Hey all,
Forgive me if this question has been asked before (Google did not help me find an answer) but I'm looking for the "best practice" method of upgrading my MicroSD card once it's already been mapped to internal storage using Marshmallow's "Flex Storage" capability.
I bought a 32GB Moto X Pure Edition and promptly installed my fastest MicroSD card (a 32GB PNY U3 Turbo card) and set it to function as internal storage after the Marshmallow update.
Since then, I bought a 64GB U3 card so that I'd have ample space for music and video. What I'm trying to figure out is the process to:
1) Take a snapshot of my internal storage (i.e. copy to an external HDD)
2) Remove the "old" microSD without any detrimental affect to installed applications
3) Mount the "new" larger microSD as internal storage
4) Copy everything back to the new internal storage
Is there a documented process for doing this, or some sort of migration tool I can use to upgrade the microSD capacity?
Good question
Bumpage. Has anyone seen anything on the nets describing the storage upgrade process for Flex Storage?
Probably not possible unless you flash a new ROM over the old. My understanding is that the sd card, once made to be part of the phone storage, is that it is 128bit encrypted in EXT4 format.
bw03 said:
Probably not possible unless you flash a new ROM over the old. My understanding is that the sd card, once made to be part of the phone storage, is that it is 128bit encrypted in EXT4 format.
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The thing is I currently have more internal storage free space available than actual data stored on my SD, so ideally there should be a way to migrate my data back to true internal storage, eject the SD, and replace with a bigger card?
Even if I have to do it manually, I want to make sure I don't screw with installed apps.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Might be a stupid question but have you tried taking out the card and seeing what happens?
I think the moral here is to start with the largest capacity card you think you'll need. 64GB cards are dirt cheap these days. Unless you need your entire mp3 collection on your phone, I doubt there is a real need for anything bigger.
I mentioned this in another thread, but probably more appropriate here. There is a way to partition the card for both internal and external storage. Portion of it is used for apps/data while the rest for pics/music and is visible when not in the phone.
The question is, can you create a twrp image of the system & internal storage with one sd card. Replace it with a different one, repartition it (in recovery), then restore your data?
http://blog.sam.liddicott.com/2016/02/android-6-semi-adopted-storage.html
Hello,
There might be a solution.
(Please notice I translate the android names from French, so there might be some variations)
In the settings/storage, click on the interal memory line.
In the settings -the 3 dots top right-, you might be able to transfer data from SD to internal memory.
Then, you can format back you sd card, remove and replace it, and voila, that should work.
My 2 cents,
Related
Hallo everyone,
I just get my SGS and I notice that the memory structure is so defined:
- The internal storage memory (8Gb, but i see only 5,7) is called "SDcard"
- the phisical external Sd card is seen as a directory, called "SD" under the SDcard.
Now my questions are:
When I install big seized programs,e.g. Navigators, all the program data are by default stored in the internal memory, which is limited and fix (not expandable). I would install the navigation map on the exernal Sd.
Is this a problem of Android or just how SGS impemented it? Is it possible to make the external card be rocognised as primary SDcard?
- Why the internal memory is only 5,7Gb? ok 8Gb are theoretical but 2,3 GB less ....
Thanks
Bye
The reason it's so small is because the OS and it's apps have to go somewhere, also when Froyo is released you'll be able to install apps directly to the SD card but know that internal memory is much faster than an SD card so you may what to keep that in mind when you factor in what apps to install to SD.
Hallo Sebrina,
thanks for the answer, I supposed the 2,3 Gb were for the OS, in fact the space for application is 1,8GB, but I hoped the two memorys are separated.
So with froyo will be able really to install the app on the real Sd card, and not on the internal memory, whichist called "SDcard" by the os?
Thanks
bye
Paolo
is it possible to re-partition the internal SD?
So, Marshmallow for Pure should be right around the corner, and it's nice to be able to use SD card as internal memory. My question is, when I need to upgrade the SD card (say, from a 32GB to 128GB in the future), what is the process? The thing is I have a 32GB card lying around, and I don't need a storage at the moment, so I plan to just start using that for now. But then later, may need to upgrade it to a larger/faster card.
namartlu said:
So, Marshmallow for Pure should be right around the corner, and it's nice to be able to use SD card as internal memory. My question is, when I need to upgrade the SD card (say, from a 32GB to 128GB in the future), what is the process? The thing is I have a 32GB card lying around, and I don't need a storage at the moment, so I plan to just start using that for now. But then later, may need to upgrade it to a larger/faster card.
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Click to collapse
This is from the Styles update notes: https://motorola-mobility-en-in.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/108821
Expandable Storage
Android Marshmallow enables your SD card to fully extend device internal storage rather than just being used for media files.
After inserting a new SD card to your phone, you will see a notification to set it up. You can choose to use your new SD card as a portable storage or as internal storage:
Portable storage: use your SD card to store your pictures, videos, audio and other media files. You can remove the SD card at any time and transfer it to other device.
Internal storage: in addition to media, you can store downloaded apps and games, all their media and data. The SD card acts as an extension of the internal storage of your phone.
If you have an SD card inserted in your phone when you upgrade it to Android Marshmallow, the card will be defaulted to portable storage. Any existing application stored in your SD card before the upgrade will run as expected (in portable storage). In order to move any new application to the SD card, you have to adopt it as internal storage first. To set your SD card as internal storage:
Back up and preserve any data you have on the card, as formatting for internal storage will erase it.
Swipe the status bar down with two fingers and tap the gear icon at the top right corner of your screen.
Once in the Settings menu, scroll down and tap Storage & USB, then select your portable SD card from the list.
Tap the menu icon (3 vertical dots) at the top right corner of the SD card screen and select Settings.
Select Format as internal and follow the steps in the tutorial.
Important: when the SD card is adopted as internal storage, it is formatted and encrypted to protect your information. It cannot be removed and transferred to other device. If you want to use the SD card as portable storage or in another device after adopted as internal storage, then you need to format it. When doing so, please remember that formatting erases all the data stored in your SD card.
thanks, I have read that but doesn't seem to answer my question... I suppose someone could write an app to do it... migrating from one SD card to another...
Dump the smaller card's data on to a pc, then transfer that to the larger card. But if you choose to designate it as internal storage I think you'd have to dump it into the cloud first.
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app
namartlu said:
So, Marshmallow for Pure should be right around the corner, and it's nice to be able to use SD card as internal memory. My question is, when I need to upgrade the SD card (say, from a 32GB to 128GB in the future), what is the process? The thing is I have a 32GB card lying around, and I don't need a storage at the moment, so I plan to just start using that for now. But then later, may need to upgrade it to a larger/faster card.
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Click to collapse
My assumption is that since this is a formatting to internal storage extension, then you will later (when ready to upgrade to the larger storage card) dump the current data either into a cloud, or usb into a desktop by copying/moving the files (app, media, system etc) onto the desktop into a new folder with just those files, (maybe name it moto x files) then copy/move them from the desktop folder onto the device with the new larger memory card via usb after it's been formatted as the new internal extended memory.
If we change the SD card to internal storage will it mean that sdcard read/write operations will be slower??
So, if adopting the SD card as internal encrypts the card what happens if you try to download music to it from a streaming service like Rhapsody? Will it successfully download? Will it successfully play back in the Rhapsody app on the phone? I have the feeling Rhapsody support won't even have a clue what I am asking. ?
opti1 said:
So, if adopting the SD card as internal encrypts the card what happens if you try to download music to it from a streaming service like Rhapsody? Will it successfully download? Will it successfully play back in the Rhapsody app on the phone? I have the feeling Rhapsody support won't even have a clue what I am asking. ?
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I believe as long as it is in the phone it will work as normal. If it is removed from the phone you won't be able to read it.
Sent from my Moto XPE
I feel like such a noob. I have a 16 GB model with a 128 micro SD card. I was expecting MM to come out much earlier than this (I'm on Verizon) but some time ago I had to not only point my music to the SD card but I also had to move a bunch of apps to the SD card in Lollipop because I was running out of space.
What is the most direct and foolproof way to backup my phone (not rooted), convert to adaptive storage and then get back to where I was with the least amount of work?
Thanks for any suggestions
Root it and use titanium backup
stevevetter said:
I feel like such a noob. I have a 16 GB model with a 128 micro SD card. I was expecting MM to come out much earlier than this (I'm on Verizon) but some time ago I had to not only point my music to the SD card but I also had to move a bunch of apps to the SD card in Lollipop because I was running out of space.
What is the most direct and foolproof way to backup my phone (not rooted), convert to adaptive storage and then get back to where I was with the least amount of work?
Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Move apps back to internal storage, but free up space if you don't have it; you can copy the entirety of user-facing internal storage via MTP to a temporary directory on a PC, if you absolutely need the space for apps. Then, copy the entirety of the SD card to a temporary directory on a computer using either a microSD USB reader or via MTP through the phone itself. This will take an hour or so (maybe much longer) depending on how much data needs copying. If you don't need to free up space from internal storage, deal only with the SD card data.
You can then format the SD card as internal, and copy everything back to it via MTP. Moving apps to the SD card in MM is a bit more clumsy, and hopefully Google will fix that. But, as it stands, you have to individually move supported apps to the SD card by tapping on the app within Apps, and selecting Storage. Total step backwards, IMO.
Keep in mind that MM defaults to USB charging when connecting your phone to a computer, so pull the notification shade down, select USB for charging, then use the File Transfer (MTP) option.
so I think I followed Jason.Droid's suggestion right
I didn't feel like rooting to go about this so I did the move & copy thing. With minimal usage all things seem to work fine.
I am surprised by one thing though. I had thought that integrating the SD card via adaptive storage was supposed to just 'abosorb' it into what is shown as internal storage. Instead what I see is a summary at the top of 18.66 GB used of 133 , then a line item for Android OS, a line item for internal storage (7.11 GB used of 9.50 GB) and line item for the SanDisk SD card (5.04 GB used of 117 GB).
Is this how it is supposed to look? Does MM just handle where to put apps and data from now on so I don't get the internal storage full errors? Do I have to flip a setting to indicate to install apps on the SD card (like it was @ android 2.2)?
I'm expecting MM to just handle it. I also noticed the SD card option in Camera settings is now gone, so that to me is another indicator I'm in good shape.
Thanks again for any comments/confirmation.
With the new SD card option in Marshmallow, I'm wondering how Android would react if I decided to split my SD card in two partitions? Would it be possible to use one partition as a memory extension, using the new option, while the second partition would be used as a standard storage device?
The way I see it, the new Marshmallow feature is great but, it make you loose the ability to use external SD card as a way to transfer big file from your pc to your phone. That's why it would be great to have one partition for traditional storage and another for memory extension. We'd just have to make sure the phone isn't running when we eject the SD card, to make sure no files are damaged in the memory extensions partition.
Funnily I was wondering the same thing. I dont think it will be possible as android formats the card when you opt for adaptive storage. But would it wipe partitions? Probably I suspect. One way to find out.....
New android version Marshmallow has a feature to use microSD card as internal storage.
When Marshmallow detects a microSD card for the first time it asks to chose Portable or Internal storage mode.
If you choose "Use as portable storage" you will use it as before. You can save your photos, videos, some applications or their data,
backup/restore your phone, etc. and you can see your files if you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, as usual.
But if you choose "Use as internal storage" and click "ERASE&FORMAT" button at next screen,
then your microSD card will be formatted as ext4 and encrypted. You will loose everything in your microSD card and it will
become your only internal storage. Now, If you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, it will not possible to see your files
since it is encrypted. Your microSD is usable only with your phone.
Than, what is the advantage of using microSD card as internal storage?
If your phone's real internal storage very small (ex: 4gb) and you have trouble installing new apps then you may put a 32 GB microSD card and use it as internal storage. Then your internal storage will be 32 GB (Not total of 36GB).
It will act as your phone's internal storage.
Disadvantages?
microSD card used as internal storage is useless out of your phone since it is encrypted. You can not use it taking out of your phone and putting into another device to transfer your photos, music files, zipped ROM files etc.
It will not be visible as external storage anymore.
Phone's real internal storage is not visible.
So,
If your phone's real internal storage is not too small and especially if you want to use your external storage as usual, there is no need to use a microSD card as internal storage.
darkRd said:
New android version Marshmallow has a feature to use microSD card as internal storage.
When Marshmallow detects a microSD card for the first time it asks to chose Portable or Internal storage mode.
If you choose "Use as portable storage" you will use it as before. You can save your photos, videos, some applications or their data,
backup/restore your phone, etc. and you can see your files if you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, as usual.
But if you choose "Use as internal storage" and click "ERASE&FORMAT" button at next screen,
then your microSD card will be formatted as ext4 and encrypted. You will loose everything in your microSD card and it will
become your only internal storage. Now, If you take it out of your phone and connect to another device or PC, it will not possible to see your files
since it is encrypted. Your microSD is usable only with your phone.
Than, what is the advantage of using microSD card as internal storage?
If your phone's real internal storage very small (ex: 4gb) and you have trouble installing new apps then you may put a 32 GB microSD card and use it as internal storage. Then your internal storage will be 32 GB (Not total of 36GB).
It will act as your phone's internal storage.
Disadvantages?
microSD card used as internal storage is useless out of your phone since it is encrypted. You can not use it taking out of your phone and putting into another device to transfer your photos, music files, zipped ROM files etc.
It will not be visible as external storage anymore.
Phone's real internal storage is not visible.
So,
If your phone's real internal storage is not too small and especially if you want to use your external storage as usual, there is no need to use a microSD card as internal storage.
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No way to read or write in ext4 in pc???
jaswinprakash said:
No way to read or write in ext4 in pc???
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Click to collapse
Possible, on Linux
Ranpe said:
Possible, on Linux
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But its still encrypted, so that won't help I guess. Also once you flash your phone or something, the contents won't be available anymore I think. It's just a guess though, I don't know how it is decrypted and all.
Sent from my MotoG3-TE using XDA Forums
jaswinprakash said:
No way to read or write in ext4 in pc???
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Click to collapse
It seems to be not possible out of your phone by anyway since it is encrypted.
I don't not know whether it is possible to extract encryption key from phone and decrypt the files using this key but this shouldn't be possible because of security reasons.
No one desires access to the important files in the sd card if it is captured by any one else.
darkRd said:
It seems to be not possible out of your phone by anyway since it is encrypted.
I don't not know whether it is possible to extract encryption key from phone and decrypt the files using this key but this shouldn't be possible because of security reasons.
No one desires access to the important files in the sd card if it is captured by any one else.
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Click to collapse
It is possible done it in my Lenovo A328. Courtesy of this mod:
http : / / forum.xda-developers.com / android / development / rom-flight-a328-custom-rom-based-150429-t3137708