[Q] What is the *best* sd filesytem for android?.. - General Questions and Answers

The only exp I've w/ android is using SD versions on my TMo HD2, &'ve always had my SD FAT32 formatted. I've heard of ext2, 3, & 4, but'm unsure of the differences, and was never really concerned, as my primary OS's always been Windows Mobile (which only supports FAT). Now, however, I'll be completely making the jump to android w/ my Galaxy S II, and would just like a li'l clarific8ion & recommend8ions regarding SD formatting for a performance whore, such as myself. I'm still using my WiMo tele until I sort these things out.
Thanks, e'rbody.

Fat is recognised by all OS's and ext 2 3 and 4 are not recognised by windows (not sure about Mac) but it is a default fs for Linux. Not sure what the other differences are other than that.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

EXT4
- The ext4 filesystem can support volumes with sizes up to 1 exbibyte (EiB) and files with sizes up to 16 tebibytes (TiB)
- Extents replace the traditional block mapping scheme used by ext2/3 filesystems. An extent is a range of contiguous physical blocks, improving large file performance and reducing fragmentation. A single extent in ext4 can map up to 128 MiB of contiguous space with a 4 KiB block size
- The ext4 filesystem is backward compatible with ext3 and ext2, making it possible to mount ext3 and ext2 filesystems as ext4. This will slightly improve performance, because certain new features of ext4 can also be used with ext3 and ext2, such as the new block allocation algorithm.
So, go for EXT4

My advice is to make 2 partitions:
A Fat32 partition to keep media files so it can be recognized as external usb drive by windows
A ext4 partition where you would move all the apps you install (use link2sd or an application that does the same thing)

BazookaAce said:
... go for EXT4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zmotocescu said:
... make 2 partitions:
A Fat32 partition to keep media files so it can be recognized as external usb drive by windows
A ext4 partition where you would move all the apps you install (use link2sd or an application that does the same thing)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
w/ 16GB internal on my SGSII, I may not even need 2 app 2 sd, tho, huh? Anyway, thnx 4 the advice, guys. 1 last Q - should I use a swap partition, as well, & if so, y & what size (I've a 16GB Class 6 microSDHC, btw)?
Thnx again.

::bump::
Does any1 recommend a swap partition, y, & what size, is there a "card size":"swap partition size" ratio?

Related

Question for ext3/4 users.

Hi. I wonder why you using ext3 or ext4 on flash memory (sd cards).
ext3/4 need much more CPU than ext2
ext3/4 write MUCH more to sdcard than ext2 (journaling)
Just look http://thunk.org/tytso/blog/2009/03/01/ssds-journaling-and-noatimerelatime/
PS I dont want to start flame war here, I using ext4 on my laptop because its better, faster and more secure (journaling) than ext2 (but NOT on flash-based memory).
Cyanogen uses -noatime. I think most others do also...
There was discussion on this long ago, but quickly, I can only find this reference:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3835289&postcount=38
noatime is one thing, you can use it for any filesystem, but I talk about journaling.

[Q] how can i see my sd card partitions...?

hi,
i made partitions by using clockwork 3.0, i select 1 gb when it ask first, and 512 mb for swap. However, i dont know if this 1 gb partition is ext2 or ext3 or somehing else...
how can i see my sd card partitions...?
thanks....
polatkanfatih said:
hi,
i made partitions by using clockwork 3.0, i select 1 gb when it ask first, and 512 mb for swap. However, i dont know if this 1 gb partition is ext2 or ext3 or somehing else...
how can i see my sd card partitions...?
thanks....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi polatkanfatih,
You can't directly access the ext2 partition in Windows. Basically ext2 is a linux partiton. But still there are some 3rd party softwares available in the market which adds ext2 abilities to windows Operating System.
As per what you have written, i understood that you used Clockwork 3.0 for partitioning your SD card.Personally i don't know about clockwire.
Instead i'm using ''MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition 5.2'' which you can download for free from the MiniTool website.The software is pretty easy to use.With this software you can see the partitons you have created(including ext2).You can't access the files inside the partion, but you can format any partition using MiniTool.
Hope this helps........
that program doesnt make that work.
i need some adb code or somthing else to see how my sd card partitioned, how many partition are there and their sizes?
have you tried typing
Code:
mount
in terminal emulator or adb shell? That should give you a listing of all mounted partitions...
i made it with 'parted' adb command.
thanks..
i didn't undestand but still reading

[Q] Partitioning MicroSD for Link2SD

What is the best way to create 2 primary partitions for using Link2Sd on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.
I have a 32 GB Micro SD card that needs the treatment.
Many thanks to all in advance.
Regards
Court
PS: I use mini tool home edition as a partitioning tool
which ROM ?
It depends on what ROM you are running. After trial and error ext4 was detected for my stock ICS and now works with CM10.1 too.
So partition it as 5 GB ext4 (more than sufficient ) and rest FAT. I too have 32 GB class 10 in this way via mintool partition.
PS: you cannot increase or decrease the size of ext4 using minitool once the partition is created. So plan properly while creating the partitions.
courtg9000 said:
What is the best way to create 2 primary partitions for using Link2Sd on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.
I have a 32 GB Micro SD card that needs the treatment.
Many thanks to all in advance.
Regards
Court
PS: I use mini tool home edition as a partitioning tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google "gParted Live" and you'll find the cd. You can create your partition of EXT3 or EXT4. You can resize the partition as well. There are YouTube videos to help you see how to do it.
I don't know why you'd want Link2SD. It will permit you to store the app, cache and davlik in the ext partition instead of in the /data on the deviice. You likely have adequate storage in that device partition for those items. I think you you would do better with swapping /mnt/sdcard with /mnt/ExtSdCard.
I actually have tried both together and found no advantage to the Link2SD.
king200 said:
Google "gParted Live" and you'll find the cd. You can create your partition of EXT3 or EXT4. You can resize the partition as well. There are YouTube videos to help you see how to do it.
I don't know why you'd want Link2SD. It will permit you to store the app, cache and davlik in the ext partition instead of in the /data on the deviice. You likely have adequate storage in that device partition for those items. I think you you would do better with swapping /mnt/sdcard with /mnt/ExtSdCard.
I actually have tried both together and found no advantage to the Link2SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brother i used minitool and its working perfectly with link2sd swapping is the thing of real developer but is the best option

ext4, ntfs,exfat,fat32 for microsd card what should i use ?

Hi my wonder is "can i use ext4 format for my SanDisk 64GB sdxc class 10 ?"to make it as a storage memory for miusc , images and videos. Or should i use the ntfs or exfat or fat32.
With thanks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
hi
deutsh said:
Hi my wonder is "can i use ext4 format for my SanDisk 64GB sdxc class 10 ?"to make it as a storage memory for miusc , images and videos. Or should i use the ntfs or exfat or fat32.
With thanks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Fat32 is universal partition for your music, ,video etc....
ext3 ext4 are used for android/unix/linux application storage...
be careful while partitioning you SD card...
read it before executing partiotion....
""forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/85809-tutorial-everything-you-wanted-know-about-app2sd-ext3-ext4-partitions.html[/url]"
-rkk
rkk253755 said:
Hi,
Fat32 is universal partition for your music, ,video etc....
ext3 ext4 are used for android/unix/linux application storage...
be careful while partitioning you SD card...
read it before executing partiotion....
""forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/85809-tutorial-everything-you-wanted-know-about-app2sd-ext3-ext4-partitions.html[/url]"
-rkk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying.
I don't want to partition the memory card i just want to format it as the best storage file system .
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
hi
deutsh said:
Thanks for replying.
I don't want to partition the memory card i just want to format it as the best storage file system .
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
ok then use FAT32 is good enough for you...
-rkk
But think about the max. filesize with FAT32 (4 Gigabyte). If you don't want to use so large files, I would prefer FAT32 in all cases.
Good... But the question is : the ext4 working as fat32 as storage for files
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I think the best way is to try it, but I have read somewhere that ext should go, depending upon the android-version.
Accesing files via USB (in the phone) shouldn't be the Problem, but accesing via cardreader directly on windows did not (or rather not without special ext-drivers for windows).
Well, I think ext3 is the best option if you are going to have media files which are bigger that 4GBytes...
well... The other question is :what is the best for non-damage of microsd ?
I mean the card will minimize the ability to get a damage. What the file system type is best.?
Whith thanks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
hmmm, file system organization cannot damage your card, it is only a logic 1 or 0 on the electronics cells.
Maybe there is a difference between frequency of read/write operation. The more the bigger chance to damage a card... of course after a long, looooong time. I would recommend using ext3 as it's more scalable and stable than FAT32.
FAT32: File Allocation Table, 32-bit
Introduced: August 1996 (Windows 95 OSR2)
Directory contents: Table
File allocation: Linked list
Bad blocks: Cluster tagging
Maximum number of files: 268,435,437
Maximum file size: 4GB
Filenames: 8.3 or 255 characters, ASCII except for "'*/:<>?\|
Attributes: Read-only, hidden, system. volume label, subdir, archive
Ext3: Third extended file system
Introduced: November 2001 (Linux 2.4.15)
Directory contents: Table, tree
File allocation: Bitmap, table
Bad blocks: Table
Maximum number of files: number of bytes in volume/2^13.
Maximum file size: 16GB (1KB block) to 2TB (4KB block)
Filenames: 255 bytes long, all bytes except \0 and /.
Attributes: no access time logging, append-only, synchronous write, no-dump, h-tree, immutable, journal, secure-delete, top, allow-undelete.
Journal: metadata and file contents
There is no "best" filesystem, they are all optimized, to some extent, for different things.
Without lots more info, fat32 is relatively efficient and has far and away the best compatibility. For most users the compatibility makes it the winner.
Hi... I try the ntfs but.... But its incompatible with android.... So sad
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NTFS is an windows-filesystem, and is only write- and readable on windows. Yes. linux can read it, but needs secial drivers for that and isn't realy fast. It is the worst filesystem for android or linux.
Use fat32 and ready!
Its fast, its compatible, and can be used in/ with most devices. The only disadvantage for you will be the filesize-maximum (4 GB).
SaschaBr said:
NTFS is an windows-filesystem, and is only write- and readable on windows. Yes. linux can read it, but needs secial drivers for that and isn't realy fast. It is the worst filesystem for android or linux.
Use fat32 and ready!
Its fast, its compatible, and can be used in/ with most devices. The only disadvantage for you will be the filesize-maximum (4 GB).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O.K. I'll take your advice but I have a little question "how could I protect the micro sdcard from damage ? I suffered from a damge of micro sdcard several times.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Until now I never had an damaged sd-card. And if it will happen, I have an backup of my important data. So I simply will buy a new one and play back this backup. Nothing is forever.
EDIT:
Ok, this 64 GB-SD-Cards are not realy cheap, but under normal conditions it won't faile for a long time, whatever filesystem you will use.
Thanks for everyone ....indeed
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rkk253755 said:
Hi,
Fat32 is universal partition for your music, ,video etc....
ext3 ext4 are used for android/unix/linux application storage...
be careful while partitioning you SD card...
read it before executing partiotion....
""forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/85809-tutorial-everything-you-wanted-know-about-app2sd-ext3-ext4-partitions.html[/url]"
-rkk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey buddy,
can u tell me i going to partition of memory card for music nd video i'll use FAT32 but second partition what should i do..ext3 or ext4 i ma using motorola g3 stock android is supported ext4 partition on android 5.1.1 or not cz plz tell me .
thanks in advance
shailesh406 said:
hey buddy,
can u tell me i going to partition of memory card for music nd video i'll use FAT32 but second partition what should i do..ext3 or ext4 i ma using motorola g3 stock android is supported ext4 partition on android 5.1.1 or not cz plz tell me .
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android supports Ext4 so I'd rather use Ext4 than Ext3
you can format it by Fat32
sharing and expecting to learn
Hi all,
I am wondering about the partitioning of my new external memory card manufactured by Samsung Electronics.
The very same manufacturer initially develop F2FS, the Flash Friendly File System for the Linux Kernel.
F2FS was expected to be the fastest F.S. for solid-state disks, eMMCs, and SD cards.
Initial tests confirmed it. Nevertheless posterior tests reveal that ext4 beats F2FS (...).
My guessing is that not enough research/test have been done in the matter.
Im going to set the following layout in order to test the speed for each partition:
1._ 34,7G EXT4 -> pictures, movies, backups, etc... AND/OR moved: APPs by hard/sym links; DATA by folder mount
2._ 65,0G FAT32 -> pictures, movies, backups, etc...
3._ 19,5G F2FS -> moved APPs by hard/sym links; moved DATA by folder mount
Depending on the results (specific for my phone and configuration) included in the reports from Antutu, A1SDBenmarch (possibly others too), I will most likely either:
1._ format whole microSD as F2FS -> roms,apps,data,pics,movies,etc; access using the phone (adb, usb, wifi)
2._ format whole microSD as EXT4 -> roms,apps,data,pics,movies,etc; access using any type of linux and many others
3._ format 32G as F2FS -> apps; format 64G as EXT4 -> roms,data,backups,movies; format 32G as FAT32 (any file smaller than 4G I want to be directly accessed from any device through any card reader using any OS)*
* I won't use fat32 as ext4 read/writes speeds are bit faster and i dont need to access the sd using any device
My goal is to format the external microSD card as F2FS and internal storage. F2FS is not only supposed to be better in performance but also it is supposed to expand it's lifespam
Note: Regarding partitioning the microSD in the computer, only linux will allow resizing F2FS filesystems; windows software doesnt recognize it yet, therefore it treats the partition as unformatted, neveertheless it's possible to move it.
Note2: there are programs that allow the user to mount linux partitions and read/write data on them.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005, rooted, resurrection remix 5.6 (current,next5.8)
Card: Samsung EVO Plus 128Gb microSDXC UHS-I Class 10 U3 Card
ROM: Resurrection Remix v5.6 (Marshmallow)**
S.Soft: Apps2SDpro: Linked -hardlinks/symlinks- apps to F2FS partition on ext.SD. App data (TuneIn Radio recordings) moved -foldermount- to F2FS partition on ext.SD.
** I am currently designing the multiROM layout which will probably include the current ROM, plus Resurrection Remix v5.8 (Nougat) kali and some others
cheers

Can't crate more than one partition in SD

Hello guys. I've been struggling with this for 3 days now.
The thing is that I need to have an SD with 2 partitions for internal storage on android. The wierd thing is, no matter what procedure I take, the second partition cannot be formated. I can create the partition, but I when I format it it ends up with the file system "Other".
I've tried with A LOT of procedures, a lot of programs, I read a lot of guides, and nothing works.
This is all the info I can provide:
First partition works well in every case, I can read and write in it.
If second partition is Primary, file system is ALWAYS "Other" and NO free space left (all space marked as used), but if partition is logical, it does not even create it (updates as unallocated after commitment, as if nothing ever happened).
That "Other" partition is not recognized by nothing, and there is no way I can explore it.
I've tried in Windows 7 64 bits, Linux GParted Environment, Android 6.0 Marshmallow and Android 4.4 Kitkat.
I've tried in 3 devices: A PC, a Notebook and Moto E android with stock rom and CM 13.
I have 2 MicroSD, Kingston 16 GB Class 4 and Kingston 16 GB Class 10. All the procedures where repeated in both SD cards, so I discard the SD being broken.
I've used MiniTool Partition Wizzard, Acronis Disk Director Suite, EaseUS Partition Master and Paragon Hard Disk Manager on windows and AParted, Apps2SD: All in one tool and Parted4Android in Android (As well as GParted).
Tried both MBR and GTP. Same issue.
Tried FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, ext2, ext3 and ext4 in both first and second partition in MBR and GTP, primary and logical (ALL combinations, yes, a LOOOOT of formatting :3)
If third, fourth (and so on) partitions are created, the same as second partition happens.
I can succesfully create a second partition in a USB PenDrive.
Tried for example this: Created 2 partitions as FAT32, as always second partition marked as "Other", entered the first partition from windows, created a file. After that I switched the partitions with wasp. Once the other partition was active, when I tried to enter windows said "Drive X has no format, want to format?" Yes "Could not format X".
So, WHAT in the world am I supposed to do? D:
Thanks in advance guys :3 And sorry for my bad english.
UNATCOPres said:
Hello guys. I've been struggling with this for 3 days now.
The thing is that I need to have an SD with 2 partitions for internal storage on android. The wierd thing is, no matter what procedure I take, the second partition cannot be formated. I can create the partition, but I when I format it it ends up with the file system "Other".
I've tried with A LOT of procedures, a lot of programs, I read a lot of guides, and nothing works.
This is all the info I can provide:
First partition works well in every case, I can read and write in it.
If second partition is Primary, file system is ALWAYS "Other" and NO free space left (all space marked as used), but if partition is logical, it does not even create it (updates as unallocated after commitment, as if nothing ever happened).
That "Other" partition is not recognized by nothing, and there is no way I can explore it.
I've tried in Windows 7 64 bits, Linux GParted Environment, Android 6.0 Marshmallow and Android 4.4 Kitkat.
I've tried in 3 devices: A PC, a Notebook and Moto E android with stock rom and CM 13.
I have 2 MicroSD, Kingston 16 GB Class 4 and Kingston 16 GB Class 10. All the procedures where repeated in both SD cards, so I discard the SD being broken.
I've used MiniTool Partition Wizzard, Acronis Disk Director Suite, EaseUS Partition Master and Paragon Hard Disk Manager on windows and AParted, Apps2SD: All in one tool and Parted4Android in Android (As well as GParted).
Tried both MBR and GTP. Same issue.
Tried FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, ext2, ext3 and ext4 in both first and second partition in MBR and GTP, primary and logical (ALL combinations, yes, a LOOOOT of formatting :3)
If third, fourth (and so on) partitions are created, the same as second partition happens.
I can succesfully create a second partition in a USB PenDrive.
Tried for example this: Created 2 partitions as FAT32, as always second partition marked as "Other", entered the first partition from windows, created a file. After that I switched the partitions with wasp. Once the other partition was active, when I tried to enter windows said "Drive X has no format, want to format?" Yes "Could not format X".
So, WHAT in the world am I supposed to do? D:
Thanks in advance guys :3 And sorry for my bad english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI.BRO
GO.TO. CM13 THEN Reboot TO ClockworkMOD Recovery THEN CHOOSE Advanced THEN.Choose PARTITION SD CARD
Choose Partition SIZE
THEN Choose SWAP SIZE(SELECT 0 IF.U WANT TO.LEAVE SWAP)
GIVE A THANKS.IF I.HELPED U

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