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.

[Solved] Any way to access an apk file immediately after flashing?

I'm not sure if this is possible as ICS has no built in file manager, but is there anywhere I can put an apk file that it would be accessible without one? Specifically I want to be able to open an apk to install a file manager as the first thing I do after flashing a rom, to avoid needing to go through the market.
I thought maybe I could leave it in sdcard/download but it seems like the downloads program is blind to anything in that folder that wasn't officially "downloaded". (I suppose I could upload one to my dropbox and download it via the browser, if there are no viable options). Also made a few stabs at getting the gallery program to show one but it seems to filter out anything that's not a picture or video.
Any ideas for places to stick an apk and get one of the stock programs to let me open it?

maybe email it to yourself?
but you would have to log into the email app to do that
but there isnt really anyway to access the file without a file explorer

Open your favourite rom zip, add your apk to /system/app, save the zip, push that zip to the phone, flash.

Peesashiz said:
maybe email it to yourself?
but you would have to log into the email app to do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah in general I'm trying to cut out the step of signing into anything and just restoring my apps from a backup before I need to cancel automatic restore functions (which I do want on and running once I do my own initial run of things).
bk201doesntexist said:
Open your favourite rom zip, add your apk to /system/app, save the zip, push that zip to the phone, flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing this comes with the consequence of raising any apk added in this manner to system app level? Not that I distrust the apps I'd have in mind for this to do anything malicious themselves, but is there any danger of opening security holes by elevating apps not designed to be system apps?

What I've done many times is just enabling Air Plane as soon as I can after flashing a ROM. That's way I can install any apk I want.
Hope it helps.

heo_con184 said:
What I've done many times is just enabling Air Plane as soon as I can after flashing a ROM. That's way I can install any apk I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm but then what is your method for getting to that apk? If you do it over wifi that seems to defeat the point, no?
Personally I've found that it works just fine to uncheck the boxes for recovery syncing during the setup process, and then just re-enabling them later in settings. (Alternately, not signing into my google account at all until I've performed a backup). That way even if I end up signing into the market to download a recovery app, it doesn't automatically try to re-download everything else on its own.
I'm starting to think that my dropbox solution will be the cleanest, as it'll be a simple step of opening the browser and downloading a single apk every time at the same link.
I bet that the inclusion of a basic file explorer will be one of those headline items in a future android release. A nice basic functionality that the bloggers can rehash to death before anything actually hits.

Download the file manager apk over wifi and install the APK via download manager.
I do it all the time with Chinese android tablets with no market access.
Or Bluetooth it from another device.
Or just use the market
LTE EX Galaxy Nexus - 4.0.3 AOSP
Asus Transformer - Revolver OC/UV

JoeSyr said:
Hmm but then what is your method for getting to that apk? If you do it over wifi that seems to defeat the point, no?
Personally I've found that it works just fine to uncheck the boxes for recovery syncing during the setup process, and then just re-enabling them later in settings. (Alternately, not signing into my google account at all until I've performed a backup). That way even if I end up signing into the market to download a recovery app, it doesn't automatically try to re-download everything else on its own.
I'm starting to think that my dropbox solution will be the cleanest, as it'll be a simple step of opening the browser and downloading a single apk every time at the same link.
I bet that the inclusion of a basic file explorer will be one of those headline items in a future android release. A nice basic functionality that the bloggers can rehash to death before anything actually hits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Transfer by USB from my laptop.

Is there a way to do that in which the device will launch the apk you move over? When I copy files over usb, it only ever puts them into whatever directory, and I need a file explorer to interact with them on the phone. And then I'm back to square one, as far as this particular task is concerned (once things are up and running I just use the LAN option in ES file explorer and it's as convenient as could be).

you have the apk in your computer right?
connect the phone to pc, and use adb to install
'adb install <apk_file_name.apk>'

Ah. I haven't used adb since I first unlocked/rooted a few months ago. Guess it probably pays to be a little familiar with those tools; they don't even occur to me when problem solving these days.

JoeSyr said:
Ah. I haven't used adb since I first unlocked/rooted a few months ago. Guess it probably pays to be a little familiar with those tools; they don't even occur to me when problem solving these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mark thread as solved then, if that solved it

Well a completely in-phone solution would still be nice, but I guess if there were any of those they'd have come up by now.
I'll probably use abd if I'm actively working at my computer and a dropbox download otherwise.

How to transfer data between the One x and Asus Transformer Prime?

This is probarly a stupid question, but how do i transfer data like apps and pics between my 2 units?. The bluetooth connection fails on both. The dont find eachother.
Thanks in advance

"Wi-Fi Direct"? Never tried it but it sounds like it'll work
Go to Settings > Wireless and Networks > more then switch wifi direct on

Apps - download them from the Play Store
App data - can't be done
Photos - Copy to PC, then to 2nd device

Did you make each device discoverable?
Try transfering files via PC?

I use Dropbox as a way of sharing files between my One X and my Prime. Works pretty well for the most part.

Could use Google Drive I suppose...not tried it yet myself

EddyOS said:
Could use Google Drive I suppose...not tried it yet myself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drop box would be better then get dropsync to copy the files from could to your device so no need to download them one by one.

treebill said:
drop box would be better then get dropsync to copy the files from could to your device so no need to download them one by one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But seeing as we have Android handsets we should be using Google's services!!!

Many thanks for all your help in here...this forum is amazing
I would try to connect via wifi then the One X is finish from charging. Would also try out dropbox.

The-Last-Hylian said:
Did you make each device discoverable?
Try transfering files via PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EddyOS said:
Apps - download them from the Play Store
App data - can't be done
Photos - Copy to PC, then to 2nd device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i tryed that it works good

I recommend Foldersync, it can handle multiple cloud a/c and can customize sync behavior(one way or 2-way sync) for each folder.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

es file explorer? copy the files from device 1 to pc, copy the files from pc to device 2
just need a shared folder and wifi
or use the datacable and mount both devices as disk drives
works best if you're moving gb amount of data, otherwise dropbox

EddyOS said:
Apps - download them from the Play Store
App data - can't be done
Photos - Copy to PC, then to 2nd device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends on the app. Plenty of apps offer the ability to export / import app data, and you can easily transfer via Bluetooth. (Don't have the Prime, but bluetooth connection and even internet sharing works between my phone and TF101.)

[Q] Where is the File Manager?

Am I missing something? or is there no preinstalled File Manager?
Preinstalled apps, and google apps are the only apps allowed to write/edit to the miceSD card, so why wouldn't HTC install one?
Already regretting getting this phone, since I download a Lot of work files via my phone, and now I'm unable to move them from the downloads folder to the proper folder on the microSD.

Just downloaded one from Google play, loads to choose from.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

UberSlackr said:
Am I missing something? or is there no preinstalled File Manager?
Preinstalled apps, and google apps are the only apps allowed to write/edit to the miceSD card, so why wouldn't HTC install one?
Already regretting getting this phone, since I download a Lot of work files via my phone, and now I'm unable to move them from the downloads folder to the proper folder on the microSD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&hl=en_GB
this is the best one on the market never use stock file mangers always this one

jonny68 said:
Just downloaded one from Google play, loads to choose from.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ones I've installed won't let me delete files or move anything to them...

jaythenut said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&hl=en_GB
this is the best one on the market never use stock file mangers always this one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try... Thanks for the suggestion.

jaythenut said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&hl=en_GB
this is the best one on the market never use stock file mangers always this one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I tried it, but that app, just like all the other ones on the play store do not let you move files from the phone memory to the microSD.
It won't let you Delete anything either...
All you can do is view the microSD. No writes can be made to it.
Android 4.4 won't let the apps do that anymore. (Unless rooted)

UberSlackr said:
Android 4.4 won't let the apps do that anymore. (Unless rooted)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then no other File Manager can do it either (without root). Can you delete files when connected to a PC?

EddyOS said:
Then no other File Manager can do it either (without root). Can you delete files when connected to a PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the files on the microSD can be altered via the PC. But apps like airDroid won't work anymore.
Working all the go, I don't have time to stop to plug the phone up to the computer every time I need to move/rename/delete a file.

UberSlackr said:
Yes the files on the microSD can be altered via the PC. But apps like airDroid won't work anymore.
Working all the go, I don't have time to stop to plug the phone up to the computer every time I need to move/rename/delete a file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same boat here. I copy via USB2go all the time on my Note 3, and this is crippled for the M8. There's a work around, but you need to unlock the boot loader first, which for me is a pain, since it will reset the phone. I'm pretty OCD and it takes me some time to set everything up the way I like it. At this point, i'm just doing the PC transfer thing.

Upload the files to Google drive and then download to your memory card?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

clax6 said:
Upload the files to Google drive and then download to your memory card?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Drive saves any downloaded files to the internal memory, under the download folder. And there is no way to change where its saved to (that I know of)
It was just a poor choice of Google to disallow 3rd Party Apps from emaking changes to the external memory. They should have atleast
Made it a requirement for the manufacturer to include a file manager. Or Google them self should have. I understand they trying to push people to use Google Drive, but until data usage is free I won't used Google Drive to save nothing more than Google docs.

UberSlackr said:
Google Drive saves any downloaded files to the internal memory, under the download folder. And there is no way to change where its saved to (that I know of)
It was just a poor choice of Google to disallow 3rd Party Apps from emaking changes to the external memory. They should have atleast
Made it a requirement for the manufacturer to include a file manager. Or Google them self should have. I understand they trying to push people to use Google Drive, but until data usage is free I won't used Google Drive to save nothing more than Google docs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A google backed file manager with full write permissions would be awesome, but that would be going against what they are trying to accomplish.

To Root or Not to Root?

My current Nexus 10 is on it last legs and I decided to pick up a Galaxy Tab T800 10.5 inch wifi only in good/Used condition on ebay and should receive it next week.
While I await it, I'm starting to look at its rooting process and if I should root it not. I assume it is coming unrooted, but won't know for sure till I get it and what version of Android it currently has. I'm not completely new to rooting as I have done it before on my Nexus 10 and Note 2 phone (yeah, time to upgrade). Its just been a while since I need to root something.
But do you think rooting it and going with a custom Rom is that much better than the Stock Rom?
Also, I did only buy a 16GB version, as the majority of all of my video's are on a home server and I use either XBMC/Kodi and BSPlayer to connect and watch things. But I remember with my Nexus 10 it was also possible to Map a Folder to a local server. Does anyone know if that is possible with Galaxy Tab? The ability to map a folder/drive is great to navigate and view pdf's, pictures etc.
Thanks
PT

ptmuldoon said:
My current Nexus 10 is on it last legs and I decided to pick up a Galaxy Tab T800 10.5 inch wifi only in good/Used condition on ebay and should receive it next week.
While I await it, I'm starting to look at its rooting process and if I should root it not. I assume it is coming unrooted, but won't know for sure till I get it and what version of Android it currently has. I'm not completely new to rooting as I have done it before on my Nexus 10 and Note 2 phone (yeah, time to upgrade). Its just been a while since I need to root something.
But do you think rooting it and going with a custom Rom is that much better than the Stock Rom?
Also, I did only buy a 16GB version, as the majority of all of my video's are on a home server and I use either XBMC/Kodi and BSPlayer to connect and watch things. But I remember with my Nexus 10 it was also possible to Map a Folder to a local server. Does anyone know if that is possible with Galaxy Tab? The ability to map a folder/drive is great to navigate and view pdf's, pictures etc.
Thanks
PT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Previous to my S1 10.5" I had a rooted Nexus 10. I rooted without tripping Knox to retain my warranty. Although I had my S1 for several months without rooting (5.0.2) there will a few things I missed:
- Viper4Android (superior audio replacement)
- GMD Gesture Control (including immersion mode)
- Enhanced Power menu
- Titanium backups
- Full RW access to the internal microSD card
- The ability to theme the TouchWiz UI
There are more reasons to root but those are the first few that I desperately missed from the N10.
The free ES File Explorer can map CIFS/SAMBA network drives and with root can access the entire internal storage with RW permissions. I use Plex/MXPlayer to access my NAS video collection without transcoding but the setup you mentioned would also work well even if you didn't root.
I found that after having full RW access to my MicroSD card (64GB) that you could do what ever you wanted as far as mapping is concerned. I get Titanium Backup to write straight to the mSD card and have never seen my 16GB device as too small, it just does not happen. With that said I am not a gamer so take the comment with a grain of salt. My mSD card is mainly filled with backups and music files.
As you are likely to no longer be under warranty I would advise rooting using the CF method which includes TWRP then you can try which ever custom ROM catches your fancy and switch safely as long as to take nandroid backups with the enhanced recovery.
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA Premium HD app

3DSammy said:
Previous to my S1 10.5" I had a rooted Nexus 10. I rooted without tripping Knox to retain my warranty. Although I had my S1 for several months without rooting (5.0.2) there will a few things I missed:
- Viper4Android (superior audio replacement)
- GMD Gesture Control (including immersion mode)
- Enhanced Power menu
- Titanium backups
- Full RW access to the internal microSD card
- The ability to theme the TouchWiz UI
There are more reasons to root but those are the first few that I desperately missed from the N10.
The free ES File Explorer can map CIFS/SAMBA network drives and with root can access the entire internal storage with RW permissions. I use Plex/MXPlayer to access my NAS video collection without transcoding but the setup you mentioned would also work well even if you didn't root.
I found that after having full RW access to my MicroSD card (64GB) that you could do what ever you wanted as far as mapping is concerned. I get Titanium Backup to write straight to the mSD card and have never seen my 16GB device as too small, it just does not happen. With that said I am not a gamer so take the comment with a grain of salt. My mSD card is mainly filled with backups and music files.
As you are likely to no longer be under warranty I would advise rooting using the CF method which includes TWRP then you can try which ever custom ROM catches your fancy and switch safely as long as to take nandroid backups with the enhanced recovery.
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank's for the great info and feedback. I'll plan to root it when it arrives (hopefully this weekend). But have 2 more general questions as you seem pretty familiar wit the tablet.
I know its personal preference. But have you found a preferred custom Rom you like? And are you sure you ESFile Explorer can actually Map a network CIFS/Samba share location? I can use ESFileExplorer to access my server and navigate the network shares. But I have not figured out how to actually map the shares to a local folder on the tablets. I'll have to revisit that ability separately though as its not big deal as XBMC/Kodi and others can still access the shares.
But when the shares are actually mapped to local folder, you can navigate them from pretty much any native app.

ptmuldoon said:
... But have you found a preferred custom Rom you like? And are you sure you ESFile Explorer can actually Map a network CIFS/Samba share location? I can use ESFileExplorer to access my server and navigate the network shares. But I have not figured out how to actually map the shares to a local folder on the tablets. I'll have to revisit that ability separately though as its not big deal as XBMC/Kodi and others can still access the shares.
But when the shares are actually mapped to local folder, you can navigate them from pretty much any native app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I rooted but preserved my warranty by not tripping the Knox counter (I can return to pure uprooted stock), I must keep the Samsung locked bootloader. The means I have limited choices in custom ROMs and no choice in custom kernels. The only ROM I could flash is Ironman. With all that said I decided to stay with stock 5.0.2 and just augment it with root apps that I listed in my previous post. That gave me all the custom ROM features I regularly use.
I think now I understand better what you wanted from mapping. So ES File Manager would not give you what you wanted as its cifs/samba maps are usable by other apps only when you use the ES file manager UI. For example click on a CIFS mapped video file in the ES file Manager UI and an associated video player plays the video. In the past I used XBMC on Android and that version included CIFS/Samba drivers that allowed me to access my network attached video collection. I suspect that feature still exists.
Now if you had video files on either the internal storage or external microSD card and wanted those directories available to XBMC the internal storage would be no issue but I think you need to use an app like Stick mount for the microSD. Stick mount creates a symbolic link on the internal storage (\sdcard) to directories on the microSD card allowing any app to access those files as if they were located on internal storage. That may accomplish what you want.
I still maybe misinterpreting what your trying to accomplish with mapping but I'm fairly sure one way or another you can get what your looking for especially as you'll be rooted.
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA Premium HD app

3DSammy said:
I think now I understand better what you wanted from mapping. So ES File Manager would not give you what you wanted as its cifs/samba maps are usable by other apps only when you use the ES file manager UI. For example click on a CIFS mapped video file in the ES file Manager UI and an associated video player plays the video. In the past I used XBMC on Android and that version included CIFS/Samba drivers that allowed me to access my network attached video collection. I suspect that feature still exists.
I still maybe misinterpreting what your trying to accomplish with mapping but I'm fairly sure one way or another you can get what your looking for especially as you'll be rooted.
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. It was tricky on the Nexus 10 to mount a CIFS/Samba share and needed specific cifs.ko and other modules. It was sorta of hit and miss and I remember most said it worked best when you mounted them to the /mnt/obb system file folder location. If you google it, you'll find bunch of topics leading back to posts on xda about it.
Its the same concept of mapping a share with a PC, etc. Once done, any program/app should see that information as a local system folder. So you could launch any app and if needed, navigate to your network share files to open a document., text file, pdf viewer, and so depending on what the app was looking for. Even ESFile Explorer would then see your network shares as a local system directory. And you could actually save your titanium backups directly to your NAS or network server, if you wanted to.