[Note] Reverting KitKat SD card changes - Xperia Z1 General

This requires root.
You'll need to disable Sony RIC if your kernel doesn't do that:
Code:
echo 0 > /sys/kernel/security/sony_ric/enable
Using a root enabled file explorer, remount /system as rw.
Edit /etc/permissions/platform.xml
Find this block:
Code:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_r" />
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>
Change it to
Code:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="media_rw" />
<group gid="sdcard_r" />
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>
Reboot
This probably applies to all 4.4 devices, except the Sony specific RIC part.

What are the SD card changes and is it important to revert?

LeParkour012 said:
What are the SD card changes and is it important to revert?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you haven't noticed them, chances are you don't need this.
KitKat prevents app from writing freely to the SD card, although I agree with this for the internal SD card, it makes no sense for the external one since that's a place most users download songs/videos/movies to, and chances are that stuff isn't sensitive data.
This allows you to revert that change, and all apps with WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE can write to the SD card again.
Apparently this fix is already packaged into an app, not sure if it works, if it doesn't, chances are you need to manually disable RIC first as per above.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix

LeParkour012 said:
What are the SD card changes and is it important to revert?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not easy to explain but ill try
Apps cannot write to the sd card unless they have a specific folder on the sd card which only that app can write to.
Apps like File commander are now useless when it comes to moving stuff round the SD Card as file commander is restricted to read access only on the sd card.
hope that makes sense

Okay I understand. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

I disabled ric with custom kernel and double checked file,
but I got many "Permission denied" from apps writes to SD card.
Default one works fine, so maybe my installed apps don't need this tweak...

Tonian1878 said:
not easy to explain but ill try
Apps cannot write to the sd card unless they have a specific folder on the sd card which only that app can write to.
Apps like File commander are now useless when it comes to moving stuff round the SD Card as file commander is restricted to read access only on the sd card.
hope that makes sense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't get it, is it still possible to copy music, video and other stuff from PC to SD card? That's all I need

RyokoN said:
I disabled ric with custom kernel and double checked file,
but I got many "Permission denied" from apps writes to SD card.
Default one works fine, so maybe my installed apps don't need this tweak...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then RIC wasn't disabled and the changes didn't persist. It works fine with OI File Manager for me.
Bobeobi said:
I didn't get it, is it still possible to copy music, video and other stuff from PC to SD card? That's all I need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but you can't change files on-device.

When starting folder mount last night it gave an error about SD card permission and offered to patch it, it patched and everything works like it did pre 4.4
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Tonian1878 said:
not easy to explain but ill try
Apps cannot write to the sd card unless they have a specific folder on the sd card which only that app can write to.
Apps like File commander are now useless when it comes to moving stuff round the SD Card as file commander is restricted to read access only on the sd card.
hope that makes sense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A BIG NO TO THIS!
File Commander is put on Kitkat BECAUSE it has 100% rights to the SD Card.
I can move stuff around, create folders etc etc.
DON'T teach people the wrong stuff.

Gnubaver said:
A BIG NO TO THIS!
File Commander is put on Kitkat BECAUSE it has 100% rights to the SD Card.
I can move stuff around, create folders etc etc.
DON'T teach people the wrong stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File commander isn't good enough. It won't take files from my nas using ftp or webdav. For that I have to use ES, but ES can't store the files on my external sd any more. It's rubbish. How is this any kind of improvement, it's like ios
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

HarpingOn said:
File commander isn't good enough. It won't take files from my nas using ftp or webdav. For that I have to use ES, but ES can't store the files on my external sd any more. It's rubbish. How is this any kind of improvement, it's like ios
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be stupid.... it's nothing like ios, if you ever tried ios you would know that there is no file manager at ALL.

If I can't use webdav to get files on to the external sd, that's a deal breaker. And not stupid.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

I'm using NextApp SDFix from Play Store and It works perfectly. Now I can write on my SD again

File commander works because its a System app, only system apps have full control of the Sd card
Sent from my C6906 using Tapatalk

So now it's impossible to save the pictures taken with the camera automatically on the SD card?
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 5 mit Tapatalk

Stock apps aren't affected by this, there's a permission that allows full access but I think it's limited to system apps.
I updated the first post, the sdcard_rw and sdcard_r gids should not be removed, that breaks the camera, instead, media_rw should be added.

well this explains why i cannot use titanium backup to create a backup to my sd card

So does this mean that only file commander is allowed to transfer media files (photos, videos) from internal to SD and vice versa?

brapicoco said:
So does this mean that only file commander is allowed to transfer media files (photos, videos) from internal to SD and vice versa?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, only the stock file manager that comes with each device(file commander on our case) works with the sd card
Too bad that file commander can't see my hidden folders otherwise it would be great
Sent from my C6906 using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] First impressions & SD card issue?

Hi,
Just Got the 7.7 3g - so far so good. Screen is as good as they say
The extra resolution defn. helps with web browsing.
Not finding any lag really.
7.7 is just about the limit for my two handed use but i would say the original 7" was a wee bit easier to handle but something with time should become more intuitive.
Just a few issues - external sd card is somewhat limited. Might be deliberate by Samsung but does not make sense.
Normal user apps cant access to the external sdcard. Using connect bot, i checked permissions and it seems that it is mounted by the os with system permissions, where as the internal sdcard is mounted as sd_rw.
This can't be correct? The only way to copy stuff to it is to use the samsung system file explorer as it has system permissions So copy to internal first then to external - this sounds like a bug?
I have not rooted this yet - might then chown to sd_rw get rid of this ?? There is a lot of entries in the vold.fstab to make sense of. Not a hacker so just looking around. A bit too early to start soft-bricking
But I take these don't have protected bootloaders so thats why we can root ?
Video playback is v.good but I am not able to throw on a bluray m2ts file (obviously with the sd card issue) and play smoothly. I found Dice player can handle m2ts by renaming it to a ts file. It then can use hardware decoding. Still drops frames but still watchable to a certain degree. For all other files mx player is still best. I have lossy transcoded some "native" blurays clips and seems that it handle high profile h264 1080p at high bitrates very well. Hoping, formatting sd card ext3/ext4 will improve things.
On the whole very impressive device - plus more ics goodies to come soon hopefully.
I've noticed some issues with the external SD card as well. Only the stock file manager can copy files from the internal storage to the external storage. I was able to transfer files to the ext. SD via Dooblou's Wifi Explorer, though. Although that would crap out a few times.
I'm hoping that we see some new ROMs with a different file system at any rate. The 4GB limit is so 1998.
Fix for external sd write issue
I've already posted a fix for this in our original thread?
davp said:
There is a fix for the write to external storage in this thread:
Samsung Galaxy Tab Plus->Galaxy Tab Plus General->unable to write files to external sd card
post #7
Requires root to apply fix.
There is a new permission that older file managers aren't asking for yet. The stock file manager knows to ask for it.
Fix worked for my P6810 wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thaloneus said:
I can't post a link to the original post on another forum that worked for me so I will quote it:
Simple solution for external sdcard write access on Android 3.2...if you're rooted
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooted and then applied this change.
Can write to ext sdcard !!!!
Cheers
Will apply as soon as i get tad, should be getting it today, cant wait
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
I think you have to format the sd card in the tab. I been able to transfer files no problem. Maybe its due to the mtp for the internal sd.
Sent from my GT-P6800 using xda premium
will6316 said:
I think you have to format the sd card in the tab. I been able to transfer files no problem. Maybe its due to the mtp for the internal sd.
Sent from my GT-P6800 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using downloaded apps or the stock File Manager app? Because I formatted the SD card in the Tab and nothing else can write to it. Now, I can drag and drop stuff from my computer via MTP, but that's not the same issue.
Ok, I'm trying to add the permission and it doesn't seem to save after a reboot. I'm rooted and made sure to mount that directory as R/W. After I edit platform.xml and reboot it simply reverts. Can anyone offer a more granular description to this n00b?
Thanks.
Edit: Nevermind. I edited the file on my computer and copied it over the original and am good to go.
burhanistan said:
Ok, I'm trying to add the permission and it doesn't seem to save after a reboot. I'm rooted and made sure to mount that directory as R/W. After I edit platform.xml and reboot it simply reverts. Can anyone offer a more granular description to this n00b?
Thanks.
Edit: Nevermind. I edited the file on my computer and copied it over the original and am good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Burhanistan. I had this problem too and did what you did to get around it. Now I can read/write to the external SD with any file explorer.
Hello,
I can access the external SD with no problem, only issue is Titanium backup showing 440Mb capacity on the external SD (32Gb card).
Anyone with the same issue? Any fix?
Thanks.
No problem for me
davp said:
I've already posted a fix for this in our original thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Things must have changed as i got my P6800 recently did the upgrade from samsung and tried to copy to external sd and no problem for me. I never tried to do it pre upgrade but maybe the upgrade fixed that. Re i can copy and paste to device from my pc when its connected - to both device and sd. I can also copy using the the stock file manager from device to sd card.
No Issues here also
I recieved the tap a week ago. Now my 32GB Sandisk SD is here.
The Tap did at the first startup and using the described 12 MB Android update via internet conn.
Until now there is no issue between writing from/to SD over PC/MTP, copying between internal and external SD. Used preinstalled Filemanager and ES File Ex.
I tried it unrooted and rooted but not before the Android update.
davp said:
Simple solution for external sdcard write access on Android 3.2...if you're rooted
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people are reporting the above procedure is no more needed, however, with several apps (like Titanium backup, and a SAMBA explorer), writing to the sdcard (extstorage/.../sdcard) is still impossible (GT6800 updated to latest samsung firmware).
I have used this procedure and can state that Titanium backup works now with the SD card.
Thanks to many reading within the XDA forum, I have found this simpler procedure :
- download / install the "Root Browser Lite" app from the android market
- add write access to group and other to the following directory: /system, /system/etc, /system/etc/permissions (with root browser Lite, press on the directory name during 3 seconds to get a contextual menu allowing to change the permissions)
- add write access to group and other to the file platform.xml in /system/etc/permissions
- use the editor of "Root Browser Lite" to modify the file platform.xml as described above (you should have two <group gid= ...> lines within the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE xml block.)
- save the file. Verify that a .bak file has been created and that the date of platform.xml changed.
- remove the write access.
- Turn off the GTAB, then turn it ON.
NB: Titanium backup still reports a erronous free size on the SD card (401MB), but backups on the sdcard work.
can't save the xlm doc
davp said:
I've already posted a fix for this in our original thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I edit the file but when I try to save it I fail because it says original saved as .....xlm.bak, but I can't find that file and the one I find is unchanged, any ideas?
There is an automated installer for the fix here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21670802
Is for the plus but worked fine for me
Sent from my SCH-I815 using Tapatalk
damm, must forget something, just followed exacty all the steps
still no writing on sd card
the automatic installer failed also
IS there a way to go into the (forgive the incorrect term) "registry" or similar, and have Android re-interpret/understand that instead of looking in "/sdcard"... it should instead look/point programs to "/mnt/sdcard/extstorages/sdcard"...
i heard that it might be called something like a "simlink" or "symbolic link"... maybe this could resolve the application installation issue to the sdcard as well as backups, transfers, etc... right now, not only do i run out of space too fast, can't install apps to the sd card, but as well, if i should run a hard reset... all my data erases! (yes, the internal "SD card" is erased in a hard reset)...
so, for all practical senses, when it says it will erase data, unless you KNOW you have copied ALL you user data to your "Real" SD Card, you will kill your data without even knowing it when you do a hard reset, even if you "thought" you were protected because "I saved my info to the SD card!"
(and yes, this was my experience today, so it's a fact.)
backup programs won't point to the sd card, (app manager, titanium, app list backup, etc)...
so unless you actively move files individually to the card (and know where to look)...
Bottom line... is there a hack/workaround on this that's not just "open up for file transfers" or is someone working on a ROM that might kill the partitioning and allow the /sdcard to actually point to a real external card?
Edited: Nevermind...
acess-rights-hell
hi forum
i would like to use the EzyKernel v1 - 23/02/2012 as in post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1513413&highlight=ezykernel
one of the prerequisites is a stock ZSKL firmware.
on the tab is/was XXKL4 AUT/CH
i successfully flashed the ZSKL2 - but that's where the nightmare started: i could not write to sdcard, busybox/superuser don't work properly, as i can't get root via su - which means to me, that there are messed up accessrights also in other places, not just the SD. the funny thing is, that i finally got the overclocking EzyKernel working, but not busybox + superuser.
does that sound familiar to anyone ?
i would really appreciate any ideas about this.
thank you
with best regards from switzerland
roland
could you please explain what "make sure you have mounted the file system r/w" means. And sorry for my noob question, but does this fix allow to install apps on the external sd card or I'm missing something.

Mx player and extsd

Hi all, quick q regarding browsing ex SD folder - I am able to browse folders and see files and copy files to and from the extsd with root explorer, however, when run mx player it doesn't show me any files from extsd.
Have to copy movies to the internal storage for them to show up.
Anyone else have this? Know how to fix? Thanks
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk
MX shows videos on the external sd for me just fine. Did you apply the permissions fix to allow apps to write to the external SD? Not sure if it's necessary but it's the only tweak I have that might affect it.
I used the platform.XML method to allow r/w on exsd. I don't have cwm installed on my tab yet but may try the permission zip and see if that works.
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk
fastest said:
I used the platform.XML method to allow r/w on exsd. I don't have cwm installed on my tab yet but may try the permission zip and see if that works.
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, editing platform.xml is what I meant so I guess that's not your problem. I didn't bother to swap out stock recovery; you don't need cwm to run videos off the external sd (though checking permissions certainly can't hurt).
In MX preferences you can select folders that it will display video from. I'm pretty sure the default is /mnt (so should include /sdcard as well as all subdirectories, including externalsd), but it's possible that it's been changed. I think it also relies on the built-in media scanner--do your videos show up in Gallery app?
teiglin said:
Yeah, editing platform.xml is what I meant so I guess that's not your problem. I didn't bother to swap out stock recovery; you don't need cwm to run videos off the external sd (though checking permissions certainly can't hurt).
In MX preferences you can select folders that it will display video from. I'm pretty sure the default is /mnt (so should include /sdcard as well as all subdirectories, including externalsd), but it's possible that it's been changed. I think it also relies on the built-in media scanner--do your videos show up in Gallery app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Managed to sort it out..
i don't know where it came from, but i had a ".nomedia" in the root of my micro sd card! Silly i know! Lol
All working fine now.
Thanks for your help
Sent from my GT-P6810 using Tapatalk

[Q] Deleting SD card files from App

Is is possible to delete files stored in SD card from apps other than stock myfiles app?. I tried HD manager and other file explorer app but no app can delete any file stored in SD card. Am i missing something? (my tab is not rooted and running stock honeycomb).
Do you have a cardreader? If so take out the sd card and try to delete the files you want to delete using your desktop/laptop.
Btw usually you should not need root for deleting files on your sd...
Sympathise with you...
I must admit that it's only in the last few days that I discovered this problem with external SD card file deletion/amendment.
I have looked into this and am quite frankly amazed that such a 'glitch/bug/oversight' could be allowed to find its way into a modern day operating system like Android, or the Samsung Tab OS (not exactly sure which is causing the issue).
Like the first poster in this thread, my Tab is not rooted and I don't really want to root it either. It would appear that there are 'fixes' available - but only for rooted Tabs.
Basically, it seems that the external SD card is READ ONLY when in the Samsung Tab. How ridiculous is that? The stock file manager that comes with the Tab will allow you to delete, rename of amend files on the SD card - but that seems to be the only app that will perform this.
I can kinda live with it - or, more to the point I have got to live with it. The big problem is that any file such as a Word doc, spreadsheet, txt note or even image can only be allowed to reside on the SD card as long as you don't ever want to edit it!! What a crazy situation that is.
For a sophisticated operating system like Android and a sophisticated device like the Tab I feel that this kind of issue should never have been allowed to happen. It's clear that the manufacturers know about the problem which is why they have made a half-way solution with the built-in File Manager. However that doesn't address the problem and places unnecessary restrictions on how you can use the device.
Shame...
OrangeSpiv said:
I can kinda live with it - or, more to the point I have got to live with it. The big problem is that any file such as a Word doc, spreadsheet, txt note or even image can only be allowed to reside on the SD card as long as you don't ever want to edit it!! What a crazy situation that is.
For a sophisticated operating system like Android and a sophisticated device like the Tab I feel that this kind of issue should never have been allowed to happen. It's clear that the manufacturers know about the problem which is why they have made a half-way solution with the built-in File Manager. However that doesn't address the problem and places unnecessary restrictions on how you can use the device.
Shame...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made new word document in Polaris app and save it to SD card. Then, i edited it and save it to SD card again...it worked perfect. Also, i successfully used gallery app to deleted some pictures stored in SD card , same thing as well with stock music player. So, it seems only stock app (like Gallery, music player) have full access to SD card files (write, edit, delete).
alibukhamsin said:
Is is possible to delete files stored in SD card from apps other than stock myfiles app?. I tried HD manager and other file explorer app but no app can delete any file stored in SD card. Am i missing something? (my tab is not rooted and running stock honeycomb).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is listed a few items down in the common/known issues thread, here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1487991
Sent from my GT-P6800 using XDA Premium HD app
This is listed a few items down in the common/known issues thread, here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1487991
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help .

[Q] How do I backup to extsdcard in MyBackupPro 4.0.5 on KitKat 4.4.2 on my i9505?

I've recently updated my firmware to Kitkat 4.4.2 and I am unable to save to my extsdcard using Mybackup Pro 4.0.5. Every time I've tried to backup to the extsdcard, I get "The path that you entered is not valid, your change was not saved".
okizen said:
I've recently updated my firmware to Kitkat 4.4.2 and I am unable to save to my extsdcard using Mybackup Pro 4.0.5. Every time I've tried to backup to the extsdcard, I get "The path that you entered is not valid, your change was not saved".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. I can't my backup to extsdcard using my GO Backup and Titanium Backup. I used folder mount but still no success.
Afaik kitkat does not allow 3rd party apps to write on the external sdcard
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk
benni2903 said:
Afaik kitkat does not allow 3rd party apps to write on the external sdcard
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually installed FolderMount from the store and it noted the issue and corrected on reboot, now TB and other apps work fine with SD card.
nrps1 said:
I actually installed FolderMount from the store and it noted the issue and corrected on reboot, now TB and other apps work fine with SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the last few days Samsung has been pushing out Android 4.4.2 to flagship devices like the Galaxy
Note III and Galaxy S4. Unfortunately, Google implemented an SD card write restriction in the latest
Android version which can be quite annoying for users with an SD card in their phone.
The new “feature” basically restricts apps from writing to external SD cards. This can be quite
annoying, because many users want to store apps on a secondary SD card instead of the main storage
unit.
Luckily, how to fixing this problem can be easily done if you have root access. Here’s how you can do it
(Please be aware that you’re performing these changes on your own risk!):
Make sure that you have root access
1. Perform a NANDROID backup to be completely safe
2. Use a root-enabled file manager and navigate to /system/etc/permissions
3. Edit platform.xml and find “WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE“
4. Add an additional group definition for this permission: <group gid=”media_rw” />
5. Save the changes and restart your device
6. You are now able to write on your external SD card again
I hope that I was able to help you.
The newest version of My Backup Pro 4.0.9 supports now 4.4.2 but I still can't setup the backup directory for external SD card? Tryed
/sdcard/sd
/mnt/sdcard-ext
/sdcard/external_sd
/sdcard/
mnt/extSdCard
and still nothing, My Backup Pro still doing backup into internal memory. What is the point of having app on ur phone. I'm not rooted and don't want to do it.
Luk45z said:
The newest version of My Backup Pro 4.0.9 supports now 4.4.2 but I still can't setup the backup directory for external SD card? Tryed
/sdcard/sd
/mnt/sdcard-ext
/sdcard/external_sd
/sdcard/
mnt/extSdCard
and still nothing, My Backup Pro still doing backup into internal memory. What is the point of having app on ur phone. I'm not rooted and don't want to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
Even though I'm rooted, I agree 100% with you.
Try to move the app to your sd card. There should then be an app folder on the sd card and the app should be able to write there.
Sent from my GT-I9505
Thank for this tip, but didn't work for me... Stupid Google :/ still doing backup to internal memory.
DarkCase said:
In the last few days Samsung has been pushing out Android 4.4.2 to flagship devices like the Galaxy
Note III and Galaxy S4. Unfortunately, Google implemented an SD card write restriction in the latest
Android version which can be quite annoying for users with an SD card in their phone.
The new “feature” basically restricts apps from writing to external SD cards. This can be quite
annoying, because many users want to store apps on a secondary SD card instead of the main storage
unit.
Luckily, how to fixing this problem can be easily done if you have root access. Here’s how you can do it
(Please be aware that you’re performing these changes on your own risk!):
Make sure that you have root access
1. Perform a NANDROID backup to be completely safe
2. Use a root-enabled file manager and navigate to /system/etc/permissions
3. Edit platform.xml and find “WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE“
4. Add an additional group definition for this permission: <group gid=”media_rw” />
5. Save the changes and restart your device
6. You are now able to write on your external SD card again
I hope that I was able to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi DarkCase
I've got Root Explorer 3.16 but I can't seem to edit the platform.xml file.
okizen said:
Hi DarkCase
I've got Root Explorer 3.16 but I can't seem to edit the platform.xml file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you press this first?
Thanks....
DarkCase said:
In the last few days Samsung has been pushing out Android 4.4.2 to flagship devices like the Galaxy
Note III and Galaxy S4. Unfortunately, Google implemented an SD card write restriction in the latest
Android version which can be quite annoying for users with an SD card in their phone.
The new “feature” basically restricts apps from writing to external SD cards. This can be quite
annoying, because many users want to store apps on a secondary SD card instead of the main storage
unit.
Luckily, how to fixing this problem can be easily done if you have root access. Here’s how you can do it
(Please be aware that you’re performing these changes on your own risk!):
Make sure that you have root access
1. Perform a NANDROID backup to be completely safe
2. Use a root-enabled file manager and navigate to /system/etc/permissions
3. Edit platform.xml and find “WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE“
4. Add an additional group definition for this permission: <group gid=”media_rw” />
5. Save the changes and restart your device
6. You are now able to write on your external SD card again
I hope that I was able to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks , it worked for me
I'm having the same problem too. I've e-mailed the developers of MyBackup Pro to see if they've got any ideas.
It says MyBackup Pro 4.0.9 fixes KitKat issues, it doesn't fix this one!
I will if I have to but I don't want to or see why I should have to, effectively break (root) my Galaxy S4 just to backup to SD card when it worked fine with Jellybean 4.3. I don't need Root access otherwise
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None of this is mentioned in Google's KitKat Release Notes or on-screen when the Samsung Update Notification appeared. So far KitKat has broken for me:
1. SMS Backup+ prior to KitKat could restore SMS messages back to the phone, it can still back them up but not restore
2. LG G Pad's QPair It still works but used to be blue when connected, white when not connected. Now that everything is white mad, it's grey when not connected and white when connected. No where near as clear.
3. MyBackup Pro can no longer backup to SD card
Being able to backup to SD card is obviously crucial!
I've seen zero benefits from going from Jellybean 4.3 to Kitkat.
DarkCase said:
In the last few days Samsung has been pushing out Android 4.4.2 to flagship devices like the Galaxy
Note III and Galaxy S4. Unfortunately, Google implemented an SD card write restriction in the latest
Android version which can be quite annoying for users with an SD card in their phone.
The new “feature” basically restricts apps from writing to external SD cards. This can be quite
annoying, because many users want to store apps on a secondary SD card instead of the main storage
unit.
Luckily, how to fixing this problem can be easily done if you have root access. Here’s how you can do it
(Please be aware that you’re performing these changes on your own risk!):
Make sure that you have root access
1. Perform a NANDROID backup to be completely safe
2. Use a root-enabled file manager and navigate to /system/etc/permissions
3. Edit platform.xml and find “WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE“
4. Add an additional group definition for this permission: <group gid=”media_rw” />
5. Save the changes and restart your device
6. You are now able to write on your external SD card again
I hope that I was able to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
++++++++1111111
okizen said:
Hi DarkCase
I've got Root Explorer 3.16 but I can't seem to edit the platform.xml file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have already written this (media_rw) in xml file, but still go backup is unable to write to external sd card. With esfexplorer I can make folder or files on external sd card, so permission is rw?
any idea
What is google thinking. Why would I save to internal memory and not be able to have a backup everywhere I go in multiple locations?
As for the fix you shouldnt have to root your device just to have it write to a card. this makes no sense
DarkCase said:
In the last few days Samsung has been pushing out Android 4.4.2 to flagship devices like the Galaxy
Note III and Galaxy S4. Unfortunately, Google implemented an SD card write restriction in the latest
Android version which can be quite annoying for users with an SD card in their phone.
The new “feature” basically restricts apps from writing to external SD cards. This can be quite
annoying, because many users want to store apps on a secondary SD card instead of the main storage
unit.
Luckily, how to fixing this problem can be easily done if you have root access. Here’s how you can do it
(Please be aware that you’re performing these changes on your own risk!):
Make sure that you have root access
1. Perform a NANDROID backup to be completely safe
2. Use a root-enabled file manager and navigate to /system/etc/permissions
3. Edit platform.xml and find “WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE“
4. Add an additional group definition for this permission: <group gid=”media_rw” />
5. Save the changes and restart your device
6. You are now able to write on your external SD card again
I hope that I was able to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I did what you have suggested except the first step (i.e. NANDROID backup). Upon restart I got all messages like (Google stoped fuctioning, Bluetooth sharing stopped functioning, etc)....
I put the original copy of the file back in place (so essentially, I put the original platform.xml back.....still the problem would not go....
My Note 2 (N7100) is useless now.... can any fellow help?

Edit files on SD card

Hi, recently i got s7 edge and inserted my sd card from old phone in it.
I use programs like Docs to go for editing files, but on new android 6 this seems impossible. Saving my changes prompts that file can not be written on sd card and i must chose another location from internal memory.
Any solution for this issue?
The stock file manager gives me no issues.
How do you edit MS Word documents with your stock file manager?
Note that i am asking about editing files with app, i do not ask about file system operations (copy, move, delete, rename)
Yeah, Most applications cannot access external SD for R/W access. Gotta wait till the respective app developers update their apps.
I'm waiting for Root Explorer.
With ES file explorer i can write on sd card fine.
Strange that MS word for android can't write to sd too. MS is trustworthy vendor.
Solid Explorer works absolutely fine for me. Install it, then attempt to create an empty folder or file on the external SD. You will need to go through a small procedure to grant permission (by selecting the external SD card within the default file manager) and then the folder/file will be created and Solid Explorer then has full write permission on the external card. This will also be remembered for the next time you use it.
Beefheart,
Imagine you have a file called report.docx on your sd card. You open it and want to write a line of text inside. Then you save the file.
This is not possible with any program for docx files i tested.
I do not ask which file manager can write on sd card but what program can edit docx or xlsx files on sd card.
miro_j,
I am having similar issues with all editors:
Example: my editor of choice at the moment is Jota (wish Notetab Light had an Android version)
(external memory = SD Card, USB NAND device (flash drive by any other name), hard drive through powered hub, etc.)
Copy/Move file from external memory to internal memory
Edit file with Jota and save (internally)
Copy/Move from internal memory to external memory
(note that using the Copy option has the file manager changing the copied filename to *(number).*, which can be useful for versioning, since the previous file already exists)
To the others reading: his op has nothing to do with the file manager (except as a way to create an open file request) and everything to do with the rw permissions denied to the editor for the external device. Like me, he is wanting an environment similar to pre-KitKat where the user had full access to external devices (SD Card, USB, etc.). I know several File Managers have the option to manipulate files on external sources but they do NOT pass that same functionality to other apps (read yes, write no).
This is the main reason I want a reliable way to root my devices (I haven't found one that works with my RCA tablets yet, tablet only and tablet/PC methods have been tried), just to add the following/modify platform.xml:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_r" />
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>
(or similar as needed)
I have also tried the platform.xml patch/update apps/zips from XDA and other sites but to no avail.
As a security fix, blanket denial is a bonehead maneuver. Having the system save function ask the user if the requested save action is permitted on a per event basis would alert the user when an app is trying to modify the external device in an unwanted manner (Program 'suchnsuch' is attempting to write file 'blahblablah.txt' to 'device': Allow Deny), the app could also have sandbox access to its special folder (as it is currently set in this post-Kitkat world). Allowing the user to encrypt the external device (mainly the SD Card) so it can be used as an extension of the main internal memory defeats the purpose since it is no longer portable/mobile (you have to reformat the SD Card to use it in another device which wipes it, making it a moot point for transferring data. So long and thanks for the missing permissions Mr. Google).
The sad thing about the special folder option is that if you haven't transferred the data out of it beforehand, the data within is wiped when you uninstall the app.

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