Develop Bugs

Google Music + external SD bind mount + TiBu

Is anyone else using bind mount "hacks" in order to force certain stubborn apps -- e.g.: Google Play Music -- to use the external SD for more storage?
It works great (using the Script Manager (SManager) app to mount at boot), but the big problem I've been dealing with is that Titanium Backup confuses the external bind mount for internal and proceeds to backup dozens of Gigs of data that it normally wouldn't. I sent a feature enhancement along to the TiBu devs to properly identify bind mounts for a fix, and in the meantime I've just been remembering to manually unmount the bind mount BEFORE doing a TiBu backup, but, I was wondering if anyone else has a better solution?
and FWIW, here's my one-line bind mount script stored as /sdcard/bindmount_GoogleMusicCache.sh that the SManager app runs:
Code:
mount -o bind /external_sd/GoogleMusicCache/ /data/data/com.google.android.music/
(Just to rant a little: I don't get why Google's Music app doesn't allow for external storage for pinned music & cache, since peoples' music collections is what eats up much of their available storage. I've currently got a ~93GB collection all in the cloud, and have about 20GB pinned to my phone's class10 64GB external SDcard using this hack which wouldn't have come close to fitting on the internal 16GB SD. And before I used external storage I would constantly get out of storage space Android system warnings because of Google Music from CACHING only; not even anything locally pinned yet. Sad. Still, GMusic's better than the rest, until the cloud API's open to everyone else too)

Would this work for /sdcard/DCIM/ ?
Thanks

I can't find the thread here but I'm using 11extsd2internalsd_gs3_fat32orextfat_US_ZEDOMAXv0.2.zip to swap the sdcard and ExtSdcard for everything. If you have init.d support, that all you have to do is flash it. If you don't, you need to have busybox and Smanager and run the script (permissions 777) on boot. Works fine for me.
I had to look for things to put on the internal sdcard. My Sygic, ver 12 GPS software, got relocated. It is very smart in that it will find it's files on either the internal or external card. I wish more apps would do that.
In preferences in TiBu you can select any folder, even one on an attached USB drive, for your backup.
Most of what you want to know, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWIl-ztpadI

voidstab said:
Would this work for /sdcard/DCIM/ ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried binding the dcim folder to /external_sd/DCIM/ and I end up with a photo on both the sdcard and external_sd.

[Q] Kitkat Rom with SD card fix?

Before anyone answers, no, I am not looking to simply enable write access to the external SDcard!
Q: Is there a Sense 6 based rom (for the M8 of course), that returns pre-Kitkat functionality for the external SDcard?
I hardly have any apps installed, but because I use GPS apps with offline maps, and the numerous e-books (lots of graphic novels) and such I take along to pass time, my internal memory space is already getting close to full. I've already used the supposed SDcard Fix, which does allow me to write to the external SDcard, but the apps still use the internal storage space only. If not a Sense 6 based rom, is there a alternative rom which returns functionality to the external SDcard? Or maybe some way to change or add symbolic links? It's driving me crazy that I purchased a 64GB card just so that I can carry as much as I can with me and not worry about space, yet can't really make any use out of it.
Btw, I'm looking for a Sense 6 based rom because I love the HTC camera app. Much better then the Google camera app imo, and pretty much the only app I have that actually uses the external SDCard.

Nearly all custom Roms are with sd card fix

Then I'll try one of the Sense roms on here for the M8, though I don't see any specifically mention how the external SDcard is handled.

Yea there won't be no real mention, but we have full access to sd card, and if not there is a xposed module which fixes that, but I use renovate 4.0.1 and I can do all things which I was able to do before with the one x too...deleting music , changing direction really all things, so yea the fix is inside

Even apps using the external SDcard like in previous Android versions? That is what I'm looking for. Simply making the external SDcard writable is not enough, because the apps still don't use the external SDcard when they are installed or they download the needed data for the app. For example, I want the GPS map data to install itself and the app to make use of it from the external SDcard. Me being able to move the data does nothing if the app still wont use it.
Hopefully that makes it clear what I'm looking to do, as I've seen plenty of other posts in other similar threads where no seems to understand what the question really is.
I'll look into the Xposed fix, as I already use Xposed.

Aren't you able to select yourself where to save the data? If the app won't allow it because of slower read and write speed for example you can't do anything against it...external sd are often or always slower then the internal which is nearly like a ssd

You are correct. I was expecting some of the apps to use the ext_sd to write the downloaded data automatically, but apparently only a few of my apps do as such, or give the option. My previous Android devices had much smaller internal memory, so the default action for apps was to write the app to the internal, but download data to external. I was expecting the M8 to work the same, but with 32GB of internal memory (I know its less then that after the OS/stock apps), all the apps defaulted to writing everything to the internal memory and do not use the ext_sd at all. Looks like I'll need to use Folder Mount and see if that will solve my problems.

Mpegger said:
You are correct. I was expecting some of the apps to use the ext_sd to write the downloaded data automatically, but apparently only a few of my apps do as such, or give the option. My previous Android devices had much smaller internal memory, so the default action for apps was to write the app to the internal, but download data to external. I was expecting the M8 to work the same, but with 32GB of internal memory (I know its less then that after the OS/stock apps), all the apps defaulted to writing everything to the internal memory and do not use the ext_sd at all. Looks like I'll need to use Folder Mount and see if that will solve my problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Comparatively few Android devices offer external storage and Google seems to be on a mission to discourage OEMs from implementing it (no Nexus device has it...). So my guess is, that even the guidelines for Android app development are heading the same way. I wonder if the KitKat version of your GPS app just dropped ext-SD support because of the new rules or they made a general decision that it is not worth developing for it because relatively few devices have it.
Because even under KitKat (IF I finally understood the new permissions correctly) that app should be able to create a folder on ext-SD which it can read and write to.
That is how I understand the KitKat permission system: A third party app cannot write to the ext-SD except to a folder it created itself (=owns it).
So if you create a folder in File Manager on ext-SD, drag your maps in there, File Manager owns that folder. The GPS app should still be able to open them (if it lets you browse to it), but cannot change them or save new ones to that folder.
However, if you create that storage location from within the app it should still have full r/w permissions to that location. If the app does not offer that functionality, you're out of luck.
But that's a limitation of the app - not of KitKat.
If you still have an older TiBu backup of your GPS app that allowed you to save to ext-SD, restore it to your Kitkat rom and check if that works.

Utilising external SD card

After boot I see this entry under my root directory:
lrwxrwxrwx root root 2015-10-16 22:48 sdcard -> /storage/emulated/legacy
I do not understand it very well but it seems the system emulates an SD card using its own memory. Then many applications use this area to save files. The thing is that I have a real external SD Card that I would like all the downloads, music, temp files, documents, everything really to go there.
I have tried to remove the symbolic link 'sdcard' and to make it point to my sd card but I cannot remove it not even as root, read only system, I probably need to use chmod first not sure.
Has anyone done this and know the solution?
Many thanks

The internal storage is emulated as an sdcard.
You can't delete the sym links as they are created upon each boot.
As long as you are rooted you can use your external sd card for whatever you want.
Just point your apps to the right location.

ashyx said:
The internal storage is emulated as an sdcard.
You can't delete the sym links as they are created upon each boot.
As long as you are rooted you can use your external sd card for whatever you want.
Just point your apps to the right location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you but I cannot ask all applications to point to the external card. Many applications do not have this setting, either through the Applications Manager or through their own settings. Trying to find files then gets more confusing and every so often I must copy files manually so as to keep them in one place.
Is there perhaps an application that will also run at boot and point to the external card before any other applications start? That might be a good solution?

Zilliman said:
Thank you but I cannot ask all applications to point to the external card. Many applications do not have this setting, either through the Applications Manager or through their own settings. Trying to find files then gets more confusing and every so often I must copy files manually so as to keep them in one place.
Is there perhaps an application that will also run at boot and point to the external card before any other applications start? That might be a good solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link2sd pro

I have a galaxy tab s and am using Folder Mount and so far (after a few patches the program itself makes with permision) it is working fine for using data files on the storage card.

Best approach for SD card on M9 Marshmallow

Most of us probably know that Android 6 Marshmallow comes with a new feature regarding the SD cards which can be formatted and configured as something very similar to internal memory.
If you haven't read about it, best first to Google the topic.
(I will add a few links later)
From reading about it, it seems to have its own disadvantages (e.g. that sdcard is slower than built-in storage; and some people claim it's not flexible, even claiming that built-in memory becomes not used almost), so this thread is to discuss this feature for use on the M9
I don't have 6.0 yet on my M9, but have been thinking about this (a lot). Coming from the One X+ with 64GB internal, the storage is the only area in which the M9 is a step back for me...
SD card formatted as Internal memory
Known:
- it's encrypted, strictly linked to 1 device. Card not readable on any other device or computer.
Questions
- what does it look like in a file system explorer?
- what is the built-in memory (32GB) mounted as?
- what is the sdcard memory mounted as?
- can the sdcard be written to *without* any restrictions by all 3rd party apps (the kind of restrictions introduced by KitKat, where apps need special permissions and programming to use external storage). (For me this is THE most important benefit)
- after formatting as internal, there is a choice to "move data from built-in memory to sdcard". What does it move? It's been suggested that if this is done, then the default location for new downloaded apps will be the sdcard - is it
I would think it's best to keep all apps & their data on the built-in memory - and use sdcard for (large collections of) pictures, music, movies, documents, e-books, ... all the stuff you don't need to read or write at super high speed, but take tons of space. Basically the way it worked before Google messed up the sdcard in KitKat.
Discuss away
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA mobile app

I also found out something interesting to let the rom see sd by titanium backup or solid explorer (I use these two mainly)
if you tap on sdcard in solid it lets you search the sd path which you can reach and set to use, works fine
also in titanium backup (I use sd backups) if you go to menu>preferences>backup folder path and tap on archiviation provider you can use different "methods" to reach your sd, if you use documentProvider it works just as solid explorer, you have the stock file manager and go to sd folder

I find it useful, I have the best card to get, for its storage to performance ratio (SanDisk Extreme PRO 64 GB).
Before formatting as an internal storage source, apps that could store cache and data externally (Spotify, camera)
But with android M, they where not storing externally anymore.
Now I have a device that has 100 Gb of storage internally.
The only minor downfall is that TWRP can not see this storage, it kind of sees its own partition I think, which is only around 25 GB in size. So to transfer ROMs or ZIPs, you have to plug in via usb

Anyone have experience to share with SD card on marshmallow stock ROM. Still haven't made the time to pop mine in and experiment. :-/
Personally I would want to keep the apps + main app data on built-in storage (32GB) (making the best use of that super fast storage) but give apps full access to the SD card.

throcker said:
I also found out something interesting to let the rom see sd by titanium backup or solid explorer (I use these two mainly)
if you tap on sdcard in solid it lets you search the sd path which you can reach and set to use, works fine
also in titanium backup (I use sd backups) if you go to menu>preferences>backup folder path and tap on archiviation provider you can use different "methods" to reach your sd, if you use documentProvider it works just as solid explorer, you have the stock file manager and go to sd folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to move the heavy apps to the SD card. But I don't think see any major changes in the main built storage

nikeian said:
I tried to move the heavy apps to the SD card. But I don't think see any major changes in the main built storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was talking about backups. I never move apps to sd, looks like a fake goodie for me

throcker said:
I was talking about backups. I never move apps to sd, looks like a fake goodie for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies.
Talking about backup and restore HTC backup and restore doesn't work for Marshmallow 6.0

So being its encrypted for one phone,there is no way to reverse this and put in another phone. Example...if phone breaks or you upgrade.

Just received a notification for 6.0 update, can't wait to experiment on this new feature... If I understand it correctly, it would be beneficial for me since i've been using extsd to store large application data without moving the app itself...
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

Does someone try the adoptable storage since the last Nokia 6.1 update?

Hello,
Normally, in a perfect world, adoptable storage should allow to enhance memory thank to the sd card.
Anyone who tried to use the adoptable storage with the Nokia 6.1 encountered the problem of corrupt datas.
See
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-6-2018/how-to/adoptable-storage-available-pie-update-t3873841
Does someone enough brave already try again to activate this adoptable storage?
Thanks you

yes, I retried it last week (with latest official patch applied).
I migrated > 10GB of data. Afterwards I checked 'DCIM' and 'Download'. All files got totally corrupted (looks like every byte different).
It seems that newly created files were not corrupted. (Was just a fast check with 2-3 pictures)
I migrated back and removed SD card. Files still corrupted. During the last test in ~2019 I figured out that the files some when magically got fixed again some time after migrating back. Hope this happens again this time...
Maybe it also just needs some time after migrating to reencrypt the files for the SD card?
Does anybody know more about the internal processes during and after migration?

Hi, I didn't try the above method, but I used adb commands to format the SD-Card as internal. It basically worked and I am able to run the apps that I migrated to the external card.
HOWEVER:
1. The external card and it's files are completely invisible to any file-system-apps. So I can't see the data.
2. Apps that require some kind of login never keep that login. If you close the app and start it again, you need to login again. This seems to indicated that the apps have been migrated, but are unable to actually use the external space to save new files.
Does anyone think that rooting the device would help?
Cheers,
Calon

my experience with adaptable storage was the same as krisha2k's. all migrated user data I had appeared to become corrupted, and most apps that I moved to the sd card either couldn't save any app data (game saves/logins) or even lost functionality (Snapchat friends list disappeared). some really old and ancient apps that I moved to adoptable storage kept their saves etc (ice cream jump, Neko atsume).
I also found that games with in-app downloads would save their download to the internal storage, as well as external when the app appeared to be stored on the external only.
most apps are broken because of newer android changes that protect external storage write access (and i think read too). I'm not an expert in that though. just speculation
in the end, I just did a factory reset and I've settled with using the sd card as portable storage and storing large files on there (4k video from camera etc).
its a shame because it was a spare 128GB card I had lying around, and I would have liked to have some bigger apps installed, but it doesn't matter too much. but I guess that's just how things are now.
i personally wouldn't recommend doing it. you have potentially everything to loose if you accidentally migrate all your internal data, and what seems to be absolutely nothing to gain.