There is a rediculous bug in google photos, that do not allow you to delete pictures from sd card. The problem is that most people store their pictures on sd, and google photos uploads pictures from sd and not even check if it could delete from there.
Why this is happening? Because google have broken access to sd in Android 4.4. There is no official way how apps could ask for write access in android 4.4.
Google+ photos was discontinued, and offer user to install Google photos. However, google+ photos was system app (so no sd problems), but new downloaded google photo app is not system (so cannot write to sd).
But developers have found a bug in android 4.4 that still allow apps to write to sd. However, it may not work on some devices.
In android 5.0 there is official way how apps could write to sd (ask directory via Storage Access Framework).
I have experimented a lot and here I have suggestions how to solve this problem.
This is workaround methods table. This do not require app mod, but REQUIRE ROOT
(sorry, it is not possible to make html formatting)
Method Android KK Android LP Android MM Android N
1) SD fix (add media_rw to platform.xml) Yes Yes No Not tested
2) Make app system No (crashes) No (starts normal, but app itself says, that is installed incorectly) No (starts normal, but app itself says, that is installed incorectly) Also, clear cache, or it will lie, that it can move to trash. Not tested
3) Make app system (some old version), after that install new version as usual
Not tested No Yes (not clear how it works however, maybe after cache cleaning it will brake again)
Not tested
4) Xposed XinternalSD Not tested Not tested Yes Not tested
5) Xposed Marshmallow fix
Not tested Not tested No Not tested
6) Add <item name="android.permission.WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE" granted="true" flags="0" /> to /data/system/packages.xml
Not tested Not tested No Not tested
This is ideas of app modification, so that app do not require root
Method | Can be used by google | Can be used by community | Android KK | Android LP | Android MM | Android N
1) KK backdoor (where possible) + LP SAF | Yes | Do not know. Maybe microG? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes
2) Google services backdoor | Yes | No, because microG will not be system app. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes
3) Private directory in /data/data | Yes | Do not know. Maybe microG? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes
I have seen how OG Youtube app works. Especially interesting noroot + microG way. Is it possible to make the same with google photos?
Conclusion.
There are applications, that uses my ideas and works without a problem. For example, FX file explorer uses KitKat workaround on 4.4 and saf on 5.0+. Also gp has all the same permissions as fx. It looks like google do not allow users to manage photos on their device intentionally. Do not know why, maybe to make people use internal storage for photos and move all to cloud, so make people dependent from their services. But why then even «sync» anything from sd?
Anyway, we should solve this. Is it possible to modify google photos like og youtube? This is needed because if we somehow modify apk, it will not be accepted by google services due to wrong signature. Xposed is not a way, because as you remember, we need noroot way. So, alternative google services possibly could help.
This is how GP behaves now:
User want to delete a picture
Is there direct write access to sd?
Yes — delete picture.
No — Say that gp have no write access to sd.
How it should behave?
User want to delete a picture
Is there direct write access to sd?
Yes — delete picture.
No — then
— Is it Android 5.0+?
— Yes — ask user to allow access via SAF and after that delete picture.
— No — (means we are on Android 4.4 or specially configured 4.3- as in 4.4) then:
— — Show message: «No access, use root or change android version» or «Set your system camera to save pictures in /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.photos/DCIM», or «Update google services, then gp will be allowed to delete pictures».
Will be glad to hear your thoughts.
Related topics:
http://www.xda-developers.com/does-google-photos-backup-even-when-uninstalled/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-10/help/google-photos-remove-photos-sd-card-t3447699
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g5/help/google-photos-deleting-sd-photos-t3360822
odd.
it deletes photos from my nexus 6, from my lg risio(on 5.1.1) and from my galaxy mega(on 4.2.2).
Are you sure you are talking about photos, stored on External SD card?
If you store them in Internal Storage, then it is no problem to delete. But most people prefer to store pictures on sd.
ashark2 said:
Are you sure you are talking about photos, stored on External SD card?
If you store them in Internal Storage, then it is no problem to delete. But most people prefer to store pictures on sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. nexus 6 doesnt have external storage, but the other two devices do.
Ok, so nexus 6 is offtopic.
But about other two devices: Are you sure that
1) you set your camera to save pictures to microSD?
2) in google photo you are deleting that picture, stored on microSD (check if it exist on microSD)?
3) You did not made any custom configurations to your system (I mean editing platform.xml, using after-market ROM, using Xposed and so on)?
4) Pictures are not appeared there again after reboot?
If all this is "yes", than it is very strange. And even if it so, then probably manufacturer of your ROM already did sd fix. Can you check if sd fix is needed with NextApp SdFix app?
Hi I have this issue on LG G5 where I cannot delete photo taken by camera which stored at SD card? Any workaround?
froy0 said:
Hi I have this issue on LG G5 where I cannot delete photo taken by camera which stored at SD card? Any workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All workarounds require root for now. You can see my videos to find out solution for your Android version. They are in Russian, but you can understand subtitles.
Related
sorry noob question
i updated via ota , and i dont know how to put my apps 2 sd , are they already on sd now, or is there something i have to do?
Menu | Settings | Applications | Manage Applications
Click on an application and it will have a "Move to SD" button that is available, if the app supports it.
perfect you rock thanks
You can also download apps 2 sd free from the market place. makes things easier.
Hi,
I just updated my desire with "official" 2.3.3 from HTC and i missing some space to install app (like most people using this phone...)
I don't want to flash a non-Sense rom as i like somes feature (contact list with FB integration for photos, agenda..). But i can reconsidere it if i don't find any solution to increase free space..
I don't want to virtually increase partition on sd, sometimes my sd mount as Read Only without warning, don't know if sd or sd reader on the phone is tired of life...
So i looked at app and what is using space: gmail update, flash update, map update, Market update... And i wonder if i can move these to system/app to replace the app shipped with the rom.. (A long time ago I already done something like this on nook by replacing vending.apk).
Is there a tutorial explaining this?
If possible, is there a list of apk's name? (Market = Vending.apk, Map = ???, Flash = ???)
If place is missing on rom partition (i see only 16mo is free) can i delete safely some app (i don't use (news app or footprint or stock exchange...).
Thank you!
You are not s-off or even rooted. So you cannot do this.
I s-off and rooted the phone to use titanium backup, so yes it is
I don't want to flash a non-Sense rom as i like somes feature (contact list with FB integration for photos, agenda..). But i can reconsidere it if i don't find any solution to increase free space..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strangely I had these features in Gingervillain and also in MIUI - and they are non-Sense ROMs. And for agenda - there are many free/paid widgets, which are better than the stock HTC one IMO.
I don't want to virtually increase partition on sd, sometimes my sd mount as Read Only without warning, don't know if sd or sd reader on the phone is tired of life...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you don't have enough space in the system partition then you have no other options.
So i looked at app and what is using space: gmail update, flash update, map update, Market update... And i wonder if i can move these to system/app to replace the app shipped with the rom.. (A long time ago I already done something like this on nook by replacing vending.apk).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can replace the files, use Root explorer (S-OFF, ROOT)
If possible, is there a list of apk's name? (Market = Vending.apk, Map = ???, Flash = ???)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TI Backup gives you the name of the file if you click on the application.
Flash is com.adobe.flashplayer AFAIK.
If place is missing on rom partition (i see only 16mo is free) can i delete safely some app (i don't use (news app or footprint or stock exchange...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can.
ok, i will do a backup and try this. I just would to be sure before doing this (thank's about ti backup tips
You know a place where i can have a list of safely deletable app?
Some apps are found here:
http://leedroid.com/bravo-wiki/guidelines-for-safe-removal-of-included-apps-apks
But it only worths deleting apps larger > 1 or 2 MB so I'd hit up each app in Google, to see if it is needed.
Last question, i just looked into system\app folder, some app like gmail come in 2 file "gmail.apk + gmail.odex".
How do i replace this?
From last week I'm facing this issue.
1) this issue is with some apps only.
- till now i hv seen this error while updating Facebook, Gmail and Tv Sideview app
2) Google Play store completely downloads the app but while updating it says Error: Insufficient Storage.
3)
But I'm able to install other apps from Google Play.
4) Even installing Facebook, Gmail, Sixaxis Controller manually from APK has failed it says Free up some space. While I can still install games as large as 50mb.
5) two weeks later I have rooted my phone, but I haven't done any critical changes which many rooted android users do.
6) some apps I'm using which u may want to know are:
-SuperSU, Root Uninstaller (fr deleting G-books n G-Newstand), GL to SD (but it's unmounted), Link to SD (just installed didn't use it), Rom Toolbox Lite (didn't use it either) and Lucky Patcher.
I have mentioned it because I got to know that it's the issue with those using lucky Patcher....???
Root /dev/log... Folder has just four files. Nothing to clean frm there.
Internal memory : 360mb (I had uninstalled some apps to increase it too 410mb but still facing the same issue)
Help requested. What to do now?
Phone: Sony Xperia M Dual
Model: C2004
Android version: 4.2.2 (Stock Rom) just rooted nothing changed.
======================================
UPDATE: FIXED ||||| PROBLEM SOLVED
====================================
I had changed d Apps2SD option to SD Card which was causing this error. Changed it to Auto again
By the way another fix is to goto lucky Patcher and in it's troubleshooting menu. Choose remove /delte (any logical options which says to clear) patches and backups
PS: i read it smwhere and haven't tried this one.
ijtaba7 said:
From last week I'm facing this issue.
1) this issue is with some apps only.
- till now i hv seen this error while updating Facebook, Gmail and Tv Sideview app
2) Google Play store completely downloads the app but while updating it says Error: Insufficient Storage.
3)
But I'm able to install other apps from Google Play.
4) Even installing Facebook, Gmail, Sixaxis Controller manually from APK has failed it says Free up some space. While I can still install games as large as 50mb.
5) two weeks later I have rooted my phone, but I haven't done any critical changes which many rooted android users do.
6) some apps I'm using which u may want to know are:
-SuperSU, Root Uninstaller (fr deleting G-books n G-Newstand), GL to SD (but it's unmounted), Link to SD (just installed didn't use it), Rom Toolbox Lite (didn't use it either) and Lucky Patcher.
I have mentioned it because I got to know that it's the issue with those using lucky Patcher....???
Root /dev/log... Folder has just four files. Nothing to clean frm there.
Internal memory : 360mb (I had uninstalled some apps to increase it too 410mb but still facing the same issue)
Help requested. What to do now?
Phone: Sony Xperia M Dual
Model: C2004
Android version: 4.2.2 (Stock Rom) just rooted nothing changed.
======================================
UPDATE: FIXED ||||| PROBLEM SOLVED
====================================
I had changed d Apps2SD option to SD Card which was causing this error. Changed it to Auto again
By the way another fix is to goto lucky Patcher and in it's troubleshooting menu. Choose remove /delte (any logical options which says to clear) patches and backups
PS: i read it smwhere and haven't tried this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
move your apps to sd card using link2sd.. here's a guide to it http://www.xda-developers.com/android/guide-on-increasing-application-storage-with-link2sd/
hi all
so my transition to kitkat hasnt been without its hiccups and the latest one is probably quite big. So since 4.4 we're not allowed to write in the external SD as I have seen it put. my problem is shown by 2 different apps. one is the gallery (or quicpic that I use) when trying to delete a photo I took (and since I have my photos being saved on the SD) I get a message saying it failed! gallery seems to let me do it and delete the photo but when I check in quicpic or the files themselves the photos are still there. the other app is my sms backup and restore app where again I have my backup saving to the SD but when I try to select it it says I wont be able to use it and as is expected when I try to back it up it doesnt work.
why would they implement such a policy?! that goes completely backwards! is there a fix or a workaround?
really appreciate the help
You can fix it by rooting (+ e. g. NetApp SDFix) or wait for app developers to change their apps (in terms of storing data in private data folder, for instance '/storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.google.earth') - or if possible change the storage path by yourself.
Sent from my black pearl using Tapatalk
nunein said:
You can fix it by rooting (+ e. g. NetApp SDFix) or wait for app developers to change their apps (in terms of storing data in private data folder, for instance '/storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.google.earth') - or if possible change the storage path by yourself.
Sent from my black pearl using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can developers change their apps since they wont be allowed to write on the SD? and what do you mean change the storage path by myself? as in to have stuff save on my phone? cuz thats what Im avoiding
As I wrote: every app has write access to its 'private' data folder of the SD card (if it creates such a folder). The folder name has to match the app name.
For instance '/storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.example.app'
Disadvantages are that other apps do not have write access to these folders - and that data of an app will be deleted from its 'private' data folder if the app will be uninstalled.
The temporal solution is to root and use any KitKat fix to write in SD, there are single apps xposed modules flashable zips write some string in some system file.
fburgos said:
The temporal solution is to root and use any KitKat fix to write in SD, there are single apps xposed modules flashable zips write some string in some system file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any pointers on where I could find such a thing?
See post no. 2: SDFIX (from NextApp), available here or at Play Store
Hi,
While i was looking on how to fix the ability to write to the sd card on my Galaxy SIII Neo Android 4.4.2 KitKat,
i found this wonderful app on Google play to fix this issue..
SDFix: KitKat Writable MicroSD
(REQUIRES ROOT ACCESS)
it's easy and simple but on your own risk
it works for me
i dont know if there is another posts about this app, but let others know for general benefit
_______________
Thanks? Maybe?!!
Amirstars said:
Hi,
While i was looking on how to fix the ability to write to the sd card on my Galaxy SIII Neo Android 4.4.2 KitKat,
i found this wonderful app on Google play to fix this issue..
SDFix: KitKat Writable MicroSD
(REQUIRES ROOT ACCESS)
it's easy and simple but on your own risk
it works for me
i dont know if there is another posts about this app, but let others know for general benefit
_______________
Thanks? Maybe?!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have I9300I on kitkat but have not encountered SD card writing problem. Please explain what the writing problem is. I can do create new folder,create file. copy file etc. on mine....
muntinlupa said:
I have I9300I on kitkat but have not encountered SD card writing problem. Please explain what the writing problem is. I can do create new folder,create file. copy file etc. on mine....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
------------''-''--------------
And i quote
--------------------------------------
[ About MicroSD Cards in Android 4.4 / KitKat ]
When Google released Android 4.4, they specified that applications you download can no longer write to user-installed MicroSD cards. Apps can still write to internal flash storage. Some devices (like Google Nexus devices) only have internal storage, and are unaffected. Other devices (e.g. Samsung Galaxy and Note devices) have the ability to expand their storage space by installing a MicroSD card. When KitKat is installed on such devices, apps are limited to only being able to manipulate files on the built-in storage, with write-access to the MicroSD card being restricted.
This change represents a removal of functionality compared with Android 4.3. 4.3 allowed apps to write to the MicroSD card, as did prior versions.
The limitation introduced in KitKat does not affect the capabilities of preinstalled apps, only apps you choose to install. Apps preinstalled by Google, your device manufacturer, and your carrier still have this ability. Only apps that you choose to install are restricted.
[ Technical Details ]
NextApp SDFix will modify the configuration file located at /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml to allow apps to write to the MicroSD card. Specifically, SDFix will add the Android UNIX group "media_rw" to the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission's configuration. This will enable apps (only those that you granted write access permissions to when you installed them) to write files to the MicroSD card. On many devices, this is effectively reverting the state of this permission back to the way it was configured in Android 4.3. This modification is carried out by modifying the existing XML file, rather than replacing it.
A backup of the original configuration file will be saved at /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml.original-pre-sdfix (provided one does not already exist). Reverting this modification can be accomplished by using a root -enabled file manager to replace the /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml file with the backed up version.
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