Develop Bugs

[Q] System storage, USB storage, SD card?

Hi all, I feel like I'm completely lost at how Android or Samsung designed this.
First to clarify, I have the SGH-T989 with a 16GB microSD plugged in.
Under "Settings" - "Storage", I can see three categories: "SD card", "USB storage", and "System storage". It reports the size of my microSD card under "SD card", then it seems to divide what I understand is the internal memory into two parts: "USB storage" and "System storage". So "USB storage" has a total space of 11.25GB, and "System storage" has a space of 1.9GB.
What does it mean by "USB storage"?
And also, under "Applications" - "Manage applications" - "On SD card" tab, it is reporting the size of the "USB storage" on this tab. It seems to think the "USB storage" (which from what I understand is actually part of the internal memory) is the "SD card", and not treat my real microSD card as the "SD card". More importantly, if I move some app from system storage to SD card by clicking on "Move to SD card", it will be moved to the "USB storage" instead of my real microSD card. What is going on here? Does it mean that I'll never be able to really move an app to my real microSD card? Then what's the use of an external SD card?

System storage is simply where your apps are installed. usb storage is technically just your onboard storage. so if you move the app to USB storage it is technically no longer in the system storage. To me it's a good thing. I like to keep my actual external sd card for movies and pictures and music. Also those apps should still be pretty fast as they not on the slower sd card. ...
This is just how I would explain it to a friend.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Well for me it is actually different....if i'm moving app to SD then it is going to external SD and not the USB storage. Is there some setting which i need to change so that it move the apps to USB storage and not external SD.

edited post I thought i could trick the system into letting move and app to internal sd by unmounting the external sd card but it didnt work.

Edit:
Actually the "Move to SD card" will move the app from system storage to external SD card, not the USB storage.

android4sunny said:
Well for me it is actually different....if i'm moving app to SD then it is going to external SD and not the USB storage. Is there some setting which i need to change so that it move the apps to USB storage and not external SD.
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You are right. I was wrong.

I'm curious why the storege is so very low. Isn't the phone 16GB? 11.25 of which 8.9 open is low.

the rest of the space has been partitioned for the internal apps

But I can only use the 1.9G to store my apps out of the 16G internal storage? If I move apps to SD card they get moved to the external SD card. Is there a way to move them to the rest of the internal storage (which is called "USB storage" on the phone)?

513263337 said:
But I can only use the 1.9G to store my apps out of the 16G internal storage? If I move apps to SD card they get moved to the external SD card. Is there a way to move them to the rest of the internal storage (which is called "USB storage" on the phone)?
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Click to collapse
You mean when you move to SD card it actually gets moved to the USB drive, right? I don't like the way Samsung did this. We should have be able to move app or anything else to either internal, USB, or SD card. If we root will be able to do this?

I have the AT&T SGS2 and I'm wondering the same thing. I don't have an external SD card and my system storage is about to get full. I still have 9GB free in my USB storage but there doesn't seem to be a way to move my apps from system storage to USB storage. What do I do? Why is it partitioned this way?

Firepac said:
I have the AT&T SGS2 and I'm wondering the same thing. I don't have an external SD card and my system storage is about to get full. I still have 9GB free in my USB storage but there doesn't seem to be a way to move my apps from system storage to USB storage. What do I do? Why is it partitioned this way?
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Click to collapse
I'm actually wondering about the same thing. Although it claims it has 16GB internal storage the actual size that we can install apps is just 1.9G, rest of it is partitioned as some kind of USB storage that can't be used to install apps, very annoying...

Also I only have about 20 apps installed on my system storage and they're all about a few MBs each. I only have about 400MBs of system storage is free. What could be taking up so much space?
Edit: Okay just found that a few games were storing their data on the system storage even though the system says it's installed on USB...

USB = System Internal Storage
try to move as much stuff as you can to the External SD card
\sdcard\external_sd\
that's how it looks like when you install stuff

^typical XDA...ask simple question, get incorrect answer, LOVE IT. By the way this is a thread i SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR, while being told by another XDA member to USE THE SEARCH FEATURE in a different thread.....sweet
so let me rephrase the goddamn question(s)
WHY WHEN WE MOVE APP TO SD CARD DOES THE PHONE MOVE THE APP TO THE REMOVABLE microSD CARD AND NOT INSTEAD USE THE INTERNAL STORAGE (11.2GB) WHICH IS MORE PLENTIFUL THAN THE 1.9GB SUPPLIED?
when running some apps/games from a microSD card they cause force closes, data loss, and other wacky things to occur. <- is WHY we dont want them stored there...
IS THERE A WAY TO SELECT TO USE THE INTERNAL SD CARD (11.2GB INSTEAD?
...not as far as i can tell, ive tried it all includng removng the microSD card and attempting to install an app, the phone says not enough space even though i had 1.9GBs remaining in the "USB Storage" partition
The T989 SHOULD fil the INTERNAL CARD FIRST in my opinion....
i have over 200 apps/games on my device and ive only had it for ~2 months no media, only apps/games and i have 200mb remaining in the partition allocated for apps and 1.9GB remaining in the "USB Storage" partiton,....I DONT want apps/games stored on my 64GB microSD card, i remove it often, thats where my media is stored....
heres another kicker, the T989 reports a low memory warning and inabilty to store apps in the Intenal (1.9GB) partition at ~200mb, even though most apps are FAR smaller than anything that would impact that remaining space

HATe410 said:
WHY WHEN WE MOVE APP TO SD CARD DOES THE PHONE MOVE THE APP TO THE REMOVABLE microSD CARD AND NOT INSTEAD USE THE INTERNAL STORAGE (11.2GB) WHICH IS MORE PLENTIFUL THAN THE 1.9GB SUPPLIED?
IS THERE A WAY TO SELECT TO USE THE INTERNAL SD CARD (11.2GB INSTEAD?
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Click to collapse
That 'why' is a bad question and you should feel bad for asking it. It was designed that way in the phone. As to your second question, a proper one, try this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd&hl=en. It lists in the description what you asked for but seems ambiguous from the pictures.

HATe410 said:
^typical XDA...ask simple question, get incorrect answer, LOVE IT. By the way this is a thread i SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR, while being told by another XDA member to USE THE SEARCH FEATURE in a different thread.....sweet
so let me rephrase the goddamn question(s)
WHY WHEN WE MOVE APP TO SD CARD DOES THE PHONE MOVE THE APP TO THE REMOVABLE microSD CARD AND NOT INSTEAD USE THE INTERNAL STORAGE (11.2GB) WHICH IS MORE PLENTIFUL THAN THE 1.9GB SUPPLIED?
when running some apps/games from a microSD card they cause force closes, data loss, and other wacky things to occur. <- is WHY we dont want them stored there...
IS THERE A WAY TO SELECT TO USE THE INTERNAL SD CARD (11.2GB INSTEAD?
...not as far as i can tell, ive tried it all includng removng the microSD card and attempting to install an app, the phone says not enough space even though i had 1.9GBs remaining in the "USB Storage" partition
The T989 SHOULD fil the INTERNAL CARD FIRST in my opinion....
i have over 200 apps/games on my device and ive only had it for ~2 months no media, only apps/games and i have 200mb remaining in the partition allocated for apps and 1.9GB remaining in the "USB Storage" partiton,....I DONT want apps/games stored on my 64GB microSD card, i remove it often, thats where my media is stored....
heres another kicker, the T989 reports a low memory warning and inabilty to store apps in the Intenal (1.9GB) partition at ~200mb, even though most apps are FAR smaller than anything that would impact that remaining space
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just the way the partitions are designed in the phone.. It's not necessary for it to be that way but that's the way this phone is designed and there isn't much you can do about it either..Other than moving apps to you external sd card which you apparently don't want to do there isn't really any other options

Programs uninstalled after reboot

Hi!
I was looking after this issue since my holidays. My Glide just uninstalls random applications that are on SD card (external_SD) after reboot. The replication is 8 out of 10. I had almost 30 apps on the SD card (mostly games).
What I did:
-restart the launcher
-wipe/factory reset
-change microSD cards
-reformat microSD card
How can I tell apps are uninstalled?
-checked Market
-checked TiBu (Backup/restore > Uninst. filter)
As I said, different apps are uninstalled every reboot. If I again reboot my device, the app(s) previously removed will be installed and another app(s) is removed.
Temporarily, my apps are transferred on my Internal storage (2gb) and so far, no issues. This quite puzzles me for I did not encounter any issues using my microSDs in file transfers, media and etc except for this one.
May you have similar issues and have solutions for them, please share and it will be greatly appreciated.
I posted this in the subforum for this only happened on my Glide (did not see in my Captivate and Infuse with same micrSDs). If you see this as inappropriate, please leave me a message or reply, or simply report my post.
Thanks

Correct me if I am wrong but apps moved to SD actually install to the 4gb USB storage in the unit (/sdcard). Nothing goes to the external SD (/sdcard/external_sd) unless manually moved there. If you want to install a program to the SD you have to use root utilities.
Doesn't help you with your issue but you should be able to completely remove the SD card and see if you continue to have the problem.

I haven't noticed this on my wife Glide but it does happen on my Skyrocket.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

Installed adw launcher last night and haven't had a problem with the disappearing apps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

eddiert said:
Correct me if I am wrong but apps moved to SD actually install to the 4gb USB storage in the unit (/sdcard). Nothing goes to the external SD (/sdcard/external_sd) unless manually moved there. If you want to install a program to the SD you have to use root utilities.
Doesn't help you with your issue but you should be able to completely remove the SD card and see if you continue to have the problem.
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Click to collapse
No your wrong when you hit the button move to SD Card it actually goes to the MicroSD card. I tried hitting that button without a Microsd card and I get an error it says not External card detected or something like that. When I installed my MicroSD card it moved the apps to it.
JB

dudejb said:
No your wrong when you hit the button move to SD Card it actually goes to the MicroSD card. I tried hitting that button without a Microsd card and I get an error it says not External card detected or something like that. When I installed my MicroSD card it moved the apps to it.
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You are correct. Good to know. I verified that I have a few apps moved to SD and they do not work when the SD is removed.
However, I can not replicate the OPs original issue. I put the SD back in and the apps are launchable again. All apps remain after reboot. When the SD was swapped was it with a different brand/model. I am using an 8gb Sandisk.
I could not replic

dudejb said:
No your wrong when you hit the button move to SD Card it actually goes to the MicroSD card. I tried hitting that button without a Microsd card and I get an error it says not External card detected or something like that. When I installed my MicroSD card it moved the apps to it.
JB
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That's weird because I was able to move to SD without inserting a Micro SD card and when I move to SD, it moves them to the internal USB storage instead of the Micro SD card.

vil33 said:
That's weird because I was able to move to SD without inserting a Micro SD card and when I move to SD, it moves them to the internal USB storage instead of the Micro SD card.
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Weird how we both have different results here. I have the Rogers running Android version 2.3.5 and Kernel version 2.6.36.3
JB

responses are greatly appreciated....I also tried moving two apps on SDcard after transferring them to the internal (2GB) storage. my glide automatically removed one of them after reboot. Well it's not a concern until i ended up running out of space on my internal

I noticed this as well on some apps I just reinstalled them on the internal and will not transfer them to the SD I again. I guess some programs don't want to be transferred to SD.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I927R using XDA App

dudejb said:
Weird how we both have different results here. I have the Rogers running Android version 2.3.5 and Kernel version 2.6.36.3
JB
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Click to collapse
I have the exact same phone, I think you are confused. Move to SD never moves to external SD. Why else would apps like 'Apps2SD' exist then?

Apps2Sd allows you to map certain folders that are hard coded to the sd internal. For example game loft games install on the internal applicaton 2 gig partition a small installer and then Download extra content on the internal sd card. Apps2Sd allows you to map the game directory from the internal sd to your micro sd card. Similar in linux with a sym link. The Move to Sd from the Os (gingerbread). Allows you to alleviate some room from your 2 gig applications partition and move apps to the Microsd card.
JB
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I927R using XDA App

dudejb said:
Apps2Sd allows you to map certain folders that are hard coded to the sd internal. For example game loft games install on the internal applicaton 2 gig partition a small installer and then Download extra content on the internal sd card. Apps2Sd allows you to map the game directory from the internal sd to your micro sd card. Similar in linux with a sym link. The Move to Sd from the Os (gingerbread). Allows you to alleviate some room from your 2 gig applications partition and move apps to the Microsd card.
JB
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I927R using XDA App
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Could it be that whether it move to internal or external SD depends on the app? None of my apps have been moved to the external microSD yet. Maybe it is because I have extra space on my internal microSD? Also when I go to Manage Apps > On SD Card, it shows the space used and remaining on the internal SD(USB storage).

vil33 said:
Could it be that whether it move to internal or external SD depends on the app? None of my apps have been moved to the external microSD yet. Maybe it is because I have extra space on my internal microSD? Also when I go to Manage Apps > On SD Card, it shows the space used and remaining on the internal SD(USB storage).
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Click to collapse
if you are rooted, look for a folder named .android.secure on your Glide's hard drives. That folder contains apps that are moved to SD card. I see mine on /sdcard/external_sd/.android.secure

Hi, even if this thread is an old one, the same issue happened to my phone:
I can't use the internal memory to move apps because they are uninstalled every time the phone is rebooted. What is the clue?
Sent from my NX505J using Tapatalk

[Q] internal SD card and inserted SD card

I put a 16M SD card on my note II. it looks like only photo and video switch to this Card. how could I switch other apps' data storage to the external SD card?
Such as evernote and donwloaed Googld Music ... and so on. many thanks

There are two ways to transfer apps from internal storage to external SD
1)go to Settings>Applications, and select each app into "move to external sd"
But not all apps support this.
2)second way is only for rooted phones. Install titanium backup. And select "move user apps to external sd card" and can be applied to ALL apps.

One more question the phone seems to store the screenshots and snote exports to internal memory..
Any way to make it store all photos in external sd??
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

sumeshd said:
One more question the phone seems to store the screenshots and snote exports to internal memory..
Any way to make it store all photos in external sd??
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm.....i dont think there's a way i know

Not enough space on SD card error.

I downloaded Talking Santa for the kids but it won't let me play it. A screen keeps popping up that there is not enough space on my SC card but I have 50 gigs of free space. My knowledge is very limited but I unmounted and mounted again and that didn't do anything. I'm also getting this error when I try to move an app to my SD card using app 2 sd.

The app seems to have extra files it needs to download when you open it. It looks like it is trying to put those files on the internal storage. Try deleting some files off your internal SD not external.

This phone does a stupid thing where the internal memory is split into two partitions: Internal and SD card. Apks go to internal and data to SD card. But SD card is really just another subsection of your internal memory! Nothing actually goes to your external removable SD card when you move apps to the "SD card". This is a problem that I know no solution to. Any help?

Haven't had an issue with apps not going to SD. I have noticed that it does leave the empty folder behind on my internal SD.

[Q] Move apps to the EXTERNAL SD card??

Any way to truly move apps to the external SD card?
I have just recnetly learned that moving apps "to the SD card" in the settings>apps menu doesnt truly move them to the external SD card.
Why is that?
I dont have many apps yet, but it seems the apps i do have slowly get larger and larger as i use them and they save user data. (game progress for example).
Id like to know that I could at least move things that i dont care how fast they load to a truly external SD card (along with my wallpapers, ringtones, etc)
Even if theres a manual way via USB, thats cool. Just hoping someone with more than about a months worth of experience with a captivate glide (or really, i guess any phone that by default wont let you) could give some advice.
thanks!

Pawprints1986 said:
Any way to truly move apps to the external SD card?
I have just recnetly learned that moving apps "to the SD card" in the settings>apps menu doesnt truly move them to the external SD card.
Why is that?
I dont have many apps yet, but it seems the apps i do have slowly get larger and larger as i use them and they save user data. (game progress for example).
Id like to know that I could at least move things that i dont care how fast they load to a truly external SD card (along with my wallpapers, ringtones, etc)
Even if theres a manual way via USB, thats cool. Just hoping someone with more than about a months worth of experience with a captivate glide (or really, i guess any phone that by default wont let you) could give some advice.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have sd card integrated to the board, its not true sd card. You can swap internal sd to external sd, then you can use same move function to use external micro sd card as application storage.

bubor said:
You have sd card integrated to the board, its not true sd card. You can swap internal sd to external sd, then you can use same move function to use external micro sd card as application storage.
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Click to collapse
So theres no way to just manually tell it to move there without messing up whats already on the internal storage?

The Android system still has no option to move app to external sd. You can copy everything from internal (built-in) sd to external and apply change-fstab.zip to make Android think that your external sd is internal and vice versa. Works on every 4.4 rom. No performance drawbacks if using class 10 sd card. Worked for me flawlessly and thanks to bubor for this great feature.
And for manually... There's an app called Link2SD. It's some sort of workaround. You make second partition on your external SD and move apps there, leaving links for Android system on your internal storage. You can find it in google market, be sure to read instructions first.

Makshow said:
The Android system still has no option to move app to external sd. You can copy everything from internal (built-in) sd to external and apply change-fstab.zip to make Android think that your external sd is internal and vice versa. Works on every 4.4 rom. No performance drawbacks if using class 10 sd card. Worked for me flawlessly and thanks to bubor for this great feature.
And for manually... There's an app called Link2SD. It's some sort of workaround. You make second partition on your external SD and move apps there, leaving links for Android system on your internal storage. You can find it in google market, be sure to read instructions first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember trying link2sd on a friends tablet recently. it recognized certain apps as moveable, but when i actually tried to move them (on an SD that i had already partitioned) it said failure every time.
But im not sure i want to switch my storage entirely. I would just like to allow, say another 4 gigs on my SD card (with the other 4 being for wallpapers, ringtones, etc). i have an 8 gig card right now.

Then you should try link2sd here. Basically, no other options, unless you wish to emulate Link2SD work with some scripts and move apps manually. I saw some patches for Lenovo phones to combine internal storage or something like that, but they will not work on Glide obviously.