I have noticed that android apps are horrible with file management. When you install an app on the phone it installs a whole new file hierarchy.
Example... when you install Meme Generator it creates a memegenerator folder within that folder it caches Favorites, Instances, Generators, and shares
when you delete the app it doesn't remove this folder or any of its contents​
My idea is an app that would scan folders and mark if the folder is useless or not. Especially the unknown data folders that say something like com.fatsecret.android and have nothing but random .dat files or a .nomedia folder/file. Almost like a registry checker for a PC.
Another idea is to have an app that scans the SD card and locates all media. It would tell you how many of what type of file you have on your phone, and allow you to mass move to selected folders (Not copy or transfer but actually move th file to its new location)
im no programer but these would be great apps if they were to be developed
It would be really great man, unfortunately, I'm not able to develop things like this, but let me know about if it's ready.
Sent from my Boston using XDA App Slovakia
Lmfao i neglected to mention I am only beginning to learn the android programming. So im in no position to even comprehend programming this ... but im researching the possibility.
Smells like WINNING from my T-959 xda premium app
File management is very messy at the moment. Something needs to give!
I agree, I've been looking for a decent file manager, but haven't found anything yet!
theblacknight said:
I agree, I've been looking for a decent file manager, but haven't found anything yet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are quite a few but 'Astro' seems to be the most popular. Give it a try!
I use Astro and i'm quite happy with it.
The question would be how to determine useless folders.
Dark3n said:
The question would be how to determine useless folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My initial idea was to use a system similar to a windows registry. Once the app starts for the first time it will create a database that stores folder data, which then it tries to match to an app that installed it. If the folder shows that the app that created it has been deleted it shows a red folder or has a negative mark next to it, if its still installed it shows a positive or green folder. This way you can get rid of the bad folders.
My second idea was to have an app create a drop folder for certain file types. For instance a folder like MY DOCUMENTS that has the folders MUSIC, PICTURES, AND VIDEOS. When the app starts it has you select a folder to drop a specific file type (example .MP3 files into MY DOCUMENTS/MUSIC). The all then media scans the phone and locate all matching file types and MOVES the file not COPYS.
Smells like WINNING from my T-959 xda premium app
Something kinda similar to what you want was introduced in FroYo. It gives each app a directory (on the SD card I don't know about onboard memory) that is automatically deleted by the system when the app is installed. Currently it has a few fairly big bugs but hopefully they will get fixed and developers will start to use it.
coreyja said:
Something kinda similar to what you want was introduced in FroYo. It gives each app a directory (on the SD card I don't know about onboard memory) that is automatically deleted by the system when the app is installed. Currently it has a few fairly big bugs but hopefully they will get fixed and developers will start to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds liie it will be excellent once its implemented. I'm sure as most new things take time to catch on this will probably take a little while for it to happen. Maybe Google is going to make it mandatory for devs to do this.
Smells like WINNING from my T-959 xda premium app
It wouldn't necessarily have to be an app but some process that would make create or add to (create a sub-directory) default folders. I'm not saying it has to be a window like system but as simple as it gets Music, Images, Documents, Downloads maybe a spare folder for necessary background files (Hidden) But accessible when needed. The biggest problem here is that I don't think too many people that want this solution are programmers. because if you know how to program then you spend all day sorting throu this stuff anyway.
Well i'm on 2.2.1 and the system still keeps the settings folders in /dbdata/databases/*packagename* after you uninstalled it.
I usually resort to deleting the folders in adb shell when programming and testing apps.
So it seems there is need for this and there is no such tool yet?
I might start on it then, do you think there is enough intrest in something like that?
Help me with the most difficult and important step, invent a name for such an app !
Sounds like a useful tool. Great idea.
I'm constantly searching through my sd card and trying to figure out what can be deleted.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
mobbeel said:
I use Astro and i'm quite happy with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried file expert? So much functionality for free.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Dark3n said:
Well i'm on 2.2.1 and the system still keeps the settings folders in /dbdata/databases/*packagename* after you uninstalled it.
I usually resort to deleting the folders in adb shell when programming and testing apps.
So it seems there is need for this and there is no such tool yet?
I might start on it then, do you think there is enough intrest in something like that?
Help me with the most difficult and important step, invent a name for such an app !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Name ideas
-sd looter
-Datei Objekts (file objects in German)
-file euphoria
-Zen management
-SD filed or SDefiled
Just a few to spark interest.
Smells like WINNING from my T-959 xda premium app
Allright, here we go:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1013063
First version is out, please help me test it.
This needs to be created. I'm just sorry I can't do any of the programming.
Just Incredible
Related
Hello!
I have tried multiple app without success. Someone know a Good App to Encrypt those **Private** (cough...porn) pictures that sometimes we take with our excellent Infuse Camera???
well the simple solution is to use the built in file browser and move the pictures to any other folder, then put a file in there with the name .nomedia
Doing this will stop the media scanner from scanning the folder and showing up in the gallery or player apps. Of course this doesn't encrypt them, but it still lets you open them from your file browser of choice. The caveat is that if anyone else gets in there or plugs your phone in to a computer, there may be a chance at finding them.
Nice...
Photo vault works. It's a couple bucks but if you uninstall it or reset you're phone, you have to make them public first or you will lose them
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App
vaulty it moves then into a folder & adds .txt to the end(so secure )
you wont lose on new flash just reinstall vaulty
just reminded me to get it
Dropbox. Problem solved
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App
jthornton71707 said:
Dropbox. Problem solved
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HAHA i do that, except i put them in box.net
I use hidden media for all my private stuff. Just adds a nomedia file to any folders so they don't show up in the gallery
Post Infused by Infuse
I use an app called HideNSeek. It's a down low file app disguised as a flashlight.. lol works wonderfully...
jrmendia said:
Hello!
I have tried multiple app without success. Someone know a Good App to Encrypt those **Private** (cough...porn) pictures that sometimes we take with our excellent Infuse Camera???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from an Infused ROM. Woot.
The app ZDbox lets you lock certain apps (along with various other features). Just put a lock code on your gallery and maybe even your camera and you're good to go.
Sent from my Samsung Infuse
jrmendia said:
Hello!
I have tried multiple app without success. Someone know a Good App to Encrypt those **Private** (cough...porn) pictures that sometimes we take with our excellent Infuse Camera???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
smart applock... it allows you to protect apps with password, pattern, etc... nice response time, custom background. you can lock the camera & gallery apps
message from Sams inFuse running REFUSE from the great h8
I think your box.net answer is the only good one. As for those pics there is soooooo many ways to access files on your phone, file browser, root explorer, astro file, etc. etc... If someone wanted to find them they could. So if its important to encrypt them or make sure no one sees them the only answer is to "get them off your phone"!! I personally use dropbox for the not so good for the family to view pics and I don't have my password saved so I must enter it everytime I login, they are safe, secure, follow me to any device, and I'm happy. Not to sound at all like an iphone fanboy but apple wins in this category, I miss my photo vault app, touche little piece of fruit... lol
skillz9669 said:
I think your box.net answer is the only good one. As for those pics there is soooooo many ways to access files on your phone, file browser, root explorer, astro file, etc. etc... If someone wanted to find them they could. So if its important to encrypt them or make sure no one sees them the only answer is to "get them off your phone"!! I personally use dropbox for the not so good for the family to view pics and I don't have my password saved so I must enter it everytime I login, they are safe, secure, follow me to any device, and I'm happy. Not to sound at all like an iphone fanboy but apple wins in this category, I miss my photo vault app, touche little piece of fruit... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree!! The only piece I miss from IP4 is PhotoVault.
Rename the Folder
You can also rename the folder with the "confidential" pictures adding a . at the beginning... In my case my folder's called ".databases" (yeah the less interesting name the better)...
Whenever it's showtime just remove the . and the images/movies will be found by the Media Scanner on the phone...
When you add the . they'll dissappear... Since this complies with linux's way of hidding folders, if you mount the phone into a linux/osx pc you retain the hidden property ;-) Windows is an entirely different matter though
Hey guys:
I've got tons of comicbooks on my storage card that keeps showing up as individual folders in my picture gallery. I know I could drop a "no media" file in the main folder to stop it, but then my other apps wont read anything in that folder as well correct? Is their any way to exclude the comicbook folder from the gallery?
thanks
shaun0207 said:
Hey guys:
I've got tons of comicbooks on my storage card that keeps showing up as individual folders in my picture gallery. I know I could drop a "no media" file in the main folder to stop it, but then my other apps wont read anything in that folder as well correct? Is their any way to exclude the comicbook folder from the gallery?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 ................
call me crazy, but I have a feeling the easiest solution is to create a .nomedia file and put it in the folder you want to hide.... ooooor I could be 100% wrong.
MitchRapp said:
call me crazy, but I have a feeling the easiest solution is to create a .nomedia file and put it in the folder you want to hide.... ooooor I could be 100% wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are crazy ;-) does not work here.
This does not solve your problem, but may be an alternate solution. I use a gallery replacement called QuickPic. Inside of QuickPic you can choose which folders are hidden so you only see the ones you want.
HuckFinn said:
This does not solve your problem, but may be an alternate solution. I use a gallery replacement called QuickPic. Inside of QuickPic you can choose which folders are hidden so you only see the ones you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard of QuickPic. But I really like the stock Gallery. And if I put a no media file in that folder,, my comicbook reader apps wont see the files either right?
Actually, all you have to do is rename the folder or file and put a "." at the start of the name. So a folder called "my_pron" renamed ".my_pron" won't show up
It's probably worth noting that you should do the rename on your tab and not from your PC, I had problems with it not working when I did it via my PC, that's why I mention it. I used Astro File manager and it works just fine.
t.d.k said:
".my_pron"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Giggity...
Kii Safe!
It's a program designed to be more along the lines of hiding naughty things, but it would allow you to move all your comics into a side gallery type section, plus once their there you can subdivide them into their own folders AGAIN so that you have individual comics in mini-galleries, with sorting by name or date possible to make for easy ordering.
https://market.android.com/details?...esult#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5raWkuc2FmZSJd
Noteworthy item is that with the EI22 update yesterday, my app got wiped with the rest of my phone, but upon re-installing it and going through new-startup steps it found the SD card data from my previous installation - yay SD card!
tigerknight said:
It's a program designed to be more along the lines of hiding naughty things, but it would allow you to move all your comics into a side gallery type section, plus once their there you can subdivide them into their own folders AGAIN so that you have individual comics in mini-galleries, with sorting by name or date possible to make for easy ordering.
https://market.android.com/details?...esult#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5raWkuc2FmZSJd
Noteworthy item is that with the EI22 update yesterday, my app got wiped with the rest of my phone, but upon re-installing it and going through new-startup steps it found the SD card data from my previous installation - yay SD card!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a app similar to this called Hide & Sneek. But I have to unhide pics everytime I need to use it. Will Keep safe allow me to hide the comics just from the Gallery , but let them be used in the Combook reader?
Quit trying to hide the pron from her and you won't have issues! Or just if ya get caught freak out and claim you must have a virus!
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
hammer4203 said:
Quit trying to hide the pron from her and you won't have issues! Or just if ya get caught freak out and claim you must have a virus!
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. Not worried bout the porn pics. But when I have to scroll through the gallery to find the folders my real pics are in, its kinda annoying. See the attached.
Hi XDA!
I realise that I'm new here, so I may not get listened to, but I've been using smartphones for a while and this has always been an annoyance for me.
Currently, my internal storage (internal sd as some like to call it), is full of config, backup and other files placed there by app developers. I have a folder called AussieWeatherRadar, one called Cut the Rope, and one called rammanager, just to name a few.
As I have a bit of OCD, I like to keep my internal memory looking tidy, but how is this possible with so many folders, none of which conform to any particular standards?
I am suggesting the following: App developers should use the /apps/ folder, or a similar folder on the sd card to store their data. This way, the user's SD card does not look cluttered, but the data is all still there.
So please, app developers, here my plea! Please use the /app/ directory!
Do you have any comments or suggestions on this? Please comment!
Thanks,
John
TL;DR: App developers should use the sdcard/app/ folder for their junk/config/backup files so that sdcard/ looks tidy.
Second the sentiment.
Third.
10char
+1
10char
+ 1
10char
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
Yes, please. My phones sdcard is the reason I take xanax anymore.. I can't handle it!
*signed
bump... Surely there's more than 5 people who want this!
+1
Sent from my SPH-M930 using XDA
Developers *HAVE* a default location to place their data if they need to store in external storage. Google dictates for it to be in /sdcard/Android/data
I have made an app that creates in terms an init.d script that auto removes these folders on boot, but that doesn't solve the problem.
Developers wanting to promote their apps create folders with, honestly nothing in them, to show off.
I have created a Google Docs document that I will share tomorrow with the apps I have installed on my phone that create an sdcard folder. Perhaps you could help improve that list.
One afternoon in last December I had emailed all those app developers about this. Do you know how many answers I received to about 10 emails? None..
We should all organize a massive email sendout to them again. After all its their own fault for not sticking to Android guidelines.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
petsasj said:
Developers *HAVE* a default location to place their data if they need to store in external storage. Google dictates for it to be in /sdcard/Android/data
I have made an app that creates in terms an init.d script that auto removes these folders on boot, but that doesn't solve the problem.
Developers wanting to promote their apps create folders with, honestly nothing in them, to show off.
I have created a Google Docs document that I will share tomorrow with the apps I have installed on my phone that create an sdcard folder. Perhaps you could help improve that list.
One afternoon in last December I had emailed all those app developers about this. Do you know how many answers I received to about 10 emails? None..
We should all organize a massive email sendout to them again. After all its their own fault for not sticking to Android guidelines.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well put mate!
Totally agree. They messed up my internal storage as well I wonder if I need to de-fragment it using my PC's windows defragment tools
Here is my list of apps that create a folder in the root of the sdcard without giving the option to reconfigure the folder location.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oC3G-MGKzvHW-0GXVaCm13GgGApcAnk4jA1PluRlhjY/edit
Please help improve this list further on so we can email the developers.
I have a lot of old redundant data on my SD card. If I have an app installed to SD, when uninstalling it sometimes it leaves the SD data behind. Also, everything on my SD card is as it was on my old desire, I simply put it into my sensation when I upgraded. And I've now rooted and tried various ROMs over the past half a year. So safe to say there's a lot of redundant data on it taking up room.
The thing is, it's not straight forward knowing what's actually used or not, so is there a trick or an app that can help identify which files or data haven't been accessed in ages, suggesting it's redundant?
I use es file explorer, its great because you can look into the folders and see what is actually there . I just cleaned mine out yesterday and found most folders are clearly marked so its not to much of an issue. If there was a folder I did not recognise I looked into contents if I still did not recognise I left it alone. Most folders were easily recognized. Hope this helps
Sent from my Sensation 4G using xda premium
That's just it, I have plenty that I don't recognise, so I'm not sure if they're still needed or not.
Yes I understand you don't want to delete a needed file. For me when I actually opened the folders I was able to see what was inside then took it from there. Hard part for you is finding the old phone files from the new ones. I wish I could be of more help but if your not recognizing the files when opened it makes it really hard. My old application files were clearly labeled so it made my clean out really easy. Perhaps you can find a clue inside to let you know if it was from the old phone or not. Mine was pretty straight forward, I see where yours is much more difficult. Hopefully someone has a better solution for you. I do wish you the best. Sorry I don't have a better answer than looking into the files themself . It worked for me because I was able to recognize my folders. Good luck, I'm sure someone will have a solution.
Sent from my Sensation 4G using xda premium
No problem, thanks anyway.
Most of the folders in the root of the SD card are fairly obvious in most cases. For the ones I'm not sure about I try and Google 'What is (insert folder name)' Android.
The ones in the root will usually be named by the app or publisher name so that helps give a clue.
In the Android/Data folder there will likely be some rubbish. Best thing to do with the folders there is Google them if unsure as they'll usually be named after the APK that they came from.
My SD is fairly clean so I don't have many examples to give unfortunately.
Love this file manager. Everyone should be using this. Only thing that seems to confuse people, if you wanna copy of move a file to a different location, the file has to be selected from one side, and the destination has to be selected on the other side, then you hit copy of move and it will send it to that location. I usually just keep internal on one side, external on the other, and you can pop things back and forth. Works the same for sending files to cloud storage. However dropsync is the app I most use for that, large files seem to transfer more easily than in file managers. Smaller files work just fine tho.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lonelycatgames.Xplore
Sent from my S4 using xda premium
lucas said:
Love this file manager. Everyone should be using this. Only thing that seems to confuse people, if you wanna copy of move a file to a different location, the file has to be selected from one side, and the destination has to be selected on the other side, then you hit copy of move and it will send it to that location. I usually just keep internal on one side, external on the other, and you can pop things back and forth. Works the same for sending files to cloud storage. However dropsync is the app I most use for that, large files seem to transfer more easily than in file managers. Smaller files work just fine tho.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lonelycatgames.Xplore
Sent from my S4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im using this since ages. best one for ZIP operations.
Yeah it just seems like a lot of people have hard-ons for es and that root browser. I think anybody not using this file manager is just wasting time.
Sent from my S4 using xda premium
I've been using this app since the glory days of s60v3. all other file manager apps just look like a confusing mess to me compared to x-plore and I don't ever see the day coming when I'll drop it.
that said there does seem to be some kind of changes in google's file system that x-plore hasn't kept up with. moving and copying files on marshmallow roms made after roughly Jan/Feb 2016 has the exact same issues for me on 2 phones. one is an s4 i9505 running custom and the other is an m8 on HTC made google edition firmware. that stops me thinking it's rom related.
without me even describing the issue in any detail do others out there know what I'm talking about ?
does anyone with a real dev level of understanding know specifically what the cause is ? if so I'd like to share that info with the dev at LCG and to bring the app back to it's former and fully deserved glory...
3mel said:
I've been using this app since the glory days of s60v3. all other file manager apps just look like a confusing mess to me compared to x-plore and I don't ever see the day coming when I'll drop it.
that said there does seem to be some kind of changes in google's file system that x-plore hasn't kept up with. moving and copying files on marshmallow roms made after roughly Jan/Feb 2016 has the exact same issues for me on 2 phones. one is an s4 i9505 running custom and the other is an m8 on HTC made google edition firmware. that stops me thinking it's rom related.
without me even describing the issue in any detail do others out there know what I'm talking about ?
does anyone with a real dev level of understanding know specifically what the cause is ? if so I'd like to share that info with the dev at LCG and to bring the app back to it's former and fully deserved glory...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about Android 5+ SD card write support? If yes, X-plore already supports it.
---------- Post added at 06:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:29 AM ----------
lucas said:
Yeah it just seems like a lot of people have hard-ons for es and that root browser. I think anybody not using this file manager is just wasting time.
Sent from my S4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switched from ES to X-plore.
To be honest, ES is more user friendly. X-plore is more like Total Commander, dual-panel styled file manager, which is more geeky.
Features are about the same, but X-plore is better for zip/archive management. I love disk map too, much faster than storage analyzer in ES. Also, ES is a adware/bloatware now, always sending data to servers in China.
salmanfarisy said:
Are you talking about Android 5+ SD card write support? If yes, X-plore already supports it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no that wasn't what I meant. specifically it's copying and moving files from anywhere to anywhere now results in a kind of hang for up to half an hour depending on the file size. you can leave the process to run in the background or even interrupt it and cancel it (most of the time it will be completed unless you marked more than one file). even if you've cancelled the move or copy and killed the app the notification will stay up for about half an hour before finally deciding it's completed with a toast to confirm it.
in the early days moving one file within the same memory was instant as the index was updated rather than moving anything. once this stopped being the case this weird error began it's journey.
I also use profimail from same author. Great apps
Inviato dal mio SM-N910V utilizzando Tapatalk
Couldn't install .APK using this on Nexus 7 2013 with CM14.1; however, built-in File Manager can. Weird.
Great app.From Lonelycatgames.
I used profi mail , x-plore and LCG Jukebox for symbian s60 years ago...
Best software's.
MT2-User said:
Couldn't install .APK using this on Nexus 7 2013 with CM14.1; however, built-in File Manager can. Weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check your configuration screen in the app, do you have "do you have open APK as zip" checked ? if yes uncheck it and see if it works.
3mel said:
check your configuration screen in the app, do you have "do you have open APK as zip" checked ? if yes uncheck it and see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it was unchecked.
Thanks anyway.