you expecting? Putting files on DropBox is no more unsecure than burning it to a DVD or copying it to a Flash drive or leaving it on your HDD.
There are *levels* of security and DropBox is far more secure than you give it credit. If security is a serious concern of yours, turn off the internet.
And regarding the cloud. See paragraph 2.
gammaRascal said:
Well the great thing about DropBox is that it integrates into windows just like a regular folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it does on Windows, but my tablet doesn't run Windows.
As far as the tablet goes, it really is an extension to storage but only in a minimalist sense. Launching the Android App shows you all your DropBox folders and you can navigate though folders and open files or download them to your tab (without having to mount the tab to your computer or do that SD card dance). The primary point being, you can access them directly from the DropBox app and not actually have them on your tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the whole point why I don't like these kinds of things: it's cumbersome if I always have to go through this or that application first in order to use a file. It should just be mounted on a specific directory and that's that. I can only hope someone will create something like that for Android soon.
I wonder though if there is any way of mounting SSH connections, like for example as through Fuse as is possible on Linux. Then I wouldn't have to worry about these kinds of things at all as I have ample amounts of storage space on my server.
The company I work for, one of the largest IT corporations in Europe, SELLS cloud services. I know what I'm talking about.
Your files are not secure, no matter the assurances you're given, and Dropbox has had some pretty major security flaws in the quite recent past. And as a recent screwup on Amazon's cloud services recently showed, if something goes wrong or some dumbass makes a mistake, you might not even get your data back intact. That sort of thing happens a lot more often than you think, too.
Hell, we sell the bloody services to the world, but our own internal network services are down more often than a whores knickers!
FloatingFatMan said:
The company I work for, one of the largest IT corporations in Europe, SELLS cloud services. I know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not questioning whether you know or don't know what you're talking about.
FloatingFatMan said:
Your files are not secure, no matter the assurances you're given, and Dropbox has had some pretty major security flaws in the quite recent past. And as a recent screwup on Amazon's cloud services recently showed, if something goes wrong or some dumbass makes a mistake, you might not even get your data back intact. That sort of thing happens a lot more often than you think, too.
Hell, we sell the bloody services to the world, but our own internal network services are down more often than a whores knickers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are secure. Which, as you know, is a relative term.
If you need *more* security then don't use it. I don't know how much simpler it can be.
WereCatf said:
I know it does on Windows, but my tablet doesn't run Windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why there is an Android App. The service is a ubiquitous sharing that acts like a regular Windows folder while in the Windows environment. It's not *beholden* to the Windows environment.
WereCatf said:
That's the whole point why I don't like these kinds of things: it's cumbersome if I always have to go through this or that application first in order to use a file. It should just be mounted on a specific directory and that's that. I can only hope someone will create something like that for Android soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how you can suggest it's cumbersome if you haven't tried it. Open the DropBox application, navigate to a file and select it and it opens in whatever app you have it set to open. They only different between than and opening a native application and then finding the file you want to open and opening it is that using the DropBox method, the file has to be downloaded first - which maybe is a thing for you, I don't know.
If you want it on your tab, select the file and download it - it saves to the local DropBox folder and at that point you can access it locally like any other file. The only other option is to manually put the file on your tablet - via cable, SD card, email - whatever method you see fit. To me, *that's* cumbersome.
Like I said, DropBox is more about access than storage. People use DropBox because they want access to files over the web in the same manner they would over a home network (without using bloated VNC's and multiple programs). If you have no need for such a function then DropBox doesn't sound like something you'd use.
gammaRascal said:
I'm not sure how you can suggest it's cumbersome if you haven't tried it. Open the DropBox application, navigate to a file and select it and it opens in whatever app you have it set to open. They only different between than and opening a native application and then finding the file you want to open and opening it is that using the DropBox method, the file has to be downloaded first - which maybe is a thing for you, I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't differ at all from opening file manager, navigating to samba share and downloading a file from there. That's why I said I'd like something that allows me to mount the whole thing as a regular directory on my tablet, THEN it would be useful. Like for example, the eBook reader I have shows as a collection all the books I have. If the cloud storage was mounted on a directory I could just point the eBook reader to that directory and POOF, they'd all be visible and accessible without having to copy anything back-and-forth.
Unfortunately there seems to be no such service for Android. Atleast not yet :/
If you have no need for such a function then DropBox doesn't sound like something you'd use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, I'm not bashing DropBox. I just voiced a wish for additional functionality. I already have DropBox-like functionality via file manager and browsing to either Samba-share or SFTP-share, with 2Tb storage, on my own server, but if I could just mount the thing on a directory it'd be a lot, LOT more useful.
gammaRascal said:
What.are.you.talking.about?
All that reads like over sensitive hyperbole and paranoia to me.
You're suggesting that just because you have files in your DropBox folder that it's unsecure?
Anything can fail without warning - that's hardly an ongoing and preventative concern of mine. I could turn on the light in my bathroom and *might* pop and yet, here we are. I'm not about to take a flashlight in with me every single time *just in case*.
Your HDD can fail. Your CPU can pop. Your MB can short... I mean, what are you expecting? Putting files on DropBox is no more unsecure than burning it to a DVD or copying it to a Flash drive or leaving it on your HDD.
There are *levels* of security and DropBox is far more secure than you give it credit. If security is a serious concern of yours, turn off the internet.
And regarding the cloud. See paragraph 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a Google search using the terms Dropbox Security Breach and then read the article at CNET, a reliable IT information source. FloatingFatMan is right, at least about the security of Dropbox. I'm a bit leary of the Cloud for the same reasons. Do you know who is controlling your data or any of the folks who have access to it?
*yawn*
Yu huh...

[Q] Multiple Users - How to share a folder?

After hearing multiple user support is coming with the latest jelly bean, I decided to buy a Nexus7 (32GB 3G) immediately - will share it with my girlfriend and this way we both can comfortably use gmail for example. First I thought the profiles will not be separated too heavily. The opposite turned out to be true: profiles are completely isolated - apps have to be installed/purchased/configured separately, I can live with that, at least we don't mess with each other's data. But I observed another functionality when connecting to PC through USB - switching a user on the tablet is followed by a plug&play sound on the computer, the "Nexus 7 - Portable Media Player" disappears and reappears with all different files and folders. What you open this way is the user-specific /sdcard folder which points to /storage/emulated/0 for the first user and to /storage/emulated/10 for the second user. Unfortunately this doesn't appear to be a permissions setup to adjust.
But now... where should I copy movies and music so that it's visible for both users? Does anyone happen to have a suitable solution preferably not involving the need to root the device? Thanks.
P.S. -- for those interested in the feature, I forgot to mention, that the overall user experience while switching profiles is very good. It's quick and you'll find your apps running. There are little circles with google avatars on the bottom of the lock screen to pick a user.
With multiuser, there is no need to purchase and install multiple copies of apps. Check the other topics on multiuser.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
rmm200 said:
With multiuser, there is no need to purchase and install multiple copies of apps. Check the other topics on multiuser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fact is, that in the other account, there is none of my applications visible, only those coming pre-installed. I can find the applications I'm using in my first account in Play market, and it offers me to either INSTALL or BUY depending on if it's paid - a user has no access to applications installed by other users - no speculation, this is how it works for me. Nexus 7 3G, 4.2.1.
The only message that suggests shared application is when I run Settings -> Users -> Add User, this appears: "... Any user can accept updated app permissions on behalf of all other users".
data file sharing to another user
jozin said:
After hearing multiple user support is coming with the latest jelly bean, I decided to buy a Nexus7 (32GB 3G) immediately - will share it with my girlfriend and this way we both can comfortably use gmail for example. First I thought the profiles will not be separated too heavily. The opposite turned out to be true: profiles are completely isolated - apps have to be installed/purchased/configured separately, I can live with that, at least we don't mess with each other's data. But I observed another functionality when connecting to PC through USB - switching a user on the tablet is followed by a plug&play sound on the computer, the "Nexus 7 - Portable Media Player" disappears and reappears with all different files and folders. What you open this way is the user-specific /sdcard folder which points to /storage/emulated/0 for the first user and to /storage/emulated/10 for the second user. Unfortunately this doesn't appear to be a permissions setup to adjust.
But now... where should I copy movies and music so that it's visible for both users? Does anyone happen to have a suitable solution preferably not involving the need to root the device? Thanks.
P.S. -- for those interested in the feature, I forgot to mention, that the overall user experience while switching profiles is very good. It's quick and you'll find your apps running. There are little circles with google avatars on the bottom of the lock screen to pick a user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nexus 7 4.2.2..
example,on first user,just put any file folder to android/data/ then switch to second user,go to android/data you will see that folder,then cut and paste to any folder you want in second user...that the way how I share file folder to second user....
file transfer to second user nexus 7 4.2.2
in first user,go to file manager find android/obb,put any file to obb not data,if no obb in android just make new one,then go to second user,in file manager,open android/obb,you can see your file in it,just cut and paste to any folder you want in second user...
I'm having trouble with this too. I'm running 6.01 and trying to move data between two users on the same phone (Nexus 5x). There is no obb folder, if I create one on one side it doesn't show on the other side. Creating a "share" folder in the Android folder? Same thing.

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