Database Users

A little confused by sdcard and external_sd

As the title says, I'm a little confused by the folder "sdcard" and the sub-folder "external_sd".
This is my first native Android device. I've been using Android on my HD2 for about 8 months now and I was fine with the "sdcard" folder actually being my sd card. Now, I've got internal memory of 16GB and that has an "sdcard" folder that my apps use to store stuff to the sd card, but they're not really storing anything on the sd card - it's a folder on the internal memory.
I'd ideally like to have internal memory and an sdcard folder that really is a sd card, so that when apps store things to "/sdcard" it does go to my sd card.
Can someone please clarify this for me?
Thanks

im not 100 precent sure on this but i think this is how it works.
thr tab has an internal non removable 2gb drove that is mounted as /
there is a internal non removable 16 gb drive that mounts as /sdcard ( /mnt/sdcard/ ) this is where your apps are installed.
then whaever external microsd card you insert gets mounted to /sdcard/external_sd/ ( /mnt/sdcard/external_sd/ )
. why its done like this is kinda stupid. apps like titanium backup you gave to type "sdcards/external_sd" as the backup folder if you want to put your backups on the microsd card since it thinks /sdcard is a removable device, which it isnt.
this is where i store pics vids and music crap.
also clockworkmod does seem to correctly put backups on the external card automatically.
heres a tip. create an empty folder on the external card called "THIS IS THE EXTERNALS SD" and likewise for the internal. that way when you are using a app or mounting as usb storage you can quickly and eaisly recognize what drive is what.
i dont know if tha answeres your question but i hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

gophet said:
im not 100 precent sure on this but i think this is how it works.
thr tab has an internal non removable 2gb drove that is mounted as /
there is a internal non removable 16 gb drive that mounts as /sdcard ( /mnt/sdcard/ ) this is where your apps are installed.
then whaever external microsd card you insert gets mounted to /sdcard/external_sd/ ( /mnt/sdcard/external_sd/ )
. why its done like this is kinda stupid. apps like titanium backup you gave to type "sdcards/external_sd" as the backup folder if you want to put your backups on the microsd card since it thinks /sdcard is a removable device, which it isnt.
this is where i store pics vids and music crap.
also clockworkmod does seem to correctly put backups on the external card automatically.
heres a tip. create an empty folder on the external card called "THIS IS THE EXTERNALS SD" and likewise for the internal. that way when you are using a app or mounting as usb storage you can quickly and eaisly recognize what drive is what.
i dont know if tha answeres your question but i hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Gophet. That's pretty much what I assumed, and it was specifically apps like Titanium and Launcher Pro that backup to the SD card that made me ask the question in the first place. Shame I can't set backup folders for everything!
Cheers mate

cool enjoy
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

gophet said:
there is a internal non removable 16 gb drive that mounts as /sdcard ( /mnt/sdcard/ ) this is where your apps are installed.
then whaever external microsd card you insert gets mounted to /sdcard/external_sd/ ( /mnt/sdcard/external_sd/ )
. why its done like this is kinda stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the reason it is done like this is pretty logical.
Applications get stored in /data/apps (or /system/apps if they are system apps), and can use storage in /data/data. However, on most regular Android devices, the space in these partitions is quite limited, so if an application needs a lot more space (e.g. a game), it stores it's other resources where there is a lot more space and generally this in the sdcard. So many apps are hardcoded to look in /sdcard.
Since the GSM Tabs have 16GB of flash memory, it makes sense to have this space where it is going to be the most use, and that is going to be /sdcard because it is where most applications expect it to be.
If it didn't do this, you'd find that you would have to have a MicroSD card installed on the Tab in order for most applications to work properly, which is a nonsense when you have all that additional internal memory to play with.
Regards,
Dave

Cheers Dave.
That does make sense. I guess it's because I'm coming from a device where I only had about 70MB free space internally, so I needed an SD card, and was constantly moving apps over to it (if they would work there). I guess I need to rethink my ways and just use my SD card for media, with the "sdcard" folder being used for apps.

johncmolyneux said:
Cheers Dave.
That does make sense. I guess it's because I'm coming from a device where I only had about 70MB free space internally, so I needed an SD card, and was constantly moving apps over to it (if they would work there). I guess I need to rethink my ways and just use my SD card for media, with the "sdcard" folder being used for apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are referring to our beloved HD2 bud then why do you manually move apps? Just use a sd-ext partition, most the nand roms come with the support or you can flash a zip to enable it. You dont need to mess about with linux to create the partitions you can just use the one included in CWR, it creates a ext3 partition that works fine, ive been using it for ages.
Depending on the rom, the user data will either be moved to your partition or the partition will actually been seen by the HD2 as internal memory so our euro HD2 can actually have 1GB of internal memory.
I myself got a Tab recently and am loving it, its like the big brother to our HD2's
Hey did you notice how small the HD2 seems now?

TheATHEiST said:
If you are referring to our beloved HD2 bud then why do you manually move apps? Just use a sd-ext partition, most the nand roms come with the support or you can flash a zip to enable it. You dont need to mess about with linux to create the partitions you can just use the one included in CWR, it creates a ext3 partition that works fine, ive been using it for ages.
Depending on the rom, the user data will either be moved to your partition or the partition will actually been seen by the HD2 as internal memory so our euro HD2 can actually have 1GB of internal memory.
I myself got a Tab recently and am loving it, its like the big brother to our HD2's
Hey did you notice how small the HD2 seems now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm more than happy to move things to the SD card on the HD2. Titanium can do it in batches too, which makes life a lot easier. To be honest, I found a ROM that I liked a couple of months ago and I've just stuck with it. It's just a basic NAND ROM with no support for ext sd partitioning, but it's fine as it is. If I do ever flash a newer ROM to it then I'll probably stick with the same setup, to be honest. I'm a bit set in my ways
And yeah, it's funny you should say that about the size of the HD2. It used to feel quite large - a really good size - but after 1 day with the tab it feels like a matchbox in a giant's hand.

Saving the SD card file Help

Hello
I need to redo my phone xperia z2 so that you can save files to the sd memory, I tried already klilku instructions but unfortunately none helped me so I ask you for help, I have captured the root + bootlager blocked.
sorry for the mistakes I use a translator,sorry also for SP-topic in this section is not how you wrong I'm new

There's an xposed module called handle external storage, sounds like that's what you need

Mr.R™ said:
There's an xposed module called handle external storage, sounds like that's what you need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using this module but it seems, Move to SD is still not yet in the App Info.

I misunderstood, there is no apps2sd functionality yet, folder mount will allow you to move app data though

when it comes to downloading applications, games it saves on phone memory and wants to though applications were stored on sd card or also needs a tutorial for turning internal memory to external memory, I tried already a few tutorials but unfortunately does not help and I have android 4.4
Edit
I tried to do the program Link2SD but unfortunately when creating ext2 partition that is not loaded even in windows, the size of her doing 993 mb while on fat32 gives 59 gb. Adata 64gb card

Tutorial Link2SD/make more Space in Internal Memory with Link2SD for Moto G 3rd 2015

Prerequisites:
1. obviously moto g 2015 3rd gen
2. bootloader unlocked followed by root (search for this in other threads)
3. make backup of your ext sd card as everything will be deleted (mine is 64 gb strontium memory card)
4.card reader (mine is Transcend USB 3.0 Super Speed Multi-Card Reader for SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS/CF Cards)
Steps:
1. switch off your device and take ext sd card out
2. download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition 9.1 on your pc http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
3. Insert your SD card to a card reader and open it on your computer
4. Back up all your files to the computer because partitioning will wipe your data
5. Open Mini Tool in your computer. Locate your SD card (be careful in choosing and make sure not to choose the drive of your computer)
6. Right click and choose Delete
7. Right click on it again and choose Create New. Create “FAT32″ partition (This is where all your media files will go. Be sure to make it bigger than the 2nd part)
8. Select “Create as: PRIMARY”
9. Next, ext4 partition. This is where your apps will go. I suggest a value of 512Mb or 1Gb would be big enough but if you insist you can go as high as 2Gb.
10. Select “Create As: PRIMARY” (make sure that it is both set to primary because it will not work if it is not set to primary)
11. Click the “Apply” button on the top left corner and wait for it to finish the process. Done.
12. Put back your SD card to your phone and switch it on.
13. Download and install Link2sd from Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.buak.Link2SD&hl=en
14. Open Link2sd. You will be prompted to choose between ext2, ext3, ext4 and FAT32. Select ext4.
15. It will say mount script created. Reboot your phone now.
16. Open link2sd and if the message doesn’t show up, you succeded.
17. check storage info
18. Go to Link2sd>Settings>check the autolink (to automatically move apps upon installation)
i have link2sd plus version as it allows me to link obb etc
attached some pics for idea
lastly do not held me responsible for any problem as i tried my best to explain everything in detail
if any query feel free to ask and to encourage me for more work hit THANKS :highfive:

Will this allow apps not normally capable of being installed on external storage to be moved to external storage?

hp420 said:
Will this allow apps not normally capable of being installed on external storage to be moved to external storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The above method makes partition of external sd card and treat that as internal memory so answer is yes.now u may ask why this linking ? Answer is simple because some apps have widgets

umo4u said:
The above method makes partition of external sd card and treat that as internal memory so answer is yes.now u may ask why this linking ? Answer is simple because some apps have widgets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, this is exactly what I've been loking for, thanks!!
Now my next question...can I just use gparted to set the partition? I really prefer to not use windows if I can avoid it.

hp420 said:
Great, this is exactly what I've been loking for, thanks!!
Now my next question...can I just use gparted to set the partition? I really prefer to not use windows if I can avoid it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gparted why not because it works same as tool which I have mentioned in my guide.though I have not tried it but u can,but remember to backup your external sd card first.

Hey so I didn't think I'd need to do this on this device however turns out I had too. could anyone help me out? I'm getting slight lag on 16gb class 10. I have it partitioned 10gb FAT32 and 4gb ext4. Is that wrong?
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app

christopherrrg said:
Hey so I didn't think I'd need to do this on this device however turns out I had too. could anyone help me out? I'm getting slight lag on 16gb class 10. I have it partitioned 10gb FAT32 and 4gb ext4. Is that wrong?
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well u can try 3c toolbox trim partition feature or this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grilledmonkey.lagfix&hl=en and hope this solves your problem.
about partition u have done right that is 10gb fat32,4gb ext4 and actually is depends how many apps u going to use on your device.i have 5gb ext 4 partition.

umo4u said:
well u can try 3c toolbox trim partition feature or this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grilledmonkey.lagfix&hl=en and hope this solves your problem.
about partition u have done right that is 10gb fat32,4gb ext4 and actually is depends how many apps u going to use on your device.i have 5gb ext 4 partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try that app and report back!
I did set 10gb fat32 and 4gb ext4 so I'm glad that's correct, hopefully this lag fix sorts me, opening apps are sluggish on the SD card to the point where having link2sd and save obb to sdcard is more strain then the worth lol
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app

best of luck
christopherrrg said:
I'll try that app and report back!
I did set 10gb fat32 and 4gb ext4 so I'm glad that's correct, hopefully this lag fix sorts me, opening apps are sluggish on the SD card to the point where having link2sd and save obb to sdcard is more strain then the worth lol
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3c toolbox app has another feature named "sd card read speed" try that also.if possible try to find what is actually causing lag and we will try to fix that problem :fingers-crossed:

Thanks for the Tutorial @umo4u it's seems ideal however can you please confirm it's working ok with the latest version of Link2SD?
The review thread on Play seems to point to a recent update breaking mount scripts (I understand that various other reasons will cause) just looking for clarification.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

welcome
somerandomhash said:
Thanks for the Tutorial @umo4u it's seems ideal however can you please confirm it's working ok with the latest version of Link2SD?
The review thread on Play seems to point to a recent update breaking mount scripts (I understand that various other reasons will cause) just looking for clarification.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am using latest version of link2sd which is 4.0.12 and link2sd plus (new) 1.1 and everything working fine.

Hey man, you linked me to a super old file.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7185/android-43-update-brings-trim-to-all-nexus-devices
That's been in android since end of JB.
Still used it but can't seem to be sure as of yet. Need to redo the link2sd process.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

christopherrrg said:
Hey man, you linked me to a super old file.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7185/android-43-update-brings-trim-to-all-nexus-devices
That's been in android since end of JB.
Still used it but can't seem to be sure as of yet. Need to redo the link2sd process.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not know.I use 3c toolbox fs trim http://www.3c71.com/android/?q=node/2537#main-content-area why u need to redo link2sd process ?

Thanks for the guide, used it for my Moto G/4G.
I'm still a bit puzzled by some inner workings of Link2sd though, mainly the fact that the APK part keeps going back to the main memory even though I keep linking it to the external SD. Is anyone else seeing that?

Did your problem solve
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app

Mine ? Not since this morning, no

here to help
webvan said:
Mine ? Not since this morning, no
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i do not face any problem u mentioned earlier as i have done same exact guide on my moto g 2015 too step by step.try steps mentioned below
1.go to link2sd and open it,if no message pop up than u have created mount scripts right.if any message pop up than recreate mount scripts by taping bar on left side of app than recreate mount script than ext4 than reboot,hopefully u should not see any message after u open app
2.now go to three dots (on extreme right of app) and check storage info (u will be able to see all partitions including the one which u have created of external sd card and check whether it have free space or not)
3.go to settings and check auto link followed tap install location and check automatic
hope above steps solves your problem :fingers-crossed:

Yeah, that's all good. The slight problem is that for some reason the APK part sometimes goes back to the internal memory, at least according to the interface. Check your apps, maybe you'll see the same thing.

webvan said:
Yeah, that's all good. The slight problem is that for some reason the APK part sometimes goes back to the internal memory, at least according to the interface. Check your apps, maybe you'll see the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i checked all my linked apps and all there apk part are not linked to internal memory rather to sd card (partition of ext sd card)
which version of link2sd u using ? did ya download it from play store or other source ? do u have link2sd plus too ?

Link2sd Plus, yes, latest version, I'm going to check the "auto link" option maybe that will fix what I am seeing.

Need help with Link2SD Plus and MiniTool

Hi, can anyone explain to me this app and how to make it work? Didn't find any good up to date tutorial.
Here is some info:
-I have TWRP rooted stock rom (SM-G935F)
-SanDisk extreme pro 64gb microSD card
-Plus version of Link2SD
-Pro version of MiniTool Partition wizard
Just can't make it work...So here are my questions:
-Can I use whole SD card as internal storage link? Or do I need 2 partitions, one classic mass storage, second one for linking? I am not planning to remove card from phone.
-Do I have to make some storage label in MiniTool, or can I keep it blank? And what about partition letter? For example G: , or can I set None?
-Can I use linked storage partition from computer via cable as MTP?
-What partitions are viable for S7 edge? And is there speed difference? (ext2/ext3/ext4) ... I was trying Fat32+ext4 and then whole card as ext4, phone always tells me card is broken and need format and I am at beginning again.
-If I somehow manage to make this phone to recognise it, how to actually use Link2SD app?
There are some topics and videos out there, but I didn't find anything up to date or in english.
Keep in mind I am just ordinary user who somehow managed to root his phone only becouse of this app - to expand low internal storage, without any knowledge about android, linux and filesystems. I just need to move some huge games to SD completly with obb.
Thanks for any advice.

Im having the the same issue with using Link2SD on my SM-G935F... Ive tried partitioning the sd card in every possible combination and still get a 'corrupt storage'' issue from the ext extention partition when rebooting my handset. From what I can tell its the actual Samsung firmware thats been rewritten to read the external storage differently due to their lack of foresite of allowing adoptable storage (code written out of their versions of Marshmellow 6.0 +, same as Sony for the Xperia range)... Fingers crossed a work around is found sooner rather than later as Link2SD is a lifesaver for releasing data and obb files from internal storage

I don't really know but I think the ext SD card is used as storage and even with solid explorer and similar file managers you have to grant permission before deleting or even creating a folder else it'll fail so I think you have to configure adoptable storage in order to be recognize as part of SD card to be used with Link2SD and also I haven't seen an update for Link2SD for a very long time.

Geoz said:
I don't really know but I think the ext SD card is used as storage and even with solid explorer and similar file managers you have to grant permission before deleting or even creating a folder else it'll fail so I think you have to configure adoptable storage in order to be recognize as part of SD card to be used with Link2SD and also I haven't seen an update for Link2SD for a very long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the same problem. I tried ext2 and ext4 as the second partition. Allowing 4GB until 1.5GB partition because according to the old guides, it can only process up to 1.5GB of second partition. But still, it always says it's corruted, there was a time when It was successfully read by the app but after restart, the problem returns. There was even a time where the FAT32 partition was the one that is not recognized

Sooooooooooo....
is there any solution to this yet ? cannot find Anything STILL !

*Telcontar* said:
Hi, can anyone explain to me this app and how to make it work? Didn't find any good up to date tutorial.
Here is some info:
-I have TWRP rooted stock rom (SM-G935F)
-SanDisk extreme pro 64gb microSD card
-Plus version of Link2SD
-Pro version of MiniTool Partition wizard
Just can't make it work...So here are my questions:
-Can I use whole SD card as internal storage link? Or do I need 2 partitions, one classic mass storage, second one for linking? I am not planning to remove card from phone.
-Do I have to make some storage label in MiniTool, or can I keep it blank? And what about partition letter? For example G: , or can I set None?
-Can I use linked storage partition from computer via cable as MTP?
-What partitions are viable for S7 edge? And is there speed difference? (ext2/ext3/ext4) ... I was trying Fat32+ext4 and then whole card as ext4, phone always tells me card is broken and need format and I am at beginning again.
-If I somehow manage to make this phone to recognise it, how to actually use Link2SD app?
There are some topics and videos out there, but I didn't find anything up to date or in english.
Keep in mind I am just ordinary user who somehow managed to root his phone only becouse of this app - to expand low internal storage, without any knowledge about android, linux and filesystems. I just need to move some huge games to SD completly with obb.
Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Link2sd is not working (mount script error) anymore on S7 Edge (SM-G935FD). System crashed and did factory reset. Hope this issue could resolve soon.

I have the same problem, witch I think is specifically for this model (SM-G935F). Its seems that even rooted, it has some security on system folders, that prevents necessary mounts be done

I tried a mod where I can use the sd card to be seen as internal memory, but that mod pushes all apps to the sd card, and if affect performance of apps like facebook and other apps I use daily
in my previous phones I used to use linl2sd and I was in control which apps to link to sd card, and I would never choose facebook or whatapp , I used to link big games only
Is there a way to make link2sd work on s7e instead of the silly mod that pushes all apps to sdcard

Space is all I want!

Hi all, so to start with, as the title says im constantly running out of space on the FN model 2015, so ive dived into the forum looking for help. First thing i tried was the sd card hack to combine my 64gb sdcard with the 8gb internal. Harra! it worked, but then i still run outa space as it dosen't seam to to use the sdcard space as i had hoped. It's like it just copys some of the data from the apps to the SD card like normal but without having to go into the each app and selecting external sdcard. Kinda thought no probs I'll download a custom rom with no samsung apps and with a min gapp giving me as much storage space i could get. I can't see one, starting to think there isnt one. So my question is, is it hard for me to take my backup of my stock rom and strip what I can out bearing in mind I'm a bit of a noob and have to follow instructions from the clever ROM makers? not to bothered about increasing the speed and looks just the space. Would be able nice to update them without having to delete a few and re-install the ones I deleted. Any advice on what coarse to take would be great. Maybe theres a ROM I've mist I could use and give thanks for?
Cheers
Running 6.0.1
Drebbs

Hi,
Instead of using Adoptable Storage, make 2 partitions on your SD, 1 FAT32 for photos,music,documents and another EXT4 for apps data. Use this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.co.pricealert.apps2sd , i tested it.
You can make 2 partitions using PC or with TWRP Recovery.

drebbs said:
Hi all, so to start with, as the title says im constantly running out of space on the FN model 2015, so ive dived into the forum looking for help. First thing i tried was the sd card hack to combine my 64gb sdcard with the 8gb internal. Harra! it worked, but then i still run outa space as it dosen't seam to to use the sdcard space as i had hoped. It's like it just copys some of the data from the apps to the SD card like normal but without having to go into the each app and selecting external sdcard. Kinda thought no probs I'll download a custom rom with no samsung apps and with a min gapp giving me as much storage space i could get. I can't see one, starting to think there isnt one. So my question is, is it hard for me to take my backup of my stock rom and strip what I can out bearing in mind I'm a bit of a noob and have to follow instructions from the clever ROM makers? not to bothered about increasing the speed and looks just the space. Would be able nice to update them without having to delete a few and re-install the ones I deleted. Any advice on what coarse to take would be great. Maybe theres a ROM I've mist I could use and give thanks for?
Cheers
Running 6.0.1
Drebbs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey i recommend rooting ur phone then download an app called move to sd card from playstore go to settings and choose download locations then select external sd card . Problem solved
Sent from my SM-J500F using Tapatalk

read post #415
here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...msung-j5-f-t3400101/post69989096#post69989096

Thanks for your reply! I went down the apps2SD route in the end. Kinda mest it up a bit but have free'd up nearly 1gb of space so thanks, that's more than enough! %) I ended up partitioning the SDcard and linking all the apps I'm not interested in, excel,Skype,Samsung etc. Anyway what i didn't realise was that i had mest the other part of the partition up. Ended up re-formatting the SDcard in recovery back to normal and those apps I didn't want 90% of the data of those have now been wiped %)