Database Users

[Q] How to use the "real" SD-Card as storage

Ok here is the deal, this is my first tablet with internal storage, I have the 16gb.
and having a lot of apps using HUGE amount of storage (comics, gps...) the 16gb are nearly full so I bought a microSD of 32gb but...
Ho to set the tablet to store some of this data on the sdcard (the real physical one) and not the internal one???
I tried to move some folder to the card but the "mv" command failed: "cross device link", the purpose was to move the folder and create a symlink.
I have been looking for an app or commands to do that but so far no success, any HELP ?

CarpeNoctem said:
Ok here is the deal, this is my first tablet with internal storage, I have the 16gb.
and having a lot of apps using HUGE amount of storage (comics, gps...) the 16gb are nearly full so I bought a microSD of 32gb but...
Ho to set the tablet to store some of this data on the sdcard (the real physical one) and not the internal one???
I tried to move some folder to the card but the "mv" command failed: "cross device link", the purpose was to move the folder and create a symlink.
I have been looking for an app or commands to do that but so far no success, any HELP ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use es file manager, it is free

Euh??? Believe me that will not work or please explain how
Sent from my A500 using XDA App

Can't use the mv command from one device to another. Can use cp (copy) then delete the source. However, you cannot create a symlink on the internal sdcard, because its formatted fat32.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Euclid's Brother said:
Can't use the mv command from one device to another. Can use cp (copy) then delete the source. However, you cannot create a symlink on the internal sdcard, because its formatted fat32.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can use mv. Learn linux commands better. He have to specify recursive parametters to do that. Single mv is not enough, because it is sufficient for single file or file masks only. Symlinks are not possible, true. But if he'll use loopback mounts (one big file, like ISO, internally formated to ext4) or reformat internal and external sd to ext4, then he'll be able to create symlinks even on sdcard. This will make another problem: mounting both storages to PC over usb. Both solutions will require him to have advanced linux knowladge. Not talking about kernel and init scripts modification beign involved.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Euclid's Brother said:
Can't use the mv command from one device to another. Can use cp (copy) then delete the source. However, you cannot create a symlink on the internal sdcard, because its formatted fat32.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so is there any solution to this, this is driving me nuts, what is the point to have a slot for SD-Card if I cant choose where the apps store their content...

CarpeNoctem said:
ok so is there any solution to this, this is driving me nuts, what is the point to have a slot for SD-Card if I cant choose where the apps store their content...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
External sd is expected to be used as an storage for pictures, movies and music. There is solution, but as stated before, not for generic users.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Virnik0 said:
External sd is expected to be used as an storage for pictures, movies and music. There is solution, but as stated before, not for generic users.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true that ...
I also own the Notion Ink Adam and we have this "switcharoo" feature enabled ( can check out that forum for info )...Hopefully DEV can implemented in the near future.

UnicornKaz said:
true that ...
I also own the Notion Ink Adam and we have this "switcharoo" feature enabled ( can check out that forum for info )...Hopefully DEV can implemented in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain a bit more what is the switcharoo ?
As for linux knowledge, I have some but everything I try fails reformating the internal memory in Ext4 is possible but there should be a script or a determine process to automate that for some selected folders, at least I would love to see that

CarpeNoctem said:
Can you explain a bit more what is the switcharoo ?
As for linux knowledge, I have some but everything I try fails reformating the internal memory in Ext4 is possible but there should be a script or a determine process to automate that for some selected folders, at least I would love to see that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It actually called "toggle app"
it actually out of my league as I am no developer
but this dev for the Notion Ink Adam managed to created a program to swith the 2 locations ( due to the adam's internal is only 8GB...etc ) among other things like toggling the cell standby...etc
He had it successfully implemented
this thread is his creation ( but it has been awhile and us Adam's owner has moved on to HoneyComb..etc
.. see the part included "toggle app"...etc
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987863
basically... it's about assigning a different mounting point as a startup script ( internal & external ).... but keep in mind... each device have different mounting name assigned as internal & external ( Xoom, Transformer, Galaxy...etc )
The DEV just basically created a program and went in and adjust the scripted so as to "switched" the mounting point.... switching the internal as external and vice versa
I just PM the DEV of that program... hopefully he will reply and I'll post it in the DEV section and ask the DEV there to dig into it
Then again... with 16GB or 32GB of internal... I don't see the need.... as the external can be use to hold music & large media.... the internal is plenty for apps.... then again... it's never enough. Remember how we used to thought the same thing about desktop's storage space ??? never enough ... LOL

Thanks a lot for you reply, hopefully the dev will reply that is the spirit of XDA after all

CarpeNoctem said:
Ok here is the deal, this is my first tablet with internal storage, I have the 16gb.
and having a lot of apps using HUGE amount of storage (comics, gps...) the 16gb are nearly full so I bought a microSD of 32gb but...
Ho to set the tablet to store some of this data on the sdcard (the real physical one) and not the internal one???
I tried to move some folder to the card but the "mv" command failed: "cross device link", the purpose was to move the folder and create a symlink.
I have been looking for an app or commands to do that but so far no success, any HELP ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't leave the app on internal and just move the data to external? For example, I'm using Komik as a comic book reader and all the comic data is on my external SD card.
If not, that's a development flaw of the app you're using, in my humble opinion.

Im still relatively new but it seems that external SD card is for storage of media - not for OS, apps, etc. However, I seem to recall seeing an app or 2 that had the ability to store content on the external space. For example, a GPS app that asks where you'd like to store your shape files and assets or an MMO game that lets you specify where you'd like to store the textures and sounds.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

It amazes me how arrogant some of the responses are to someone asking a question...
That is the purpose of these forums, so that us peers can assist others that might not be as knowledgeable.
I can think of two different ways:
1. Astro (or another) file manager to move the files. Might actually have to do a copy and delete.
2. Mount the tablet using the USB cable to a PC and suck off the files and copy them using a either a SD card adapter (notebook) or USB SD card reader.

Virnik0 said:
He can use mv. Learn linux commands better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little harsh and uncalled for, don't ya think? Why do so many want to point out the failures of others.. even when they are trying to help? Sheesh..
I admit, I'm not a linux expert, nor an android expert. But that doesn't stop me from trying to be helpful.
The fact is, I've tried using the "mv" command to move a "Single file" from one device to another (no recursion needed for that, eh?) And it fails with a "cross-device" error. Maybe there is a option on the "mv" command that makes it work and I don't know it.. so I suggested a method that I *DO* know.

internetpilot said:
You can't leave the app on internal and just move the data to external? For example, I'm using Komik as a comic book reader and all the comic data is on my external SD card.
If not, that's a development flaw of the app you're using, in my humble opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't exactly call it a flaw.. more like a feature that the developer didn't foresee to include. Not all devices have external media storage, so apps are developed for the 'average' device.
As noted earlier, there are a few apps that allow you to store large data in other places.. (extra) Praise to those developers. It would be great if more developers considered this option, especially if they have a lot of data.

I just use File Manager HD ( https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd&feature=search_result ) to move files around if need be.
About being able to run applications from SD: anyone tried remounting SD without the nosuid,noexec flags? Remounting it with that and then symlinking the files might work.

We have progress
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1175342
~~~~~

Saving installed apps to flash drive using otg?

Hey everyone! I'm new to xda and I've been looking for the answer to this question everywhere, but have yet to find it. I bought a 64gb sandisk cruzer usb drive to use with my otg cable with the stickmount app. Because of limited storage, I was wondering if I could actually save installed applications to the flash drive? In other words, if I can use a feature similar to "save to sd card" for apps, but have the apps save to my flashdrive. If anyone could make a video or just type up a response, I would really appreciate it.

brazilianmdn said:
Hey everyone! I'm new to xda and I've been looking for the answer to this question everywhere, but have yet to find it. I bought a 64gb sandisk cruzer usb drive to use with my otg cable with the stickmount app. Because of limited storage, I was wondering if I could actually save installed applications to the flash drive? In other words, if I can use a feature similar to "save to sd card" for apps, but have the apps save to my flashdrive. If anyone could make a video or just type up a response, I would really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Haven't tried it myself but you could probably use symbolic link on sdcard\somedir linking to the connected usb drive.
here is a link with more details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442729

I heard that you can play off the rom that stored on otg drive. I am not sure about installed app, haven't try that myself either.

ES File Explorer has the ability to save apps to a folder that you select.
--
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Maybe something like this could be used for the Nexus 7?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1410262
I have not tried this but the feature the OP is talking about would be very nice to have

racer321 said:
Maybe something like this could be used for the Nexus 7?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1410262
I have not tried this but the feature the OP is talking about would be very nice to have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to write about the same thread. I tried it with NOVA3 and it works great.
You can mount directories from connected USB fairly easy.

You figured it out for nova?
lionsh said:
I was going to write about the same thread. I tried it with NOVA3 and it works great.
You can mount directories from connected USB fairly easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do this with stickmount installed? How exactly did you do it? I moved all Nova's data to the usb drive and deleted it from the Android/data directory but it still tries to download the aditional files back to the tablet. Any idea why?

lionsh said:
I was going to write about the same thread. I tried it with NOVA3 and it works great.
You can mount directories from connected USB fairly easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly did you go about doing that? I Tried for both shadowgun and Nova 3, and both tried to redownload the data

I can confirm that Directory bind does work..
I tried it with the following games..
Order and chaos (game i get on sometimes )
Asphalt 7
Dead Trigger
co-pilot gps (maps are 2 gb)
I have moved a few other things as well..
I am running the leggs rom with Nova launcher on my device. No other mods.
otg i use is a cheap otg cable from amazon. i think was like 1.99 for 4of them from Ohio someplace..With a sandisk micro usb key chain reader.and a Patriot 64 gb micro usb card class 10.. There Highest grade card. I tried this on a 8 gb generic card that was class 4 the games would not load or would stall and shutter when they did.. SO I WOULD Say a fast card is a MUST..
Good luck .. i will post some pics of mine in the thread i created yesterday in the correct forum where i was asking for others experience. Before i tried this last night..

Apps
roids333 said:
How exactly did you go about doing that? I Tried for both shadowgun and Nova 3, and both tried to redownload the data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also tried it with asphalt 7 and when I open the application it still asks me to download. I first moved the application's data to the otg on a folder called "asphalt" then use directory bind to link that folder with the one where the data should be.
Any help would be appreciated.
(also tried it with Transformers on Google movies and did not work)

Saving installed apps to a flash drive using otg cable
Dude ,create a link in the obb folder to the place in the flash drive where you want to save the game
press thanks if i helped

you can use LetsGoApp try it
It can APP to sd or otg
It can run App at sd or otg(not install)
website
http://www.letsgoapp.net/?p=351

you need root install buseybox
and install LetsGoApp http://www.letsgoapp.net
LetsGoApp Can
App 2 SD or OTG
After replace Android device, the Apps can still be run at MicroSD or OTG by LetsGoApp.
LetsGoApp is a App, which is a kind of solution for storage shortage and backup data.
The Apps can be run by LetsGoApp within the MicroSD or OTG on the most of Android devices .
The Apps can copy from MicroSD or USB OTG to smart phone LetsGoApp.
You can try it

yrahate7 said:
Dude ,create a link in the obb folder to the place in the flash drive where you want to save the game
press thanks if i helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate a bit more like a step by step please..

I dont remember how i did it, but all ii remember is that i had to create symlink to the particular obb file from /android/obb/game.name/file to the file`s location in pendrive..
search google on how to create Symlinks in order to do that.
if you need more help,pm me.

why android folder is copied on external sd

hello guys why android folder is copied on ext sd on kitkat ,? what is advantage of it ?
can we move heavy game data from internal storage to ext sd?

FARSHOOD said:
hello guys why android folder is copied on ext sd on kitkat ,? what is advantage of it ?
can we move heavy game data from internal storage to ext sd?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Certain data can be stored on the sd card.. Most games and such can be stored there, yes....

ultramag69 said:
Certain data can be stored on the sd card.. Most games and such can be stored there, yes....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you say how ? i moved several data games direct from internal storage to external created android folder but games did not executed. also mount folder software is not compatible with kitkat .
Any idea?

FARSHOOD said:
Would you say how ? i moved several data games direct from internal storage to external created android folder but games did not executed. also mount folder software is not compatible with kitkat .
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not something the user can do. It seems some games, particularly those with huge datafiles, will store them in their android folder on the external card if they detect that the card is there

You can also go to the settings and in Application manager pick "move to sd card". This isn't the perfect solution as somethings seem to need to stay on the internal drive but it's what you got until the other apps are fixed for KK...

burtcom said:
Its not something the user can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't comment on KK since I don't have it, but on 4.3 there is an option in application manager to move at least some applications to SD card manually and I did it. If that is not an option in KK, then this is another con against KK and another reason not to upgrade.
---------- Post added at 01:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 AM ----------
Seems I'm posting the same time as ultrmag

obb files to external

I did search and with the google searches I've done, can't really figure it out so thought might ask here.
When I moved applications to external sd card, i didn't realize it didn't move the application data itself (inside obb folder), which is in the android device's internal memory. So basically, I have the application (i guess equivalent to .exe for windows) on the external sd card, but the beef of it (the applicatin's data) is still on the internal memory and using up the device's memory....how can I move the data (obb folder) to external, remove it from interernal to free up space, and have it boot up / work on the android device?
i'm not advance geek so need a dummy explination

You didn't provide details of how you moved the app or even what app we are talking about. So it's impossible to give targeted advice. Which is unfortunate since you want a dumbed down, simple answer. Which can't be done without knowing those crucial details.
You can use one of the Play store apps to move the app. I'm sure that some of them would move the app data as well. Or change the app data path (folder) in the app's settings. Or reinstall the app. Or alias the current internal data location to the external card with a symbolic link. Or any number of other ways.
The simplest options there would be trying some of the Play store apps that assist in moving programs to the external data card. And if that doesn't work for some reason, then reinstall your app.
Good luck.
.

fffft said:
You didn't provide details of how you moved the app or even what app we are talking about. So it's impossible to give targeted advice. Which is unfortunate since you want a dumbed down, simple answer. Which can't be done without knowing those crucial details.
You can use one of the Play store apps to move the app. I'm sure that some of them would move the app data as well. Or change the app data path (folder) in the app's settings. Or reinstall the app. Or alias the current internal data location to the external card with a symbolic link. Or any number of other ways.
The simplest options there would be trying some of the Play store apps that assist in moving programs to the external data card. And if that doesn't work for some reason, then reinstall your app.
Good luck.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing I've done was root it then moved the application (move to sd card) via settings >> Application Manager. i want to do it for all apps but it's mainly due to games taking up lots of space. Reinstallng won't help cause everything that's obb just direct itsself to the internal storage, nothing i installed even gives me the option to install data into external, just only has a install button and it installs to internal memory

I'm not going to sort all of that out. It can be done if you look into the details.
The best advice that I can offer is to consider installing a custom S5 ROM like Phoenix. It has a setup option to swap the SD cards. That would mean that all of your apps that automatically install and live on the internal memory.. would actually end up on the external card. And it works perfectly.. because the apps think that they are on the internal card even though they aren't.
The source script could also be applied to your existing configuration, but doing so would not fit inside your stipulation for a simple answer.
.

by the way...
fffft said:
I'm not going to sort all of that out. It can be done if you look into the details.
The best advice that I can offer is to consider installing a custom S5 ROM like Phoenix. It has a setup option to swap the SD cards. That would mean that all of your apps that automatically install and live on the internal memory.. would actually end up on the external card. And it works perfectly.. because the apps think that they are on the internal card even though they aren't.
The source script could also be applied to your existing configuration, but doing so would not fit inside your stipulation for a simple answer.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fffft, one question here: Would it be possible to format the whole external SD card with ext4? So it would be quite simple to copy such files manually within a shell and set a softlink to the moved files? I don't understand why android stays with that fat drived file systems were softlinks are not working. Is there any reason for? So all data2SD apps have to work with specific *mounts*. I can't believe that this is fast and stable.

brachypelma said:
fffft, one question here: Would it be possible to format the whole external SD card with ext4? So it would be quite simple to copy such files manually within a shell and set a softlink to the moved files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't work unless you do a lot more prep work. The file system isn't invisible, the OS would have to interact differently with ext4 than ExFAT. The OS would balk the first time it tried to follow a symbolic link and didn't find the ExFAT structure it expects.
To make that work, you'd need to mount the card yourself, manage permissions and hide the file attributes i.e. permissions from the void manager and other housekeeping tasks. Android expects to find a case insensitive and permissionless FS. Otherwise, void will report errors to the volume manager and the OS won't recognize your card. All of which is to say that this is a more distant outlier to the requirement for a simple solution. So you'd be generating fatal errors the first time the OS tried to follow a symbolic link to your ext4 files.
So yeah you can shoehorn an ext4 card into the system with enough work. But it isn't as simple as you believe. So back to my suggestions that the OP either install a custom ROM that does what he wants or that he looks at the script that I linked him to. Or perhaps migrate to CM 11, where native support for ext4 and NTFS have been added.
.

Browse Z3 SD Card

I Hope theres some Mac users here
Is there any chance to browse the SD card in my Z3C on my computer ?
Which program to use ?

Just plug it in and it should pop up the SD card, check your phones USB settings in the overflow menu of storage

Tried Sony Bridge for Mac?
It works for me.

Sorry. I mean with WIFI

xalodogan said:
Sorry. I mean with WIFI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im suggesting use "airdroid", just install the app, open it, login from your mac/pc and voila
but remember since its on kitkat, u can just browse/read the contents in sd card, but cannot edit/write e.g upload a file to it, unless you are rooted

xerophyll said:
im suggesting use "airdroid", just install the app, open it, login from your mac/pc and voila
but remember since its on kitkat, u can just browse/read the contents in sd card, but cannot edit/write e.g upload a file to it, unless you are rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm....thats bad. I also need to write to SD Card. Any other solutions than Cable connection ?

Use dropbox? I've used it to get mp3 files to my phone without having a cable around before. it's an extra step essentially, but it works.

No app will be able to write on the SD card freely, unless it's a system app or the device is rooted.

Iruwen said:
No app will be able to write on the SD card freely, unless it's a system app or the device is rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fortunately not exactly true. Use MyPhoneExplorer via USB and you do have read/write access. Works like a charm, highly recommended phone management tool. Only for Windows though...
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app

It's still true because I obviously meant an Android app. And it also doesn't answer the OP's question because he's using a Mac.

Yes...and i want to transfer files over WIFI

That'll work only with built-in functions (i.e. system-apps) or with a rooted device because there's no other way to have write access to the whole SD card.
There's some built-in function to connect to PC companion via WLAN, doesn't that work? I can't look it up, no Z3C at hand.