Hi! I know about the annoying problem concerning the revoked capability of the apps to write to SD in kitkat.
I'd like to understand the current situation about this problem.
According to you will Samsung solve the problem re-implementing this feature? I mean, will galaxy s5 have the same problem?
Skipping every possible debate on the unfairness of this move by Samsung, if I have understood, the only solution now is to root the phone, isn't it? And as far as I know there is no way to root without losing warranty, I mean the knox counter will be incremented even if I come back to stock, isn't it?
But somewhere I read that this could be solved by app developers with an update. Is it true? According to me by now there aren't apps that with an update regained the capability to write to SD... Every file explorer can't write to SD (at least some features), poweramp can't delete files or edit tags if the files are on sd etc...
However my main question is the following one:
Is it normal that from pc (windows 8) I cannot rename folders in SD, and I can't move to SD files like flac? I mean files that pc prompts if you want to convert to a compatible file for phone. If I click to avoid conversion, the transfer starts and stuck immediately... What can I do?
Thank you very much!
To save some people time in searching and asking the same question I had (and for 4.4.2 I think there will be plenty...):
I had severe issues using a brand new SD card in a brand new unrooted Galaxy S5. However, I now found through test that it was not the card.
I tried many things, formatting on my computer, formatting on another phone, etc etc. Nothing worked. I then tried to use the card on other devices, which worked fine! I then tried other cards, none of them seemed to work.
So I thought the S5 was defective. I did some searching online, and found that it actually is not defective. This is a feature of kitkat 4.4.2!
The card is perfectly usable, but under very restrict situations.
For example, reading is perfectly possible, but writing is controlled by kitkat. I found through some websites that Samsung decided to beef up security and at the same time make the use of external storage more clean.
Previously you could use any file browser to manage any file son any external storage, like an SD card. Although this gave great freedom, Samsung also seemed to believe that it is a source of security risk where rogue apps could read/write to folders they didn't create. They also seemed to believe this made management of files on external storage messy. To control this Samsung now allows properly installed apps to generate folders only in internal memory, and those same apps can only access folders they themselves created. The exception to this are factory standard default apps that come preinstalled on the device.
So my mistake was to use ASTRO file manager to move around a file. Once I read the issue online, I tried the same action with Samsung's pre-installed file manager, and to my surprise the file did transfer to the SD card!
To further clarify, I suspect this "feature" is limited to write activities. For example, backup to SD apps will fail to write apps to SD. Similarly, Airdroid cannot copy files from your desktop to the SD card, only to their own folder (and thus you need Samsungs file manager to move those files to the SD card).
What's interesting about this however, is that READ access seems to still be possible. ASTRO file manager can still read files from directories other apps made. Adobe reader can still read files on all kinds of folders.
The criminal spy app can still read and copy your banking files from your bank directory to its own directory for transfer to the criminal mind who will then plunder your account. So no, the security issue Samsung wanted to address has not been addressed.
What is my opinion about this? Well, I think Samsung made a nice attempt to improve security. However, they completely failed to address the biggest security risk, which isn't write access, but read access. And at the same time made it very painful and difficult to store large numbers of music, video and document files to the SD card. Because now you will either need to plug in your memory card into your computer, or move all those files via internal memory to the external SD card using Samsungs file manager, which of course takes much more time.
More info on the feature can be found here:
http://gs4.wonderhowto.com/how-to/b...ns-android-4-4-kitkat-your-galaxy-s4-0152036/
here:
http://support.solidexplorer.pl/responses/kit-kat-442-issue
And here:
http://developer.samsung.com/forum/...Lines=15&startId=zzzzz~&startPage=2&curPage=4
We could all ask Samsung to revert this "feature", but chances that they will, are remote since there are ways around this problem.
Of course, people who use many many apps/games will be out of luck, as they will be restricted to 16/32 GB.
Note to moderators: Can we make this a sticky for kitkat 4.4.2?
Root and you'll be able to R/W on the ext-SD card and try this app SDFix
Samsung has nothing to do with it... It's an Google's android policy.
So, the links I provided make that same statement. I.e. I'm aware of possible fixes. However, I bought my phone in Singapore so I could have a reliable unhacked, unrooted, unmodified phone. Others might also want original phones and not root their phone until their warranty runs out.
This was not my point though. My point was to provide some info that could be turned into a sticky so it is easier for people to find what could cause their memory card issues.
I still hope the original post will help others troubleshoot their memory card issues with their s5.
I have the Note 2014 and the Note 3(AT&T). Both are running Kitkat and both are not rooted. There is no SD card file write restriction on the Note 3. I am free to use ES File Explorer and Rhythm software File Manager and do whatever I want on the external sd card. Both apps can do everything on the SD card that the native My File app can do. But on the Note 10.1 2014, only My Files has free reign over the external sd card. Can't create, can't move, can't copy, can't paste using ES File Explorer or File Manager.
What gives?
aquaholik said:
What gives?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tell me. I have an AT&T N3 and external SD card access works exactly the same way it does on my N10.1-14. In fact, from what I experienced on my N3 I knew in advance exactly what to expect when the N10.1-14 finally received 4.4. My N3 is running the stock official (and only) AT&T 4.4 ROM so if your's is too and grants you universal external SD write privileges it must be super magical.
I use Astro. Here's the error message. It's the same for all non-Samsung apps when they try to write to external SD outside their self-created sandbox.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
BarryH_GEG said:
You tell me. I have an AT&T N3 and external SD card access works exactly the same way it does on my N10.1-14. In fact, from what I experienced on my N3 I knew in advance exactly what to expect when the N10.1-14 finally received 4.4. My N3 is running the stock official (and only) AT&T 4.4 ROM so if your's is too and grants you universal external SD write privileges it must be super magical.
I use Astro. Here's the error message. It's the same for all non-Samsung apps when they try to write to external SD outside their self-created sandbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm the other way around. Since I got the note 10.1 2014 after the Kitkat Note 3 (At&t 4.4.2 stock rom), I expected the tablet to work like the phone on Kitkat without restriction.
I just tried Astro and it's a no go. Can't create folder, can't delete files, can't move or paste or do anything on the external sd card. But both rhythm software file manager and es file explorer works just fine on the note 3. Not just at&t note 3 but also Sprint note 3.
I should have add that ADM and tubemate must play in their own sandbox. ADM will only download to internal sd while tubemate can still download to its external sd sand box.
Try ES File explorer and rhythm File manager. I bet it has as much power as the native My Files on the note 3.
So I'm not sure if I'm going crazy or not but I just updated to kit kat through odin from 4.3 and all my stuff stayed the same almost and I don't have any problems with writing to ext SD card with any file manager app. I was expecting to have problems but I don't. I was also expecting my tablet to reset itself but it stayed the same as how I had it. The only things I lost or had problems with where my blacked out apps. I can create folders on any SD card with no problems. Did you try root folder mount to fix your problems.? I did and maybe that's why I'm good to go.
mikep2323 said:
So I'm not sure if I'm going crazy or not but I just updated to kit kat through odin from 4.3 and all my stuff stayed the same almost and I don't have any problems with writing to ext SD card with any file manager app. I was expecting to have problems but I don't. I was also expecting my tablet to reset itself but it stayed the same as how I had it. The only things I lost or had problems with where my blacked out apps. I can create folders on any SD card with no problems. Did you try root folder mount to fix your problems.? I did and maybe that's why I'm good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can create folder on the external sd card using Rhythm software File Manager but I can't move or copy files anywhere on the external sd card. What is root folder mount? Do you mean accessing the root folder using File Manager? Or is that an app? I'm not rooted so Folder Mount(root) is not going to work.
aquaholik said:
I can create folder on the external sd card using Rhythm software File Manager but I can't move or copy files anywhere on the external sd card. What is root folder mount? Do you mean accessing the root folder using File Manager? Or is that an app? I'm not rooted so Folder Mount(root) is not going to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its a app, I think that it fixes all the problems with kit kat and mounting.I'm rooted so I think That's why I didn't have any problems when I updated to kit kat.Theres also a app called SD fix to fix the problems with ext card but you might have to be rooted for that as well.I think it's in the market so you can check it out to see if you have to be rooted.
kitkat
Just upgraded to kitkat and I can, using my files, create a folder on the external sd card and copy a file from the internal card to the folder on the external sc card. Also the upgrade simply updated all my apps. So I think if you download the rom from sammy then use odin it just updates and you can write to ext card.
Regards
Colin
colint3 said:
Just upgraded to kitkat and I can, using my files, create a folder on the external sd card and copy a file from the internal card to the folder on the external sc card. Also the upgrade simply updated all my apps. So I think if you download the rom from sammy then use odin it just updates and you can write to ext card.
Regards
Colin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Files is a native Samsung app so there is never a restriction on read write access. The issue is with third party file manager app such as ES File Explorer and Rhythm Software File Manager. They work fine on the Note 3 Kitkat and also on the HTC M8 Kitkat. But they do not work on the Note 10.1 2014.
aquaholik said:
My Files is a native Samsung app so there is never a restriction on read write access. The issue is with third party file manager app such as ES File Explorer and Rhythm Software File Manager. They work fine on the Note 3 Kitkat and also on the HTC M8 Kitkat. But they do not work on the Note 10.1 2014.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I just installed and tried ES File Explorer on my AT&T N3 and, like you said, it works. My guess is it's something carrier vs. Samsung related. The N10.1-14 is working the way Google intended it with the intentional changes to external storage they (Google) made in 4.4. I haven't seen any one on the international N3 forum saying "hooray, ES File Explorer still works" which is why I say/think what the AT&T N3 is experiencing is the exception vs. the (Samsung) rule. So rather than lament the way storage works on the N10.1-14 celebrate that you dodged a bullet on your N3. I use sync programs that no longer work on either the N3 or N10.1-14 so I've already moved the stuff I need universal access to on to internal storage and as much else as I can to external storage. Thankfully both my devices are 32GB. With My Files and Samsung Link you can move content directly to external storage from the cloud which solves the problem of limited storage when handling uber big files. That's always been my biggest concern. As they say, it is what it is.
BarryH_GEG said:
Interesting. I just installed and tried ES File Explorer on my AT&T N3 and, like you said, it works. My guess is it's something carrier vs. Samsung related. The N10.1-14 is working the way Google intended it with the intentional changes to external storage they (Google) made in 4.4. I haven't seen any one on the international N3 forum saying "hooray, ES File Explorer still works" which is why I say/think what the AT&T N3 is experiencing is the exception vs. the (Samsung) rule. So rather than lament the way storage works on the N10.1-14 celebrate that you dodged a bullet on your N3. I use sync programs that no longer work on either the N3 or N10.1-14 so I've already moved the stuff I need universal access to on to internal storage and as much else as I can to external storage. Thankfully both my devices are 32GB. With My Files and Samsung Link you can move content directly to external storage from the cloud which solves the problem of limited storage when handling uber big files. That's always been my biggest concern. As they say, it is what it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, thank goodness for the native My Files app or else I would roll everything I have back to 4.3. When I did test the Sprint HTC M8, I only tested on the store display which did not have an external sd card. I wonder how it works on HTC Kitkat phone since HTC do not have the Samsung My Files app. No way to create files or move things around on external sd card would be a deal breaker for me no matter how good the phone is.
aquaholik said:
I wonder how it works on HTC Kitkat phone since HTC do not have the Samsung My Files app. No way to create files or move things around on external sd card would be a deal breaker for me no matter how good the phone is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, it doesn't. From another Android forum...
BarryH_GEG said:
Apparently, it doesn't. From another Android forum...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said about being screwed by HTC and Google is right. I want the power and flexibility and user control of Android. If I wanted a dumb down OS and Google telling me what I can't or can't do, I would have stuck with Apple. Google anti-sd card stance is going a bit too far with kitkat handicapping the use of external sd card. Cloud storage is fine but not everybody has unlimited high speed connection. This is not what HTC needs especially since they brought back external sd card that was lacking in the HTC 7. They brought it back and Google handicapped it!
I just tried copying a file to my external sdcard using ES File Explorer on my Verizon N3 and it worked.
Paul1201 said:
I just tried copying a file to my external sdcard using ES File Explorer on my Verizon N3 and it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear so the Note 3 on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon works fine with third party file manager app. But not all apps work. Tubemate and ADM(advanced download manager) are restricted to their sandbox.
This was the deciding factor for me to finally root my Note 10.1 2014. My Sprint Note 2 was rooted almost immediately after buying it, but my plan was to keep the Note 2014 stock and unrooted since it is a much more expensive device and I was a little more worried about the warranty. So whatever nonsense Google was trying to force me into accepting as "just the way it is" with this update (yeah, sure it's for security reasons), it didn't work.
FYI, the very recent Kitkat update on my Sprint note 2 also broke full access to the SD card, but since I suspected it would, I waited to verify that root was easily attainable, updated, re-rooted, and applied the SD fix.
Rumour has it (uber dev ChainFire has been taking about it a lot) that future versions of Android are going to be very difficult ("impossible"???) to root. When/if that happens, if my devices are not supported by the AOSP and/or Cyanogenmod communities, it will be goodbye Android for me. I might as well have a frickin' iPhone.
None of my not rooted Notes running Kitty Kat allow moving to the card with third party apps and my Note 3 is on Sprint. I use My Files now. Devices: Note 3 Sprint, Note 8 and Note 10.1-14. It really sucks.
Via my Note 3
KIT KAT sd card writes
BclingergFJ said:
None of my not rooted Notes running Kitty Kat allow moving to the card with third party apps and my Note 3 is on Sprint. I use My Files now. Devices: Note 3 Sprint, Note 8 and Note 10.1-14. It really sucks.
Via my Note 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While file copy and delete with certain file manager apps might work, the real crime with kitkat is when you try to work with files like editing text files or documents with whatever app. It cripples write permissions to 3rd party apps and that is a hugely bad!
My Note3 became SD card crippled after kitkat.
The only way to fix it was to root and run SDfix to get a fully working external SD again.
FU Google! for screwing with external SD in kitkat!
Google and their stealth like slow progression to being like Apple. Goople.
Just thought I'd mention...
...That even though ES File Manager seemed to survive, functionality-wise, to the KK update, its built-in text editor (ES Text Editor, iirc) does not inherit the same abilities. I was trying to edit the platform.xml via every app imaginable that I had, in every possible combination, before I finally gave up and used sdfix. One thing I find truly regrettable is that there really is no built-in, native plain-text editor supplied with our devices; bit of a vicious cycle.
Unlike what seems like the majority of people here though (chuckle), and even though I'm a developer, I've always considered Google 'evil'. While this increasingly maniacial push to get more and more of 'the datas' (via cloud, built-in apps and everything else) wasn't unexpected, I wish I could say this particular move didn't surprise me. I'm a dev and I didn't even know this was coming with KK before I upgraded; they certainly didn't advertise it that I was aware of. I feel bad for the people who got upgraded OTA and had even less of a heads-up than some of us.
It was talked about and I upgrade each device knowing the limitations. The Note 8 is really the only one I readily regret having updated. No performance gained on the 3/8, though the 8 suffers a pen alignment annoyance that is inconvenient. The 10.1-14 has a reduced waking period. Frankly, an upgrade of little value.
Sent via my Note 8
I've checked older posts but I think most of them are outdated because I just bought my Note 3 and I have read write access on the external sdcard without problems.
There are certain conditions however, externally downloaded apps gain read and write access only on specific folders inside the sdcard.
But ES file Explorer is working even on root folder in ext SD card.
So I don't really get it, is this restriction fixed by Samsung or updated by Google? I'm running on kitkat 4.4.2, and tTorrent is running great on the ext sd card.
I'm just trying to understand what's going on as unfortunately Google.com always prioritizes older posts most of which are outdated.
iamarto said:
I've checked older posts but I think most of them are outdated because I just bought my Note 3 and I have read write access on the external sdcard without problems.
There are certain conditions however, externally downloaded apps gain read and write access only on specific folders inside the sdcard.
But ES file Explorer is working even on root folder in ext SD card.
So I don't really get it, is this restriction fixed by Samsung or updated by Google? I'm running on kitkat 4.4.2, and tTorrent is running great on the ext sd card.
I'm just trying to understand what's going on as unfortunately Google.com always prioritizes older posts most of which are outdated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Earlier it was write protected for all, but with the new update, they make it a way that few apps can full write access anywahre. Like you mentioned ES file Explorer. But these are very few hand full of apps. Most of then doesnt work like wifi FTP which I was using etc. So its all due to the new kitkat updates.