Develop Bugs

MTP vs MassStorage

Was ( and still am) curious why Google choose MTP over MassStorage. The other member (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1023153) did some tests with interesting results. Can confirm that got similar results for MTP's favour ( transfered same video,music,pdf files to GN and HTC Sensation).
I don't think that was the only reason for Googles decision.
Also find out one very annoying experience with MTP : you can't edit file on phone memory. It has to be transfered to PC, modified and put back to phone...

aspot72 said:
Was ( and still am) curious why Google choose MTP over MassStorage. The other member (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1023153) did some tests with interesting results. Can confirm that got similar results for MTP's favour ( transfered same video,music,pdf files to GN and HTC Sensation).
I don't think that was the only reason for Googles decision.
Also find out one very annoying experience with MTP : you can't edit file on phone memory. It has to be transfered to PC, modified and put back to phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It allows them to lump all of the internal storage together since MTP doesn't require the partition be unmounted with the phone.
Many people have phones that were partitioned poorly (N1, Vibrant, etc...) and after you install some apps you get an error that you've filled up your space (even though your phone still has 10GB free).
They hacked around it by doing Apps2SD, but even then, it wasn't perfect.
This new method allows them to utilize the full 16/32GB of storage however you want without any additional requirements from the user.
For most people that just want to copy their pictures off the phone, MTP is a lot smoother. It 'just works' and let's them get by with their day.
Unfortunately, the new way isn't perfect. I use Ubuntu for example and am having a hell of a time getting it to work. I eventually just gave up and installed a Samba File server instead.

Does anyone else have problems with folders not appearing or with errors when transferring files, or is it because I'm using a Mac and Android File Transfer software?

@tjhart85, you can get mtp working but you just need to compile the latest libmtp from source, libmtp that's included in the ubuntu repos is an older version.

i think I'm the minority here in that I actually like MTP.
The fact that I can unplug the phone, and it's ready to go is worth it. I hated the media scanning tool from gingerbread and before. Now the phone is ready to go when I unplug.

It lets the entire phone be one partition, so there are no annoying issues with multiple partitions for system, apps, etc.. It also lets the phone be used while its connected and transferring to/from the device. Also, no more mounting/unmounting and waiting for the device to be available.
It overall just removes headaches associated with files not being able to be accessed properly because they're on a different partition or on the SDcard (such as no widget support from apps installed on SDcard).

I also don't get the big deal over MTP and actually prefer it. I have a mac and haven't run into any problems. The file transferring didn't seem any slower and if anything seemed faster so I don't really get why everyone seemed to freak out when it was originally revealed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

This explains it - from the horse's mouth itself.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...behind-galaxy-nexus-lack-of-usb-mass-storage/

wolfman87 said:
This explains it - from the horse's mouth itself.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...behind-galaxy-nexus-lack-of-usb-mass-storage/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great read. Thanks. I don't know why they're so against file managers, though.

tjhart85 said:
Unfortunately, the new way isn't perfect. I use Ubuntu for example and am having a hell of a time getting it to work. I eventually just gave up and installed a Samba File server instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried this, but it does look promising:
http://collectskin.com/adbfs/
It sure sounds better than setting up a samba server, and since it's based on adb it can be made to run over wifi (although I'm not sure that is recommended).
---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------
Buddy Revell said:
Does anyone else have problems with folders not appearing or with errors when transferring files, or is it because I'm using a Mac and Android File Transfer software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems not all folders are appearing over MTP.
For instance my TitaniumBackup folder stored in /sdcard does not show at all and I'm not sure why. It might be because the folder contains no files the phone can work with? I honestly have no idea.
This was on Windows. Not Linux or Mac. So it seems to be a MTP-issue, not a platform-issue.
I had to adb shell in, create a tar of that and then adb pull it out to get it.
So yeah. MTP has its flaws. Hence me working on a workaround:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1423392
---------- Post added at 09:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 AM ----------
aspot72 said:
Also find out one very annoying experience with MTP : you can't edit file on phone memory. It has to be transfered to PC, modified and put back to phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were to nitpick I would have to say that technically speaking that was always true, but yeah, now you actually have to manage that transfer manually and that sucks.

But you can use the memory on the phone while transferring from pc!

jamontoast1291 said:
I also don't get the big deal over MTP and actually prefer it. I have a mac and haven't run into any problems. The file transferring didn't seem any slower and if anything seemed faster ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can I ask what exactly happens when you plug into a MAC? Eg, do you have to launch ATP, does it appear in Finder, does it launch iPhoto automatically? I'm just trying to get a picture & short of taking my MAC into town ... has anyone YT'd this?
Sent via phone - nuff said

MTP also solves the 4GB file size limit. With USB mass storage all phones have FAT32 for their data partition in order to be compatible with most computer, but that means 4GB file limit.
With MTP the file system isn't visible for the computer, so the phones will use a good filesystem like EXT4 also for the data partition.

Gio mass storage.. or is it?

Hi,
Now I know that someone has asked this before, but googling through here ( as in the internets ) is near impossible unless you know exactly what you are looking for.
Now the Gio is somewhat left behind, because to use it as a mass storage device ( flash drive/card reader ) you have to have Kies drivers installed. This is, of course, frustrating. I've recently flashed to CM ( phiexz YOU ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF GIO COMMUNITY AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED ) in hopes that this would be fixed, because in my own mind it's a software issue... Turns out that it still needs drivers. I don't know what levels of complete retardness one must reach to do something like this to a 2011 smartphone ( even a budget one ).
So the question is : how do you ( is it possible ) to use mass storage capability without drivers installed on host pc?
Thank you.

Nohow.
Since the PC itself needs some drivers to recognize all of the capabilities of the phone, it is nearly impossible to have your phone making prober connection without drivers.
Although, in Linux(Ubuntu 11.10) I just connect the phone and recognises it as a card reader. This may be because of the Linux basics of both system, I dunno.

Cwm and mount usb mass storage doesnt work?
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk

woops. double post

kajjtan19 said:
Cwm and mount usb mass storage doesnt work?
Sent from my GT-S5660 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it almost seems it does... o.0 thank you so much
shiftyHungary said:
Nohow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well several other phones ( LG p500 for example) can be used as regular flash drives ( sd ) on windows based machines without any drivers or CWM's

Never mind but why installing drivers is such a big issue? I installed kies once I bought this set and since then I just connect my device to windows machine and it detects it as a drive. I don't use kies at all!
And if you find installing drivers really frustrating then try using apps that let you transfer data over wifi connection (airdroid etc.). They don't require drivers (hopefully) but i'm not sure though. Better give it a try.

samydroid said:
Never mind but why installing drivers is such a big issue?
And if you find installing drivers really frustrating then try using apps that let you transfer data over wifi connection (airdroid etc.). They don't require drivers (hopefully) but i'm not sure though. Better give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
erm Plug and Play vs installing Kies ? retorical question
thanks for suggestion though, i'll check airdroid
edit: CWM usb mount no go btw :/

Cant Connect S3 to PC via USB- HELP!!!

i'm unable to connect my S3 to my PC via USB. even though i installed the samsung USB driver, i get an error on my PC that says it had a problem installing the Samsung Mobile MTP Device. i also get a pop up error on my phone saying i need to install Windows Media Player 10. i got XP on my laptop.. do i really need Windows Media Player 10 to connect my S3 to the PC via USB? how do i fix this?

I haven't used XP in years but you may need to install this.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=19153
And have you seen this thread?
http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/28807

Airdroid

Did you try setting phone to the PTP mode which is like a camera just to transfer files? You could rename a tar to jpg
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Are you using the factory cable? I was using a cheap Micousb and it wouldnt work. Pulled out the original plugged it in and connected to Kies instantly.

1SiK1500 said:
Are you using the factory cable? I was using a cheap Micousb and it wouldnt work. Pulled out the original plugged it in and connected to Kies instantly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This..

1SiK1500 said:
Are you using the factory cable? I was using a cheap Micousb and it wouldnt work. Pulled out the original plugged it in and connected to Kies instantly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll try it.. but do i need root to view files from my sd card on my PC while my phone is connected to my PC via USB? if not, then how do i view files from the sd card on my PC when i connect my phone to my PC without being rooted?

obla1 said:
i'll try it.. but do i need root to view files from my sd card on my PC while my phone is connected to my PC via USB? if not, then how do i view files from the sd card on my PC when i connect my phone to my PC without being rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should automatically prompt you to view internal and external sd cards on your pc. Are you rooted?
Sent from my SGH-T999

i have this problem on XP sometimes too, even with the drivers installed.
Try changing it from MTP to PTP. Let the computer find it again, then switch it back to MTP. Works for me every time

chrisram88 said:
It should automatically prompt you to view internal and external sd cards on your pc. Are you rooted?
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi chrisram... it doesnt prompt me for anything. i installed the snapdragon toolkit. i got xp and when i go into windows explorer, i see files on the phone, but not on the sd card. i tried also to install samsung driver 1.4.6.0 and i get a "MTP was not installed" error. and on the phone i get a pop up saying that i need windows media player 10 or higher, which i have installed.
and to answer your question, i am not rooted. DO I HAVE TO BE ROOTED TO VIEW FILES ON THE SD CARD ON MY PC VIA USB? please help because i'm on the verge on stomping on this galaxy s3. thanks,

You don't need root to view files in your phone. Did you put an SD card in there?

obla1 said:
hi chrisram... it doesnt prompt me for anything. i installed the snapdragon toolkit. i got xp and when i go into windows explorer, i see files on the phone, but not on the sd card. i tried also to install samsung driver 1.4.6.0 and i get a "MTP was not installed" error. and on the phone i get a pop up saying that i need windows media player 10 or higher, which i have installed.
and to answer your question, i am not rooted. DO I HAVE TO BE ROOTED TO VIEW FILES ON THE SD CARD ON MY PC VIA USB? please help because i'm on the verge on stomping on this galaxy s3. thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On your phone go to menu >settings >development >usb debugging
Make sure it is selected. Hit me up on gtalk if you like same as xda name
Sent from my SGH-T999

chrisram88 said:
On your phone go to menu >settings >development >usb debugging
Make sure it is selected. Hit me up on gtalk if you like same as xda name
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi cristianram.. i get an error that says: "there was a problem installing this hardware.. MTP. An error occurred during installation of the device. A service installation section in this INF is invalid."
i'm really tired of this phone.. i really feel like breaking it or throwing it away now.

Or like I already said.. Just use airdroid.

psykhotic said:
Or like I already said.. Just use airdroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea try what the user suggested. That might work, use airdroid and report back. Your not the first one with this problem man. Don't worry we will get it solved.
Sent from my SGH-T999

chrisram88 said:
Yea try what the user suggested. That might work, use airdroid and report back. Your not the first one with this problem man. Don't worry we will get it solved.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i seriously dont want to use airdroid.. i need to move heavy files and i dont want to spend years by my PC waiting for my phone to finish transferring files over the air.. i want to be able to see my sd card via usb.
thanks for the encouragement.. i know i'll get a solution with your help..

Fair enough. What if you do install windows media player 11 and see what that does?
Sent from my SGH-T999

Um the sdcard can only write at about say max 80Mbps sustained. WLAN will be fast enough at 40.. what is USB2.0?
Anyways if you are putting lots of files, leave them on external, and don't have to worry about copying again. No good reason to have then on sdcard vs external.
You can just copy to ext then use any file mgr program to copy it using the phone.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

I use N so it's 100mbps and fast enough to not notice any difference. I'm guessing your problem is that XP is old as F. A simple solution is to just plug the sd card into your computer. But as it was pointed out the sd card is slower than wifi so it really doesn't matter.
Oh and I'd just like to point out you could have moved the files 10000 times by now. With airdroid you can move around the house while files are transferring. So you can relax and still use the phone instead of being tethered to the computer. And if you have splashtop you'd never even have to touch your PC.

Put Linux on a flash drive and use that?

Why I will NEVER buy another Nexus device again.

The file system is whack!
Why?
Try this very simple test.
Create a new folder and create some files to put in there.
Use a USB cable and plug it into your laptop.
Open your phone.
Where is your new folder and files?
But wait, if you open up ES File Explorer on the phone, everything is there?
Okay, reboot your phone.
Then, plug it into your laptop again.
Okay, now everything is there.
It's like you have to reboot your Nexus device in order to allow your laptop to see a refresh of the storage memory.
This is why removable memory is the way to go.

I just use Filezilla and ftpserver from the play store. Easy and fast. I'll never plug my phone into the computer again to transfer files.

use a good file explorer that does refresh the storage index...try solid explorer..problem solved
every change made by solid explorer to the file system is notified to the android media store index, try to repeat your steps with solid explorer
(that happens to every new phone out there that use MTP over mass storage file transfer, about 90% of new smartphone, even phone with removable storage use MTP today )

Wires are much too cumbersome. I use ES file manager to move files to/from my tablets/PC/dropbox/Box.com. Copy and paste between any and all of those easier than using a full desktop PC. No need to search for a wire. Or even be in the same room as your PC. Problem solved.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using XDA Premium HD app

Thanks everyone!
I'll try these ideas.

andQlimax said:
use a good file explorer that does refresh the storage index...try solid explorer..problem solved
every change made by solid explorer to the file system is notified to the android media store index, try to repeat your steps with solid explorer
(that happens to every new phone out there that use MTP over mass storage file transfer, about 90% of new smartphone, even phone with removable storage use MTP today )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, the nice thing about removable storage is that it's easy to pop out the memory card and put it into your laptop. I only wish that laptop makers would put a micro SD card slot into laptops so I don't have to keep my adapter in there.
Plus, it copies way faster that way, in my experience. Also, Windows Explorer treats it like storage device, instead of some weird "thing" with the MTP method, ie, Teracopy never works with MTP.

i use root explorer and never had that issue. i created folder thru root explorer and i plugged into my laptop and i was able to view folder. but i got to say when i first got my gnex i was scared because of not having a removable sd card. but when i did have my droid X my sd card did fail, but luckily i backed everything up to my laptop before it actually failed.

Neo3D said:
Thanks everyone!
I'll try these ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
excuse me, but you have created a post to state that you are not buying another Nexus device just for that silly reason you mention?
ohhh, please.... :laugh::silly:

itasoulas said:
excuse me, but you have created a post to state that you are not buying another Nexus device just for that silly reason you mention?
ohhh, please.... :laugh::silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
neo isnt very smart and is overly dramatic.

Neo3D said:
The file system is whack!
Why?
Try this very simple test.
Create a new folder and create some files to put in there.
Use a USB cable and plug it into your laptop.
Open your phone.
Where is your new folder and files?
But wait, if you open up ES File Explorer on the phone, everything is there?
Okay, reboot your phone.
Then, plug it into your laptop again.
Okay, now everything is there.
It's like you have to reboot your Nexus device in order to allow your laptop to see a refresh of the storage memory.
This is why removable memory is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is your Galaxy Nexus version? International one? I have one GSM and I've never had this kind of problem..

peppo6 said:
Which is your Galaxy Nexus version? International one? I have one GSM and I've never had this kind of problem..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon version.

Neo3D said:
The file system is whack!
Why?
Try this very simple test.
Create a new folder and create some files to put in there.
Use a USB cable and plug it into your laptop.
Open your phone.
Where is your new folder and files?
But wait, if you open up ES File Explorer on the phone, everything is there?
Okay, reboot your phone.
Then, plug it into your laptop again.
Okay, now everything is there.
It's like you have to reboot your Nexus device in order to allow your laptop to see a refresh of the storage memory.
This is why removable memory is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? That has nothing to do with internal storage versus Sd... Might wanna learn how computers work and how to use a file explorer...

cstrife999 said:
What? That has nothing to do with internal storage versus Sd... Might wanna learn how computers work and how to use a file explorer...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh, might want to know what you're talking about before trash typing....with SD you can remove the card and use the MUCH BETTER & 10x FASTER Windows file manager, can't do that with the Nexus internal storage.

du bist krank said:
Good riddance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fantard

This is not a Galaxy 'Nexus' problem, it's an Android thing, its MTP.

Any app that can trigger a media scan should cure that without having to reboot.
I've been using filezilla on my pc to push files to my phone for awhile though and it is much more convenient. USB transfer is slow and those cords always break on me >.<
That's no reason to ditch the galaxy nexus though. Maybe the terrible screen, poor placement of headphone jack, and battery life though... Lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Neo3D said:
Verizon version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I think it's just a problem linked to your Gnex. When I plug mine, I always see it on my pc like a removal memory.. And this should happen if you are rooted or not, it doesn't depend on it.
Inviato dal mio Galaxy Nexus utilizzando Tapatalk

18 months of updates doesn't warrant buying a nexus anymore, I just buy a better hardware non nexus phone an install the latest google stock on it using a custom rom.

Uninstall mtp drivers from drivers management and install it again
Remove all drivers related to gnex and install again
Just download latest USB drivers zip
http://developer.android.com/sdk/win-usb.html
And follow istructions
http://developer.android.com/tools/extras/oem-usb.html#InstallingDriver

Don't know how but I never faced this issue. I use file manager.

How to mount drives on Mac directly? (NOT HTC Sync Manager)?

((Edit: @cnu4u found a quick solution for me: android.com/filetransfer/ - Doesn't mount the drives, but allows simple drag and drop. Perfect.))
Hi All,
I've been googling my brains out but am obviously bad at it. I've been looking for a way to mount my HTC 10 directly into mac, so the internal and external disks come up as drives in finder, much like you can do in Windows. I can't for the life of me see how- all I can do is get to HTC Sync Manager, and I can't seem to drag/drop files in and out of finder using that piece of crap app. I don't love being locked into HTC's software to get files in and out of my device.
Any tips? Using a stock, unrooted HTC Rom. I'd prefer not to Root if I can help it.
Thanks,
Drew

oheydrew said:
Hi All,
I've been googling my brains out but am obviously bad at it. I've been looking for a way to mount my HTC 10 directly into mac, so the internal and external disks come up as drives in finder, much like you can do in Windows. I can't for the life of me see how- all I can do is get to HTC Sync Manager, and I can't seem to drag/drop files in and out of finder using that piece of crap app. I don't love being locked into HTC's software to get files in and out of my device.
Any tips? Using a stock, unrooted HTC Rom. I'd prefer not to Root if I can help it.
Thanks,
Drew
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Android file transfer on Mac. It's an app from Google.
Edit: link added - https://www.android.com/filetransfer/

Bingo. That'll do it! Doesn't exactly add it as a mounted drive, but it's more than usable for drag and drop. Thanks! Great result.

AFT was my revelation as well. It sometimes is finicky with transferring files, but I've found that toggling USB debugging and/or the connection type (file transfer vs charge only) fixes that.