Develop Bugs

[Q] Any uses for /system folder? (Rooted Phone)

I've a strange question that might or might belong in the development thread, but figured since it's a question, I'll try here first.
I'm using a Stock DeOxed Rooted Rom on my EVO.
I recently installed a few more apps and saw this pesky little warning about low on space.
When I went into my "SystemPanel" app to see how much space was left exactly and noticed that my /data folder only had around 30megs out of it's 428M available.
Ok.. time to delete some apps I thought, but then I noticed that my /system folder (Where I presume pre-installed apps live) had almost 1/3 of it's space still available (115 out of 350megs available).
So I'm wondering.....
Is there some method that I can use to install Apps directly to this folder instead of the standard /data that apps appear to go to when installed?
Is it as simple as moving the APK file with Root Explorer, or are there some under the hood items in apps that prevent this sort of thing?
I've a few rather large apps that I cannot move to the SD card due to widget problems and the like but would be perfect for the system folder if I can find a way to move them there easily.
Thoughts?

DroidGnome said:
I've a strange question that might or might belong in the development thread, but figured since it's a question, I'll try here first.
I'm using a Stock DeOxed Rooted Rom on my EVO.
I recently installed a few more apps and saw this pesky little warning about low on space.
When I went into my "SystemPanel" app to see how much space was left exactly and noticed that my /data folder only had around 30megs out of it's 428M available.
Ok.. time to delete some apps I thought, but then I noticed that my /system folder (Where I presume pre-installed apps live) had almost 1/3 of it's space still available (115 out of 350megs available).
So I'm wondering.....
Is there some method that I can use to install Apps directly to this folder instead of the standard /data that apps appear to go to when installed?
Is it as simple as moving the APK file with Root Explorer, or are there some under the hood items in apps that prevent this sort of thing?
I've a few rather large apps that I cannot move to the SD card due to widget problems and the like but would be perfect for the system folder if I can find a way to move them there easily.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/system/app is where system apps are kept. If I remember correctly, any app can be installed into there, but you have to do through flashing an update.zip if I'm remembering properly. You may be able to take the apk that's in /data/app for the app you want to move and move it to /system/app, but I'm not sure if that will work properly or not. Someone who cooks ROMs might know more.
Also, you can partition your sd card and use true apps2sd with most ROMs. Its a little bit of work and will shorten the life of your card, but that gives you a lot more room if you need it.

I don't know that there's a way to move user apps to system. It's very possible there is a way, I've just never seen any posts about it. Apps 2 SD is usually the way to go.
ps. 30 megs?!?! Geez, how many apps do you have?
Sent from my SUPERSONIC

Easy peasy
First, use a true apk backup tool to backup e apk files you want to move. Titanium backup will NOT work because it compresses and distorts, and we need true apk files. I recommend file manager by adao team. Just go to applications, check what you want, and hit backup. Next, get the apk files on your computer by mounting sd and copying files from backups folder. You will lose all app data, but what can you do? Next, adb push the files to system app folder while in recovery mode (just say so if you don't know how to do this and i will tell you) and reboot. Done. Tell me if it works well.
By the way, 30 megs???

Doesn't froyo install to the sdcard if you tell it to?
I thought a2sd was obsolete

You can put apps there after changing the folder's permissions but I wouldn't recommend it. Just not a good idea to put regular apps there.
Just install them to your SD card instead
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

go into the android app manager and go through all your programs and click on move to sd card...
they will all still occupy some space on your nand, but not nearly as much.

Thanks for the advice, I thought it might not be as easy as moving them, oh well, just seems a shame for there to be over 100 megs I cannot do anything with.
I already had moved all I could to the SD card prior to posting this, but thanks for that advice as well, I'm sure others forget they can do that with Froyo.
As for the 30 megs I had left.. we'll it's back up to about 70 free which should be plenty for a while. (Remember we only have about 420 to start with).
Some of the big ones which could not be moved to the SD card are:
Swype (Deleted, took over 17megs)
TouchDown (12 megs.. must keep for tasks sync sadly)
Google Maps update (7.6 megs)
Documents to go (8megs)
A few various games that cannot yet be moved to the SD card at around 5megs each..
The rest are just lots of little apps.. I'm sort of an app junkie You should have seen my old Palm Centro... it was amazing!
According to Titanium, I currently have 194 'User apps', though I think a few are simply widgets, icon packs and the like.

finally thinking about rooting.help please

hi everyone
finally thinking about rooting i have a htc desire 2.2 but internal memory is becoming a problem
but i need to know the benefits?
will i able to remove some stock apps?so that internal memory is freeed up?
will apps2d able to move all apps to sd card?
what else will i able to do?
can i install a stock froyo rom without sense for my desire?im sure that would free up some space?

Yes, yes, yes and yes If you want all of the above, you can get it by rooting.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

thanks alot
how much memory free do you have on your desire?
does apps2sd move the entire application to sdcard or just the data?

This should not be in the Development forum, should've gone in Q&A

I have 100 mbs left after installing about 20 apps and a couple of games. Apps2sd will still use a bit of internal memory, but most of it goes to the sd.
EDIT: This is with ~30mb taken up from adobe flash and air on internal.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Moved to Q&A
Please do not post question threads in Development.
Post What Where:
General - general technical discussion items, news, anything else that does not fit into the other fora categories.
Q&A (Questions and Answers) - all questions, irrespective of type, get posted in here whether they be theme related, accessory related, technical, etc.
Accessories - any items to do with components and/or accessories relating to your device.
Rom Development - only meant for very advanced technical discussion directly related to ROM development activity and the delivery of actual ROMs and ROM components ONLY. Nothing else goes in here.
Themes & Apps - anything to do directly with the development of themes and/or applications. Nothing else goes in here.

mayurh said:
thanks alot
how much memory free do you have on your desire?
does apps2sd move the entire application to sdcard or just the data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have 65 apps, ranging till 12MB per app, and yet, my internal storage has 133MB free

Just realised I was using Oxygen ROM and my sd ext wasn't mounted :S
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

noobandroid said:
i have 65 apps, ranging till 12MB per app, and yet, my internal storage has 133MB free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow that sounds good
you using leeroid right?
can i root and keep my stock rom and just uninstall all the apps i dont like? wil that free up more internal memory?
will apps2sd move apps on the stock rom?

mayurh said:
wow that sounds good
you using leeroid right?
can i root and keep my stock rom and just uninstall all the apps i dont like? wil that free up more internal memory?
will apps2sd move apps on the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App2sd does not work on stock roms but it does on most already rooted roms

shockem said:
App2sd does not work on stock roms but it does on most already rooted roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so it wont work even if i root my stock rom?i'l have to load a rom?
one thing im wondering
how come you guys are getting 140mb +- free with apps installed?
where did the space come from?

If you root your stock ROM then yes you can then use adb to remove system apps. The issue is they're not part of the internal storage but on a seperate system partition. This means removing them won't add space to downloaded apps
If you want to install hundreds of pointless, needless apps** then you're going to need a custom ROM which uses A2SD+ - LeeDroid is one example but I personally prefer either an MCR ROM from MoDaCo or the Desire HD port (RCMixHD). Both also extremely good ROMs
** This is my personal opinion, I don't use my Desire as a replacement for every other device I own so have no need to use excessive ammounts of apps

EddyOS said:
If you root your stock ROM then yes you can then use adb to remove system apps. The issue is they're not part of the internal storage but on a seperate system partition. This means removing them won't add space to downloaded apps
If you want to install hundreds of pointless, needless apps** then you're going to need a custom ROM which uses A2SD+ - LeeDroid is one example but I personally prefer either an MCR ROM from MoDaCo or the Desire HD port (RCMixHD). Both also extremely
good ROMs
** This is my personal opinion, I don't use my Desire as a replacement for every other device I own so have no need to use excessive ammounts of apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tks
I don't have alot of apps
Maybe 20
Problem is copilot, flash, air, google maps etc
They take up alot of space, I'm not trying all apps

S-OFF then remove using root explorer

I have 69MB free with the following updates/apps installed:
1. Facebook (Update)
2. Twitter
3. Angry Birds (on SD Card)
4. Adobe Flash (Update)
5. Google Maps (Update)
6. Gmail (Update)
7. eBay
8. XDA App
9. Street View (Update)
10. App Manager
11. Dolphin HD Browser (on SD Card)
12. YouTube (Update)
13. EStrongs File Explorer (on SD Card)
So, for me, I don't NEED to root. I still do to try a new ROM if it's something that appeals but I love Sense - stock Android is so fugly

Hi,
If you're using Android (Froyo) you can I believe move, some, of the apps an data to the SD card using your existing ROM.
Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications.
Look at the downloaded apps and highlight one, it may or may not give you the option to move to SD card. The ability to move to SD is dependent on the Application developer in question. Hence, this doesn't work for all applications and data.
There are also some Market Apps that can scan the list for you, I tried "App 2 SD" by Sam Lu which seemed to work for me.
Regards.
Colin

noobandroid said:
S-OFF then remove using root explorer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wat do i do this for?

I'm guessing for removing system apps...if you don't know what it is then don't even think about it at this stage

EddyOS said:
I have 69MB free with the following updates/apps installed:
1. Facebook (Update)
2. Twitter
3. Angry Birds (on SD Card)
4. Adobe Flash (Update)
5. Google Maps (Update)
6. Gmail (Update)
7. eBay
8. XDA App
9. Street View (Update)
10. App Manager
11. Dolphin HD Browser (on SD Card)
12. YouTube (Update)
13. EStrongs File Explorer (on SD Card)
So, for me, I don't NEED to root. I still do to try a new ROM if it's something that appeals but I love Sense - stock Android is so fugly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the problem is i've tried out many apps and then removed them
so i guess mayb they left some files behind
ive got 20mbs free now
i've got these big apps
adobe flash
copilot(sd)
adobe air(sd)
maps
contacts storage ( 7mb
facebook update
twitter update
skype
asphalt
gmail update
rockplayer
launcher pro
handcent sms
slide it
angry birds
widgetlocker
astro
mxit
opera mini
qaudrant
appbrain
drive safel.y
to do tasklist
pool break pro
live sports 24 f1
3g watchdog
street view update
facebook for htc sense
barcode scanner
adyno
circluar battery indicator
anytime pool
paper toss
app protector
moment diary
sms schedular
astro bluetooth modeule
memory trainer
winamp
system info widget
engaget
google sky map
color note
wifi analyser
easy spirit level
smooth calender
task manager
fpt system manager
tone picker
sd move
home switcher
car mode
thats it
most of them are on the sdcard according to sd move and i've checked
some cannot be moved
i've already done the adb thing to set my default location to sd card
so most new apps go to sd
all apps with widgets are on the internal memory
i cant understand why i have so little memory left?

Because you don't have a lot of space in the first place. If you want more then you have no option other than to go with a custom ROM which uses A2SD+

[Q] Manually transfer certain app to the sd-ext (ext3/4) ?

Just wondering is there any way to manually transfer certain app to the sd-ext (ext3/4).
Any hidden setting or tweak in S2E ?
I am using S2E but it moves all your applications to sd-ext and don’t let you choose the applications that you want to move.
I only want to move games,unimportant,less frequent used or non background applications to sd-ext.I think launchers and some other apps just run better or need to be in the internal memory for max performace and to minimize battery drain.
Is there any way to get around ?

if it is moving all your apps and you want to move certain apps back then you could use an app called system cleanup. its a really useful app,once its loaded its as simple as long pressing the desired app and choosing your option. titanium backup also does the same and has a batch mode. not sure if this is what your looking for or not?
edit: miss read your post,so i dont think this will move to sdext? but may come in useful
R.V.3 (MokeeOs)

slymobi said:
if it is moving all your apps and you want to move certain apps back then you could use an app called system cleanup. its a really useful app,once its loaded its as simple as long pressing the desired app and choosing your option. titanium backup also does the same and has a batch mode. not sure if this is what your looking for or not?
edit: miss read your post,so i dont think this will move to sdext? but may come in useful R.V.3 (MokeeOs)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i understand "system cleanup" will move certain apps to "/system".That is not what we did MTD partiton for.
The problem is when you install an app,S2E moves it to sd-ext(ext3/4) and don’t let you choose the applications that you want to move.I want to manually transfer the app either to"/sd-ext" or "/sdcard" or just keep it in internal memory(/system).
e.g. App A in system
App B in /sd-ext
App C in /sdcard

optimusodd said:
As far as i understand "system cleanup" will move certain apps to "/system".That is not what we did MTD partiton for.
The problem is when you install an app,S2E moves it to sd-ext(ext3/4) and don’t let you choose the applications that you want to move.I want to manually transfer the app either to"/sd-ext" or "/sdcard" or just keep it in internal memory(/system).
e.g. App A in system
App B in /sd-ext
App C in /sdcard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you confuse something? Apps on sd?
And yes, you're right: s2e doesn't let you pick individual apps - but... I believe that's a good idea thinking about performance (just my opinion, though).
Any time I have the feeling an app should be in internal I'd push it to system (usually i won't run out of space there as i strip a lot of bloat out). This makes even more sense to me than using two data partitions (what you would have when selectively moving apps to sd or vice versa).
All my user apps and dalvik-cache are on sdext (so there's no need for the OS to search and less possibility to struggle). I use custom mtd partitions, too, but the internal data partition isn't useless as there's still a lot of app data...
But like i said: just my opinion ymmv.
Swyped from my HTC Wildfire (Buzz)

eventcom said:
Not sure if you confuse something? Apps on sd?
And yes, you're right: s2e doesn't let you pick individual apps - but... I believe that's a good idea thinking about performance (just my opinion, though).
This makes even more sense to me than using two data partitions (what you would have when selectively moving apps to sd or vice versa)All my user apps and dalvik-cache are on sdext (so there's no need for the OS to search and less possibility to struggle).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope,I am not confused.I want to manually move selected apps to
>Internal data partition
>SD-ext(ext3/4)
>SD Card(like APP2SD let you choose the apps you want to transfer to external storage)
In short,moving only select apps to the ext-3/4 partition.
The more system related stuff you move to the SD ext, the more information it needs to pull out from the SD Card.
As i said some critical apps need to be in the internal memory for stability and performance reasons while it's better to keep some heavy apps like Offline maps or Dictionaries to external memory (FAT32 partiton).
Any time I have the feeling an app should be in internal I'd push it to system (usually i won't run out of space there as i strip a lot of bloat out).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to push apps to system as it's size is 140 MB and out of that 23 MB is free i.e you can't push more than 2-3 apps.And if you really want,you will have to change your MTD partiton again and again.
I use custom mtd partitions, too, but the internal data partition isn't useless as there's still a lot of app data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As S2E moves all your apps to sd-ext and don't let you choose whether you want to move or just keep in internal data partition.Whta's the use of internal memory and SD-Card meory.My internal data partition is 310 MB.I don't think the app data can fill even half of it.Moreover 512 MB of SD-ext will get filled very soon.Well,I don't care about running about of space as I can increase the size of ext partiton,I just want it to let me choose the apps that I want to move.
Any idea ?
Thanks

optimusodd said:
Nope,I am not confused.I want to manually move selected apps to
>Internal data partition
>SD-ext(ext3/4)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got that well but this one
optimusodd said:
>SD Card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is not a good idea in my eyes (and from my experience).
FAT32 might be good to store some data (nothing db related or where apps are writing onto very often)
optimusodd said:
The more system related stuff you move to the SD ext, the more information it needs to pull out from the SD Card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's where I think you are at least a bit wrong... an external partition (ext2,3 or 4) is treated just the same way like /data and /system. Of course it might be a bit slower than partitions on the internal drive (and have some faults or instabilities) but it's still a system partition while the FAT32 part of the SD card uses a different format (which will definitely affect performance).
I don't want to push apps to system as it's size is 140 MB and out of that 23 MB is free i.e you can't push more than 2-3 apps.And if you really want,you will have to change your MTD partiton again and again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nah, I don't think so - you just do it once and keep in mind that you want to push a few apps there (me for instance deletes a lot of stuff from the ROM, too... if I'm not mistaken that's more than I push back there)
As S2E moves all your apps to sd-ext and don't let you choose whether you want to move or just keep in internal data partition.Whta's the use of internal memory and SD-Card meory.My internal data partition is 310 MB.I don't think the app data can fill even half of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My current stats (total/used in MB):
015/001 cache
300/249 data (= 83%)
960/368 ext
150/113 system
But I must confess that I didn't care to clean up my system recently...

Is link2sd something for u? It transfers individuale apps to and from the sd-ext partition.
Verstuurd van mijn HTC Wildfire

Hazou said:
Is link2sd something for u? It transfers individuale apps to and from the sd-ext partition.
Verstuurd van mijn HTC Wildfire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the same link2sd and it works perfectly: it's easy to decide what applications to move to sd-ext or to keep into the internal memory.

stiven68 said:
I use the same link2sd and it works perfectly: it's easy to decide what applications to move to sd-ext or to keep into the internal memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is link2sd something for u? It transfers individuale apps to and from the sd-ext partition.
Verstuurd van mijn HTC Wildfire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep,link2sd can do the job but it could be better if S2E provides the same feature and let us choose the apps that we want to move.
Well,after a long forum research i have reached a conclusion that link2sd is way better than S2E.

eventcom said:
I got that well but this oneis not a good idea in my eyes (and from my experience).FAT32 might be good to store some data (nothing db related or where apps are writing onto very often)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep,i did mean dictionary and maps.
And here comes link2sd to your rescue :
It also provides native apps2sd features on Android 2.2 and higher. It can move any non-protected user apps to SD card (force move), with batch moving capability.
me for instance deletes a lot of stuff from the ROM, too... if I'm not mistaken that's more than I push back there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use TB to remove bloatwares and other unnecessary stuff ?

optimusodd said:
Yep,i did mean dictionary and maps.
And here comes link2sd to your rescue :
It also provides native apps2sd features on Android 2.2 and higher. It can move any non-protected user apps to SD card (force move), with batch moving capability.
Did you use TB to remove bloatwares and other unnecessary stuff ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nah, most of the time manual edit. Best practice would be to do the testing by removing the apps one by one and if you're done delete them from the ROM zip and use this as your barebone (and remember which apps are safe to remove).
Btw there are a few good hints of Slymobi and me in the LeWa thread (regarding CM7) which could be seen as an update for the barebones entry in the cyanogenmod wiki.
Swyped from my HTC Wildfire (Buzz)

optimusodd said:
Yep,link2sd can do the job but it could be better if S2E provides the same feature and let us choose the apps that we want to move.
Well,after a long forum research i have reached a conclusion that link2sd is way better than S2E.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think link2sd is way better. The just do 2 different things.
Link2sd lets u manually push or pull apps to ext. So after each new app install u need to push the app again. It is only useful when u only want a couple of ur apps to ext. It works nice if u dont want to have every app on ext.
S2E will transfer all apps, data and / or dalvik to ext. So u always have enough internal memory. This works especially well when u transfer the apps to ext, but the data not.
They are both very goods apps. U cant compare them to each other, i think. It is just what u want at that moment

eventcom said:
nah, most of the time manual edit. Best practice would be to do the testing by removing the apps one by one and if you're done delete them from the ROM zip and use this as your barebone (and remember which apps are safe to remove).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never tried barebone install lol.Have you tried one ?I use TB to remove them.Using terminal emulator is another option.
there are a few good hints of Slymobi and me in the LeWa thread (regarding CM7) which could be seen as an update for the barebones entry in the cyanogenmod wiki.Swyped from my HTC Wildfire (Buzz)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you share the link of your post ?

Hazou said:
Link2sd lets u manually push or pull apps to ext. So after each new app install u need to push the app again. It is only useful when u only want a couple of ur apps to ext. It works nice if u dont want to have every app on ext.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible to set link2sd to automatically move every new app to sd-ext just after the installation and then manually move back to the internal memory if necessary.

stiven68 said:
It's possible to set link2sd to automatically move every new app to sd-ext just after the installation and then manually move back to the internal memory if necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep i know ,
But then i dont see the point of using it, because s2e is already build into CM sort of (just need to download the interface). And with link2sd u get a massive script thats needs to be loaded. Not that it will slow down the device very much.
And with my device, link2sd sometimes wont load all the apps. But that is my experience.
Hazou

Hazou said:
Yep i know ,But then i dont see the point of using it, because s2e is already build into CM sort of (just need to download the interface). And with link2sd u get a massive script thats needs to be loaded. Not that it will slow down the device very much.
And with my device, link2sd sometimes wont load all the apps. But that is my experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is why link2sd is better and we want to use it :
>It let us choose the apps we want to move.
>I don't want to move launchers and some other apps due to stability reasons.
>S2E moves and regenrates too much of a cache.
>S2E works only for CM roms
>link2sd provides better control
>some users have reported the issue that after sometime the apps starts to disappear in S2E.
>S2E doesn't work with Titanium Backup properly.
>S2E creates problems during Nandroid backup.I approve that.
>S2E only supports ext3/ext4
>In worst case scenario (card crash) you are gonna bang your head on the wall as it moves everything to sd ext partition.
>In S2E you can't use any application while your card is mounted as a removable disk on your PC.
Other features of link2sd :
Features:
- Create and remove link for apk, dex and lib files of the applications you select
- Automatically link newly installed apps
- Move any user apps to SD even though the app does not support moving to SD (for Android 2.2 and higher)
- Shows the apps that support moving to SD with native apps2sd (for Android 2.2 and higher)
- Set the default install location of the apps; auto, internal, or external (for Android 2.2 and higher)
- Batch link, unlink, reinstall, uninstall, "move to SD", "move to phone" functions (multi-select mode)
- Uninstall system applications
- Freeze and un-freeze system and users applications
- Convert system apps into user apps
- Convert user apps into system apps
- Integrate "Updated" system apps into system (ROM)
- Clear data and cache of the application
- Clear all apps cache at once (1-tap cache cleaner without being root)
- List applications, show detailed size information and link status
- Sort and filter applications
- Search applications by name
- Display available space information of internal storage, SD card and SD card 2nd partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess enough reasons to go with link2sd:silly:

optimusodd said:
Here is why link2sd is better and we want to use it :
>It let us choose the apps we want to move.
>I don't want to move launchers and some other apps due to stability reasons.
>S2E moves and regenrates too much of a cache.
>S2E works only for CM roms
>link2sd provides better control
>some users have reported the issue that after sometime the apps starts to disappear in S2E.
>S2E doesn't work with Titanium Backup properly.
>S2E creates problems during Nandroid backup.I approve that.
>S2E only supports ext3/ext4
>In worst case scenario (card crash) you are gonna bang your head on the wall as it moves everything to sd ext partition.
>In S2E you can't use any application while your card is mounted as a removable disk on your PC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothing wrong using link2sd - everybody has a different setup and different priorities. So just to tell you a different point of view: In my opinion moving apps from the stable and fast internal storage to an external partition is not a good solution at all - but if you aren't satisfied with installing just a hand full of user apps this is the only way to go. In opposite to your opinion i believe (and have the experience) that spreading the user apps onto two partitions (plus the system apps on the system partition) definitely is not more stable than just moving all apps in one place. To me this makes sense as the system needs more information about the app (where to find). It's like having two /data/app directories... I'm pretty much satisfied with my setup (s2e) and didn't have any major issues for one and a half year. I can't confirm any issues regarding cache or "lost apps". The only thing i experienced twice was the system forgot about the ext partition (which could happen with every other solution, too, afaik and hasn't been much trouble to solve).
Furthermore i really believe that the best place for the important stuff, like launcher and file manager, is in /system/app ...
But again: nothing wrong with different prefs...
Swyped from my HTC Wildfire (Buzz)

Android Media Process And Android Keyboard (AOSP) Using A Lot Of Cpu

For some reason I keep getting a warning from watchdog lite that Android Media process is using 20.3% cpu and Android keyboard is using 20% cpu. Please help.

Bump

This is generally caused by media becoming corrupted. Browse through any photos or videos you have and see if anything appears that way. Might be pixelated or picture may be all black. Delete any corrupted pictures and see if that corrects the problem.
Also, if possible post a logcat. This well help better to determine the cause of the keyboard as well as if the above doesn't correct the first part of your problem.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

RPelham said:
This is generally caused by media becoming corrupted. Browse through any photos or videos you have and see if anything appears that way. Might be pixelated or picture may be all black. Delete any corrupted pictures and see if that corrects the problem.
Also, if possible post a logcat. This well help better to determine the cause of the keyboard as well as if the above doesn't correct the first part of your problem.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have deleted all photos in the gallery yet it still uses a lot of CPU. How do you post a logcat?

As far as the media problem try this:
1. Go to Settings > Apps > All
2. Locate and select "Media Storage"
3. Select Force Close
4. Select Clear Data
5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for the app: Android Keyboard (AOSP)
6. Reboot your phone
Note: The above clears settings for the keyboard. If you have modified these settings, go back to Settings > Language and Input to re-modify those settings back to how you like after performing the above steps.
You'll notice some high CPU for these processes while they rebuild their databases, but after a while you should see them go down to normal usage.
What this does is clears the database for your media. When Media Storage encounters something corrupt it tries to endlessly rebuild the database. Since you cleared your media, let it rebuild the database from scratch and hopefully it won't encounter any issues.
how to install and save logcats:
---------------------------------
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jtb.alogcat&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd
Installing this is a little tricky. You will need a root explorer or you won't be able to see logs. Steps below:
1. Install from play store
2. Open root explorer and browse to your system root (not ur SD card, but actual system root.)
3.) go to /data/app and cut org.jtb.alogcat-1.apk
4.) go back to system root and now browse to: /system/app
5.) paste the file.
6.) set permissions to 0644 (-rw-r--r--)
7.) restart your phone.
Note: make sure you move or cut the file so that you don't have duplicate apps. If you do happen to copy, go back to /data/app after you have it copied and delete the original.
This app has to be a system app to function in 4.2.x android systems. The above process converts it to a system app.
Open alogcat from your appdrawer and press menu.
Select save. should save to your internal storage under alogcat/whateveryourlognameis.txt
Upload your logcat here and I'll review it.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

RPelham said:
As far as the media problem try this:
1. Go to Settings > Apps > All
2. Locate and select "Media Storage"
3. Select Force Close
4. Select Clear Data
5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for the app: Android Keyboard (AOSP)
6. Reboot your phone
Note: The above clears settings for the keyboard. If you have modified these settings, go back to Settings > Language and Input to re-modify those settings back to how you like after performing the above steps.
You'll notice some high CPU for these processes while they rebuild their databases, but after a while you should see them go down to normal usage.
What this does is clears the database for your media. When Media Storage encounters something corrupt it tries to endlessly rebuild the database. Since you cleared your media, let it rebuild the database from scratch and hopefully it won't encounter any issues.
how to install and save logcats:
---------------------------------
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jtb.alogcat&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd
Installing this is a little tricky. You will need a root explorer or you won't be able to see logs. Steps below:
1. Install from play store
2. Open root explorer and browse to your system root (not ur SD card, but actual system root.)
3.) go to /data/app and cut org.jtb.alogcat-1.apk
4.) go back to system root and now browse to: /system/app
5.) paste the file.
6.) set permissions to 0644 (-rw-r--r--)
7.) restart your phone.
Note: make sure you move or cut the file so that you don't have duplicate apps. If you do happen to copy, go back to /data/app after you have it copied and delete the original.
This app has to be a system app to function in 4.2.x android systems. The above process converts it to a system app.
Open alogcat from your appdrawer and press menu.
Select save. should save to your internal storage under alogcat/whateveryourlognameis.txt
Upload your logcat here and I'll review it.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG MY KEYBOARD IS GONE!! Omg help!!!

what on earth did you do?! I just performed the same exact steps I gave you and it worked fine...
Manage apps -> Keyboard -> force stop -> clear data -> reboot.
Do it again.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

RPelham said:
what on earth did you do?! I just performed the same exact steps I gave you and it worked fine...
Manage apps -> Keyboard -> force stop -> clear data -> reboot.
Do it again.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not in the "all" section.

TimeAndroid said:
It's not in the "all" section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any app installed in your device is in the all section unless you uninstalled something..
You may have disabled it in error. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the "all" list and if its there, click on it and select enable. (also clear cache and data) and reboot the device.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

RPelham said:
any app installed in your device is in the all section unless you uninstalled something..
You may have disabled it in error. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the "all" list and if its there, click on it and select enable. (also clear cache and data) and reboot the device.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Media process still hogging CPU, according to watchdog lite.

TimeAndroid said:
Android Media process still hogging CPU, according to watchdog lite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump

was onononm
I had a similiar problem and someone suggested rescan media for root. It disables media scanner and worked for me.

Bubba Fett said:
I had a similiar problem and someone suggested rescan media for root. It disables media scanner and worked for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will it stop me from using anything?

TimeAndroid said:
Will it stop me from using anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The problem is probably that you have some files your media scanner doesn't like and it hangs. Usually a format fixes this, unless you can find the file causing the issue.

I'm sure bwolf is probably correct but I've used rescan media when using certain ROMs ported from Verizon and it worked for me. It stops the media scanner and quickly scans. I don't believe I have any bad files so it may be a different problem altogether but maybe it is worth a try. I can't remember but I think its free.

Bubba Fett said:
I'm sure bwolf is probably correct but I've used rescan media when using certain ROMs ported from Verizon and it worked for me. It stops the media scanner and quickly scans. I don't believe I have any bad files so it may be a different problem altogether but maybe it is worth a try. I can't remember but I think its free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't suggesting not to try it. Actually, the OP should definitely give it a try before formatting.

Sorry bwolf didn't mean to imply anything. Actually a full wipe of the internal SD cleared up other issues I've had with some ports and could've helped with the media scanner too but I never checked that part specifically.. If you decide to try a wipe, OP, don't forget to back up all your pics and vids if they are on internal SD and also copy any nandroid backups you want and titanium back up folder to external SD. You can then restore apps using TB from there. Just change folder location in prefrences. If you restore a nandroid backup it could also restore any issues.

Bubba Fett said:
Sorry bwolf didn't mean to imply anything. Actually a full wipe of the internal SD cleared up other issues I've had with some ports and could've helped with the media scanner too but I never checked that part specifically.. If you decide to try a wipe, OP, don't forget to back up all your pics and vids if they are on internal SD and also copy any nandroid backups you want and titanium back up folder to external SD. You can then restore apps using TB from there. Just change folder location in prefrences. If you restore a nandroid backup it could also restore any issues.
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Click to collapse
Did not work. I pressed "Disable media scanner" and 3 minutes after that watchdog lite warns me that android media process is hogging CPU.

Remove all files from your sd card and then format it. It's also completely normal for media scanner service to run anytime you use it, especially during initial boot. I always stop the process after a boot, otherwise it'll run for 5-10 minutes nonstop and keep my cpu at max. It is suppose to stop eventually though.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

Link2SD & CM11: Optimal Strategies

I am super-curious if & how anyone here is using Link2SD successfully with CM11 (on the Epic 4G, specifically).
I've tried scouring these forums, and the Internet in general, to figure out the best way to get this to work...
But everything that I've tried, it all seems to be working great, only up until the first time that the phone reboots, then it all goes to hell.
I am wondering if there are any extra steps to follow, specifically for the Epic 4G, or any particular pitfalls known to avoid?
That's why I wanted to ask here, specifically to Epic 4G users...
If you are getting Link2SD to work well with CM11, then please chime in here, and can you explain how you got it all set up and working well?
(I feel like this is the one last thing that if I could conquer it, then I could really continue to get a lot of life out of this phone... as it stands, it seems too risky to put much faith in Link2SD, because if the phone happens to spontaneously reboot while I'm out running around, then I'm screwed because so many apps just disappear, and then it's a pain to re-download, re-install, and re-setup each of them...)
Thanks in advance for any help,
AS

I am using Link2SD on my Epic 4G with CM11 with some success. I just did a reboot, and as usual lost any icons that had links created in Link2SD, so I go to the app locker & re-add them to my home screen. This is typical of what happens on a reboot for me. One thing I did notice is that it takes a minute or so for the deleted app icons to show up in the app locker again, so if you are reinstalling them, it may be a matter of waiting for them to show back up. Also on occasion(not this time), Link2SD will prompt me about a problem with the links and then prompt me to reinitiate the partition or something to that affect. Once I do that and it reboots, the app icons are still gone, so I just re-add them. Anyway, I know its not a perfect solution, but with this device its better than running out of RAM. One last thing, needless to say, I only create links for enough apps to free up enough RAM to keep my Epic working properly.

I've finally got a system going that seems to work for me, and so I thought I'd share some things.
I'm on CM11 (as of today, cm-11-20140602-NIGHTLY-epicmtd.zip) and I'm using Link2SD.
HERE'S A "GOTCHA" THAT HAD ME PULLING MY HAIR OUT FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR TWO:
Link2SD was having problems mounting the 2nd partition - it would just say "Mount script cannot be created." or something like that (not a very helpful error message), no matter how many times I rebooted and tried again. What I *finally* figured out (somehow), was that this error was being caused by /system being completely full. When I went and deleted a few things from /system (such as goofy wallpapers or that 'Apollo' app that I never use), then Link2SD was able to successfully create the script, and then I'd reboot and could use the 2nd partition successfully.
It's still a little aggravating that any reboot of the phone will cause all of my "Linked" apps to disappear - I've played with this until I am blue in the face, and have resigned myself to accepting that this is just "how it is" (?) - but I'm now using Titanium Backup as my workaround.
STEPS I TAKE WHEN THE PHONE REBOOTS:
1) Go into Link2Sd and make sure the 2nd partition is usable, otherwise recreate mount scripts (deleting wallpapers/Apollo if necessary)
2) Under Link2SD's "More" menu, perform the following:
a) Clean up the 2nd partition
b) Clean up the dalvik-cache
c) Clear all app caches
3) Restore apps from Titanium Backup
a) starting with Facebook app (the biggest hog) and then immediately go and make Facebook a "Linked" app again
b) restore a few more apps (to internal/phone), then go and shuffle those over to "Linked" apps via Link2SD
c) (repeat step 'b' until all apps are restored and "Linked" via Link2SD
^ This is the only way I've been able to get this to work for me... but now I can put about as many apps on the phone as I'll ever possibly need, and I have to say everything is running pretty smoothly now - but if anyone can see a better way, or how to improve what I'm doing, then I'm all ears... please let me (us) know.
Thanks!

Apex launcher doesn't lose the icons. I can free about 66MB of system space by swapping the launcher, deleting CM wallpapers, live wallpaper and Google keyboard.
I verified link2SD plus was not working properly but free link2SD works as advertised. For me, just installing the plus version will break the working functions of the free version. The free version scripts, links and launcher icons survive reboots. The plus version continually lost mount and wouldn't properly clean up the second partition and was not copying the lib files and placing them in the second partition.
Edit: per the developer's request, after verifying free link2SD was setup and surviving reboots, I added plus link2SD and rebooted: OK so far. Next I linked a file with plus version; OK until reboot. The application was not found except in directories. Dalvik cache cleanup finds the dex link and file in second partition as unneeded files. Had to manually delete all the files and links for the broken application and reinstall it. Also had to uninstall plus link2SD to properly link again. Sent the results back to developer.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Edit: 6/20/2014; link2SD 3.4.8 fixed the reboot issue for the link2SD Plus version for me. Sent email to developer to thank him for the fix.
See post #8.

Update on my last entry:
I emailed the link2SD developer and got a reply asking me to check the plus version again. In my reply back I linked him to this thread.
Another tip to add for nightly flashers that use link2SD and modify the zip prior to flashing: pull the mount script, 11link2SD, found at /system/etc/init.d and move it same location on zip before flashing. If retaining data, ie: dirty flashing; the mount securely retains your apps after flashing new nightly. Just checked with free version of link2SD: works.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Arson Smith said:
I am super-curious if & how anyone here is using Link2SD successfully with CM11 (on the Epic 4G, specifically).
I've tried scouring these forums, and the Internet in general, to figure out the best way to get this to work...
But everything that I've tried, it all seems to be working great, only up until the first time that the phone reboots, then it all goes to hell.
I am wondering if there are any extra steps to follow, specifically for the Epic 4G, or any particular pitfalls known to avoid?
That's why I wanted to ask here, specifically to Epic 4G users...
If you are getting Link2SD to work well with CM11, then please chime in here, and can you explain how you got it all set up and working well?
(I feel like this is the one last thing that if I could conquer it, then I could really continue to get a lot of life out of this phone... as it stands, it seems too risky to put much faith in Link2SD, because if the phone happens to spontaneously reboot while I'm out running around, then I'm screwed because so many apps just disappear, and then it's a pain to re-download, re-install, and re-setup each of them...)
Thanks in advance for any help,
AS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using link2SD for all minus 16gb internal android device. Here is what i do in epic 4g, currently on CM11 20140523, use 20131209 gapps. I just write the part involved link2sd :
1. Buy atleast 16gb microSD and class 10 is a must, make 2nd partition (usually about 4gb - 6gb) as ext2 - ext4 (depends on the OS).
2. Device rooted, install titanium backup & root explorer 3.1.3 (make sure the root explorer working). Uninstall system apk (one of the launcher, whisper push, terminal emulator (I prefer use better terminal emulator, install as user app), CM filemanager, etc - still more that can be uninstalled for more space in system.
3. install link2SD, pick ext2 - ext4 (depends), dont restart yet. go to setting, uncheck everything then restart.
4. After back to launcher, open root explorer, go to root/data/, check app & dalvik-cache folder, press copy. Go to sdext2 folder, delete lost&found folder (usually there), and paste. So the app & dalvik-cache folder is there now (you could copy data/data folder too if you really want maximum extra space in internal, but in epic 4g i didn't copy data folder because it's enough space).
5. At the sdext2 folder, long press app folder, select "link to this folder", go to root/data/, press "create link" - "yes". Then go to sdext2 folder again, long press dalvik-cache folder, select "link to this folder", go to root/data/, press "create link" - "yes". Do the same if you copy data/data folder to sdext2 folder.
6. Reboot. Done. Then installing others app or restore with titanium backup.
I hope this is useful. Some Screenshot attached.

Hello
Thanks for that solution.
I`m searching for this solution since 1-2 weeks.
I had the same Problem on xcover 2 Link2SD.
Now it`s clear i have installt Link2SD and works perfect for just 3-4 days then i upgrade to Link2SD plus and then it happend like the Threat above.
I`m wondering that Lin2SD works perfectly on CM11 and if you go to Link2SD plus for money and this don`t work.
Free works perfectly and paid work not.
I have go back and everything its fine.
I hope the autor will fix the problem then i go back to plus.
Thank Thanks Thanks works fine!
regards marle.m

Good news! It appears the link2SD version 3.4.8 released today has a bug fix to survive reboots for linked apps when linking with link2SD plus version.
So far, I've only linked one app with plus version enabled and it survived one reboot. Then Ⓘ linked the data folder and rebooted again which also survived the reboot.
Looks like plus version is fully functional; I'll update if it fails some time later.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Finally had a chance to sit down and mess with this...
Yeah! Success! Freeing up space in /system worked.
Next question...Will I have to remove the bloat prior to flashing from now on? ie no more CyanDelta easy flashing
Anyone have any Scripting-Fu to come up with an automated method of stripping out said bloat?
thx sno

Snoshrk said:
Finally had a chance to sit down and mess with this...
Yeah! Success! Freeing up space in /system worked.
Next question...Will I have to remove the bloat prior to flashing from now on? ie no more CyanDelta easy flashing
Anyone have any Scripting-Fu to come up with an automated method of stripping out said bloat?
thx sno
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the gapps could be modified at the updater-script to remove some system bloat. Then remove some bloat from that as well. Most remove their own bloat choices so maybe a diy tut would be more useful?
I agree, the script would make the nightly flashing easier.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Just realized that if using Link2SD Plus to multi link all folders of an app to sdext2 after a clean install is still broken, if using intended method. Apps linked this way are missing after reboot.
Working on a safer suggested method that focuses more on removing apps from Gapps but also removing some other system apps after flashing a nightly that requires no modification of the nightly zip on a computer. Have to focus on linking only a minimum amount of apps with free Link2SD considered less risky to move, like larger stand alone apps, not needed tools.
I've got a working script and method that works but the risks to be avoided need to be detailed along with the tut to script and tool your own modified Gapps that minimizes the flash to flashing the nightly as-is and then flashing a custom Gapps that includes preferred launcher and restore methods.
Removing CMWallpapers, Apollo music and Trebuchet launcher. Substituting blacked out Google play. Replacing removed apps with Apex beta test launcher for test group, blacked out Pandora (these will be installed at /data partition where they can be easily uninstalled or updated) I use my own borrowed wallpaper.
Along with the removed bloat from Gapps, this frees a bit more than 40 MB of system space.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

UPDATE: the latest version of Link2SD (3.5.2) has "fixed the bug that causes linked apps disappear on reboot when internal data is linked".
So... if you've also ponied up the buck or two for Link2SD Plus (as I have), then this finally works again like you'd always hoped it would.
I just loaded a bazillion apps back on the phone, and have been able to reboot multiple times without losing them.
The only time I "lost" them for a moment was after flashing to the latest CM11 nightly, but then doing the "Recreate mount scripts" and reboot brought them right back, with no other shenanigans necessary.
(Just wanted to let people know, because this is such a relief to me now....)
HURRAY!

OK I'm trying this again. Reboots are fine as long as I don't select quick or soft reboots; I lose mount, linked apps not installed.
Now need to try the clean install of nightly.

Snoshrk said:
Finally had a chance to sit down and mess with this...
Yeah! Success! Freeing up space in /system worked.
Next question...Will I have to remove the bloat prior to flashing from now on? ie no more CyanDelta easy flashing
Anyone have any Scripting-Fu to come up with an automated method of stripping out said bloat?
thx sno
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One possible solution:

more scripts to limit steps
Another possible solution (click link)