Develop Bugs

[Q] Can't write to external SD card

I have a brand new Tab S 8.4, received today. I discovered that I cannot write to or erase the external SD card with 1 exception. I can only perform operations on the external SD card if 1) I do it via MTP from my laptop or 2) using Samsung built-in apps For example, I can copy/rename/delete/etc. files using Samsung's My Files app and I can save pictures from the camera to the external SD card.Most downloaded apps (like cameras, document editors, browsers, etc.) will not save to the external SD card. To be clear, I can copy and move files FROM the external SD card using apps such as ES File Explorer.
I tried reformatting the SD card, even tried other SD cards, always the same result. Is there something wrong with my device or the stock firmware? The tab is pretty useless to me without ability to write to the SD card and I don't really like being limited to the stock apps. So, is this something I can fix, that Samsung can fix, or do I have a lemon?

corvus.corax said:
I have a brand new Tab S 8.4, received today. I discovered that I cannot write to or erase the external SD card with 1 exception. I can only perform operations on the external SD card if 1) I do it via MTP from my laptop or 2) using Samsung built-in apps For example, I can copy/rename/delete/etc. files using Samsung's My Files app and I can save pictures from the camera to the external SD card.Most downloaded apps (like cameras, document editors, browsers, etc.) will not save to the external SD card. To be clear, I can copy and move files FROM the external SD card using apps such as ES File Explorer.
I tried reformatting the SD card, even tried other SD cards, always the same result. Is there something wrong with my device or the stock firmware? The tab is pretty useless to me without ability to write to the SD card and I don't really like being limited to the stock apps. So, is this something I can fix, that Samsung can fix, or do I have a lemon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plz, read the forum rules and use the search button....

boeser said:
Plz, read the forum rules and use the search button....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, did that. All I learned is that I have to root the tab which I hadn't planned on doing. Grrrrrr. Luckily, I am technical enough to do it, but most buyers are not. IMO Samsung should be pushing back hard on Google about this. It involves tens of millions of their customers, plus those of all the other manufacturers as well. These devices ain't cheap, so if I spend my money on one, I want it to work as expected with stock software. There's no point in Google singing the glories of KK and beyond if the OS doesn't do what a normal userI needs it too. When LG did its OTA update to KK for the G Pad 8.3, it allowed writing to the external SD, proving it can be done from the device provider.

it just not with samsung... the problem are with kitkat. so every device that use kitkat will have the same problem. LG/MOTO/TC/whatever android device also got the same problem. except some play smart and include the edited platform.xml into their device.

edan1979 said:
it just not with samsung... the problem are with kitkat. so every device that use kitkat will have the same problem. LG/MOTO/TC/whatever android device also got the same problem. except some play smart and include the edited platform.xml into their device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least via the Samsung-provided apps (camera, browser, file manager) it's possible to write to and erase from the external SD card. Still, it's a sad state of affairs this far into the Android game. And this business with tripping the knox counter when rooting really is annoying. I wonder what Apple offers these days ?

corvus.corax said:
I wonder what Apple offers these days ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same thing since they release the idevice. Lolz
Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

Any fix for "Failed to save to SD card"? [open camera app]

Hello,
A while back I used an app that ran into an issue trying to save to the external SD card, and that app walked me through the steps to make it work, and it works great now and I can save to the external SD card.
But for a different app, I can't figure out how to get it (Open Camera) to save to my external SD memory card. Did my earlier app just have a workaround itself, or is there a fix for allowing any app to save to the external SD memory card? In this Open Camera app I can select the location on the SD memory card for saving pictures, but when I take the picture it says failed to save.
I guess I just wonder if there is something I can change in the phone to make it work, somehow whitelist the Open Camera app, or if it's just up to the particular app to implement its own work-around and by default all apps will fail?
Thanks!

Sd card problem.
Sent from my SM-G920T

It's not a SD card problem. Read the play store description for Open Camera, and it specifically mentions the problem being Google blocking access to external cards because of potential security issues. It looks like rooting is a potential fix to change the permissions. Also, an Android Police article states that with Lollipop, there are new APIs available to developers to give access to external SD cards. The LG G4 native camera app can write to my external card, so I know it's possible. I like the app except for the 5 min video limitation. If Open Camera won't fix it in the app, I bet someone will find a permissions fix after we aquire root. I can't attach the link here, but you can find the Android Police article in the Open Camera description in the Play Store.

ambervals6 said:
Sd card problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it is not. I have had the same issue with multiple brands of phones and SD-Cards.
brazeal said:
It's not a SD card problem. Read the play store description for Open Camera, and it specifically mentions the problem being Google blocking access to external cards because of potential security issues. It looks like rooting is a potential fix to change the permissions. Also, an Android Police article states that with Lollipop, there are new APIs available to developers to give access to external SD cards. The LG G4 native camera app can write to my external card, so I know it's possible. I like the app except for the 5 min video limitation. If Open Camera won't fix it in the app, I bet someone will find a permissions fix after we aquire root. I can't attach the link here, but you can find the Android Police article in the Open Camera description in the Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is funny it is blamed on restricted access to SD-Cards when OpenCamera has been the only app in which I have seen problems saving to SD-Cards. I find it ironic that an open source software has not been fixed yet.
I'm thinking I might browse the code and correct the code and see if the developer will accept the changes or not.

I am rooted and cant save or move files from Internal storage to the external SD card using phone. However, if I connect phone via USB to computer, it allows me to as well as using OTG USB. Very frustrating.

markwebb said:
I am rooted and cant save or move files from Internal storage to the external SD card using phone. However, if I connect phone via USB to computer, it allows me to as well as using OTG USB. Very frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can move files from internal storage to the external SD card with ES File Explorer. It does prompt you to follow a couple of steps to give it permission. I manually move my photos with it.

It's an adroid doing android thing. Only one app that creating or managing the file on SD card can modify that file.
For example, when you set camera photos to be saved on SD card, no other apps can touch that photo, not even photo app since it is created with "Camera" app. Photo app can only View the picture but cannot modify. Only solution is to modify the photo is to hit three dots next to "save" button and select "save copy" then the photo app will create another file that can be modified with the app in the future. You can delete the original photo from then.
Its weird though, you can't modify the original photo but you can delete it.
This was supposed to be fixed on android 5.0 but I guess I misunderstood the change log.
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA Free mobile app

so what would be the fix to get apps to save to sd card
i need a tutorial low down

Any fixes fit this?

yeah?

solved
just open
-more camera option
-use storage Access Framework
-SD card
-Select SD Card
done

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

Problems with Storage.

Hi, my name is Julian, I am a newbie and I've got two big problems with the Galaxy J5(I think 2016) with 8GB internal and a 32GB SD Card, Stock Gapps and Lineage Os:
Internal Storage Issue
The Phone constantly says “Not enough Storage”, although there are NO extra Apps installed, except Whatsapp, and he has no personal Data(Images, movies, etc....)
BUT when I look in the Storage option in the Settings, the Calculation is not correct. It says : 3Gb for Android, 1,5GB for Apps and maybe 0,5Gb for Data, but the rest is not showing up.
SD Card to Internal Issue
So because of the 1. Issue, we decided to format the SD Card as an internal Storage. We searched up where this Option is to find and then we tried it. During the process it told us that we would free up about 2Gb of the Internal when moving stuff to the new formatted SD, so we did it, but after all There is no Extra Storage, and we are still not able to install apps from Google Play to the SD Card.(And it also says that 16GB of the SD Card are for the Android System, even if there are only 2 small Files or so).
I would be really thankful if you could try to fix our problems, because we can't go back to Stock because the Backup was broken and the copy from the PC doesn't even show up in TWRP(nor with the Backup function, neither with the File explorer function).

helloplayer1 said:
Hi, my name is Julian, I am a newbie and I've got two big problems with the Galaxy J5(I think 2016) with 8GB internal and a 32GB SD Card, Stock Gapps and LineageOS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this device but, since there's no Official LineageOS released and, your not sure which J5 you have, here's the only Unofficial LineageOS 14.1 that's currently active that's specific to the J5 (2015).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3588627
Also, the following area of the forum is specific to your device where you should be able to obtain some member guidance somewhere within.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j5
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT provide support via PM unless asked/requested by myself. PLEASE keep it in the threads where everyone can share.

helloplayer1 said:
Hi, my name is Julian, I am a newbie and I've got two big problems with the Galaxy J5(I think 2016) with 8GB internal and a 32GB SD Card, Stock Gapps and Lineage Os:
Internal Storage Issue
The Phone constantly says “Not enough Storage”, although there are NO extra Apps installed, except Whatsapp, and he has no personal Data(Images, movies, etc....)
BUT when I look in the Storage option in the Settings, the Calculation is not correct. It says : 3Gb for Android, 1,5GB for Apps and maybe 0,5Gb for Data, but the rest is not showing up.
SD Card to Internal Issue
So because of the 1. Issue, we decided to format the SD Card as an internal Storage. We searched up where this Option is to find and then we tried it. During the process it told us that we would free up about 2Gb of the Internal when moving stuff to the new formatted SD, so we did it, but after all There is no Extra Storage, and we are still not able to install apps from Google Play to the SD Card.(And it also says that 16GB of the SD Card are for the Android System, even if there are only 2 small Files or so).
I would be really thankful if you could try to fix our problems, because we can't go back to Stock because the Backup was broken and the copy from the PC doesn't even show up in TWRP(nor with the Backup function, neither with the File explorer function).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Storage is a general problem. Not device specific.
It is no good idea to use stock GApps. A minimal gapps is enough. You can install Google apps from play store.
WhatsApp doesn't use adapted storage AFAIK. Especially videos use much memory. Delete them all.

kurtn said:
Storage is a general problem. Not device specific.
It is no good idea to use stock GApps. A minimal gapps is enough. You can install Google apps from play store.
WhatsApp doesn't use adapted storage AFAIK. Especially videos use much memory. Delete them all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the Data is not using up the Space.

Ibuprophen said:
I don't have this device but, since there's no Official LineageOS released and, your not sure which J5 you have, here's the only Unofficial LineageOS 14.1 that's currently active that's specific to the J5 (2015).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3588627
Also, the following area of the forum is specific to your device where you should be able to obtain some member guidance somewhere within.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j5
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, I want to thank you for replying, but I don't fell like this Problem is caused on this Phone only. Any other Ideas how I can fix this?

helloplayer1 said:
Hi, my name is Julian, I am a newbie and I've got two big problems with the Galaxy J5(I think 2016) with 8GB internal and a 32GB SD Card, Stock Gapps and Lineage Os:
Internal Storage Issue
The Phone constantly says “Not enough Storage”, although there are NO extra Apps installed, except Whatsapp, and he has no personal Data(Images, movies, etc....)
BUT when I look in the Storage option in the Settings, the Calculation is not correct. It says : 3Gb for Android, 1,5GB for Apps and maybe 0,5Gb for Data, but the rest is not showing up.
SD Card to Internal Issue
So because of the 1. Issue, we decided to format the SD Card as an internal Storage. We searched up where this Option is to find and then we tried it. During the process it told us that we would free up about 2Gb of the Internal when moving stuff to the new formatted SD, so we did it, but after all There is no Extra Storage, and we are still not able to install apps from Google Play to the SD Card.(And it also says that 16GB of the SD Card are for the Android System, even if there are only 2 small Files or so).
I would be really thankful if you could try to fix our problems, because we can't go back to Stock because the Backup was broken and the copy from the PC doesn't even show up in TWRP(nor with the Backup function, neither with the File explorer function).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your device is not supported by lineage os team.I would recommend you to use the stock rom.

aravind300bc said:
Your device is not supported by lineage os team.I would recommend you to use the stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I woulf like to do that, but when I want to restore to my Backup of the Stock Os the Backup doesn't show up. (I moved it from the PC to the phone)

helloplayer1 said:
I woulf like to do that, but when I want to restore to my Backup of the Stock Os the Backup doesn't show up. (I moved it from the PC to the phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need more information about your device like model and version

question

With Android 10 (or a 3rd party OS based on it) which I was following this guide for (unable to post link):
install-android-10-on-motorola-moto-g5-lineageos-17-1-how-to-guide
I just wanted to know if it allows you to move apps to external storage, because right now; they install whereever they want, and it seems like most prefer internal storage. I have obviously got an microSD card (a sandisk extreme pro 128GB with 90MB/s write in crystal disk mark). The small internal storage for me is the only issue I have which would be fixed with a way to choose default storage location (there is another issue of it not being clear if the place you want to save a file in on internal or external storage). Also I do have the SD card configured as internal storage.
I just installed an app to record voice calls (automatic call recorder), which has installed on the internal storage. I recorded a message from my three mobile top up but the recording was very difficult to understand even when played back at 70% volume on my PC headphones. I need it because I'm dealing with a company called repairtech.co.uk who told me that the reason they returned my monitor with a cracked screen was because I packed it incorrectly in the provided box (instead of packing material there are some hooks which suspend the monitor in the box with minimal aircushions). Since it was an out of warranty repair, I paid £80 for the evaluation that I needed to fork out for a completely new screen. I only found out about the crack when I overheard a conversation being made on my behalf and checked the box.
I can't do this upgrade right now because I need to have access to my bank account while I try to buy a new GPU which is available from tomorrow.
Edit:
Unlocked bootloader
Fastboot drivers installed on PC
I just tried but could not find a sticky or some such to get these pre-requisites.

Format sd card as internal storage & all data will be stored there
Advantages - more internal storage
Disadvantages - will only work on the device that formatted it as internal. You can't remove it & put it in another device without formatting it. Same for for if you want to change roms potentially.
A fast sd card is also required
Apps can't be "moved" to external storage (from android 5) in the way you are suggesting. Some apps like widgets will even break if you tried
Call recording works - you shouldn't need a 3rd party app on some roms as you can just hit record from the dialer but this is rom dependant.
Try using another dialer that can record or try on lineage mint in the Dev section - you may be using a very old rom if you are following some random guide you found on the net

TheFixItMan said:
Format sd card as internal storage & all data will be stored there
Advantages - more internal storage
Disadvantages - will only work on the device that formatted it as internal. You can't remove it & put it in another device without formatting it. Same for for if you want to change roms potentially.
A fast sd card is also required
Apps can't be "moved" to external storage (from android 5) in the way you are suggesting. Some apps like widgets will even break if you tried
Call recording works - you shouldn't need a 3rd party app on some roms as you can just hit record from the dialer but this is rom dependant.
Try using another dialer that can record or try on lineage mint in the Dev section - you may be using a very old rom if you are following some random guide you found on the net
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmmWl9eeP7QcY3Kk?e=hNnDs1 <<< one drive link
I remember moving kindle from internal to external, this is on Android 8.1. I have used two SD cards and I selected the option to format as internal storage both times.
s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmryXVi1jRNlp1Av?e=haNOnt <<< one drive link
Is this showing the correct screen for a internally formatted SD card? It does have some apps on it including kindle, but as I said it seems to decide for itself wether it will install on the sd card or not. There is no raid like pool of storage as you can see from the 2nd screenshot.
Will the moto g5 recieve a 3rd party upgrade to Android 11?

sgtsixpack said:
s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmmWl9eeP7QcY3Kk?e=hNnDs1 <<< one drive link
I remember moving kindle from internal to external, this is on Android 8.1. I have used two SD cards and I selected the option to format as internal storage both times.
s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmryXVi1jRNlp1Av?e=haNOnt <<< one drive link
Is this showing the correct screen for a internally formatted SD card? It does have some apps on it including kindle, but as I said it seems to decide for itself wether it will install on the sd card or not. There is no raid like pool of storage as you can see from the 2nd screenshot.
Will the moto g5 recieve a 3rd party upgrade to Android 11?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't "move" apps natively to sd card - it will break many apps
Can't see screenshots as you haven't linked correctly - post full link (put spaces in address if you can't post links)
It is also up to the app where it installs in the Manifest of the app - you may find the apk is installed on internal and the data is on the sdcard
Data will be in the android/data and android/obb folder
When sdcard is formatted as internal you will see the total size of internal storage has increased
If you remove the sdcard you may find some apps will no longer function correctly so you will know its on sdcard
Also you should have selected to transfer data to sdcard when you first format it as internal

TheFixItMan said:
When sdcard is formatted as internal you will see the total size of internal storage has increased
If you remove the sdcard you may find some apps will no longer function correctly so you will know its on sdcard
Also you should have selected to transfer data to sdcard when you first format it as internal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https:// 1drv . ms /u/ s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmmWl9eeP7QcY3Kk?e=OGLDiW
https:// 1drv . ms /u/ s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmryXVi1jRNlp1Av?e=AMHbFw
Its just apps on the sd card. When I first installed the card, I had just performed a phone reset so there were not an third party apps installed yet.

sgtsixpack said:
https:// 1drv . ms /u/ s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmmWl9eeP7QcY3Kk?e=OGLDiW
https:// 1drv . ms /u/ s!AhCKpFOJjf6jgmryXVi1jRNlp1Av?e=AMHbFw
Its just apps on the sd card. When I first installed the card, I had just performed a phone reset so there were not an third party apps installed yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing wrong with those screenshots
Unfortunately this is just how android works and your device looks to be functioning correctly
If you are rooted you can use other methods to move apps to sdcard eg link2sd (requires sdcard with a second ext4 partition) but the more apps you symlink to sdcard the slower your phone may become. Make sure you link & not forcefully move as some apps like widgets will not function if forcefully moved and not symlinked to sdcard
Also note I haven't used this app in about 10years so no idea if it still functions on latest versions of android as it hasn't been updated in a few years
You will have to Google other root methods