Symlink to external Micro SD - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi. I'm on a rooted Nexus 5, stock ROM and kernel. I have a Micro USB SD card reader and since I have many GBs of music I'd like to put the music on the SD card (which is mounted on the device using StickMount) and then symlink it to the internal memory so that I can play it using Google Play Music and other apps. How can I do that? Thank you.

Jaggions said:
Hi. I'm on a rooted Nexus 5, stock ROM and kernel. I have a Micro USB SD card reader and since I have many GBs of music I'd like to put the music on the SD card (which is mounted on the device using StickMount) and then symlink it to the internal memory so that I can play it using Google Play Music and other apps. How can I do that? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look here for info https://www.google.nl/search?q=goog...7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8.

The problem is Google play music only looks in the music directory for songs.
Also you cannot create symlinks in the fused sdcard.
You could try the following in a terminal emulator.
(Note you may have to change the following paths as I can't remember the exact path stickmount mounts your device to)
Code:
mount -o bind /sdcard/music/sd /sdcard/usbdisk/sda1
This should create a folder called sd in the music folder which Google play music is looking in. It should be then linked to your mounted storage in stick mount.
But beware this may crash your phone when you remove the card requiring a reboot.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Alex240188 said:
mount -o bind /sdcard/music/sd /sdcard/usbdisk/sda1
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Have you tested this? The reason I ask is that unless something has changed which I don't know about, this will not be possible. Since 4.2, Google changed how android handles mounts and this is no longer possible with root (root does not have elevated enough permissions).
Hence why I created this script back in the 4.2 days:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2178863
*Note, I no longer support that script so do NOT use it...
...which in turn lead to this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192122
I myself use FolderMount as it works well and scripts are just a bit too clunky (hence why I ceased working on and supporting my script).
The only issue is you will need to move everything in your current music folder (which foldermount will do nicely for you) so you must always have your external media with you to play music. You cannot simply expand your current folder, its all or nothing (unless you can mount a subfolder of your music directory and music will see that? Not sure, you'll have to test).

rootSU said:
Have you tested this? The reason I ask is that unless something has changed which I don't know about, this will not be possible. Since 4.2, Google changed how android handles mounts and this is no longer possible with root (root does not have elevated enough permissions).
Hence why I created this script back in the 4.2 days:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2178863
*Note, I no longer support that script so do NOT use it...
...which in turn lead to this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192122
I myself use FolderMount as it works well and scripts are just a bit too clunky (hence why I ceased working on and supporting my script).
The only issue is you will need to move everything in your current music folder (which foldermount will do nicely for you) so you must always have your external media with you to play music. You cannot simply expand your current folder, its all or nothing (unless you can mount a subfolder of your music directory and music will see that? Not sure, you'll have to test).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm now trying foldermount, but it seems it's moving all my music from the external SD do the internal memory... Then what? Is it supposed to move all the music back to the SD card before unmounting? I can see no point to this...

Jaggions said:
I'm now trying foldermount, but it seems it's moving all my music from the external SD do the internal memory... Then what? Is it supposed to move all the music back to the SD card before unmounting? I can see no point to this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you've done it backwards.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rootSU said:
Sounds like you've done it backwards.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woops So now it does make sense
Well yeah, It works perfectly and it did what I wanted, thank you!

No probs
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rootSU said:
Have you tested this? The reason I ask is that unless something has changed which I don't know about, this will not be possible. Since 4.2, Google changed how android handles mounts and this is no longer possible with root (root does not have elevated enough permissions).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I hadn't tested this. I just knew it was an alternative to symlinking which worked on the one x. I didn't realise that they had killed this in 4.2.
I also didn't know about foldermounts which should be a great alternative.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Yeah its a good app. Use it for games myself
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] PowerAMP doesn't see my external MicroSD card?

I'm trying to play some WMA files on my microSD card, but I can't add those folders to PowerAMP. Any way around this, or any other apps that can?
I don't use it , but I just tried PowerAMP Trail and no I could not see /Removable either. You should email the developer and let him know. It was the same thing with a "fresh" install of Quickpic 1.1.3. I emailed him and in less then 4 hours he had a fix
Guys,
I contacted PowerAmp through the built-in feature and got reply within less than 24h. They sent me a new build of the app (380) and the Removable/MicroSD is now supported. However, I asked them again to add the Removable/SD directory for people who want to use the dock SD card.
I'll let you know if I can post the link to the apk or if they will make it an official update.
Max from PowerAMP is still working on including all removable media (/MicroSD and /SD) and will have an update in the market shortly. Apparently he does not want the beta build to leak so we all have to be patient!
cky2000 said:
I don't use it , but I just tried PowerAMP Trail and no I could not see /Removable either. You should email the developer and let him know. It was the same thing with a "fresh" install of Quickpic 1.1.3. I emailed him and in less then 4 hours he had a fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Quickpic 1.1.3 doesn't see video from removable card?
randy_c said:
My Quickpic 1.1.3 doesn't see video from removable card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if he updated it on the market yet. He sent me (and others) a version to try. The version number was the same,1.1.3. I see videos and pix on my /Removable with the version he sent me. All my vidz are .mp4's if that makes any difference.
I'll test the one on the market when I get home.
No He didn't updated it on the market yet. 1.1.2 did let you pick /Removable. 1.1.2 was a little difficult (for me) to find. I found it in rom on here some place.
EDIT: I don't know if you want too, but 1.1.2 was inside this rom "pinpongs-rom1.3.zip" and the installer name was "com.alensw.PicFolder-1.apk". I tend to do things the hard way lolol.
Got word from the PowerAMP dev this morning that he will post the update in the market today. However, to complicate things, I sent him info about the mounts when both USB ports have devices attached and both card slots are occupied as well All they need to do really is to add /Removable and sub-directories to the selectable media.
randy_c said:
My Quickpic 1.1.3 doesn't see video from removable card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quickpic 1.1.5 was just released.
I stopped using poweramp for this reason, I have just installed it again as I am a Full version user, and I can confirm that its working with microsd card support. The only thing I'm now disappointed with is the notification. When you use the built built music player you see that there is music playing, you click and then you are given buttons skip prev and pause/play.
i think im gonna email the developer and see if he can do that.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
the sd card on the dock doesnt work yet, i sent the DEV a screenshot of the filemanager showing the location of the sdcard storage.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
iamdarren said:
the sd card on the dock doesnt work yet, i sent the DEV a screenshot of the filemanager showing the location of the sdcard storage.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He already knows. Yesterday I sent him the mount info with everything connected (both USB ports, microSD and SD card). All they need to do is add the /data/Removable directory to the selection He's working on it!
Can someone please tell me how there getting PowerAmp to access the Removal SD Card. I want to move my music files off the SD Card but the Removal card is not found in the availabe folder paths.
KG
Are you talking about the SD card on the dock or the microSD in the tablet?
Reddog58 said:
Can someone please tell me how there getting PowerAmp to access the Removal SD Card. I want to move my music files off the SD Card but the Removal card is not found in the availabe folder paths.
KG
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Click to collapse
funnycreature said:
Are you talking about the SD card on the dock or the microSD in the tablet?
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Click to collapse
To start I would like to use the music folders on the SD Card on the tablet. But knowing how to also use any attached storage on the keyboard which I do have would be appreciated.
Reddog58 said:
Can someone please tell me how there getting PowerAmp to access the Removal SD Card. I want to move my music files off the SD Card but the Removal card is not found in the availabe folder paths.
KG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able get mine to work using Partition Tool Kit and choosing SDCard0 as the mount point not extSDCard.

/mnt/sdcard and /mnt/sdcard/_ExternalSD

The internal memory in the G2x is treated as an SD card in many apps (because it's mounted on stock at /mnt/sdcard). This can pose a problem with applications that store lots of data. Users have large external micro SD cards for this purpose, but many applications just blindly choose to install to /mnt/sdcard. The user has no option of saving to the external card.
Has anyone figured out a way to 'fool' applications into thinking the "External SD" card is actually at /mnt/sdcard?
As an example, if each file system supported symlinks, the amazon mp3 player app could be fooled by:
ln -s /mnt/sdcard/_ExternalSD/amazonmp3 /mnt/sdcard/amazonmp3
Of course, this won't work when working with SD cards, as they use FAT partitioning which does not support symlinks.
Anyone mess with this and have a 'suggested' way to 'fool' apps into using the external SD card for more storage?
Edit: I have tried swapping mount locations of the two cards in /etc/vold.fstab. This worked, kinda. USB storage mode just hangs when enabled and the computer sees a drive it can't read (and asks you to format it).
Ive been trying to figure out a solution for this since I got my G2x, cause I just have too many gameloft games LOL
Came up w/ the same syslink idea but FAT doesnt support such a simple idea. We can link between an EXT and FAT, but not FAT to FAT, it seems.
This probably requires edits to the kernel init files for a true solution
The vold method would work if there were edits to the kernel, so you had half the solution. Ran into the same mounting bug. Wonder if one if those dual mount apps would work. hmmm
Cm7 fixes this.
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
r4d14n7 said:
Cm7 fixes this.
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this when I ran CM7 for a while. If I remember correctly, it mounts the internal to /mnt/emmc and external to /mnt/sdcard.
Unfortunately, there are a few issues that CM7 has that prevent me from keeping it as my daily driver OS (bluetooth issues, worse camera app, slow to no GPS locking, G2/3/4 data does not enable after wifi disconnect, and a few more). As it matures it could become the solution for me.
Thanks
zimphishmonger said:
Ive been trying to figure out a solution for this since I got my G2x, cause I just have too many gameloft games LOL
Came up w/ the same syslink idea but FAT doesnt support such a simple idea. We can link between an EXT and FAT, but not FAT to FAT, it seems.
This probably requires edits to the kernel init files for a true solution
The vold method would work if there were edits to the kernel, so you had half the solution. Ran into the same mounting bug. Wonder if one if those dual mount apps would work. hmmm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. At least I now know there is not a simple solution that was escaping me
Why not, then, just reformat the microSD card to a file system that supports symlinks? Backup your data off it first, of course lol.
Can you do that? Will it still be treated as an internal SD card then (for example, able to be accessed via USB on my computer)?
I did some reading about partitioning both the external and internal SD cards to ext3/4, but people didn't seem to have a "flawless" experience. This wasn't specific to the G2x however.
AustinPowersISU said:
I noticed this when I ran CM7 for a while. If I remember correctly, it mounts the internal to /mnt/emmc and external to /mnt/sdcard.
Unfortunately, there are a few issues that CM7 has that prevent me from keeping it as my daily driver OS (bluetooth issues, worse camera app, slow to no GPS locking, G2/3/4 data does not enable after wifi disconnect, and a few more). As it matures it could become the solution for me.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be more specific. There was a fix for CM7 users to reverse the roles of internal and external storage somewhere in the monster CM7 threads. You could try this fix in reverse to the ROM of your choice. Just search the CM7 thread for information on how to swap internal for external. May or may not work.
r4d14n7 said:
I'll be more specific. There was a fix for CM7 users to reverse the roles of internal and external storage somewhere in the monster CM7 threads. You could try this fix in reverse to the ROM of your choice. Just search the CM7 thread for information on how to swap internal for external. May or may not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
I decided that the lack of being able to do this on stock was enough to go to CM7 again. The issues I described before are less annoying (to me) than not being able to save stuff to my external SD. Plus CM7 will always be getting updated as well.
Thanks for the help everyone.
Thread moved to proper forum.
phburks said:
Why not, then, just reformat the microSD card to a file system that supports symlinks? Backup your data off it first, of course lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cause I still mount to a Win7 machine sometimes
zimphishmonger said:
Cause I still mount to a Win7 machine sometimes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to use this with XP.
http://www.fs-driver.org/index.html
Haven't tried it with Windows 7. Maybe I'll do that tonight lol. There are some other standalone utilities for windows 7 that let you access ext2/3 file systems but I like this one because it lets windows access them as native file systems so you can access them through windows explorer, etc.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
AustinPowersISU said:
Can you do that? Will it still be treated as an internal SD card then (for example, able to be accessed via USB on my computer)?
I did some reading about partitioning both the external and internal SD cards to ext3/4, but people didn't seem to have a "flawless" experience. This wasn't specific to the G2x however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll do some experimenting around. Not really sure.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

[Q] Using microSD for application and data external storage

I've been looking the past day, at threads for the new Tab 2 7.0 and other devices, and I'm lost. I was able to use windows to create the 2 partitions for my microsd and use Link2SD to attempt to move apps to the SD, but it still doesn't work.
I'm honestly most concerned of apps like Rdio, where the music that is saved offline is currently taking up valuable internal storage and not on my microsd.
Is this going to be possible? I am rooted, running stock ROM. Thanks!
Stock ROM does not have move2sd capability AFAIK. I think we'll have ot wait for a custom rom.
From what i herd The storage is emulate (sdext) So maby there's a was to redirect or combinevforvmore storage
p-3113 Puff, Puff, Puff,...... just sende'n smoke signals
you can use an app called directory Bind
Moved to Q&A section....place all questions in the proper sections.
Thanks
RMXO said:
you can use an app called directory Bind
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing out these app, never heard of it. Unfortunately I cannot get it to work for my scenario (Rdio synced music). I can setup the directories (bind them) but then Rdio won't sync music.
I am in the same boat as you slopokdave I want to use the external for Rdio.
I guess I will have to root my device and figure out a why from there.. I am just stuck as I use mac and there is still no method to do so with it :/
I found a app that works. It's called GL to sd. I think your tab have to be rooted. This app is free on the market.
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda premium

Play Music cache

The cache for Play Music on my phone is getting to be too much and sometimes even becomes too big for the available memory I have internally. Is there any way I can get it to cache externally? Or have the "pinned" music to save to an external sd card?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Anyone?...
I realize googles basis for streaming your music vs storing it on the device, hence the lack of external storage options in their flagship phones (which is without a doubt the root of my problem).
My question is has anyone figured out a way to have the app pin your music to an ext sd card? I thought maybe having it installed on the ext sd would help but I want to know what you guys think before I do that (not that I know how, lol).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Luckily it's in the settings settings>clear cache
Edit: read your question wrong, sorry. Try moving the folder itself
Edit: You can use a file manager to set the folder the music usually stores to to link to a folder on the ext SD Card
If you're responding to me, make sure to quote me so I get an immediate email

pPossible solutions to the limited space on internal card...

Seems like the only downfall of this phone is the lack of an external SD card slot. Is any one oiy there working on an app similar to link to SD but utilizing a micro USB.card reader like the Meenova? What about a script that would swap the internal memory with the externally mounted micro SD reader? Anybody?
How about connecting our brain by spinal cord lol.... Yes there are some otg device which can help you as a external storage and no need of swap internal memory since moto G is best working at this moment
Sent from my XT1033 using Tapatalk
All solutions are for media only none of them provide app apk or app data support. I have been scouring the internet for days. There is no way as of yet to implement link2sd, app2sd, data2sd support for within app usage. But thanks for your sarcastic remark!
joeatheist said:
All solutions are for media only none of them provide app apk or app data support. I have been scouring the internet for days. There is no way as of yet to implement link2sd, app2sd, data2sd support for within app usage. But thanks for your sarcastic remark!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are apps to link apps to external sd (both apk and data) via otg. You can do it manually via busybox+mount -bind or all automatic via some apps that are in this forum (I swear they are in moto-g/general, so give it a try). If I see the link again I will come back and link it to you, but I remember at least two apps available in the play store to do it.
you can try folder mount or directory bind for moving big data games to usb otg
I wouldn't see a problem with mounting your external sd card wherever you want in the filesystem.
However I would suggest to just mount the external sd card to /sdcard
Filling the 8gb with apps seems pretty impossible to me. Data stored by the app is stored in /sdcard, so that's where you actually would need more space.
joeatheist said:
Seems like the only downfall of this phone is the lack of an external SD card slot. Is any one oiy there working on an app similar to link to SD but utilizing a micro USB.card reader like the Meenova? What about a script that would swap the internal memory with the externally mounted micro SD reader? Anybody?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just out of curiosity, which apps do you plan to install that require more than 12.5 gb?? I do agree though that the space restriction makes it difficult to keep multiple cwm backups..
Sent from my XT1033 using Tapatalk
zazzy24 said:
Just out of curiosity, which apps do you plan to install that require more than 12.5 gb?? I do agree though that the space restriction makes it difficult to keep multiple cwm backups..
Sent from my XT1033 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multiple CWM backups are always annoying, no matter if you have sd card or not.
This thread on the other hand makes no sense, there are apps that do the job out there, but if you can't mange your space, then probably you ain't for Nexus-like device.
liveroy said:
Multiple CWM backups are always annoying, no matter if you have sd card or not.
This thread on the other hand makes no sense, there are apps that do the job out there, but if you can't mange your space, then probably you ain't for Nexus-like device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i like to keep a couple of backups while moving from rom to rom.. but not an option on this device!
Sent from my XT1033 using Tapatalk
I was wondering if it's possible do something like this one http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046178

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