Develop Bugs

[Q] Is USB Mass Storage mode supported?

Hi,
does any of you know if the device can work in USB Mass Storage mode, i.e. can it be seen as an external drive from Windows/OSX/Linux without additional software? I own a MacBook Pro and HTC support told me that they are going to release soon a piece of software that works under OSX, but it would be wonderful to have access to the device storage without additional software..

Question already asked and answered here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1543735
They dont use USB Mass Storage they use Media Transfer Protocol to deal with USB connection. This change was introduced in Honeycomb and has continued into Ice Cream Sandwich.
You can still transfer files to and from the devices its just a diffrent way of doing it.
Forum user Gogol posed these questions:
- Why Google is using MTP instead of USB file transfer on Honeycomb?”
He received the following response from a Google developer:
“MTP is a big improvement over USB mass storage — for devices with lots of internal memory, a manufacturer no longer needs to come up with some hard partition between the USB mass storage and internal storage. Instead, they are all in one partition, with MTP providing access to the directory of media files that would normally be available through USB mass storage. This means there is no longer a need for apps on SD card for such devices, because what used to be the ‘internal SD card’ is in the same partition as where applications are stored. The storage on your device can be used for either applications or media, depending on what you want to put on it. You aren’t stuck with how much space the manufacturer decided to leave for the two areas.
Oh also this means that the media storage doesn’t need to be unmounted from Android when it is being access through the PC.“
Click to expand...
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Source: http://glasskeys.com/2011/02/28/why-google-uses-mtp-instead-of-usb-file-transfer-on-android-3/
A main reason for using MTP rather than for example the USB mass-storage device class (MSC) is that the latter operates at the granularity of a mass storage device block (usually in practice, a FAT block), rather than at the logical file level. In other words, the USB mass storage class is designed to give a host computer undifferentiated access to bulk mass storage, such as compact flash, rather than to a file system, which might be safely shared with the target device (except for specific files which the host might be modifying/accessing). In practice, therefore, when a USB host computer has mounted an MSC partition, it assumes absolute control of the storage, which then may not be safely modified by the device without risk of data corruption until the host computer has severed the connection. Furthermore, because the host computer has full control over the connected storage device, there is a risk that the host computer may corrupt the file system, reformat it to a file system not supported by the USB device, or otherwise modify it in such a way that the USB device cannot completely understand it.
MTP and PTP specifically overcome this issue by making the unit of managed storage a local file rather than an entire (possibly very large) unit of mass storage at the block level. In this way, MTP works like a transactional file system - either the entire file is written/read or nothing. The storage media is not affected by failed transfers.
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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol
No idea how this works with OSX though I'm a Windows guy

HTC-Gunge said:
No idea how this works with OSX though I'm a Windows guy
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Click to collapse
Very nice reply, thank you very much!

I've found Android File Transfer Google utility for OSX: http://www.android.com/filetransfer/

Actually, the One X still uses mass storage mode. Plug it in and you get the same old prompt for charge only, disk drive etc. and it still shows up as a removable disk.
Yes, vanilla android handsets like the GN use MTP mode, but HTCs don't. They have a separate partition still.

Hmm that's interesting if its true, it means HTC have implemented it independently of the OS. Could even be a selling point as I know quite a few people didn't really like the change from USB Mass Storage to MTP.
Thanks for the info!

I'm one of those who hates MTP because it is not as reliable as USB Mass Storage. MTP just doesn't want to play nice with my Win7 machine on my Nexus so I'm really looking forward to the One X and getting proper USB Mass Storage on it.

As much as i prefer MSC over MTP (mainly because you can open music and video files directly from your mass storage device, but if you use MTP, they will have to copy the entire file over to your computer before it will play), my office blocks MSC devices, but strange enough, MTP devices are not blocked.
Therefore i am actually trying to find out of i can use MTP mode in my One X, since MTP is embedded into ICS, there might be a chance. This will enable me to access my One X in office..
anyone has any idea?

I have a slightly similar problem here:
How do i tell the HTC ONE phone, that i want use the mass-storage-mode in USB, and not the f******g HTC/Nero bloatware crap?
Before the update to Android 4.1.1 it was working fine as mass-storage.

CBrown0815 said:
I have a slightly similar problem here:
How do i tell the HTC ONE phone, that i want use the mass-storage-mode in USB, and not the f******g HTC/Nero bloatware crap?
Before the update to Android 4.1.1 it was working fine as mass-storage.
Click to expand...
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HTC has changed mass-storage-mode to MTP in their latest update. I didn't find any way to use as mass storage so I installed CM10.1 (A8 supports mass storage mode).

parkentosh said:
HTC has changed mass-storage-mode to MTP in their latest update. I didn't find any way to use as mass storage so I installed CM10.1 (A8 supports mass storage mode).
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Thanks for this info. Unfortunally is this no option for me. I dont want to hack my phone, i want to use it.

CBrown0815 said:
Thanks for this info. Unfortunally is this no option for me. I dont want to hack my phone, i want to use it.
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Agreed - I have the same problem with my OneX on 4.1.1. 4.0.4 was great, 4.1.1 is a backward step in several ways. My Galaxy Nexus (bought to play with Ubuntu Touch!) did the same [email protected] until it updated itself to 4.2.2, and now works correctly - to my mind - as a mass storage device. I think Google realised the error and quietly fixed it. I can't find a document that details all the changes in 4.2.2 so not sure.

CTGOTG (Creative Tech Geek On The Go)

Plan:
Minimalist data redundancy while photo-backpacking-airbnb-ing in Iceland and Scotland later this Summer. Plainly putting maximum effort into NOT having to take my 2010 15" MBP for backing up DLSR & HTC10 Stills and Footage. Shoot>Backup from Card Reader to internal 128GB Internal card via OTG>Export via OTG Cable to 1TB external and to Google Drive if/when WiFi available.
Gear:
*HTC10 (duh, ahhhmazeb***s so far after only a few weeks! RIP to my M7)
*Type C Adapter, RAVPower USB C To A Female OTG Cable, USB-C On The Go Convertor for New MacBook and Other Devices with Type C USB
*Lexar Professional 1800x microSDXC 128GB UHS-II W/USB 3.0 Reader Flash Memory Card - LSDMI128CRBNA1800R
*Transcend StoreJet 1 TB Military Drop Tested USB 3.0 External Hard Drive (TS1TSJ25M3)
*Nikon D4, Tammy 15-30, & 70-200
Troubleshooting So Far:
* Formatted Lexar as Internal, no problem...though since I have 8GB of space left on the built-in, it's only theoretical space at this point. (Maybe don't format as Internal?!!?)
* Shot test images with DSLR and was able to import from XQD and CF card readers to the internal SD/'0'/'Downloads' folder via OTG. I am now stuck trying to get the images off. Many of the RAW (.nef) files appear corrupted by the NEF Thumbnailer App. Of the few that I tried to transfer I could not see the external drive. It shows up at 1TB of usable storage after the 'Unrecognized please format device" error, even though it's formatted FAT32, ExFAT wouldn't work, or vice versa, I forget which.
* My go-to Astro File Manager (free version) doesn't see the external either. (Though I didn't try to 'Add Location' yet. Do I have the drive on me now...no. Bah. )
* Lightroom Mobile will not recognize it either and/or Edit .nef files...but it edits the HTC10's DNG files flawlessly which I LOVE! Would love to be able to edit my .nef's on the go, but that's a gripe with Adobe, not Android. Again cannot export to the 1TB External, that's the rub.
* For giggles I connected a Mouse and it actually worked on the OTG cable and the handful of fellow IT cohorts had some Friday-afternoon-geek-out giddiness last week. :highfive:
Thoughts based on limited Googling:
* It's a hardware based issue - The OTG cable I bought for $10 is crap and only partially works.
* It's a USB 3.0 vs. 2.x issue (supposedly this was possible on non-rooted Galaxy phones with a USB 2.x OTG Cable using The Thumbnailer App based on a post I found from a photographer back in 2013-ish.)
* It's a software issue and I need to root, which I've never been fond of.
* My other slightly unrelated concern is that my DNG's are not syncing to Google Drive. JPG's are there. Google Drive allows for DNG's supposedly?!?!
Thanks in advance for all that you do....stay awesome!
-Ryan

ROMPhotog said:
Plan:
* Formatted Lexar as Internal, no problem...though since I have 8GB of space left on the built-in, it's only theoretical space at this point. (Maybe don't format as Internal?!!?)
* Shot test images with DSLR and was able to import from XQD and CF card readers to the internal SD/'0'/'Downloads' folder via OTG. I am now stuck trying to get the images off. Many of the RAW (.nef) files appear corrupted by the NEF Thumbnailer App. Of the few that I tried to transfer I could not see the external drive. It shows up at 1TB of usable storage after the 'Unrecognized please format device" error, even though it's formatted FAT32, ExFAT wouldn't work, or vice versa, I forget which.
* My go-to Astro File Manager (free version) doesn't see the external either. (Though I didn't try to 'Add Location' yet. Do I have the drive on me now...no. Bah. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one thing to help out out is in your file explorer while the external cannot be accessed from it normal location. you can go to Root>Storage>"name of card" and be able to save/ upload from your sdcard there

afuller42 said:
one thing to help out out is in your file explorer while the external cannot be accessed from it normal location. you can go to Root>Storage>"name of card" and be able to save/ upload from your sdcard there
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Thanks afuller42. Do you mean while the External Hard Drive is not connected via the OTG cable... attempt to access the SD card Downloads folder? That's where the test photos are now?!?

Dear Ryan,
1. Make sure the OTG drive is formatted in FAT32..
2. If you are to utilize OTG memory on your hTc 10 - do not use any BS file manager - but only authentic hTc file manager:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.htc.filemanager
3. Make sure hTc file manager is running in foreground - before you plugged your OTG memory
4. Follow the normally needed steps by selecting OTG storage and granting the drive writing_permitions to hTc file manager.
5. Enjoy ?
Sent from quite brutal hTc 10 ..

jauhien said:
Dear Ryan,
1. Make sure the OTG drive is formatted in FAT32..
2. If you are to utilize OTG memory on your hTc 10 - do not use any BS file manager - but only authentic hTc file manager:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.htc.filemanager
3. Make sure hTc file manager is running in foreground - before you plugged your OTG memory
4. Follow the normally needed steps by selecting OTG storage and granting the drive writing_permitions to hTc file manager.
5. Enjoy
Sent from quite brutal hTc 10 ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks. Once again...over thinking it! Completing my test data xfer now! 8_)

Shield TV 2017 16GB Non Pro no space left

Hi,
If I root it... would it be possible to move data (obbs) using app2sd (AppMgr Pro) ?
Now I can move app to adopted internal storage (usb key) but no data !! :crying:
Or is there any other option (run from external drive) to increase this stupid 16GB limited space ?
Need it for large files e.g. Doom BFG which's data takes more than 3GB in obbs/.
Does the disabling of Forced Encryption help and is it possible to perform on this device ?
THX for any tip

Adaptive Storage
16gb is a little small for such a good machine. I installed 2 USB (3.0) thumb drives on mine. One as adaptive and the other as removable. The adaptive drive (128gb) combines with the base 16GB for usable 114gb. The shield will install/move applications to the the thumb drive. Have you tried this?

cjeman said:
16gb is a little small for such a good machine. I installed 2 USB (3.0) thumb drives on mine. One as adaptive and the other as removable. The adaptive drive (128gb) combines with the base 16GB for usable 114gb. The shield will install/move applications to the the thumb drive. Have you tried this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly did.
My adaptive drive is usb2.0 Kingston DataTraveller 16GB.
Adaptive internal storage was made and possibility to move App to Adaptive was used.
But..... data in /obb/ which does take almost 3GB were not moved only App.
So problem with low disk space is not solved at all.
Can not move it manually because adaptive storage is n/a (encrypted).

Probably not. Adoptive storage is combined with main storage. Not treated as 2 drives. Not being rooted, the device locks down moving this kind of data. I see apps installed on the USB part of adoptive storage, so nVidia does separate the 2 forms of internal storage for its own purposes. I see data in obb as being no different as moving apps to SD. Have you posted this on the Geforce forums?
https://forums.geforce.com/default/board/159/shield-tv/

Did you try enable developer options and enable force everything save to the USB? I do that for all my app and nothing save on Shield tv
Edit: the option name is "force allow app on external", at the bottom of developer options

cjeman said:
Probably not. Adaptive storage is combined with main storage. Not treated as 2 drives. Not being rooted, the device locks down moving this kind of data. I see apps installed on the USB part of adaptive storage, so nVidia does separate the 2 forms of internal storage for its own purposes. I see data in obb as being no different as moving apps to SD. Have you posted this on the Geforce forums?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet. I think they want support such ideas like rooting, using app2sd etc.

DummyPLUG said:
Did you try enable developer options and enable force everything save to the USB? I do that for all my app and nothing save on Shield tv
Edit: the option name is "force allow app on external", at the bottom of developer options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switched this option too.
But how to move DATA from internal to usb ?
No option for it.
App2SD ??

dugi25 said:
I switched this option too.
But how to move DATA from internal to usb ?
No option for it.
App2SD ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In storage settings did you select to migrate data to adaptive storage drive?

Menu / Storage & reset / Internal shared storage / Apps / Downloaded Apps / <App> / Storage used / USB Drive.
This will move App not its Data !! Any other option ?

dugi25 said:
Menu / Storage & reset / Internal shared storage / Apps / Downloaded Apps / <App> / Storage used / USB Drive.
This will move App not its Data !! Any other option ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you did not migrate data to external drive right after you formatted it for adaptive storage you should see an option to migrate the data...

I did migrate the data after format.
Now I got new App installed so its new data has be be moved again.
As I see well - this is possible only if you got root rights.

dugi25 said:
I did migrate the data after format.
Now I got new App installed so its new data has be be moved again.
As I see well - this is possible only if you got root rights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you migrate to USB then the data should install on USB directly
I notice that you are using a usb2.0 drive, will it be that problem? As I remember if the drive too slow then it may refuse to work. Dunno if this related to your case

usb2.0 is no problem. Apps moved to usb storage works without visible delay.
the main problem is - user is not allowed to use his own usb adopted storage ? we need to use this adopted storage space for any storage. this is very stupid limitation from Ggle sorry

DummyPLUG said:
If you migrate to USB then the data should install on USB directly
I notice that you are using a usb2.0 drive, will it be that problem? As I remember if the drive too slow then it may refuse to work. Dunno if this related to your case
Click to expand...
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I have noticed that sometimes not all data is moved. So I migrate data to adaptive drive, reboot, migrate data back to internal drive, reboot and then migrate data back to adaptive drive which seemed to move all data like the large data files for Grand Theft Auto

AndroidUser00110001 said:
I have noticed that sometimes not all data is moved. So I migrate data to adaptive drive, reboot, migrate data back to internal drive, reboot and then migrate data back to adaptive drive which seemed to move all data like the large data files for Grand Theft Auto
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see option Migrate data (right corner) under Storage / App X on MOBILE (marshmallow) but do not see this option under NVIDIA SHIELD TV (nougat).
Where is it located ?

dugi25 said:
I see option Migrate data (right corner) under Storage / App X on MOBILE (marshmallow) but do not see this option under NVIDIA SHIELD TV (nougat).
Where is it located ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cant recall off the top of my head but if you go into Storage & Reset you should see option to migrate data when you check the storage used for each drive.

Even if I clicked on Move Data to Adopted storage and next reboot my ShieldTV 2017.... free space remains the same.
Need to move data from /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/xxx (and not /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/).
Is this "OBB" not possible to move to adopted storage ??

dugi25 said:
Even if I clicked on Move Data to Adopted storage and next reboot my ShieldTV 2017.... free space remains the same.
Need to move data from /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/xxx (and not /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/).
Is this "OBB" not possible to move to adopted storage ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found answer on internet. OBB is not moved !! Only Apps and Data.
So if your App does use OBB you are not able to move it to adopted storage (obb can take some GBs so you may soon be out of space even if you got adopted storage) .
Solution is to ROOT and use MountFolder which can move your OBB to e.g. SDcard and then point to it. Another reason why you are "forced" to root your devices.

USB storage notification

Hi guys, i'm trying to figure the default behavior of FireOS when a FAT32 USB storage is inserted.
In my case, the USB storage it's mounted just find, but it doesn't show anywhere in Settings or in the notifications section.
If i remove the storage FireOS show a notification that tells you to unmount the storage from Settings - My FireTV - USB storage, but that option was not there in first place.
Pease check which is the default behavior with your FireTV 4k and OTG Storage, then share it here
P. S. I'm already working on a method that will let us mount automatically a NTFS/exFAT/EXT4/F2FS usb storage. So far it seems to work just fine and i also managed to make Kodi read/write on that storage. It was only tested with my custom kernel for now, but i"m positive that it will work with stock kernel too, but F2FS support will be lost in that case.

Deleted: Wrong Post.
Because you have the solution

Usb partition help

I have tried multiple san disc usb drives, but ever since amazon did the newest update when i am in adb and type in the sm list-disks i get three different listings
8,32
8,16
8,0
Not sure why, and dont know what to do. Did the same thing with a brand new usb out of the box.
Any help will be great

Ds3david said:
I have tried multiple san disc usb drives, but ever since amazon did the newest update when i am in adb and type in the sm list-disks i get three different listings
8,32
8,16
8,0
Not sure why, and dont know what to do. Did the same thing with a brand new usb out of the box.
Any help will be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you partitioned your drive?
8,32 corresponds to a 32gb drive
8,16 corresponds to a 16gb drive
And so on so forth...
Expand Internal Storage On 4K Firestick with a USB Drive | TechDoctorUK
www.techdoctoruk.com
Is a good guide to follow, also
How to Expand Internal Storage on Firestick & Fire TV Cube (2022)
This in-depth guide shows how to Expand Internal Storage on the Firestick and Fire TV Cube, The biggest complaint regarding the Amazon Fire TV Stick is
troypoint.com
Check out the guide there too, should help a lot
I've found the best way to deal with external storage on firetv is to use an app called ADM download manager, simply goto settings and select your drive and you can download content straight to and stream from external storage.