Develop Bugs

[Q] OTG Mounts But Empty Folder, No Files

I just recently bought a new Nexus 7 2013. It's now been rooted and has been working wonderful. I just got a new OTG cable, threw some MKV movies on a 64gb USB thumb drive, and mounted it with StickMount. After mounting, I browse to the SDA folder, and it shows as "EMPTY" in Astro file manager. I downloaded Root Explorer and navigating to the folder - still EMPTY. I tried Nexus Media Importer, it shows the folder with the movies, but when opening the folder, it is empty. Wondering if it is an issue with the file types, I loaded the USB thumbdrive with small MP4, WMV, MKV, MP3, and JPG files. The JPG shows up fine in Nexus Media Importer, but still no video or audio files show up. I tried stickmount, and the SDA folder still shows EMPTY. My thumbdrive is NTFS, so I reformatted as ExFAT - stickmount still showed empty and NMI said ExFat is incompatible. I reformatted the stick as Ext2 - stickmount still shows folder as EMPTY and NMI still only shows jpg. I don't know what else to try. I've uninstalled and reinstalled all programs, reformatted the drive, unplugged and plugged back in, restarted the Nexus. Nothing is working.
Why in the world would the drive be seen, but only JPGs show up - the video and audio files are never seen?? MX Player and VLC don't see any media files either...
Thanks for your help!

LotharioRowe said:
I just recently bought a new Nexus 7 2013. It's now been rooted and has been working wonderful. I just got a new OTG cable, threw some MKV movies on a 64gb USB thumb drive, and mounted it with StickMount. After mounting, I browse to the SDA folder, and it shows as "EMPTY" in Astro file manager. I downloaded Root Explorer and navigating to the folder - still EMPTY. I tried Nexus Media Importer, it shows the folder with the movies, but when opening the folder, it is empty. Wondering if it is an issue with the file types, I loaded the USB thumbdrive with small MP4, WMV, MKV, MP3, and JPG files. The JPG shows up fine in Nexus Media Importer, but still no video or audio files show up. I tried stickmount, and the SDA folder still shows EMPTY. My thumbdrive is NTFS, so I reformatted as ExFAT - stickmount still showed empty and NMI said ExFat is incompatible. I reformatted the stick as Ext2 - stickmount still shows folder as EMPTY and NMI still only shows jpg. I don't know what else to try. I've uninstalled and reinstalled all programs, reformatted the drive, unplugged and plugged back in, restarted the Nexus. Nothing is working.
Why in the world would the drive be seen, but only JPGs show up - the video and audio files are never seen?? MX Player and VLC don't see any media files either...
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've just tried all unsupported filesystems. No ExFat, ntfs, Ext2 or Ext3 are gonna work without some help. Formatting the thumbdrive in Ext4 should work, but then you will be able to use it just on Linux systems. Chainfire's StickMount can mount and access ExFat and NTFS on the usb drives if you put a few files on your /sdcard/ directory. Links to those files are in the first post of this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1400034
I've tried it with my homemade OTG cable, StickMount and some pendrives and usb hard disks and works just fine. Other method would be flashing a different kernel, like ElementalX, which comes with support for ExFat and NTFS, and even OTG + usb charging.
Hope that helps you.

It's a pain in the butt. I have stick mount, and I added the binaries that allow stick mount to mount exfat drives. However, I still only have read access. You won't be able to write to the drive in exfat. Your best bet is to reformat it in fat32. I even flashed a kernel that supposedly supports exfat, but that didn't work either.
The Fat32 size limit sucks, but it's a necessary evil right now.
http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/670676304

xr_ghg said:
You've just tried all unsupported filesystems. No ExFat, ntfs, Ext2 or Ext3 are gonna work without some help. Formatting the thumbdrive in Ext4 should work, but then you will be able to use it just on Linux systems. Chainfire's StickMount can mount and access ExFat and NTFS on the usb drives if you put a few files on your /sdcard/ directory. Links to those files are in the first post of this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1400034
I've tried it with my homemade OTG cable, StickMount and some pendrives and usb hard disks and works just fine. Other method would be flashing a different kernel, like ElementalX, which comes with support for ExFat and NTFS, and even OTG + usb charging.
Hope that helps you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unbelievable...you're right, that did it! Thank God. StickMount now sees and plays all my files. Thank you for your help!

volumnus said:
It's a pain in the butt. I have stick mount, and I added the binaries that allow stick mount to mount exfat drives. However, I still only have read access. You won't be able to write to the drive in exfat. Your best bet is to reformat it in fat32. I even flashed a kernel that supposedly supports exfat, but that didn't work either.
The Fat32 size limit sucks, but it's a necessary evil right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your inability to write is probably due to SELinux enforcement. Try opening a root shell, and type the following command:
setenforce 0
You should be able to write to your ntfs/eXfat afterwards. (Till next reboot)
Hope that helps you.

xr_ghg said:
Your inability to write is probably due to SELinux enforcement. Try opening a root shell, and type the following command:
setenforce 0
You should be able to write to your ntfs/eXfat afterwards. (Till next reboot)
Hope that helps you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish a developer would build exfat support into a rom.

Movies not saving on SD Card.

Hello folks, I bought my M8 3 weeks ago and it is rooted, unlocked bootloader, latest TWRP, stock sense ROM and elemental x kernel. I initially purchased a 32gb Samsung evo sd card but found myself maxing it within a few days with movies, then i bought a 64gb Samsung evo sd card and assumed all was well. I formatted the card and ran the external sd card patch app from the playstore which granted me write permission to the sd card (it is not possible on stock htc kernel but ss soon ss i flashed elementalx kernel it allowed me to write any data to the sd card).
But the problem is whenever i download a movie via utorrent and set the download path to the sd card, it downloads fine, but when i use my file explorer to check the sd card movie download folder, it shows the movie folder name but when i open the folder there is nothing inside or someimes it doesn't even show the movie folder at all, almost as if it was never even downloaded but if i switch back to utorrent, the movie is 100% downloaded and is uploading.
Sometimes, it actually downloads and i can see the movie in the folder, but when i click on the movir, it says 'Sorry unable to play thid file'. I have use astro file manager and es file manager, i have used diceplayer, mx player sand bs player. I don't think the file manager or the the media player is the problem. When i open settings and go to make more space, 10gb of my sd storage is being taken by these files but they are nowhere to be found on my sd card storage using a file manager. But i know these movies are on the sd card because it is taking up gigabytes of space.
I've tried to reformat the sd card, factory reset the phone e.t.c. but i am still having the ssme issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Can any other apps write to the card? I'd also get myself a copy of root explorer. Have you tried searching for the files in question. They may not be in the folder you think they are.
Also the stock kernel does support sd card write access with patch. Might have to be s-off though.

What formats are the movies in? Try to copy a movie with a format you know works in and then do one with another format and check. I know certain formats don't work with HTC.
I'd also try and see if other movie watching apps can read it. If you don't mine me asking, when you formatted the card what did you format it too?

.Ryker said:
What formats are the movies in? Try to copy a movie with a format you know works in and then do one with another format and check. I know certain formats don't work with HTC.
I'd also try and see if other movie watching apps can read it. If you don't mine me asking, when you formatted the card what did you format it too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some are in mp4 and some are in matroska (mkv). I have already tried that and it didn't work before. I have tried diceplayer, bs player, mxplayer and the default htc player. The card was formatted on my htc one m8.

ashyx said:
Can any other apps write to the card? I'd also get myself a copy of root explorer. Have you tried searching for the files in question. They may not be in the folder you think they are.
Also the stock kernel does support sd card write access with patch. Might have to be s-off though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i know the stock kernel does not support it. Which was why i wrote in the op that i flashed elemental x before performing a successful write access patch.
Other apps can write to the card, i played the respawnables from the sd card, i can copy pictures and my nandroid backup. It's just my movies that sometimes copies into a folder which is empty inside or it full copies and then when i try to play, it shows me a sorry cannot play video file error on all the movie players i have tried from the playstore.

Big Bread said:
Some are in mp4 and some are in matroska (mkv). I have already tried that and it didn't work before. I have tried diceplayer, bs player, mxplayer and the default htc player. The card was formatted on my htc one m8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you noticed one working more then the other? or do they both not show up. My suggestion is your reformat the sdcard on your computer instead of through your phone to be fully compatible with the movie files. I have an external 64gb and I have no issues. I formatted it through the computer though.
Also, try to restart your phone and check for the files, or using a different file explorer.

Nope. You didn't read my reply properly. The stock kernel DOES support sd card write access with patch.

ashyx said:
Nope. You didn't read my reply properly. The stock kernel DOES support sd card write access with patch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that, but a 32gb sdcard is quite different then 64gb sdcard with the way its formatted and that's what I am worried about.

I'm using a samsung 64gb evo card no problems. Why not try a different torrent app. I prefer the kickass torrents app as it has more options and allows you to open the download folder direct from the app.

ashyx said:
I'm using a samsung 64gb evo card no problems. Why not try a different torrent app. I prefer the kickass torrents app as it has more options and allows you to open the download folder direct from the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what i'm using. A samsung evo 64gb. I will attempt to reformat it on a pc tomorrow.
I tried to grant write permission on the stock htc kernel but it didn't work with the 2 apps i found on the playstore. But it worked instantly with elemental x kernel.
Shall i reformat it on the pc with the memory card still inside the phone?

I'm guessing it's due to the file sizes. When the card is formatted as fat32 it has its file size limits.
Check some more on that note to get some specific info. Just a hunch

Mr Hofs said:
I'm guessing it's due to the file sizes. When the card is formatted as fat32 it has its file size limits.
Check some more on that note to get some specific info. Just a hunch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which software on windows would you recommend that I use to format the Samsung Evo 64gb SD Card and which format would you also recommend?

Big Bread said:
That is exactly what i'm using. A samsung evo 64gb. I will attempt to reformat it on a pc tomorrow.
I tried to grant write permission on the stock htc kernel but it didn't work with the 2 apps i found on the playstore. But it worked instantly with elemental x kernel.
Shall i reformat it on the pc with the memory card still inside the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't recommend doing that no, if possible take it out of your phone and use an adapter to connect it to your computer. You want a direct connection to the sdcard.

.Ryker said:
I wouldn't recommend doing that no, if possible take it out of your phone and use an adapter to connect it to your computer. You want a direct connection to the sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an adapter, which format is your SD card in? I have formatted to FAT32 and when I transfer my movie files, some of it is lost in the LOST.DIR folder which I can't recover.

Big Bread said:
I have an adapter, which format is your SD card in? I have formatted to FAT32 and when I transfer my movie files, some of it is lost in the LOST.DIR folder which I can't recover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you don't want to format to FAT32 thats for 32gb cards and below. For a 64gb you want to format it to exFAT. Thats how mine is formatted, and how it should come honestly. After that you shouldn't have any issues reading and running your movie files. According to this article video files over 4gb cannot be accessed which would be your issue with the files on a FAT32.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ht...nnot-handle-video-files-greater-than-4gb.html
so that could be your issue as well.

.Ryker said:
Yeah you don't want to format to FAT32 thats for 32gb cards and below. For a 64gb you want to format it to exFAT. Thats how mine is formatted, and how it should come honestly. After that you shouldn't have any issues reading and running your movie files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It initially was in exFAT format when i formatted it on the phone but I still had the problems of files either not copying or not playing or being lost in he LOST.DIR folder, I am running a format on windows now and will give it another try.

Big Bread said:
It initially was in exFAT format when i formatted it on the phone but I still had the problems of files either not copying or not playing or being lost in he LOST.DIR folder, I am running a format on windows now and will give it another try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I edited my reply. Added a few things so I'd take a look at that thread I posted as well, it might have your solution.
Try copying over the movie files to internal and see if they run.

.Ryker said:
Okay, I edited my reply. Added a few things so I'd take a look at that thread I posted as well, it might have your solution.
Try copying over the movie files to internal and see if they run.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have come across that thread before making this thread. The SD Card was initially in exFAT format but when the issues arose I formatted it to FAT32 and now I have reformated it using windows to exFAT. I'm copying the movie files now and will see what happens.
My movies are all 1080p but below 2gb file size, I have copied the movies to my limited internal storage and they work perfectly file. It is simply when I copy them to the SD Card that they become lost within the LOST.DIR or they copy and i get the Sorry cannont play video file error with any media player I download from the playstore.

Big Bread said:
I have come across that thread before making this thread. The SD Card was initially in exFAT format but when the issues arose I formatted it to FAT32 and now I have reformated it using windows to exFAT. I'm copying the movie files now and will see what happens.
My movies are all 1080p but below 2gb file size, I have copied the movies to my limited internal storage and they work perfectly file. It is simply when I copy them to the SD Card that they become lost within the LOST.DIR or they copy and i get the Sorry cannont play video file error with any media player I download from the playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This issue seems strange to me. I also have a 64gb card, formatted to fat32. I have no problems at all moving uTorrented movies from my downloads folder to extSD (I have a movie folder on ext, but I download to internal). Maybe try ES File Explorer to move them. That's what I'm using.

xunholyx said:
This issue seems strange to me. I also have a 64gb card, formatted to fat32. I have no problems at all moving uTorrented movies from my downloads folder to extSD (I have a movie folder on ext, but I download to internal). Maybe try ES File Explorer to move them. That's what I'm using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last night i fornatted to exFAT on windows using my sd card adapter, then i mounted it and downloaded 5 torrent movies directly to the sd card. I woke up this morning and discovered that the folder where those torrent movies were downloaded was empty. But somehow the movies are on the sd card and taking up space, but i iust can't find them.
When i download the torrent movies to the internal memory, it is fine, when i copy the torented file from internal to sd card, it is also fine. But it just seems impossible to download torrents directly to the sd card and bypass the copy from internal to external always procedure.
I will try FAT32 format on windows and download torrenrs directly to the sd card, i am hoping this will work as i am very tired of this issue. I invested a lot of money on this phone and this 64b samsung evo and i am so far not impressed.
Also in the op, i mentioned that i have tried astro and es file manager. But thanks.

So how does USB OTG work on Marshmallow?

Hello! I've got a 64GB USB C drive I'd like to use with my bone stock Nexus 5x. It's formatted through the phone, and I get the notification to explore the device storage. Unfortunately, just about no other app can see the device storage. No file manager except for ES File Explorer can see it. Most importantly, I'd like an app called LocalCast to see the device storage for casting media from the drive to Chromecast and other DLNA players without copying to device storage first. But like I say, they don't seem to see the drive.
Is there any way to get this to work? I'm open to rooting if it would make it work, but this is my first experience with OTG, so thought I'd ask here first.

64GB Sandisk micro-sd, formatted to FAT32 with the phone. stickmount(pro) installed and the card is recognized by every app on Nexus 5X MM 6.0.1. Poweramp & MX Player both do auto scan of the card when inserted. I also have a 128GB card formatted to exFAT, it doesn't get recognized by anything other than SolidExplorer's USB plug-in.
Just go with FAT32 Format and get Stickmount app should do the trick.

blempka said:
Hello! I've got a 64GB USB C drive I'd like to use with my bone stock Nexus 5x. It's formatted through the phone, and I get the notification to explore the device storage. Unfortunately, just about no other app can see the device storage. No file manager except for ES File Explorer can see it. Most importantly, I'd like an app called LocalCast to see the device storage for casting media from the drive to Chromecast and other DLNA players without copying to device storage first. But like I say, they don't seem to see the drive.
Is there any way to get this to work? I'm open to rooting if it would make it work, but this is my first experience with OTG, so thought I'd ask here first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yip as stated above stickmount is required for nexus's if rooted.
Otherwise try a play store search for "otg" if unrooted
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.stickmount&hl=en

I see! I kind of thought it would work out of the box with marshmallow but this is very helpful. I just wanted to make sure it would help before I pulled the trigger on root. Thanks guys!

I have a problem with my pixel 2 xl and can't figure out why

My issue is connecting to an usb-c flash drive. My usb-c flash drive is Samsung 128gb. It works half of the time. What I mean is it works when I am home and not at work.
Right now work.
I plug my flash drive in to my pixel 2 xl.
ES file manager comes up
Show my usb drive with capacity then disappear
I got notification bar and pick transfer file
My flashdrive show up and disappear again
I have also tried ptp, midi, charge, and supply power. Same thing happens, show and disappear
I enable developer options.
I tried both enable and disable usb debugger
I tried selecting usb configuration from mtm to ptp.
I have an applocker app. I disable it and enable it.
I disable and enable smart lock
Google tech asked me to use their usb adapter. It works when I am home.
When I am home, I have no issue. my usb flash drive works fine.
I hope this is not similar to that star trek card game that Capt Kirk invented, Fizzbin. It aian't tuesday.
does anyone have any idea I can try?
Maybe I missed something.
maybe I enable something I shouldn't have
I am able to connect to a computer fine.
If I left the usb connected and restart, I get "still rejecting Samsung USB drive. Don't remove."

Hmm... are you saying your PHONE recognizes the OTG drive at home but not at work? Are you rooted and have tried StickMount? Sounds more like a drive going bad or a formatting issue and its just working half the time. How is your drive formatted btw? FAT32? You probably already know Android doesn't support NTFS. Also for the record, ES File Explorer is a serious P.O.S. Do yourself a favor and get Solid Explorer. It goes on sale around Xmas time and is worth every penny.

I do have solid explorer. I need to change the default to Solid. I used my phone to format my flash drive. Everyday at work is the same. Doesn’t work before 4:xx pm and works after that. Today I tried a 256 gb with an adapter and it was working (4:4x). After that i put in my samsung 128gb usb-c and it works. Both doesn’t work in the morning or before 4:xxpm.
My phone is not rooted.

Cyc323 said:
I do have solid explorer. I need to change the default to Solid. I used my phone to format my flash drive. Everyday at work is the same. Doesn’t work before 4:xx pm and works after that. Today I tried a 256 gb with an adapter and it was working (4:4x). After that i put in my samsung 128gb usb-c and it works. Both doesn’t work in the morning or before 4:xxpm.
My phone is not rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked how the drive was formatted, meaning what file system it was formatted to? You said you used your phone to format the drive, but the question still stands... Is it formatted with FAT32, exFAT , Ext3 / Ext 4? Whatever it is, use a PC to reformat it to a different one of these supported file formats. Try exFAT first. The whole "time" thing has no bearing on this whatsoever. It is either a hardware issue with the Samsung or a formatting issue with the drive. Note: please use the "Reply" button so I get notified when you respond.

v12xke said:
I asked how the drive was formatted, meaning what file system it was formatted to? You said you used your phone to format the drive, but the question still stands... Is it formatted with FAT32, exFAT , Ext3 / Ext 4? Whatever it is, use a PC to reformat it to a different one of these supported file formats. Try exFAT first. The whole "time" thing has no bearing on this whatsoever. It is either a hardware issue with the Samsung or a formatting issue with the drive. Note: please use the "Reply" button so I get notified when you respond.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry for not responding back sooner.
I tried to format my usb to exfat, but my phone said it doesn't support that and need to reformat it. It reformated my flash drive to fat32

yeah I have a 256GB Sandisk Dual M3.0 OTG drive and my Pixel 2 XL always format the drive to FAT32 and can't support FILES larger than 4GB.
Are there kernels out there that support exFat for the Pixel 2 XL???

Question Connecting SSD drive

I have a SSD I format it in NTFS and plug it into the phone, it tells me that there is an issue with the drive.
So I format it with phone. Then plug it back into PC and it says it formatted it to Fat32, this makes it impossible to move any video to it.
My main idea was to use it for backup of pictures and video.

eracet said:
I have a SSD I format it in NTFS and plug it into the phone, it tells me that there is an issue with the drive.
So I format it with phone. Then plug it back into PC and it says it formatted it to Fat32, this makes it impossible to move any video to it.
My main idea was to use it for backup of pictures and video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You done it in a wrong way. Sadly, Android devices don’t support NTFS format by default, you have to do it manually. Depends on whether your phone is rooted or not, it has different ways. Without root, use Total Commander to do it, with root, you get more choices. I didn't do it for a long time so can't tell just by memory. You can Google it and there should have a lot information you can get from the web for how to enable NTFS format in Android.

I am rooted, but have not seen a way to do it. Most say Total Commander or Paragon. Searched around web. Some of the threads are super old. And having issues finding ways to do it with Rooted device.
There is no Magisk modules anymore. Will keep looking.

format your ssd as exfat. works for both the computer and phone, and supports files over 4gb

mercenaryhmster said:
format your ssd as exfat. works for both the computer and phone, and supports files over 4gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't work.
From what I read , it seems Pixel 6 Pro does not support those formats. and you have to do work arounds to get it done.
Still working on those

Correct, Pixels never support ExFAT natively. There "may" be others way to use it on Pixels now, but I'm satisfied now that after all these years of having Pixel phones I bought the full Paragon deal: exFAT/NTFS for USB by Paragon Software. It's not ideal, but it works, and paying for the full deal gets me both ExFAT and NTFS (among other things that I probably don't care about).
I still use X-Plore File Manager to access the external storage through Paragon's app.

exFAT is natively supported on Android 13, at least for Pixel devices. I have a USB NVME drive that's formatted as exFAT and my Pixel 6 Pro running the latest Android 13 beta recognises it natively with full read/write access.
Some more details: https://blog.esper.io/android-dessert-bites-27-exfat-on-pixel-532176849/

craigacgomez said:
exFAT is natively supported on Android 13, at least for Pixel devices. I have a USB NVME drive that's formatted as exFAT and my Pixel 6 Pro running the latest Android 13 beta recognises it natively with full read/write access.
Some more details: https://blog.esper.io/android-dessert-bites-27-exfat-on-pixel-532176849/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah! Thanks for that reminder. I'm so looking forward to that native capability.

roirraW edor ehT said:
Correct, Pixels never support ExFAT natively. There "may" be others way to use it on Pixels now, but I'm satisfied now that after all these years of having Pixel phones I bought the full Paragon deal: exFAT/NTFS for USB by Paragon Software. It's not ideal, but it works, and paying for the full deal gets me both ExFAT and NTFS (among other things that I probably don't care about).
I still use X-Plore File Manager to access the external storage through Paragon's app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did that program and it mounted it, but accessing is an issue. Not sure if I am doing it right,
For some reason it keeps asking to use total commander

eracet said:
Did that program and it mounted it, but accessing is an issue. Not sure if I am doing it right,
For some reason it keeps asking to use total commander
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it suggests Total Commander, but there's an option somewhere in there where I could get Paragon's access listed in X-Plore File Manager, which I prefer.
It's possible I didn't have to do anything special in the Paragon app - it's not too often I have to use it. It might have been just using X-Plore File Manager's ability to customize what mounted "drives" it listed, and adding Paragon from the list of available drives - after I already mounted the actual drive through the Paragon app.

I've partitioned my external SSD to 3, and only 1 is exFAT. The rest are NTFS.
In stock android 13 it is only able to read the exFAT partition.
To my surprise I noticed that in AncientOS (12L), it can read all in file manager. Don't know why though! didn't bother to read the features.

use exFAT supposed now with android 13 .