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Hey Guys,
So After all of the recent questions and concerns I have seen and answered, I have decided to make a thread to help users understand the new file structure of android 4.2.x. I hope this will help those of you with questions and concerns and make for a smoother transition from 4.1.x and touch wiz roms.
I will break this into three categories........
First I will explain what the file system is and why it is present and how it affects you......
Second is if you haven't yet but are planning on making the jump to 4.2.x.
Third will be if you have already made the jump without doing your homework. (For those of you wondering where your files are, wondering why your sd card was formatted, or cant find your recovery backups..... This section is for you!!)
Section 1.)
What is the new file system and what the hell is this /0 folder?
With Android 4.2, Google introduced multiple users as a new feature. In order to accommodate multiple users, Google is now giving each user their own folder for storage. What happens is 4.2 uses an emulator to make different users and uses the /0 folder as the default users storage on the sd card. It doesn't recognize anything on the root of the sd card only whats in /0. To support multi-user capabilities this will be the norm... for each user, there will be a sequentially numbered folder in /data/media (/data/media/0, /data/media/1)...
And for each user, within Android, this will be symlinked to /sdcard & /storage/sdcard0... for user 1, /sdcard = /storage/sdcard0 = /data/media/0... for user 2, /sdcard = /storage/sdcard0 = /data/media/0...
These are emulated storage points... /data/media/0 = /storage/emulated/0, /data/media/1 = /storage/emulated/1
Without root access, each user will just see /sdcard/ and will not be able to access the other emulated storage points...
In the recovery mode, however, /sdcard is mapped to /data/media which is why you need to navigate to the "0" folder to see your files!
So in order to access your internal storage files they will be in data/media/0. So for example to access the backup location In titanium backup after you flash navigate to data/media/0/TitaniumBackup. (Thanks to ktetreault)
That being said, If you already flashed a 4.2 rom without preparation, your files aren't lost they are just inaccessible they are just not in the proper place for 4.2 to see them.
So now that we have all the technical stuff out of the way...... Lets get into how to either prevent or fix this issue.
Section 2.)
Preparing to flash a 4.2 rom from a touch wiz rom or an aosp 4.1.x based rom.
Okay, so you have touch wiz or aosp 4.1.x of some sort and your ready to try out the goodness of 4.2?
First backup your ext sd card to your pc or if a pc is unavailable (and your willing to take a risk) use a file explorer on your phone such as Es file explorer from the market to transfer the contents of the ext sd card to your internal sd card. I highly suggest avoiding using the phone as some hiccups can occur. I have done it successfully myself but have heard others who have lost their files during transfer because they left the app while it was transferring. If you do use this method DO NOT LEAVE THE APP UNTIL THE FILE TRANSFER IS COMPLETE.
Second Format your ext sd card so we have a clean slate to work with as this will help tremendously to avoid any headaches.
Third Install the latest recovery of your choice. The reason for this is that the older recoveries are not updated for 4.2 and will continuously create a new /0 folder every time you flash a new rom. Follow the instructions to install in the applicable thread.
Thanks to naddict for posting the links.... These are all flashable zips thru recovery
TWRP 2.4.1.0 - http://d-h.st/9cL
CWM 6.0.2.3 - http://d-h.st/jbT
CWM Touch 6.0.2.3 - http://d-h.st/8A9
Fourth Flash the 4.2 rom of your choosing per the instructions of the developers OP in their thread.
Set your phone up as usual and then restore the files from your backup on your pc or move them back from the internal sd card using es file explorer again. Keep in mind that the /0 folder is your new sd card storage. Now you are good to go and enjoy the new features and benefits of 4.2 and not have to search for your files :good:
Section 3.)
Okay so you got overly excited and flashed a 4.2 rom........ OMG!!! All my files are gone!!!! I can't restore any backups and all my precious files have disappeared!! Why was my sd card formatted?????
Relax.... Your files didn't go any where they are exactly how you left them you just can't see them.....
I will walk you thru 4 easy steps to get your files back and put you back on track.
First Make sure you have the latest recovery of your choice. If needed refer to the links posted in section 1. If you don't do this you will see a duplicate /0 folder created every time you flash a new 4.2 rom.
Second You won't be able to find your backups thru recovery. The easiest method I found is to download any touch wiz rom. Wipe your phone completely and then flash the touch wiz rom you downloaded. Reboot and go thru the setup and what not.
Third Now install es file explorer or the app of your choice. Next copy everything from the root of the sd card into the /0 folder that 4.2 had created oh so nicely for you.
Fourth Reboot into recovery and re-flash the 4.2 rom you began with. After going thru the initial rom setup you will see that are of your files are back intact and ready for you to access.
Hopefully this has helped those of you with questions and concerns about upgrading to 4.2.x. If i missed anything please feel free to let me know and ill include it here or address any further questions.
Thanks to:
Sundawg of TBD
Koush Of CWM
Team Win
And All of the devs on xda
Hope I have helped if so feel free to press thanks!!
Thank you for taking the time to write this. This should help a lot of people.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
WhoWhere said:
Thank you for taking the time to write this. This should help a lot of people.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
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No problem. I was answering this a few times recently and I know I was baffled at first. As well I didn't see any other threads regarding this so I figured it may help.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
If i am currently on a 4.1 ROM and don't have an external sd(i only have the internal storage), will the new 4.2 file system affect me when i flash a 4.2 ROM?
So far i have backed up apps+data with titanium backup, and im ready to flash liquid smooth ROM using twrp. I just want to know if after flashing my internal storage contents will still be there and i will be able to restore apps with tb.
Outstanding guide, good work!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
This should help a lot of people, nice work! I will add this to the FAQ.
chromium96 said:
If i am currently on a 4.1 ROM and don't have an external sd(i only have the internal storage), will the new 4.2 file system affect me when i flash a 4.2 ROM?
So far i have backed up apps+data with titanium backup, and im ready to flash liquid smooth ROM using twrp. I just want to know if after flashing my internal storage contents will still be there and i will be able to restore apps with tb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you shouldn't be affected bud I would only suggest getting an sd card just to backup anything important in case of a freak error during flashing or accidental wiping of internal sd.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Towle said:
This should help a lot of people, nice work! I will add this to the FAQ.
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Click to collapse
Thanks i appreciate you including it in your thread.
Thetenthdr said:
Outstanding guide, good work!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot took me a little while to get it all together.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
chromium96 said:
If i am currently on a 4.1 ROM and don't have an external sd(i only have the internal storage), will the new 4.2 file system affect me when i flash a 4.2 ROM?
So far i have backed up apps+data with titanium backup, and im ready to flash liquid smooth ROM using twrp. I just want to know if after flashing my internal storage contents will still be there and i will be able to restore apps with tb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but you will have to set the backup location In titanium backup after you flash to data/media/0/TitaniumBackup
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ktetreault14 said:
Yes, but you will have to set the backup location In titanium backup after you flash to data/media/0/TitaniumBackup
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for informing I'll add that to the op as well.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
this was of great help
When I went to 4.2.1 I did not understand the file system change. I had to use my backup phone for 5 days before I finally got my SMSand MMS and Launcher Pro restored.
Then I wiped and flashed again and it created a new "0" directory. I have been afraid to do anything but dirty flash since.
This finally explains it all and I feel confident in wiping again.
Thank you so much.
GeneLM said:
When I went to 4.2.1 I did not understand the file system change. I had to use my backup phone for 5 days before I finally got my SMSand MMS and Launcher Pro restored.
Then I wiped and flashed again and it created a new "0" directory. I have been afraid to do anything but dirty flash since.
This finally explains it all and I feel confident in wiping again.
Thank you so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem bud that's why I created the thread to help everyone understand and to give you guys a place to ask.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
You rock, thx for the info, looks like it was a lot of work but good idea after so many posts asking about the same thing
lordazoroth said:
You rock, thx for the info, looks like it was a lot of work but good idea after so many posts asking about the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem it was my pleasure. Hopefully will cut the redundancy lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
If you are missing your /sdcard/download/ file:
Go to: /mnt/shell/emulated/download/
+Bound for Valhalla!
Valhalla_ said:
If you are missing your /sdcard/download/ file:
Go to: /mnt/shell/emulated/download/
+Bound for Valhalla!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup that will work but quite an annoying work around Lol that's why I showed you guys how to prevent this or fix it so this won't be needed every time you need a file
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Great work, very informative and easy to read...
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unk2009 said:
Great work, very informative and easy to read...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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Hey, quick question, I bounced off another ROM onto liquidsmooth without updating my recovery and ended up with an extra '0' folder, can I move my files out of there and delete it safely?
lordazoroth said:
Hey, quick question, I bounced off another ROM onto liquidsmooth without updating my recovery and ended up with an extra '0' folder, can I move my files out of there and delete it safely?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup no problem just delete the innermost one without your files and you will be good to go.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
rawdaddymagraden said:
Yup no problem just delete the innermost one without your files and you will be good to go.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
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Pimp, thx a bunch!
I flashed carbon ROM. Everything was working great. Wanted to try some touchwiz ROMs so I flashed the virtue ROM. Got the sdcard/0. Read about it and so I renamed sdcard/0 to sdcard and moved it to replace the original sdcard. But in twrp I still couldn't find my files so I flashed back to carbon ROM and now I have sdcard and sdcard 0, sdcard 1 and emulator with a 0 file in and none of them have files in them. They're all empty. Seems as though everything has been deleted even my nandroids. Tb backups are gone. I can't even find the directory for twrp. But it seems like everything is still there cause my available storage is at 5gbs. I should have more than 5gbs available it seems like. I've searched and kind find anything when the files are missing. Any help would be appreciated. I'm at a loss as to what to do to get things back to normal.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Dude. Never mess with the internal storage NEVER delete files you think are important. The file you messed with is the MAIN "sd card" "0" is where all your Samsung stuff goes to dude.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
I didn't have a 0 folder until I flashed to a tw ROM from carbon. Everything I read was that folder is created when u flash back from aosp to tw. Copy it back to the sdcard folder any everything should be normal. I did that and everything seemed fine but I didn't like the tw ROM I was in so I flashed back to carbon and that's when the other folders were created but everything was gone.
But the odd part is I still have twrp recovery but can't find it in root explorer and under storage it says I have 11 gbs total of which 5 are available. But it doesn't show anything using those 6gbs. Its almost like everything is there just hidden.
I'm wondering if I unroot and go back to stock state that clears it up or I just smash it and use my best buy insurance. Cause something's not right. Carbon ROM still working for me but having that little of storage available just seems like something is wrong.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Dude.
Sent from my calculator watch.
I know right. I usually can understand and fix things like this but this one has me stumped. My brother was right...I tried iPhone for a year and it made me dumber.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Alright. Im back on stock. Still rooted with stock recovery.
All of my files are still there as I thought. But they are buried. From what ive read I should be able to copy those back into the original sdcard folder. Im about to leave work and head home. I'll post the file paths if anyone is willing to walk me thru the process.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
That happened because you flashed CarbonRom which is 4.2.2, which changes the directory structure to support multiple user accounts.
You would have been alright if you hadn't mucked with the sdcard directory tree. Flash back to bone stock and you should be good. But never ever mess with sdcard directories again :silly:
So before I flashed anything I could find everything under home-> >sdcard. Now everything under that path is just empty folders except there is another sdcard folder that has everything full. Tb backups. Nandroids. Downloads. App data.
But if I go under home->> storage->>sdcard0->> sdcard everything is also in there. Duplicates.
Am I able to delete these or clean it up so I dont have doubles if everything? Its using up a lot of my storage.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Im back on bare bone stock now by the way. Rooted with stock recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Jeez. Theres a 0 folder under home>> sdcard that has all the sdcard folders in it too. But it doesn't have duplicates it has other files from my last rom to get me back to stock. This is out of control.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
sinman2224 said:
Jeez. Theres a 0 folder under home>> sdcard that has all the sdcard folders in it too. But it doesn't have duplicates it has other files from my last rom to get me back to stock. This is out of control.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude go read the op and second post in the cm10 ROM and figure it out ... It's not hard
Sent from my SCH-l900 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Simple enough. Thanks for the point in the right direction.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Hello,
I was on Hyperdrive rom, love it, and all my files were there far as Photos, Wallpaper, etc... when I load other roms they are there, but recently I updated my boot loader and now I don't see none of my files. Its like they system got wiped. But when I go to recovery to load another rom I see all my files in the directory, even my rom zip files.
When I pick either "illusions" or "MIUI" I don't see none of my files. Could it be the boot loader that I installed? Do I have load every single photo, wallpaper, and music again? won't it be duplicates if I do?
I'm going to install the "Hyperdrive" rom again, but it gets tiring loading all the apps from the market. But I'll do it just to see if I get the photos and etc....
Google xda android 4.2.2 sdcard /0 folders
This has been pretty thoroughly covered. You just hsve to know what to look for!
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DocHoliday77 said:
Google xda android 4.2.2 sdcard /0 folders
This has been pretty thoroughly covered. You just hsve to know what to look for!
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
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I go to root explorer and still see nothing. There is no folder in explorer that says "0" I go to my sdcard and still nothing.
What rom are you on?
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johnny quest said:
I go to root explorer and still see nothing. There is no folder in explorer that says "0" I go to my sdcard and still nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't go to /sdcard. Go to /data/media. Then you'll see everything.
Ok, thanks. I'll look for it on there. I was on "illusion" then "miui" rom but I just gave up and switched over to "hyperdrive" there I can see all my files. But I will try again with the other roms.
Here is the thread that Doc was talking about.
Android 4.2.x File Structure Thread
If you go back and forth between 4.1.2 and 4.2.x you will have issues like this.
Woody said:
Here is the thread that Doc was talking about.
Android 4.2.x File Structure Thread
If you go back and forth between 4.1.2 and 4.2.x you will have issues like this.
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Click to collapse
thank you very much. So my best bet is to just stay with 4.2.2 once I make that leap from 4.1.2? I posted a comment on that thread regarding the transfer of files. I just want to be clear. I went back to 4.1.2 and so I'm basically transferring all my files to the "0" directory? You see I have a Mac so I have to have Airdroid, but I can get a HP laptop. So, I transfer all my files then format my ext sd card, then transfer my files back in the "0" directory and that's it? along with my 4.2.2 roms. then do the whole wiping thing to install a new rom?
If you do this before flashing 4.2.2 ypu msy end up with something like this /0/0/
I've seen where some have had 8 or more zero directories! Youll have to read more on that though as I don't know a lot about it.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
Hey everyone my internal storage is pretty low but I can't find out what's causing it. Can anyone help? The only thing that I can think that's doing this is a nandroid backup but I can't find that anywhere on the phone.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Nandroid Backups take up a lot of room. Depending on which Recovery you are using. They are either going to be in a Folder called CWM, or TWRP . What you can do if you do not want to get rid of them all, is to create a folder on your PC /Laptop. Then copy them over. I always keep at least one Nandroid on the Device, one on the Laptop, and one in Cloud Storage. You may also want to review your Internal SD Storage. Clean up old folders, if they are not being used.
You could try something like storage analyzer.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobile_infographics_tools.mydrive
Sent from my buttered S3
prboy1969 said:
Nandroid Backups take up a lot of room. Depending on which Recovery you are using. They are either going to be in a Folder called CWM, or TWRP . What you can do if you do not want to get rid of them all, is to create a folder on your PC /Laptop. Then copy them over. I always keep at least one Nandroid on the Device, one on the Laptop, and one in Cloud Storage. You may also want to review your Internal SD Storage. Clean up old folders, if they are not being used.
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I'm almost pretty sure it's a nandroid backup causing this cause it happened right after I flashed cm. I just can't find the backup anywhere on my phone.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Did you check all the folders individually with a Root Explorer ?
TEAM MiK
MikROMs Since 3/13/11
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM
prboy1969 said:
Did you check all the folders individually with a Root Explorer ?/QUOTE]
Fixed the problem. I had to return to my stock rom because in 4.2 android does something to the internal storage directories
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
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Ferfax4 said:
prboy1969 said:
Did you check all the folders individually with a Root Explorer ?/QUOTE]
Fixed the problem. I had to return to my stock rom because in 4.2 android does something to the internal storage directories
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
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4.2 creates emulated folders starting with 0 for multiple users. I see a lot of threads lately, with people having issues with this.
Sent from my hybrid GS3
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joeyhdownsouth said:
Ferfax4 said:
4.2 creates emulated folders starting with 0 for multiple users. I see a lot of threads lately, with people having issues with this.
Sent from my hybrid GS3
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Yea it pretty annoying. I'm just gonna stick with 4.1
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
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So the question is... how do i get my old pictures, files, ringtones etc. that was saved on my phone back after updating from 4.1.2 to 4.3? I tried to go to /device/mnt/shell/emulate? I have nothing there. I've looked all over about this... People mentioned it in threads but didn't go into detail on how to bring all that info back. Please help... I really like 4.3 and want to stay on it. THANKS!
Try doing a search for a file in the shell folder.. It took me a while before I was able to find everything too
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serio22 said:
Try doing a search for a file in the shell folder.. It took me a while before I was able to find everything too
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Is there an option or a setting I have to turn on, on ES? The "shell" folder is empty when I go in it. i cant find the emulatefolder either.
Is root browsing enabled?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
iinokturnolii said:
Is there an option or a setting I have to turn on, on ES? The "shell" folder is empty when I go in it. i cant find the emulatefolder either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/data/media
Aerowinder said:
/data/media
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Click to collapse
that folder is empty too... i hear i am suppose to move the files from that folder to /0. Correct? but theres nothing there...
iinokturnolii said:
that folder is empty too... i hear i am suppose to move the files from that folder to /0. Correct? but theres nothing there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you factory reset with stock recovery before going to 4.3? That would have wiped out your sd card.
Aerowinder said:
Did you factory reset with stock recovery before going to 4.3? That would have wiped out your sd card.
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Click to collapse
Nope, did not factory reset. Heres the weird part. When I jump back and forth from 4.3 to 4.1.2 the file shows up when I'm on 4.1.2. Are the files searchable? I tried searching for them and they don't even show up when I'm on 4.3.
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