Database Info

[FIX]Fix external SD Card permissions (updated 2012-02-05)

NOTE: Please see the following post for the original modification (as far as I'm aware) and the manual method of doing the same thing: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20869996&postcount=7
This "update.zip" style installer simply automates the process of modifying /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml to make the tablet permissions act the same as previous versions of android.
In particular, programs with the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission will be able to write to the removable storage card. (Honeycomb changes this to require WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE which very few, if any, 3rd party programs use.)
If you are having issues with programs writing to your storage card, this might fix it.
This uses 'sed' to make the edits. If this is installed twice, it won't re-modifying the file. (However, if you have manually edited the platform.xml file, and then run this script, it might make create duplicate, but harmless, <group> entries. Before making the modification to platform.xml, it will create a backup of the file (called platform.xml.backup) in the /system/etc/permissions directory (if the backup doesn't already exist.)
Instructions:
Download the file, and place on your sdcard. Reboot into recovery and install .zip from sdcard. Choose this file. Done..
(I've tested this with my CWM based recovery and it works. It _should_ work with the factory recovery as well, but I haven't tested... Please reply with your results.)
Support:
None. If you aren't familiar with using recovery to install updates, you should research the topic before continuing.
More info:
If you are curious, here is the sed command I'm sending, using busybox compiled from the cyanogenmod sources:
Code:
sed -e '/WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >$/N;s/\n\(\([ \t]*\)<group gid="sdcard_rw".*$\)/\n\2<group gid="media_rw" \/>\n\1/' -i /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml
What that means is: do an "in-place" edit on /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml, and find the line containing "WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE >", then if the next line contains some whitespace followed by "<group gid="sdcard_rw" />", replace that sdcard_rw line with two new lines, the first being "<group gid="media_rw" />" and the second being the exact line that contained "sdcard_rw". I purposely put the media_rw line before the sdcard_rw line to prevent this same sed command from finding the same match again. In other words, if you run this sed command 50 times on the same file, it'll only make the change the first time.
(I'm not fluent with sed, so if someone knows a better way to do that, please feel free to educate me.)
File is attached below...
UPDATED Feb 5th, 2012: the script will change the filesystem permissions of the platform.xml file before attempting to edit it. This MAY overcome issues people have been having with non-rooted devices, but I'm unable to test so I don't know. Okay, well, it appears that this won't work for a device that doesn't have CWM Recovery installed. Not sure why, but at least I've repeated it.
Take care
Gary

I assume this is for the 6210, but will it work for all versions?
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 7 Plus

Sweet, thinking about flashing this. Will it work on non-root systems?

ringnutz said:
I assume this is for the 6210, but will it work for all versions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should, but I have no way to test. I can tell you that it won't cause any harm. Go ahead and install it, and then (using adb or a file explorer tool) copy the /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml (and platform.xml.backup) files and compare them (or send them to me and I'll compare them) to verify.

pacmanftw said:
Sweet, thinking about flashing this. Will it work on non-root systems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should, but I haven't tested it. It shouldn't cause any harm, however, so feel free to try it.

garyd9 said:
It should, but I have no way to test. I can tell you that it won't cause any harm. Go ahead and install it, and then (using adb or a file explorer tool) copy the /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml (and platform.xml.backup) files and compare them (or send them to me and I'll compare them) to verify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 6210 as well, just wanted to clarify to cut down on the inevitable questions that would follow. Thanks again
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 7 Plus

Worked perfectly for me.

Absolutely fine here. Before I couldn't move files to the SD card using AirDroid now I can

Yup... its working fine with my plus...
Sent from my GT-P6200 using xda premium

Thanks for this. I started to script a fix for this but then I found yours. Thanks again!a

It's work for P6200

thank you gary it worked for me!!!

Still the same hier, it worked for me
P6200

Tested! It works for galaxy tab 7.0 Plus P6200,
nice work garyd9
Sent from my GT-P6200 using xda premium

garyd9 said:
It should, but I haven't tested it. It shouldn't cause any harm, however, so feel free to try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not work on non-root P6210.

Brightxda said:
It does not work on non-root P6210.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't make sense. What leads you to believe that it didn't work? Which program/option isn't working how you expect (and how do you expect it to work?) (sorry for all the questions, but if I can't repeat exactly what you are experiencing, I can't really help you.)
Do you have some kind of file explorer installed? If so, please browse to /system/etc/permissions and view the "platform.xml" file. Scroll down to find the line with "WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE". There should be two lines below that that start with "<group gid". One should have the string "media_rw" and the other "sdcard_rw". If so, then the fix DID apply properly.
"root" shouldn't matter for this...

There is no change to the "platform.xml" after I installed the .zip under the recovery though it shows install completed. I even repeated it twice. It fails when I use ES file explorer to create a folder in ext. SD Card.
Then I rooted the device and manually modified the "platform.xml" (added the <group gid="media_rw" />), and it works now.

Yes I done the same after root, but I have to change the attribut ( sorry I' french) of "platform.xml" with Root explorer to write before (long press on the name), then I access to "platform.xml" with es file explorer to add the code line, save the file and reboot. and it works now (for model 6210)
"platform.xml" is at system/etc/permissions/
add
</permission name=android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Okay, if the attributes of the file aren't allowing writing, then I'm obviously not allowing for that in the package. It seemed like a reasonable assumption that the file was writable, being that it worked for so many people...
I wonder why samsung isn't being consistant with the file permissions. Well, that's something I can probably fix in an update. Not a big deal to change perms on a file.
(It's also not a high priority, as this is working for the majority of people without me tinkering with file permissions.)
take care
Gary

I have a P6200, no root and using stock recovery as of this writing.
I had a P6210 and I was able to fix External SD Card writing on it manually.
I tried the .zip in this thread and it didn't work on my P6200.
I am thinking it didn't because my device is either rooted, or using stock recovery.
I will root and perhaps install CWM, and test further.
My test was using ES Explorer to create a new directory in the SD card. It couldn't, so I'm pretty sure the fix didn't work with my particular configuration.
garyd9 said:
That doesn't make sense. What leads you to believe that it didn't work? Which program/option isn't working how you expect (and how do you expect it to work?) (sorry for all the questions, but if I can't repeat exactly what you are experiencing, I can't really help you.)
Do you have some kind of file explorer installed? If so, please browse to /system/etc/permissions and view the "platform.xml" file. Scroll down to find the line with "WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE". There should be two lines below that that start with "<group gid". One should have the string "media_rw" and the other "sdcard_rw". If so, then the fix DID apply properly.
"root" shouldn't matter for this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... how can you get into /system/etc/permissions if you haven't rooted the device? I was of the impression that you can only access that directory if you are rooted. I certainly can't get there.
I was able to on my P6210 when it was rooted.

[Q] Permissions change was not successful (root explorer)

Hello Members
I'm kinda new to rooting, i just installed ics 4.0.4 rooted it and now im having problems changing permissions in root explorer. Im trying to install Talk_with_AV_no_wifi.zip. I'm following the instructions from this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1390818. But its not working for me.
Any help would be appreciated.

just a guess but mayybe becuase it is in the i-777 forum, it could have diff, libs or something. idk if im right or not.

It worked fine when i had gingerbread. Since ive had ics been having issues with root explorer. I got passed moving the file from sd to system/app with help from other threads but when i try to change permissions in root explorer i get the message.

OONICO81 said:
It worked fine when i had gingerbread. Since ive had ics been having issues with root explorer. I got passed moving the file from sd to system/app with help from other threads but when i try to change permissions in root explorer i get the message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the message?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

A warning box pops up and contains this message: Permissions change was not successful. Please note that some file systems (e.g. SD card) do not allow permission changes

OONICO81 said:
A warning box pops up and contains this message: Permissions change was not successful. Please note that some file systems (e.g. SD card) do not allow permission changes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its a mod from a different phone it probably won't work. I am on my phone and can't look right now.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

The mod isn't phone specific, it worked when i had gingerbread on the same phone.

Check Superuser SU for any errors. It may have denied permissions. If so, just click the button at the bottom to enable RootExplorer to make SU changes.

Please help me...!!!
when i m trying to chage the permission in root explorer its showing me...'Permissions change was not successful. Please note that some file systems(e.g SD Card) do not allow permission changes.'
plz tell me how to solv it...I have LG P698 mobile phone...its hv android 2.3.4

I've got root, SuperSU, and it won't let me change the files at all. I can't rename the files. Just says, "HotspotProvision.akp cannot be renamed because the file system is read-only". I can't find a permissions option. Do I need the pay version of Root Explorer?
What am I missing here?

The filesystem needs mounted as read write
Sent from my SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

I'm getting this I gs3. It's something to do with 4.4
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

The problem maybe with supersu binaries, delete these files through twrp or cwm recovery
system/etc/install-recovey.sh
system/xbin/ksud, ku.sud and su

[Q] Boot Animation doesn't change (with ES or TWRP)

Hi. I tried changing the boot up (and down) animation on my One S (S3). And it just doesn't seem to work. I don't get how. Here's all the things I did:
1. Copied the zip file to my phone, through USB. Renamed it to hTC_bootup_one.zip (as mentioned here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1637870). Then moved it to /system/customize/resource using ES file manager.
2. Copied it to my phone. Booted into TWRP recovery. Moved the file from there.
3. Tried replacing the bootanimation.zip and hTC_downanimation.zp with the same zip file.
All three times, it moved the file just fine. ES asked me everytime if I wanted to replace the original file. And after I replaced it, I went into the zip file with the archive viewer, and checked the files, and they were the right ones.
But every time I shut down and restart, I still get the original animation. What am I doing wrong? Is it the wrong location? Please, please help!
I'm running TrickDroid v5.0.0. Could this be the issue?
Finally, this is the file I'm trying to use: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1732732

Did you set the permission correctly?

Goatshocker said:
Did you set the permission correctly?
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Click to collapse
Sorry, but what exactly do you mean? Permission for the zip file? Or permission to write onto the system folders? I've got the latter covered. I do have permission to write in the root folders. But if you're talking about permission for the zip file itself, I'm not sure how to do that!

Im talking about the step "- Set permissions to rw-r--r--"
Its done through a terminal or adb shell witrh the command 'chmod'. Im not sure what number rw-r--r-- translated to though, maybe 766 or something.

Goatshocker said:
Im talking about the step "- Set permissions to rw-r--r--"
Its done through a terminal or adb shell witrh the command 'chmod'. Im not sure what number rw-r--r-- translated to though, maybe 766 or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked that. And yep, it's set to the correct permissions. rw-r-r. The odd thing is though, the original boot animations aren't even there anymore. Since I replaced them with the new one. So how it it even showing me the original one still? Am I doing this in the right location for the One S (S3)? /system/customize/resource?

No idea where its located actually... Try a search for the file and see if it pops up elsewhere (ES Fileexplorer can search, other explorers can probably too)

Goatshocker said:
No idea where its located actually... Try a search for the file and see if it pops up elsewhere (ES Fileexplorer can search, other explorers can probably too)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right so I gave up, relocked, reflashed stock recovery, got the official JB update, unlocked, flashed TWRP, and viola, boot animation works. So basically the problem was with TrickDroid. I'm not sure what. But, there you go. Thanks anyway.

System "semi" Writable?

I recently Wiped my Phone completely and decided to Re-Flash Viper 1.2.1.
I noticed a problem prior to re-installing but thought nothing of if since it wasn't crucial at the time.
In Root explorer, I am able to delete [i normally delete boot animations] system files but not add where I need to add. Example, I wanted to add a ringtone to my system/media/ringtones folder. I normally [for the last six years] could just copy and paste such files using a root file manager.
However, when I any these files to for example /system/customize/resource/ it doesnt add it. BUT IT DOES rename the file and save it under a dif folder.
Example. Tried copying-copy to-moving to "androidtwirp.mp3" from sdcard to /system/media/notifications and a message pops up saying"notificationsandroidtwirp.mp3 successfully copied-moved to" and it saves notificationsandroidtwirp.mp3 to /system/media/ and it stays there. retrying from that location only results in "notificationsnotificationsandroidtwirp.mp3".
So not only does it rename the file but it saves it in the wrong location. I am at a loss for word. I tried the basics to tryand fix this but i cant seem to hit it on the head.
Thanks!
Edit: Not updating Super SU app, file explorer seems to have worked. Will attempt to duplicate problem to see what actually caused.it.

FOUND IT!
Updating my ES File explorer broke my system writing ability. DO NOT UPDATE is because when you do...
Any file you move, copy/paste to the system will not work properly.
This first happened when I tried to copy and paste a boot animation after I updated ES root explorer. It would rename whatever file i was trying to paste/move/copy over and save it under a sub folder.
example.
copying a ringtone [i.e. androidtwirp.mp3] from SDCard to System folder, the path is /system/media/audio/ringtones/ and it would rename it "ringtonesandroidtwirp.mp3" and save it under /system/media/audio/.
So basically not only was it renamed [which i didnt want it to be] but it would save it to the folder before the actual folder i needed it to be in, plus it would corrupt the file deeming it useless.
moving "ringtonesandroidtwirp.mp3" into the correct folder would only result in "ringtonesringtonesandroidtwirp.mp3"
this happened across the board with all files being moved around
The ES File Explorer version 1.2.1 comes with works flawlessly so don't update it.
I uninstalled ES [also any folders in SDcard related to it] and downloaded JRummy's root explorer and everything is back to normal except i have to reboot the phone to see files [like ringtones and notifications] that i added to the system.

I think it has something to do with our devices having an unlocked bootloaader, but still S-ON. There's S-OFF in the Dev section now if you really need to write to the system folder a lot.
I came from the Vibrant so I know what you're going through

Yeah, im on a low hboot so s-off might not be in my plans since I can practically flash what I want but it was ES file explorer, when I updated the apk the root permissions broke when writting to the system. I emailed the dev and they said they'd have it fixed on the next update.
echo en Android

[Q] ota failed for advanced calling

New update avail says 53.1 mb Blur_Version.23.3.24.obake-maxx_verizon.Verizon.en.US.zip for advanced calling. Downloads fine but once I try installing fails. So I found file in cache and copied to my download folder and tried to side load. Fails halfway through and says error with sys/app/galaxy4.apk. Not sure what it was so I deleted it (don't remember installing it but could've) cleared phones cache and tried again still same issues and as far as I can see the apk file isn't there?? Anyone got any ideas?? Rooted 4.4.4 SU5-24 and BL unlocked

have you made any changes to the system or to your recovery? as changing any of that could very well cause it to fail.

I guess I did, wife's phone took update just fine, I'll do full reset today and see if fixed issue. Thanks.
Unlocked & Rooted XT1080M

still fails anyone else got any ideas ?? There isnt a system file named that anywhere on the phone that im aware of, however when i look at the zip file itself there is a file inside the download Blur_Version.23.3.24.obake-maxx_verizon.Verizon.en.US/patch/system/app/Galaxy4.odex.p if i delete it and try from recovery on phone it aborts immediately guessing bc the signature is broken since ive modded it by deleting it?

richardhood84 said:
still fails anyone else got any ideas ?? There isnt a system file named that anywhere on the phone that im aware of, however when i look at the zip file itself there is a file inside the download Blur_Version.23.3.24.obake-maxx_verizon.Verizon.en.US/patch/system/app/Galaxy4.odex.p if i delete it and try from recovery on phone it aborts immediately guessing bc the signature is broken since ive modded it by deleting it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure it has to do with live wall papers. You should just extract it from the zip you have and install it into your system.
Sent From My Droid Ultra

Fixed it, apparently I deleted 6 .apk files and 2 .odex files. Copied from wife's phone to a different folder and bluetoothed over, renamed changed permissions and renamed to the correct name took update and all is good. Thanks for you guys help