Retrieve / Restore Data on Adopted External SD Card After Flashing Firmware - One (M8) Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

On Android Nougat (LineageOS), I flashed firmware and ended up re-installing LineageOS, etc. Recovery (TWRP) did not see my SD Card, and LineageOS sees it, but wants to format it even though it has tons of data presumably. I had it configured as 'adopted' storage. Same device. does flashing firmware erase the SD card or re-create the key? I had it setup as 'adopted storage' and all my TWRP backups are on it. Can I retrieve this data? Is it even still there?
If I do need to re-format, should I still use the 'adopted storage' choice? I want to make sure that whatever I store on the SD card will be usable after I flash a new ROM, firmware, etc. Is it just a matter of meticulously backing up all the data from the device while it is in a working state? Boy, I don't want to start over if I can avoid it!
Thanks!

Vortran said:
On Android Nougat (LineageOS), I flashed firmware and ended up re-installing LineageOS, etc. Recovery (TWRP) did not see my SD Card, and LineageOS sees it, but wants to format it even though it has tons of data presumably. I had it configured as 'adopted' storage. Same device. does flashing firmware erase the SD card or re-create the key? I had it setup as 'adopted storage' and all my TWRP backups are on it. Can I retrieve this data? Is it even still there?
If I do need to re-format, should I still use the 'adopted storage' choice? I want to make sure that whatever I store on the SD card will be usable after I flash a new ROM, firmware, etc. Is it just a matter of meticulously backing up all the data from the device while it is in a working state? Boy, I don't want to start over if I can avoid it!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adopted storage extends your internal space, I always use external storage, but I have a 32gb phone.
If you want to access data after reflashing rom you must use external storage.
And for the data recovery I don't know if it's a chance to recover it.

Ok.. looks like I am going to start over. If I choose external storage, can I install apps on the external, and use it for storing the same kinds of data and expect the phone to use it, just not the same contiguous virtual partition/volume?

Vortran said:
Ok.. looks like I am going to start over. If I choose external storage, can I install apps on the external, and use it for storing the same kinds of data and expect the phone to use it, just not the same contiguous virtual partition/volume?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can move some apps, but not all of them.
zips for twrp you can storage with no problem.
music, videos, photos, etc you can storage with no problem.

Related

[Q] Please help. Can't mount my external SD in TWRP.

I'm sorry. I'm somewhat new at this but I'm pretty sure this isn't what's supposed to happen.
I was going to flash a new ROM to my Note 2. I backed everything up in my external SD card (Nandroid and Titanium). I did all the wipes in TWRP 2.4.3 -- Factory Reset and System-- but I also decided to "Format Data" (reformat my Internal SD) which I now regret because, when I go to install the ROM that is in my external sd card, I find that I can't mount it. When I go to reboot, it says there's no OS installed.
I still have access to TWRP. When I plug my phone to my computer though, it doesn't detect it.
Did I just brick my phone? What are my options? Can I load a ROM from my computer or something? I really need help.
elpHRep arose
Resolved the problem. I was able to mount my external SD card eventually and recover everything. Thanks.

Stuck on bootloop

So, I accidentally flashed wrong zip on my tab pro.
This one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development/fix-bypassing-pie-security-check-t2797731
I was on CM12 and DAMN I didn't have nandroid backup. Is there anything I can do to not lose my files?
Put a known good ROM on a removable SD card using your computer and a card reader. Than insert in the device and flash in TWRP.
Not sure what you mean by losing your files. Are you talking about user data; or files on internal storage? Files on internal storage shouldn't be affected by flashing ROMs.
But if the files are important to you, you should be backing them up, anyway. Especially when ROM flashing. But even if not flashings ROMs; no data is immune from loss and should be backed up.
redpoint73 said:
Put a known good ROM on a removable SD card using your computer and a card reader. Than insert in the device and flash in TWRP.
Not sure what you mean by losing your files. Are you talking about user data; or files on internal storage? Files on internal storage shouldn't be affected by flashing ROMs.
But if the files are important to you, you should be backing them up, anyway. Especially when ROM flashing. But even if not flashings ROMs; no data is immune from loss and should be backed up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Lol I didn't remember that this device has SD card slot

Format SD as Internal?

when i format my SD card to be used as internal storage and i place a ROM on the SDcard to install / update the Rom im on i cant locate the zip at all. Is because its formated as internal and also when i connect to my computer only the sdcard shows not the internal memory any ideas
Let me just give you an other warning, when using Custom ROMs you should not use internal storage, because the moment you decide to switch ROMs and you either choose to or have to wipe /data, strangely it will wipe and corrupt an SD card,, its weird because wiping /data doesn't touch the real internal storage but if your SD is set as internal storage it wipes it.
I learned that the hard way, I switched to a custom ROM on my HTC 10, I was using SD Card as Internal for the first time on this device in Stock Rooted ROM, the very second I wiped /data to do a clean flash, TWRP said "can't mound sd card".
The card was wiped in a weird format so it was corrupted, a 64GB Sandisk Ultra became a 16GB card that wouldn't properly mount even in windows, yes for real! even formatting in Windows 10 wouldn't fix it, I had to use a special tool from sandisk's website to repair the card.
After all of this I searched XDA to confirm this is a real issue, it wasn't just weird bad luck, so if I were you I would be careful or just switch back to SD External Mode.
The final conclusion is this feature is very nice for the regular world with OTA's but it seems in the Root world it can be a disaster, which I'm sure why you could be having issues as well.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, the last part you mentioned is normal, internal storage will no longer be accessible in Windows or even Android for you, apps can still install there though, and in the App Manager you have the choice where you want a particular app installed.
Viper4713 said:
Let me just give you an other warning, when using Custom ROMs you should not use internal storage, because the moment you decide to switch ROMs and you either choose to or have to wipe /data, strangely it will wipe and corrupt an SD card,, its weird because wiping /data doesn't touch the real internal storage but if your SD is set as internal storage it wipes it.
I learned that the hard way, I switched to a custom ROM on my HTC 10, I was using SD Card as Internal for the first time on this device in Stock Rooted ROM, the very second I wiped /data to do a clean flash, TWRP said "can't mound sd card".
The card was wiped in a weird format so it was corrupted, a 64GB Sandisk Ultra became a 16GB card that wouldn't properly mount even in windows, yes for real! even formatting in Windows 10 wouldn't fix it, I had to use a special tool from sandisk's website to repair the card.
After all of this I searched XDA to confirm this is a real issue, it wasn't just weird bad luck, so if I were you I would be careful or just switch back to SD External Mode.
The final conclusion is this feature is very nice for the regular world with OTA's but it seems in the Root world it can be a disaster, which I'm sure why you could be having issues as well.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, the last part you mentioned is normal, internal storage will no longer be accessible in Windows or even Android for you, apps can still install there though, and in the App Manager you have the choice where you want a particular app installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what figured, thanks again for the quick answer.
Andr3w151 said:
Thats what figured, thanks again for the quick answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I will tell you my set up if it helps you, I use SD as External, all my Music, Photos, Videos, Game ROMs(SNES, N64, etc), TWRP backups, any ROMs or flash stuff is all on the SD.
My internal storage is usually never touched by me file transfer wise, all apps and other caches and such are stored there by force but I still have a good amount of space because of the SD help still.
And I have a bit of apps, including all the big file sized GTA games, Real Racing 3, etc.
Good luck on what you decide is best for you!
hey there. How should I format my SD card? Ext2/3/4? size? What's the best choice? Got a 128gb card
Thx for reply

Internal mounted SD-Card dissapeared, after flashing Lineage 14.1

Hi XDA,
I'm struggeling with my SD-Card after moving to lineage 14.1 (Coming from CM 13).
Installation worked just fine, but now i can not access my SD-Card from the phone and even not from PC (over the phone). I mounted it as an internal drive on CM to extend my storage.
The System recognizes the Card, but only gives me the options to format the Card and use it as internal storage or format and use it as an external storage.
Could it be, that the Card cannot be used, because it was formated as an internal storage under CM 13?
If anybody has an Idea, how i get access to the files please tell me
subersauger said:
Hi XDA,
I'm struggeling with my SD-Card after moving to lineage 14.1 (Coming from CM 13).
Installation worked just fine, but now i can not access my SD-Card from the phone and even not from PC (over the phone). I mounted it as an internal drive on CM to extend my storage.
The System recognizes the Card, but only gives me the options to format the Card and use it as internal storage or format and use it as an external storage.
Could it be, that the Card cannot be used, because it was formated as an internal storage under CM 13?
If anybody has an Idea, how i get access to the files please tell me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe this can help.
Decrypt_adopted_storage
Sotiris02 said:
Maybe this can help.
Decrypt_adopted_storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly not, I wiped all Data (except SD-Card) due to install the new System. So thers no Key in "/data/misc/vold"
subersauger said:
Sadly not, I wiped all Data (except SD-Card) due to install the new System. So thers no Key in "/data/misc/vold"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can't do anything now..
Only formatting it via PC(using command prompt..)
Sotiris02 said:
I think you can't do anything now..
Only formatting it via PC(using command prompt..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be worst case. :/
subersauger said:
That would be worst case. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the past while i was having a Moto G3,i got it to Marshmallow,made the SD card Internal like and about a month i got it stolen.But the good point was that i had removed the SD card.
Checked Google nothing useful.
Asked Motorola for any decryption tips,Nothing useful from Motorola.
And i couldn't stay with a encrypted SD card.. I formatted it(after making the "big choice" and it was back to factory stats..)
But the only thing that i didn't do,is that i didn't ask Google for support. Because Motorola makes pure stock Android but with some of Motorola apps and features.
As you was in AOSP based ROM (even if you was to LG's stock,Google could help) go ask Google gently for any solution(if you had important files,then surely they will help)
haha i had the same problem but the solution is very very easy just reboot into your recovery open recovery file manager and delete Android secure folder in your SD card.
thats all you need
axelxxxxx said:
haha i had the same problem but the solution is very very easy just reboot into your recovery open recovery file manager and delete Android secure folder in your SD card.
thats all you need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deleting "Android Secure" folder (there is no such a folder even in hidden files) won't do anything.
Also a thing that you should learn.(Because it seems you don't)
When your SD card is formated as internal you can't access it via TWRP a PC or even an other phone.
Because it gets encrypted.
Have a nice day.
Sotiris02 said:
Also a thing that you should learn.(Because it seems you don't)
When your SD card is formated as internal you can't access it via TWRP a PC or even an other phone.
Because it gets encrypted.
Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, i did not know that. If i had, i would have made an SD Backup
But I still have not formated the SD Card, I am still hoping :fingers-crossed:
subersauger said:
Yea, i did not know that. If i had, i would have made an SD Backup
But I still have not formated the SD Card, I am still hoping :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It cant be undone. Sorry to say. I learned this the hard way also. When you put it in lineage, you remember it asking about how you wanted to format it (movable or integrated)
You chose integrated mode. That encrypted it and counted it as device storage. No unencrypting it. Also if you blew away that lineage install, its totally not able to be read anymore. It stored the only decrypt key in the lineageOS keystore.
sad times.
Sotiris02 said:
Deleting "Android Secure" folder (there is no such a folder even in hidden files) won't do anything.
Also a thing that you should learn.(Because it seems you don't)
When your SD card is formated as internal you can't access it via TWRP a PC or even an other phone.
Because it gets encrypted.
Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes u right but you can access it as internal. Recvery will ecognise it anyways and you can delete this folder...
Btw this worked for me i had the same problem. And NO there is the folder named "Android secure" definition-- Android.secure is the folder where stock froyo android moves apps to the sd card by default. If you don't use the apps presently, you can safely remove the corresponding app files from the android.secure folder.

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

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