What's the best way to migrate all of my stuff on the stock 8GB card to a newer 16GB card? Can I just do it over the PC? With the amount of stuff that's probably hidden on there, I don't want to miss anything
xnifex said:
What's the best way to migrate all of my stuff on the stock 8GB card to a newer 16GB card? Can I just do it over the PC? With the amount of stuff that's probably hidden on there, I don't want to miss anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fastest is to take the cards out and put them in a card reader. Just copy the old card's contents to a directory on your PC then put in the new card and copy the contents from your PC to the new card. Change the Removal Policy to faster performance and enable write caching for faster transfers(in Windows). Write speeds while in the Sensation4g were slow as hell - 1Mb per sec while connected via USB.
To get to the Removal Policy - right click on the disk in explorer - Properties - Hardware Tab - Choose the device that has your card in it - Policies Tab
So going through the PC it will catch everything, even hidden files. I know in theory it should work, just wondering if in practice it does.
Hidden files in linux are just named starting with a period
.file
.folderA/.file
There's no special stuff to lose. Unless you had some weird filesystem on your sd card that your pc can't read it should be no problem.
The only problem you may have is with file names that include characters that can't be displayed or exceed your filesystem's limits. I've consistently gotten errors on cache files in multiple file directories on my sd card that were nested like 15 directories deep with long names and exceeded the character limitation for ntfs (255 utf-16 chars). They were not important files at all.
Good to know. Never messed with Linux before (may change soon). Will move everything over tomorrow when I have time. Thanks Master Pimp of the Gorillas!
Ok so I just ran in to the issue where the filename is too long. How can I get these files on to the new card as well?
GorillaPimp said:
The fastest is to take the cards out and put them in a card reader. Just copy the old card's contents to a directory on your PC then put in the new card and copy the contents from your PC to the new card. Change the Removal Policy to faster performance and enable write caching for faster transfers(in Windows). Write speeds while in the Sensation4g were slow as hell - 1Mb per sec while connected via USB.
To get to the Removal Policy - right click on the disk in explorer - Properties - Hardware Tab - Choose the device that has your card in it - Policies Tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good post. You definitely deserve some "thanks" for it.
xnifex said:
Ok so I just ran in to the issue where the filename is too long. How can I get these files on to the new card as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I skipped them since they aren't useful. But.......
You can use robocopy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy
run it from the commandline - if you have win7 it's included otherwise it's a free download
or use this gui app richcopy http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx
GorillaPimp said:
I skipped them since they aren't useful. But.......
You can use robocopy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy
run it from the commandline - if you have win7 it's included otherwise it's a free download
or use this gui app richcopy http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
**** it... skipped them too. they were files for google maps & books apps. Now I need to find my damn 2GB card that was my Android install for my HD2. damn thing disappeared on me.
I'd like to search this forum for help, but am uneducated enough on the internals of the android OS that I'm not sure what to search for.
i'll ask my question expecting an answer on either (1) how to search for such information in the future, or (2) how to solve the issue.
I installed a 16GB class 10 SD card in my transformer keyboard and would like to edit the appropriate config files so that all future software installs and downloads are on that storage card rather than the internal 16GB memory. So my question is what files do i edit to accomplish this?
thanks...
marvin
You want Apps2SD. Unfortunately, unless something has changed recently, you can't use it on your TF.
www.transformerforums.com/forum/asus-transformer-help/3514-tf-not-letting-me-move-apps-sd-save-things-sd.html#post27629
mncessna said:
I'd like to search this forum for help, but am uneducated enough on the internals of the android OS that I'm not sure what to search for.
i'll ask my question expecting an answer on either (1) how to search for such information in the future, or (2) how to solve the issue.
I installed a 16GB class 10 SD card in my transformer keyboard and would like to edit the appropriate config files so that all future software installs and downloads are on that storage card rather than the internal 16GB memory. So my question is what files do i edit to accomplish this?
thanks...
marvin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd probably try searching for "Move apps to SD" if I was searching for that topic(I know it's hard to figure out the right search terms sometimes, but by posting in Q&A, you've at least posted a fair question in the right place), here's my answer in two parts:
1. I don't think Apps2SD would work with the Dock SD slot.
2. You have the entire 16/32GB internal storage shared between apps and the /sdcard mount. Is that really not enough space?
Also, the internal storage is faster than a Class 10 card, so there will be a performance hit running from SD.
thanks...you've given me food for thought
2. You have the entire 16/32GB internal storage shared between apps and the /sdcard mount. Is that really not enough space?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's never enough space!! I've always attempted to offload temp files, downloads, and various other files from the same partition as the OS. prevents excessive fragmentation etc. i'm assuming this would still be an issue even with non-spinning storage, maybe it isn't?
Also, the internal storage is faster than a Class 10 card, so there will be a performance hit running from SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now that's an interesting comment. i thought Class 10 was the fastest AND that internal storage on the transformer was the same technology. Hmmm.....more research for me.[/QUOTE]
thanks for the information and advice.
marvin
mncessna said:
there's never enough space!! I've always attempted to offload temp files, downloads, and various other files from the same partition as the OS. prevents excessive fragmentation etc. i'm assuming this would still be an issue even with non-spinning storage, maybe it isn't?
now that's an interesting comment. i thought Class 10 was the fastest AND that internal storage on the transformer was the same technology. Hmmm.....more research for me.
thanks for the information and advice.
marvin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, fragmentation can slow a flash drive down, but I've never known anybody to notice the difference or to bother with defragmenting regularly on a flash device. Maybe somebody here is into that, but it's just not practical IMHO. Apps2SD is for people who run out of internal space and need MORE room for apps. If you are pushing 12gb (the ballpark usable space on the internal memory of the TF) of apps, you need to get back into the work force. You're better off trying to keep large data files on the removable drive first, even if it means just relocating them every once in a while.
The bottom line is, the way the Transformer treats the built-in memory as an SD card is going to be an issue when trying to use an external card for Apps2SD (which I still haven't heard of anybody succeeding at), but you may be able to set your default download folder to the removable card. If you're dealing with a browser, it would depend on which one. If you're doing your own file transfers, just get a file manager that allows you to set your "home" directory and point it to the /Removable/MicroSD directory.
SilverZero said:
Theoretically, fragmentation can slow a flash drive down, but I've never known anybody to notice the difference or to bother with defragmenting regularly on a flash device. Maybe somebody here is into that, but it's just not practical IMHO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even on hard drive it's most of the time not worth the effort. On SSD just forget about fragmentation.
i thought the reason fragmentation is a performance hit for HDDs is due to the fact it has to spin to get to the rest of the file.
SSD does not need anything like that.
fragmentation causes delays
finalhit said:
i thought the reason fragmentation is a performance hit for HDDs is due to the fact it has to spin to get to the rest of the file.
SSD does not need anything like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a disk read consists of a seek op to place the read head over the correct cylinder, then rotational delay while the correct sector rotates under the head, then a data read, and then a transfer to core memory. when a file is fragmented, this operation is repeated multiple times in order to read the entire file into memory. disk drives are pretty fast these days, but they are still the slowest part of most modern computers. cpus and memory are very fast, but disk drives slow things up, therefore, adding to io delays with fragmented files is a real performance hit.
however, i have no data on how fragmentation affects flash memory...perhaps not at all?!.
thanks to all for inputs.
Here's one perspective on flash fragmentation:
www.wizcode.com/articles/comments/flash_memory_fragmentation_myths_and_facts/
Here I will post the advantages and disadvantages of the two.
Advantages of UMC
UMC works at block level. It means that you access the partition from the operating system like if were local, and you have complete control of it.
For the previous reason, UMC keeps timestamps for files and folders. This is specially important for pictures, photos or videos that don't have EXIF, where you rely on file creation or modification time to arrange them and to know when were taken. MTP sets for all transferred files current system time, thus overwritting the real creation or modification time and ruining your gallery.
UMC allows the use of recovery software (Recuva) or partition software (Easeus Partition Master) and even format with a different filesystem. Without UMC you have to use android side software that usually is less powerful, needs a rooted phone, etc.
As you have total access to the partition, you can access all files there, even hidden, system, etc. With MTP you only have access to the files that the controlling operating system (android) wants. For example, with MTP, files starting with dot (.file) are not accessible. Some file formats are not allowed.
UMC is compatible with any operating system that allows connecting a FAT32 / exFAT pendrive, while MTP requires specific support. Linux and OS X may have built-in support or not.
With UMC you directly access the files, so modification is instant, and viewing. On the other side, with MTP you download it, modify it and re-upload the edited version, but you never do it directly. Even to play files you need to completely download it first. Imagine downloading a 5 GB MKV.
UMC is always the same, while for MTP there are several implementations: MTP, MTPZ (Microsoft Zune), Sony SonicStage, Apple DMAP.
UMC is faster than MTP because requires less time to initialize transfer, but isn't that big difference for an average user. The higher the number of files to be transferred and the lower the size of each file, the higher the ratio MTP/UMC.
Advantages of MTP or PTP
In MTP mode, the android device controls the input/output to the filesystem, so there is no risk of data loss because of cold disconnecting the device from USB. You work on a layer over the filesystem. With UMC you must be careful.
MTP allows you to use the sdcard from both the android phone and the computer at the same time, even to any desired number of them. On the other side, with UMC you only can do it from a device at a time, meaning that you have to unmount the sdcard from the android to view it on the computer, stopping apps, etc. Of course there are software that can force viewing UMC from both sides, but is a highway to corruption.
MTP does not show the native filesystem to the computer (it uses a hierarchery simulated by the MTP driver), so it will always be compatible. For example, on devices with the same partition for data and sdcard (like Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S3) you are writing from the computer to an ext4 partition and you don't need windows to support it. The same if the device partition were in any imaginable filesystem, the MTP will show you it in a standard hierarchy. On the other side, with UMC your local operating system (windows, linux, mac) must support natively the filesystem of the partition or download some software that allows you to do it.
With MTP you use all capabilities and disadvantages of the device filesystem. If the filesystem is in ext4 you can copy files over 4GB to the device, that you couldn't in UMC mode because usually it will come formatted in FAT32, that is the most compatible fs for all operating systems.
MTP enables Windows Media DRM, UMC doesn't.
MTP allows the use of password for accessing the files (on compatible devices). On the other side, with UMC, of course you could use powerful tools like TrueCrypt, but you need the corresponding software on android that reads it.
How to preserve timestamps
- Use File Timestamp app. Root is required, and works recursively too.
- Use Mass Storage Mode when possible.
- zip or tar the files when sending them to the phone or receiving from.
- If the device has external sd, you can use it as a man in the middle.
- samba (smb protocol) allows preservation of timestamps, however applications for android don't support it.
- FTP allows preservation of timestamps, however applications for android don't support it.
- NFS allows preservation of timestamps, however couldn't get any application for android working properly (Servers Ultimate Pro).
- Rsync allows preservation of timestamps, however couldn't get any application for android working properly (Servers Ultimate Pro).
- adb push and pull does not preserve timestamps. Furthermore doesn't work recursively with folders.
- MTP does not preserve timestamps.
- Cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. usually never preserve timestamps.
Questions and answers
Is possible to implement MTP on "put here your device"?Possibly yes, if has USB. MTP works on software side, so updating your rom or installing a new one will do the job
Is possible to implement UMC on "put here your device"?That depends on hardware mainly. If the internal sdcard and the data folders belong to the same partition, you can't. The reason is that you can't enable access to a part of a partition at block level, the whole or nothing. This is the case for Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S3, in order to take advantage of all space, and discard the case where you have filled a partition and the other plenty of space.
Dan Morill said:
It isn't physically possible to support UMS on devices that don't have a dedicated partition for storage (like a removable SD card, or a separate partition like Nexus S.) This is because UMS is a block-level protocol that gives the host PC direct access to the physical blocks on the storage, so that Android cannot have it mounted at the same time.
With the unified storage model we introduced in Honeycomb, we share your full 32GB (or 16GB or whatever) between app data and media data. That is, no more staring sadly at your 5GB free on Nexus S when your internal app data partition has filled up -- it's all one big happy volume.
However the cost is that Android can no longer ever yield up the storage for the host PC to molest directly over USB. Instead we use MTP. On Windows (which the majority of users use), it has built-in MTP support in Explorer that makes it look exactly like a disk. On Linux and Mac it's sadly not as easy, but I have confidence that we'll see some work to make this better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sources:
Easy UMS, USB Mass Storage and Media Transfer Protocol – XDA Developer TV
DifferenceBetween: Difference Between MTP and MSC
Directions on Microsoft: What is MTP?
CrackBerry: On startup - Media Transfer Protocol
Ice Cream Sandwich supports USB mass storage after all, Galaxy Nexus does not
Issues and questions:
[Q] Hidden folders through Android MTP
Nexus 4 not showing files via MTP
[Q][MTP] Certain files/directories hidden to windows file manager?
Connecting to PC files are different!
MTP and hidden files
[Q] Hidden files and MTP/Windows
[Q] Do the S3 still using 2gb partition for data and 12 as virtual sd?
Just got meself a Nexus 7... But!
Upload to dropbox: file timestamps should be preserved
Android File Transfer - For Mac users only
Thanks for this guide !
If I understand this correctly, then devices like the Asus Transformer Eee Pad (TF300T) which has a 16GB or 32GB internal storage, PLUS a microSD card (and standard SD card slot when docked) could use UMC, if the manufacturer made it so (which they haven't), right?
invertedskull said:
If I understand this correctly, then devices like the Asus Transformer Eee Pad (TF300T) which has a 16GB or 32GB internal storage, PLUS a microSD card (and standard SD card slot when docked) could use UMC, if the manufacturer made it so (which they haven't), right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The UMC should appear then for the microsd, which you can physically remove from the phone, plus the dock if existent.
For the 16/32 GB internal storage it depends if there is a dedicated partition for internal sdcard. Check it for the Eee Pad.
Well, then I assume(?) Asus were lazy or just didn't think to give us the choice, cos I only have MTP or PTP mode. I miss UMC.
invertedskull said:
Well, then I assume(?) Asus were lazy or just didn't think to give us the choice, cos I only have MTP or PTP mode. I miss UMC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, assuming that you have your device rooted and with busybox, can you post the output of these three commands
Code:
ls -lR /dev/block
Code:
mount
Code:
su
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
print
scandiun said:
Well, assuming that you have your device rooted and with busybox, can you post the output of these three commands...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I don't have it rooted. I have been asking around if rooting / unlocking the TF300T would give me the option for UMC, but pretty much everyone told me chances are zip.
invertedskull said:
Sorry, I don't have it rooted. I have been asking around if rooting / unlocking the TF300T would give me the option for UMC, but pretty much everyone told me chances are zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting can't change that because it's hardware implemented. You can't do anything about it. Probably the Eee pad transformer doesn't have a dedicated partition for sdcard.
A quick way to check it is see if the free space for the sdcard and the userdata is exactly the same, and is always like that no matter on which of the two partitions you write.
About the issue anyway, modern phones like Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note and probably newer like Nexus 2 and Note 2 won't have it anymore, it's just the way to go because takes all the advantage of the free space on the device. It will be the standard from now on.
EDITED:
If you want UMS on devices that don't have it, you can use DriveDroid from market (there's both free and paid). With it, create a blank file that will be used as "partition". Then you can connect your phone to your computer and put there the songs you want. Then do the same in the car. For example, in my Nexus 7 I've created a 2 GB file which serve for that purpose (takes a while when is big).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=39203658&postcount=21
I have 20.71GB free internal, and 1.89GB free on the mSD card. :/
invertedskull said:
I have 20.71GB free internal, and 1.89GB free on the mSD card. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the mSD is another sdcard, different than the internal, in case it has it.
Would be great if you could get the partition scheme as I requested before, or ask for it, to definitely rule it out.
scandiun said:
Because the mSD is another sdcard, different than the internal, in case it has it.
Would be great if you could get the partition scheme as I requested before, or ask for it, to definitely rule it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this what you need?
when i connect my device with computer(MTP conection), i saw 1drive appear, then i go inside, i saw 2drive(iternal&external with how many free space left), go inside again always empty... how to use it?
I get that also. Just go into either one (internal or external) that you want to copy your files to and do your stuff.
invertedskull said:
Is this what you need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More or less. The internal sdcard and the external (microsd) are different, one has 27.15 GB and the other 29.80 GB.
Click in the More... and see if you have UMC for the external microsd
scandiun said:
More or less. The internal sdcard and the external (microsd) are different, one has 27.15 GB and the other 29.80 GB.
Click in the More... and see if you have UMC for the external microsd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I only have MTP or PTP. This makes me sad.
Of UMC, MPT, and PTP, which is the most benigh?
I don't know if this is the best place to ask my question, but at least you all seem to understand this all pretty well.
I plug my phone into my PC to just use ADB. Under Gingerbread, I would select "Charge only" as my USB connection type.
With ICS, there is no longer the "Charge Only" option for an USB connection to a PC. I have to pick UMC, MTP, or PTP.
Given I really don't want to use any of those, just ADB, which of the three is the most benign one?
WaltA said:
I don't know if this is the best place to ask my question, but at least you all seem to understand this all pretty well.
I plug my phone into my PC to just use ADB. Under Gingerbread, I would select "Charge only" as my USB connection type.
With ICS, there is no longer the "Charge Only" option for an USB connection to a PC. I have to pick UMC, MTP, or PTP.
Given I really don't want to use any of those, just ADB, which of the three is the most benign one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either the MTP or PTP are the safer ones. There is no possibility to select "none" like was possible in previous version as you say. The UMC has the disadvantage that if you activate the Mass Storage usually the /sdcard won't be available from ADB commands.
Anyway, the ADB is separate from those options. The ADB option is usually found under Developer options. You can use adb with any of the options you say.
Thanks a lot very very helpfull!
oops, delete post. wrong window lol
scandiun said:
Rooting can't change that because it's hardware implemented. You can't do anything about it.
...
About the issue anyway, modern phones like Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note and probably newer like Nexus 2 and Note 2 won't have it anymore, it's just the way to go because takes all the advantage of the free space on the device. It will be the standard from now on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I would let you (and anyone else reading this thread) know that your post here is wrong. It's not "hardware implemented" in the sense that these two protocols are software implementations of data transfer. In fact, in many cases, even where there is NOT a microSD card that is mounted as a separate partition from system/data, the UMS/MSC (USB Mass Storage Transfer/Mass Storage Class) can still be implemented by this procedure:
1. Root (and optionally flash a custom ROM, that can be easily modded)
2. boot into alt OS, such as Recovery or OS from alt. source (USB OTG?)
3. Partition such that you have the required "separate partition"
4. add kernel modules/libraries you want and will need for UMS/MSC
5. Boot up and enjoy UMS/MSC as well as MTP (if you don't mind crappy speed)
Done.
Also, regarding MTP/PTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which is actually different from Picture Transfer Protocol), being a future replacement for all "modern phones", I am not so sure. It is designed for that indeed, but the Android community is different from most others. I will personally be going out of my way in the future, to ensure all phones I buy have removable uSDcard slots, as long as I can still find them, because it makes recovery in a bind, much easier (like, if there's a problem establishing communications with a computer, and numerous other possibilities). There's nothing like popping in a 32 or 64 Gig card of movies, training videos, eBooks, etc., within 10 to 20 seconds, vice the hours it will typically take to transfer even 5 Gigs of videos over the MTP protocol. Again, I don't like programs handling all my media for me. I prefer to see the files where they live (a higher fidelity simulation, is afterall, a hallmark property of how sharper minds represent reality, and abstractions from it are always mere shortcuts we use in a hurry). You got an easier method to rapidly check file hashes on your phone, from your laptop? Think of it this way, saying that MTP will "replace" UMS, is like saying Apple will replace Linux.
Regards,
Paul
:good:
Interesting problem, hoping someone can add some info.
I have on occasion transferred files to my transformer via usb cable using the camera mode. The only limitation [I thought] at the time was that it would only give you access to the DCIM and Pictures folders, no big deal, just transfer files to other folders once they transferred.
Then today when I was trying to copy a large amount of data to my TF101 this one [multiple video files], I got an "out of memory error".
When I hit properties on the computer, it is registering those 2 folders on a different partition, with a total size of 4.1GB. Now since the TF does not show this, I am either thinking the base settings reads it and adds it to the system, or most likely it is virtual and a mechanism to simply give access to those 2 folders.
After a bit of trial and error, I found that even if my videos were moved [cut / paste] to a new folder, they were still linked to the other partition. Deleting the videos gave me back space, however I can not get more than 2GB free [of the 4.1].
So either there is an unresolved trash issue, or maybe 2GB was the max size available.
So questions:
1. Can someone [or multiple people] set their TF's to connect to the pc as a camera and do properties and report available space. Obviously interested if people can get the full 4.1 GB
2. If you can get the full 4.1 GB, any ideas how I can clear the 2 GBs of trash data [most likely].
SidereusOne said:
Interesting problem, hoping someone can add some info.
I have on occasion transferred files to my transformer via usb cable using the camera mode. The only limitation [I thought] at the time was that it would only give you access to the DCIM and Pictures folders, no big deal, just transfer files to other folders once they transferred.
Then today when I was trying to copy a large amount of data to my TF101 this one [multiple video files], I got an "out of memory error".
When I hit properties on the computer, it is registering those 2 folders on a different partition, with a total size of 4.1GB. Now since the TF does not show this, I am either thinking the base settings reads it and adds it to the system, or most likely it is virtual and a mechanism to simply give access to those 2 folders.
After a bit of trial and error, I found that even if my videos were moved [cut / paste] to a new folder, they were still linked to the other partition. Deleting the videos gave me back space, however I can not get more than 2GB free [of the 4.1].
So either there is an unresolved trash issue, or maybe 2GB was the max size available.
So questions:
1. Can someone [or multiple people] set their TF's to connect to the pc as a camera and do properties and report available space. Obviously interested if people can get the full 4.1 GB
2. If you can get the full 4.1 GB, any ideas how I can clear the 2 GBs of trash data [most likely].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you mount as a portable media player, I can see both internal and external sd cards at 6.8 gb and 14 gb (of 16gb im guessing this is because of read/write file permissions). when mounted as a camera I get 6.8 gb but it doesn't show external storage.
I have adoptable storage working per the S7 command line method with ADB. Now, as for how I can access it.. Since its encrypted the PC can't read it directly. Is it possible to use linux commands to create a linked folder on the phone's actual internal storage to the root of the adopted sd card? Wouldn't this cause the phone to handle the encryption work and let us have access to it? The other question is would this created link survive a reboot? I remember when I did a linked folder I had to have a script autorun on boot of the Android 3.0 tablet to recreate the link.
Nova5 said:
I have adoptable storage working per the S7 command line method with ADB. Now, as for how I can access it.. Since its encrypted the PC can't read it directly. Is it possible to use linux commands to create a linked folder on the phone's actual internal storage to the root of the adopted sd card? Wouldn't this cause the phone to handle the encryption work and let us have access to it? The other question is would this created link survive a reboot? I remember when I did a linked folder I had to have a script autorun on boot of the Android 3.0 tablet to recreate the link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since adopted storage becomes internal, it's best to think of it as you would a hard drive in your PC. You don't physically connect PCs or remove hard drives to transfer files; you networking or apps. There are a myriad ways to do this: FTP, SMB, BitTorrent Sync (my preferred way), SendAnywhere, SuperBeam, etc.
WiFi is far slower than USB3. USB3 would be my preferred method to load up music on it vs wireless methods.
Nova5 said:
WiFi is far slower than USB3. USB3 would be my preferred method to load up music on it vs wireless methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The interface is only theoretically faster. The S5 uses MTP to connect to your PC over USB, which means writes are made at the file level, not the block level. Translation: if a file has changed on the S5, your PC rewrites the entire file instead of just the changes. This makes routine USB file transfer extremely inefficient.
OTOH, using BitTorrent Sync with an 802.11ac router gives me block level write speeds of up to 16 MB/s, which is pretty good for the S5's notoriously slow SD card R/W performance. And if you have a slower router you can just let the network transfer run overnight anyway.
All fine and dandy, but not important to the answer sought. What im looking at doing is creating a symlinked "folder" that I can drop large amounts of data on, and have it sent directly to the card. Permissions are currently the issue on looking into the "private" directory on the phone for its storage. I just have to look up the command structure for the permissions changes when I get time to dig into it. Might not work depending on what protections google put in place to prevent those changes as they could compromise security.