ExtSD is not Writeable - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I updated to 4.3 last night, and now when I try to run TB to backup my apps to my ExtSD, it says I have no storage space left. I checked the settings, and TB now says the folder that is picked, ExtSD/TitaniumBackup, is not writeable. That ain't good. Also, I used ROM Toolbox to create a shortcut from a folder on ExtSD to where Google Music stores music files in /data so i could use my 64GB SD card to store my music instead of my dinky 12GB internal storage. I checked Google Music today, and it is able to play the downloaded music just fine but isn't able to download anymore. These two things make me think there's something different about how 4.3 handles ExtSD, and it's for the worse. Is this a known issue? And if so, is there a fix? Is there ANYTHING I can do to fix it?
EDIT:Also, DoggCatcher is no longer able to download to ExtSD. Kinda starting to freak out here as having an SD card was one of the major reasons I went with a GS4 and it now appears useless
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda premium

Fixed following instructions found here: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-google-edition/303764-4-3-sd-write-access.html
install root explorer app or some other file manager that can use root then
1. navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your device
at this point you should be able to write to the sd card from applications once again.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using xda premium

Related

DoggCatcher and external SD

The feeds downloads from DoggCatcher (DC) were stuffing up my internal memory so I thought "Why not store the feeds data in the external SD?"
Surely enough, there is provision, under "Settings"/Miscellaneous/Storage Directory" in DC, to change where the media files are to be kept.
I selected "/sdcard/extStorages/sdCard" with the pop-up window browsing option and the app instructed (via another pop-up window) to change the already downloaded episodes manually from the old storage directory (internal memory) to the new directory, which I did, using the system's File Manager.
DC also informed that, for the new preference to be validated, the app would have to be restarted, which it did, automatically.
The problem:
Although the previously downloaded episodes do correctly show up in DC and can be played from their new storage directory, I keep getting "DL (download) failed" messages for any new ones.
It's like DC is unable to download and send any new episode to the newly designated storage folder in the external MicroSD.
Any ideas? Thanks!
XK
Unless you're rooted and have performed the SD write permissions fix, apps besides My Files can't write there.
Rodney
rhester72 said:
Unless you're rooted and have performed the SD write permissions fix, apps besides My Files can't write there.
Rodney
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok...Must be it, then...Thanks...
I've found this (...I'll have to do a crash course on this subject):
"I've found a simple solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2) on Android 3.2. The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. Unfortunately, this permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to 3.2 so most file management utilities do not request it when they run...meaning they only have read access to the card.
The simple solution, if you're rooted, is as follows:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.
After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that access either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.
XK
Done...!
(...Man, I really do love this forum...)
Thanks!
XK

[info] gs3 not saving to external storage

I just thought you all should know ( if you didn't already) that if you have a sdcard installed in your gs3, that /sdcard in your file manager is not actually the external memory it's internal. I found that out by viewing my storage availability under settings and seeing that the Items that I thought were going to external storage, were in fact going to internal storage.
As it turns out, if you navigate to the root of your device in whatever file manager that you use (your device must be rooted to do so), you will find another storage by following the path /mnt/extsdcard. That is actually your external sdcard and not /sdcard. I don't know why Samsung did it this way, but there it is.
Most apps (like camera) will let you specify where to save things. Most but not all. Just have to look in each app.
Device does not have to be rooted to navigate to the base. Checked with estrongs and several others. You just have to enable going back to root in app settings. Or even changing where the app starts from (instead of /mnt/sdcard/ change to /mnt/). With es file explorer it is even easier than that. App starts on sdcard. Press favorites, select external sd. When you want to go back, press favorites and select home.
Sent from my SGH-I747M
tek_curious_1 said:
I just thought you all should know ( if you didn't already) that if you have a sdcard installed in your gs3, that /sdcard in your file manager is not actually the external memory it's internal. I found that out by viewing my storage availability under settings and seeing that the Items that I thought were going to external storage, were in fact going to internal storage.
As it turns out, if you navigate to the root of your device in whatever file manager that you use (your device must be rooted to do so), you will find another storage by following the path /mnt/extsdcard. That is actually your external sdcard and not /sdcard. I don't know why Samsung did it this way, but there it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of us who have been with Android for a while now know this, maybe some of the noobs might find it helpful though.

p-3113 Swap ExternalSDCard 2 Internal

Here's a script I modified originally its a script written by mattiadj so I gotta give him props
Here's his thread its for the Galaxy S III I think - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1772234
This will make your external SDcard as Internal and your Internal SDCard external
It mounts data/media to your extSdcard
Please make a backup before you do this, just in case.
Let me know if you have any problems
1. Anyway.. you will need to place this script in your /data folder (Yes you need to be rooted)
2. Next use ES file manager and give it 777 permission (For the non-linux users, that's full permission on it, Read, write, execute for just user)
-----------------to do this with ES file manager just press and hold down on the file and look at its properties. At the bottom you can see Permissions, hit the Change button and check-mark everything for user
3. Use Smamager (Download it if you dont have it, ... .its free) and goto the script file and open as script/execute, then when it opens choose "Is executable" and then click "Su" & "Boot". Click "Save".
4. Reboot and enjoy.
To go back to the normal setup just delete the script or open it back up in smanager and clear the SU & Boot options.
In order for some apps to function properly you will have to copy some folders from your old internal sdcard to your "New" one.
For example.. aptoide wouldnt work until the aptoide repos folder was copied over. If you want you can just copy over everything to be safe. I on the other hand just picked and chose what I needed
xalien8dx said:
2. Next use ES file manager and give it 777 permission (For the non-linux users, that's full permission on it, Read, write, execute for everyone)
-----------------to do this with ES file manager just press and hold down on the file and look at its properties. At the bottom you can see Permissions, hit the Change button and check-mark everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO, this is terrible advice. The script is probably getting run as root, and you're opening it up to be written by anyone. Imagine if malware edited the script? Think of what malware could do if it had root access...
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 2
imnuts said:
IMO, this is terrible advice. The script is probably getting run as root, and you're opening it up to be written by anyone. Imagine if malware edited the script? Think of what malware could do if it had root access...
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changed it to just user read, write, execute..
thanks
So, after this what happens to the internal SdCard. Does it, or is it still being used, and if so for what...?
^ same ? and has anyone tested this and is it safe?
All this is is a modded script from mattiadj. It was written for the GS3, so I changed it to work on the 3113 tablet
Here is what it does quoted from mattiadj
My aim was to use the external sd as internal sd and the original internal sd ONLY for apps installation.
So now my 64gb external sd is used for all tasks which the internal sd was used and the original internal sd is only used for apps storage!! All extra files (resources, caches, etc etc) are stored in my external SD, which is now mounted as internal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The original internal sdcard is mounted by default from the system as /data/media as well as /sdcard and mnt/sdcard
so with this script it puts data/media as extSDCard and /sdcard and /mnt/sdcard are mounted to the original external SDcard
you can still access the internal SDcard from data/media or /extSDCard or mnt/extSDcard
my code
Code:
sleep 5
mount -o remount,rw /
mount -t vfat -o umask=0000 /dev/block/vold/179:25 /mnt/sdcard
sleep 5
mount -o bind /data/media /mnt/extSdCard
this can be easily modified to work on other systems.
Hope this helps,
N8
Tried this out last night. For me it works only if run manually... After reboot, I get long "checking SD for errors" and when it actually mounts SD it gets mounted twice- as both internal sdcard and extSdCard.
Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk 2
I ran this with SCript Manager (Play Store) and it works great on my p3113. My External SD card was mounted as internal and my Internal Memory was mounted as ExternalSDcard. I am going to love having this script!
If your having problems with it mounting as your internal and external try unmounting/remounting your external card in settings under storage. Or if your skilled enough try changing the second sleep value in the script to a higher number like 10 that should fix it
Works famously. For the apps that have issues just clear data under settings and it seems to be golden.
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda app-developers app
I haven't done anything quite like this before but I have a use in mind. My GPS program, Sygic, puts the mapset on the internal sd card. Just the Western USA states are 500 mb If I get this running, and have Sygic do it's normal install, will the mapset to to the 32 GB MicroSD card that I have?
king200 said:
I haven't done anything quite like this before but I have a use in mind. My GPS program, Sygic, puts the mapset on the internal sd card. Just the Western USA states are 500 mb If I get this running, and have Sygic do it's normal install, will the mapset to to the 32 GB MicroSD card that I have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should. For example, I use Amazon MP3 and when I downloaded a song before they went to the internal card. Now they are stored on the external. The device reads your external as though it is the internal.
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda app-developers app
so is there Anyway on how to force this to start on boot?
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda app-developers app
kdog48 said:
so is there Anyway on how to force this to start on boot?
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
in script manager choose su and boot. If you follow the first post it will execute on boot. Or if you have a rom with init.d support place this script in your /etc/init.d folder, I dont have a rom with init.d support so I dont know if that would work but it should. If someone could test this and let me know I would appreciate it. Im not sure if you still have to set permissions to execute on it.
Well I've had problems downloading certain apps to SD it says insufficient memory delete 0mb of data so I actually will just manually use it haha
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda app-developers app
Working 100% using a 32GB memory card! thanks for this!
hi guys
is applicable to 2 10.1 GalaxyTab P5100?
requires Android 4.1.1 or 4.0.4. ?
Thank you.
If this works, I will name my next born child after you!
Anyway, I would like to know if this will work on Cyangenmod 9.0.0? Or will it only work on the stock rom. I have my old stock rom of 4.0.4 saved if I need to go back... because I will if this works.
does root explorer have the 'su boot' option? never used it to run scripts...:silly:
I already used the thank link... but stilll thank you so, so much! I just recently got my 8gb 3113... needless to say, I REALLY needed some space. If any, it was a good lesson for me to definitely choose the 16GB Nexus 4.
MadDogE134 said:
does root explorer have the 'su boot' option? never used it to run scripts...:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's from SManager.

Files questions

This is from a newbie, so please forgive me if these questions are too basic. They are about a rooted 2013 Nexus 7 running Android 4.3 (55j).
1. Using ES Explorer I see that two folders take up a lot of space :
a) TWRP with 2.16 GB almost entirely in the backup folder
b) Titanium backup with 1.72 GB
Can I move the Twrp backup folder to a pc and delete it from the tablet?
2. Moving the Titanium backups doesn't make sense because they are set to create backups ever so often, so they will just recreate themselves. Correct?
2. I really like ES Explorer, but the Local section in its Fast Access bar has 3 predefined locations.
Is there a way I can add other locations to the local section? How?
3. The Nexus 7 does not have an sdcard. I noticed that it has an emulated "storage" folder that essentially duplicates the sdcard folder.
Question :
When I save or load something into/from an app, does it matter whether I save to the emulated folder or the one in the sdcard folder.
Why are there emulated folders?
Thank you all.
This emulated sdcard folder (/emulated/0/sdcard) is needed by the Android system to provide a space accessible for apps to save their data because there is no real SD card existing. If the device is not rooted, this is the only folder that you can edit. As you are rooted user, you could save files anywhere, but I don't recommend it.
The /sdcard folder is just a link leading to the same folder as above so it doesn't matter what folder you use.
Hope I could help you!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Titanium Backup and External SD card issues

I have the 7" Tab 4 and am running rooted stock ROM. Have Titanium Backup pro, but there's no option to "move to SD" for any application, even ones I know can be moved to SD. Also, using the regular Android interface to move apps, sometimes they fail with an unhelpful error of "Unable to move app to SD".
Also, I tried to move my Titanium Backup folder from internal storage to the external storage. Moved it using ES File explorer to /storage/extSDCard/TitaniumBackup but TB doesn't detect it, and if I browse to it and set it as the folder, it tells me the folder is not writeable.
Have you applied the kitkat sd patch/fix and reformatted your sd? I cant remember what you need to format sd to as mine worked striaght out of its package on my tab s.
DUHAsianSKILLZ said:
Have you applied the kitkat sd patch/fix and reformatted your sd? I cant remember what you need to format sd to as mine worked striaght out of its package on my tab s.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Applying the patch fixed part of the problem - TB can now write to the SD card. I didn't reformat - SD card was working otherwise and worked straight out of the box too.
Still no "move to SD" option (or the reverse) though.
Try folder mount from the play store
http://www.devasque.com/foldermount/index.html
That's has the download and has the [How to] and tips
You can use an app like rom toolbox or link2sd and it should let you move the majority to your sd card. Now some apps do not allow this period. Its how the dev had coded their app to work but if you try these it may help a bunch. I myself use the rom toolbox lite and have no problems at all!
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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