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.
Related
Since I can't post in the q & a forum I am posting here but mods feel free to move it. So I have a wm6.1 device and a Mac computer and I regularly send files, like cab and music files with out an issue. However, today I noticed that I send a music file like usual and the file is no where to be found on the devices however space about the same size as the file is being taken up. So I send another two files(one music and one cab file) with out an issue at all. Then later on I send a cab file, but I don't see it on the device even though space is being take up. This may have happened prior to this, but I didn't realize it or something. So how can A) regain that space by deleting those files not showing up, or B) find the files that are not showing up and use them as I intended to. I am loosing space because of this. Option of last(and I mean last) resort is a hard rest which I don't like to do. Thank you....
yrsmart said:
Since I can't post in the q & a forum I am posting here but mods feel free to move it. So I have a wm6.1 device and a Mac computer and I regularly send files, like cab and music files with out an issue. However, today I noticed that I send a music file like usual and the file is no where to be found on the devices however space about the same size as the file is being taken up. So I send another two files(one music and one cab file) with out an issue at all. Then later on I send a cab file, but I don't see it on the device even though space is being take up. This may have happened prior to this, but I didn't realize it or something. So how can A) regain that space by deleting those files not showing up, or B) find the files that are not showing up and use them as I intended to. I am loosing space because of this. Option of last(and I mean last) resort is a hard rest which I don't like to do. Thank you....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get a good file browser and search for the missing files. You may want to use a wild card search (*.cab,*.mp3)
if you still can not find them look in the folders in /Windows and /Temp or or equivalent on the device
well i am using total commader so I dunno how good that is or not. Not to mention I have done what you suggested and even searched for files added with in the last 3 days and nothing on all fronts but yet the sapce is being taken up by something that I can't seem to find on my device. Memory maid was no help either(granted I only did a clean up). But thank you.
have you tried using the default file explorer?
I just got my sprint HTC Pro and I cannot find anywhere in the instructions how to make the darn thing default to saving files to the memory card. Second how in the heck do you delete those annoying music files that come pre-installed?!!
Also once the memory card is inserted i see no easy way to remove it?
Sorry for the nooby questions.
G
Geester said:
I just got my sprint HTC Pro and I cannot find anywhere in the instructions how to make the darn thing default to saving files to the memory card. Second how in the heck do you delete those annoying music files that come pre-installed?!!
Also once the memory card is inserted i see no easy way to remove it?
Sorry for the nooby questions.
G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey and welcome...reading not only the manual but here on XDA will help you alot. You need to install Diamond Tweak and or Advanced Config they will do alot for your device such as storing items to default locations... example pictures, videos, music etc.... If you read, you will educate yourself and get more responses. Typically questions like this go unanswered.
I dont think you can delete system files, but you can try using total commander...do a search for it and see if it will let you.
The music files are actually in the My Documents folder, and I believe there are others in a different folder, though I can't recall the name since it isn't in my device anymore..
The best thing to do and the best way to learn is to use the search button, explore the forum, and explore your device.
Btw when you say to change the default location to save files, what program are you referring to? and what do you mean by installing the memory card, and what would you consider an easy way to uninstall it?
Have fun with your new device! It's really the most amazing on the market
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
Ok, I'm donating my ns4g to the cause but i want to pull all my info before i wipe and drop in the mail. I have gotten quite a bit of data from it so far but can't seem to find some files i know are there. I would just do a backup but since screen broke i can't confirm to proceed.
Mounting shows nothing in my computer..it asks for me to insert disk. Anyway, pulling with abd works perfectly. What i would like is for someone to maybe post me a list of the folders on sdcard..excluding your personal downloads. I just need a list and not actual folders. I don't need subfolders. I don't need the root system folders. Just the ones that are on the sd. Like mainly the path to dcim/100andro, any folders that would be made to store screenshots or images downloaded from web browser and/apps. And the names of the hidden ones. Can't remember if only one of those.
To my understanding this will be helping to keep one of the ns4g roms alive as is going to talented dev with working screen! Thanks! Like said, just need a list of basic sdcard folders Android uses.
Good afternoon!
I have entered into a strange predicament regarding my Galaxy S3. Over the weekend, the phone took a nasty fall and the LCD was shattered on the phone, rendering it technically working internally as it will boot up, take battery charge, and allow me to access files via USB. The only problem here is that I cannot see ALL files visible within the phone.
A month or two back, I installed an app called Hide It Pro that hides photos and files of your choosing from general browsing in the phone. The only issue here is that I cannot seem to locate these files anywhere within the visible files of the drive. As such, I was looking at the file size of the the "Phone" as listed under My Computer, which lists the Galaxy's drive as 1.5 gigs in size, but I am only viewing 750 megs of files when I actually browse the phone. I can only assume the firmware and other files are hiding somewhere within the phone and along with them, the files I need.
Is there any way for me to view everything on the phone including the firmware files? You guys are the super pros at this and I know you all might be able to help me out. Any help is appreciated!
-Arcko
Using adb, you can see all the files on the phone, all the way down to the "/" root. If they're hidden, you can see them using
Code:
ls -a
once you're in the directory they're in...I don't know that you can do it visually (windows explorer).
They are located in programdata/android/.fr/
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for tips, guys.
I'll mess around with ADB and some of these other explorers. Hopefully I can find something.
As for the post about them being in Program Data/Android/.fr, there is my problem. I did not have an SD card in the device when I installed the app. So that directory technically does not exist and I cannot find the files. And no one seems to know where I might be able to find the Hide It Pro directory without an SD Card. I'm convinced it hid the files somewhere near the root or at least beyond what is visible when hooking up the phone via USB.
-Arcko
Arcko said:
Thanks for tips, guys.
I'll mess around with ADB and some of these other explorers. Hopefully I can find something.
As for the post about them being in Program Data/Android/.fr, there is my problem. I did not have an SD card in the device when I installed the app. So that directory technically does not exist and I cannot find the files. And no one seems to know where I might be able to find the Hide It Pro directory without an SD Card. I'm convinced it hid the files somewhere near the root or at least beyond what is visible when hooking up the phone via USB.
-Arcko
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is the same as internal, thing is tho the .fr folder is hidden and the only way to access it is through a file explorer to see all the data on your internal memory and search for all pictures and then it will find it the directory will look actually like this
Data/Android/Language/.fr
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