[FIX] Titanium Backup can't write to external SD - AT&T LG G3

so I've never run into this before and I've been modding smart phones since they were invented, so I'm sure someone else will run into the same issue, thought I'd share the answer:
Edit the file at:
system/etc/permissions/platform.xml
to add <group gid="media_rw" /> in the following location like so:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_r" />
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />​ </permission>
Save the file or copy it back to the original location overwriting the original and reboot the phone, TiBu will now show folders on the external SD card as writable.

This is a general problem for all kitkat devices on 4.4.2 as Google butchered sd permissions. I had this same issue with my S4.

If you're rooted running xposed, you can download the module "Kitkat SD card full access". This will fix writing to the SD card. (For titanium, camera, etc.)

4ndroid99 said:
This is a general problem for all kitkat devices on 4.4.2 as Google butchered sd permissions. I had this same issue with my S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose all my roms already had the fix
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk 2

Try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jrummy.sdfix

Or this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix&hl=en

Yeah, there are several to choose from

I just came over to an LG G3 from a Note 3, which I had upgraded to KitKat. Nothing on the Note 3 (Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc) would write to the external SD card. On my G3, they all write to the SD card without any problem whatsoever; I can use Root Explorer to rename files, for example. and I couldn't do that on my Note 3. I did nothing to the G3 except root it, and install/change my system font (oh, I installed G3 TweaksBox too, but had write access to the SD card prior to that).
Anyone know why I have write access to the external SD card on the G3, when I didn't on my Note 3? I thought this was a problem across all KitKat devices.
I'm just curious as to why this might be, that's all.
Thanks,
Dennis

dmw_4814 said:
I just came over to an LG G3 from a Note 3, which I had upgraded to KitKat. Nothing on the Note 3 (Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc) would write to the external SD card. On my G3, they all write to the SD card without any problem whatsoever; I can use Root Explorer to rename files, for example. and I couldn't do that on my Note 3. I did nothing to the G3 except root it, and install/change my system font (oh, I installed G3 TweaksBox too, but had write access to the SD card prior to that).
Anyone know why I have write access to the external SD card on the G3, when I didn't on my Note 3? I thought this was a problem across all KitKat devices.
I'm just curious as to why this might be, that's all.
Thanks,
Dennis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. I had to install sdcard fix from the play store to get access from third party apps.
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

xraytedjim said:
If you're rooted running xposed, you can download the module "Kitkat SD card full access". This will fix writing to the SD card. (For titanium, camera, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not do it for me. I have tried
a) SDfix from the store
b) This module
c) Another Xposed module (Handle SD storage)
So far they all fix the SD card access for things like camera but TiBu stubbornly refuses to budge.

GroovyGeek said:
It does not do it for me. I have tried
a) SDfix from the store
b) This module
c) Another Xposed module (Handle SD storage)
So far they all fix the SD card access for things like camera but TiBu stubbornly refuses to budge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mean to grave dig but I'm having the exact same issue as you. I've tried the manual fix where you edit platform.xml via a root explorer and the SDfix apps from the store. Still no luck. TiBu still says insufficient storage and no folder write permisssions.

tcdos said:
I don't mean to grave dig but I'm having the exact same issue as you. I've tried the manual fix where you edit platform.xml via a root explorer and the SDfix apps from the store. Still no luck. TiBu still says insufficient storage and no folder write permisssions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to Settings/Apps/Titanium Backup and clear cache. Open TB, select menu/preferences/backup folder location and press detect!. With the manual fix or apps, TB should now detect the external SD card.

hwong96 said:
Go to Settings/Apps/Titanium Backup and clear cache. Open TB, select menu/preferences/backup folder location and press detect!. With the manual fix or apps, TB should now detect the external SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can detect the external SD card, it just can't write to it. Since it can't write to it, whenever I try to perform any batch action, an "insufficient storage" error comes up. I've attached a screenshot.

tcdos said:
It can detect the external SD card, it just can't write to it. Since it can't write to it, whenever I try to perform any batch action, an "insufficient storage" comes up. I've attached a screenshot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the back key to jump to external SD card. See pic below. You want sdcard1. Press on sdcard1 to select. Storage/emulate is internal sdcard.

hwong96 said:
Use the back key to jump to external SD card. See pic below. You want sdcard1. Press on sdcard1 to select. Storage/emulate is internal sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I think you must be confused with what I'm trying to say; TiBu recognizes the external SD card, but cannot write to it because of the lack of the permission. This is an issue in KitKat, as I've said I've tried the manual & app fix but TiBu won't recognize the fix. Since it cannot write to the SD card, it returns on a "insufficient storage" error on any batch action that I perform...

tcdos said:
Ok, I think you must be confused with what I'm trying to say; TiBu recognizes the external SD card, but cannot write to it because of the lack of the permission. This is an issue in KitKat, as I've said I've tried the manual & app fix but TiBu won't recognize the fix. Since it cannot write to the SD card, it returns on a "insufficient storage" error on any batch action that I perform...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not confused, you are. I'll let someone else help you. Your screen print shows you are using the internal sdcard. Is your external sdcard write locked?

hwong96 said:
I'm not confused, you are. I'll let someone else help you. Your screen print shows you are using the internal sdcard. Is your external sdcard write locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes my external SDcard write permissions are locked. I've added the permission to platform.xml by doing this:
The simple solution, if you're rooted, is as follows:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but it still doesn't work. I've also tried patch apps like the SD KitKat fixer which was successful BUT TiBu does not recognize the changes. My platform file has the permission present yet TiBu refuses to recognize it. Sorry for being so blatant, I'm just extremely frustrated.

tcdos said:
Yes my external SDcard write permissions are locked. I've added the permission to platform.xml by doing this:
but it still doesn't work. I've also tried patch apps like the SD KitKat fixer which was successful BUT TiBu does not recognize the changes. My platform file has the permission present yet TiBu refuses to recognize it. Sorry for being so blatant, I'm just extremely frustrated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you reboot the device after modifying platform.xml?

hwong96 said:
Did you reboot the device after modifying platform.xml?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, multiple times...

TiBu recognizes the external SD card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in your picture it clearly does NOT recognize the external SD since 'external_SD' is not listed under /storage
the problem isn't the permissions fix, the problem is the phone doesn't see your sd card

Related

[Q] SD card problem

How to format the sd card. We can access the data from here. But I am not able to write data to my external sd card. It says premission denied. I have rooted my Asus zenfone 5(kitkat). Using file explorer, when I delete the android_secure folder, it works for sometimes.Again that folder appears and write permission denied. I have tried so many methods to format it but not succeded. The apps available on sd card is no longer in use. Sometimes, when I restart my phone, it works for sometimes. Therefore, please provide me any method to remove write protection on sd card or to format it.
ravi_sh said:
How to format the sd card. We can access the data from here. But I am not able to write data to my external sd card. It says premission denied. I have rooted my Asus zenfone 5(kitkat). Using file explorer, when I delete the android_secure folder, it works for sometimes.Again that folder appears and write permission denied. I have tried so many methods to format it but not succeded. The apps available on sd card is no longer in use. Sometimes, when I restart my phone, it works for sometimes. Therefore, please provide me any method to remove write protection on sd card or to format it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't easily delete your .android_secure, it contains info of your system. I recommend you not to delete it. If it is write protected or need to formsat then go to settings>storage>format sdcard
Instead of thanking me by posting, HIT Thanks if you like my post or if I helped you in any way!
-------------------------------------------
My work:
[TOOL]Kernel/Boot.img (un)packer
ravi_sh said:
How to format the sd card. We can access the data from here. But I am not able to write data to my external sd card. It says premission denied. I have rooted my Asus zenfone 5(kitkat). Using file explorer, when I delete the android_secure folder, it works for sometimes.Again that folder appears and write permission denied. I have tried so many methods to format it but not succeded. The apps available on sd card is no longer in use. Sometimes, when I restart my phone, it works for sometimes. Therefore, please provide me any method to remove write protection on sd card or to format it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're not going to use that SD card with the phone anymore then you could format it from recovery, assuming you have a custom recovery installed (be aware, formatting will delete *everything* on the card, not just the android secure folder). In recovery you can do this from the format menu in either CWM or Philz.
If you still want to use it with the phone, you should leave android secure alone. It will just keep coming back anyways.
You could ask for help here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/asus-zenfone-5-zenfone-6-to-t2839984 :good:
I accidentally deleted Android_Secure once. Simply sticked the card into my laptop, selected the folder and hit delete. That was before I realized that folder contained files required by apps, even if they're not installed on the MicroSD. Several apps gave 'not installed' even though the icons were there.
Android recreates the folder by itself. If you want to get rid of it to use the card for a different purpose, stick it in a computer and delete the folder.
ravi_sh said:
How to format the sd card. We can access the data from here. But I am not able to write data to my external sd card. It says premission denied. I have rooted my Asus zenfone 5(kitkat). Using file explorer, when I delete the android_secure folder, it works for sometimes.Again that folder appears and write permission denied. I have tried so many methods to format it but not succeded. The apps available on sd card is no longer in use. Sometimes, when I restart my phone, it works for sometimes. Therefore, please provide me any method to remove write protection on sd card or to format it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format the SD Card by a PC, the best method
You can also format it by any CUSTOM RECOVERY
Format into Fat32

Can't install to sd card. Root access needed :(

I am starting a new topic, because I fear that I am not the only one that is going to have this problem - basically no mater what I do, I can't make the phone (idol 3, 4.7") to install apps to the sd card.
I tested two thing.
Method 1: There is a option in settings -> apps -> preferred install location. I chose "removeble SD card" there restarted the phone and tried to install something -> it goes striate to the tiny less-than-4-GB memory on the phone.
Method 2: Android SDK Tools - after method 1 failed I used the Android SDK tool, to change the default install location using CMD and the "adb shell pm set-install-location 2" command. The location was changed successfully (according to CMD), but when I tried to install something it again goes to the phone memory not the SDK.
Soo... after this didn't work I decide to simply move the apps to the SD card. I didn't have problem with Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft for example, but most of the apps actually don't move correctly. For example I installed Asphalt 8: Airborne and move it to the SD card. According to the phone, everything was ok (see attachment 3). Sadly the free space was suggesting something different. Checking with Link2SD Plus reviews a ugly picture - the major part of the app was actually on the phone (attachment 1). Removing the obb files resulted in the game downloading them again... on the phone.
So at this point the only logical solution for me seemed to use the "Link to SD Card" option in Link2SD. Sadly this doesn't work because "Link2SD could not obtain root access" (attachment 2).
I don't know... maybe I am missing something, but at that point the only other solution that I can think about is rooting the phone, witch is not yet possible. If you have any ideas - pls shere.
I am not entirely sure if the problem is connected to Android 5 or Alcatel did something to the OS, but after 3 days of using the idol 3 (4.7") I am on the verge of throwing it in to a wall.
This problem is the fault of Android.
I have the HTC m8 and the problem was the same and no solution before rooting and installing custom roms and special kernels and apps.
I know, very disappointing, but can be solved very easily when rooting will arrive..
Well, then - fingers crossed that we will get rooting solution soon.
Just realized that the same thing is happening with my phone. Looks like I'll use the phone for apps and the SD card for other data. At least my Google play music downloads were saved to the SD card
Sadly I am using Spotify and can't make it save on the SD card.
Same issue here basically, but with photos. I can view, but not delete files using apps such as Solid or ES File manager. They ask to be granted access, but it doesn't work. Native apps like the phone's task manager and Gallery app can edit and delete these files just fine. Other phones such as my S6 and M9 are running the same version 5.0.2 and I don't have this problem. Is it something inherent to this particular phone? Yes, rooting when it comes will solve the problem, but I thought most 3rd-party app developers had solved this issue by now. Why didn't any reviews indicate this problem before I made the purchase? Grrrrr.
In settings, apps under downloaded apps column you can click on an app and provided it's not a google app etc it will have the "move to sd" option. I've used that to move several large apps like wps office (100mb) etc.
---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:29 PM ----------
rmc69 said:
Same issue here basically, but with photos. I can view, but not delete files using apps such as Solid or ES File manager. They ask to be granted access, but it doesn't work. Native apps like the phone's task manager and Gallery app can edit and delete these files just fine. Other phones such as my S6 and M9 are running the same version 5.0.2 and I don't have this problem. Is it something inherent to this particular phone? Yes, rooting when it comes will solve the problem, but I thought most 3rd-party app developers had solved this issue by now. Why didn't any reviews indicate this problem before I made the purchase? Grrrrr.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can probably blame lollipop....they've gotten more strict about apps being able to access the external sd card. System apps like Gallery have permission to access the external sd.
I just got a reply from the developer of QuickPic and he says it is definitely a bug they cannot fix. Oh well, don't expect to use any 3rd party apps with your SD card on this phone.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
famewolf said:
In settings, apps under downloaded apps column you can click on an app and provided it's not a google app etc it will have the "move to sd" option. I've used that to move several large apps like wps office (100mb) etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried using any apps after moving them to the SD Card?
I moved about 6 apps to the SD Card. Then I noticed that the widget for one of the apps on the SD card started displaying an error message (Soundcloud). I clicked on the widget and nothing happened. Decided to reboot my phone and then I realized that none of the apps I placed on the SD Card were accessible any longer. Had to re-download them all again to Phone storage.
macallik said:
Have you tried using any apps after moving them to the SD Card?
I moved about 6 apps to the SD Card. Then I noticed that the widget for one of the apps on the SD card started displaying an error message (Soundcloud). I clicked on the widget and nothing happened. Decided to reboot my phone and then I realized that none of the apps I placed on the SD Card were accessible any longer. Had to re-download them all again to Phone storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should not be moving apps that have widgets you plan to use. I verified my apps [ Amazon appstore, F-Droid, Lightning Browser, WPS Office etc...] just now and all are working fine...this is also after a couple of reboots since I moved them.
Yep, you can't more the app if you plan to use the widget. That's been normal for a long long time.
---------- Post added at 02:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 AM ----------
Why on earth would Google make it so files can't be deleted using 3rd party apps? That's just dumb. I use both ES File Explorer and QuickPik and this ruins the usability of these apps. hope this gets fixed in an update.
I hope they fix it soon too. This phone only has 10 gbs of internal storage. Putting photos and videos on an SD card is almost a necessity, not to mention music. Other devices running Lollipop 5.0.2 have fixed this. As I said, QuickPic, ES File Explorer work fine on my Galaxy S6 and HTC M9 as regards the SD card. I plan to write Alcatel tomorrow and maybe they will read this forum.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
I need someone to check for me please that has this phone and an external sd card. If you would be so kind as to install the free app Quickpic or even the free app ES file explorer. Set the native camera app to save to sd card. Try and delete a photo using either Quickpic or ES File Explorer and see if you get the same result as I did. I'm attaching 2 screenshots. The first one you will see asking for permission and the second screenshot from my phone does not list the external sd card which is the problem.
This will eliminate the possibility that it is just something wrong with my phone or a serious bug that everyone will face. Obviously, if the external sd card is not listed as a choise, you can't grant permission.
rmc69 said:
View attachment 3341266
View attachment 3341267I need someone to check for me please that has this phone and an external sd card. If you would be so kind as to install the free app Quickpic or even the free app ES file explorer. Set the native camera app to save to sd card. Try and delete a photo using either Quickpic or ES File Explorer and see if you get the same result as I did. I'm attaching 2 screenshots. The first one you will see asking for permission and the second screenshot from my phone does not list the external sd card which is the problem.
This will eliminate the possibility that it is just something wrong with my phone or a serious bug that everyone will face. Obviously, if the external sd card is not listed as a choise, you can't grant permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ES File Explorer - and I got the same prompts while attempting to delete something from the external micro SD card. Honestly - I was not able to exactly follow what it was asking me the first time around. But eventually I was able to do what it was asking me to do ( although I couldn't repeat it if you asked me to !! ) and now I am able to delete files from the micro SD using ES File Explorer.
Thanks. If it now works on your phone, perhaps I have a flaw in my phone. I'll try yet a 3rd sd card and report back.
Solved
PROBLEM SOLVED!! My 64GB Micro SD card was formatted to exFat.
It needs to be formatted to Fat32. I used a guide from this XDA thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1773735
Now, QuickPic and ES File Explorer recognize the SD card and permission can be granted.
Whew.
rmc69 said:
PROBLEM SOLVED!! My 64GB Micro SD card was formatted to exFat.
It needs to be formatted to Fat32. I used a guide from this XDA thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1773735
Now, QuickPic and ES File Explorer recognize the SD card and permission can be granted.
Whew.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice info there. I did the same after seeing your post. I formatted my 128GB card with a 65536 byte allocation unit size which is the fastest. I tested the sd card with flashbench to see which was the fastest. After formatting I loaded a few test files. QuickPic works fine but ES File Explorer still does not. I will delete the data and reinstall the app and see if that works. Right now I'm copying all my music back over to the card which will take a while.
ES File Explorer still won't delete from the SD Card. I cleared the data, uninstalled and installed again. When I delete a file (picture) I do not get the option to select the SD card. Any other solutions?
Shodan5150 said:
ES File Explorer still won't delete from the SD Card. I cleared the data, uninstalled and installed again. When I delete a file (picture) I do not get the option to select the SD card. Any other solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If QuickPic now will delete from the SD card, so should ES File Explorer. While this was going on, I downloaded 2 additional file managers (Solid and Root Explorer) and they too wouldn't delete from the sd card. Once I reformatted my card, all 3 file managers were able to get permission and delete the files including ES. My only suggestion would be to try reformatting again and if still not working, if you have one, try another card from a different manufacturer. Since ES File Manager now works for me, it should for you too. Let us know if you sort it out. Root Explorer is a very good file manager, but costs $3.99. (Root is not required with the latest update despite the name).
I tried Solid and it didn't work. Then I tried a couple other generic ones and still nope. Then I tried Astro and it worked. I went back to Solid and it worked. Then went back to ES and it worked. Damn so strange but glad it's working now. Thanks for the help.

SD Card not showing up to grant permissions

I recently picked up a Samsung EVO for my S7 and when I tried copying and pasting a file from my internal storage to the SD card it says "Please choose the root directory of the SD card to grant ES permissions to operate"
However, my SD card doesn't show up. Ive tried different file explorers and even reformatted the SD card but it still doesn't show up.
Resolved, completely my fault as I was using an XML file for Package disabler pro which had the external sd card disabled lol
Please tell me how did u resolved it
SheltonCicil said:
Please tell me how did u resolved it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old thread, but I just had the same problem.
The package that is disabled and that you have to RE-ENABLE:
"External Storage" - "com.android.externalstorage"
Took me a while to find it. Good luck! (Not sure why the Package Disabler dev never fixed this, annoying as hell.)

Issues accessing the external SD card for some apps

Guys, sorry to ask this, but I have some issues with some apps when they try to write something to the microSD card........for example: Titanium Backup says that any destination folder in the microSD is not writable.....
I´ve just rooted my phone with shoey63 assistance so I´m using the latest recovery, MM 291 with latest SU version.
In the particular case of TB, I had to do this trick to make it work:
In TB, go to Preferences -> Backup Folder Location.
Click on Storage provider at the top (it's not obvious that it's clickable).
Click on DocumentProvider storage. That will take you to a File Manager interface. You may have to click on the 3-dot menu on the top-right to enable the (external) SD card to be shown, then click the menu lines in the top-left and select your SD card, and click the "Select" at the bottom right. (You don't have to select your Titanium Backup folder here, you're just using this to get access to your SD Card.)
Now you should be back in Titanium Backup and you can browse like you used to to get to your preferred backup folder on your external SD Card
I warn you that using this Document Provider storage is much slower - at least it seems so for me. But, it seems that it's the only way to go for now.
Have the same problem with some other apps that say the microSD card lack of write permissions.
I´ve already flashed the ExtSD_Fix_rw-signed-v2.9b.zip fix a couple of times and the same scenario with RICDefeat.zip without luck. Just to mention that I can copy/move/delete files in the card using ES File Explorer just fine, but when I need to define a file/folder as the destination folder in some apps, they give me an error stating that file/folder is not writable.
Does someone could give me a hand with this?
TIA.
Alx

SD is not writable

First I explain that I test 2 different SD cards and I formated it from phone.
I can use for photos and videos, Camera software can write on it without problem. My Files can write and delete too.
The problem is certain apps can't write on SD with an error message that said "SD isn't writable. AppMonsterPro can't write on it. FileSync that I use to backup daily photos, docs,... can't write on it. Movistar + app (streaming that you can save for later) can't write on it.
I really desesperate and I don't know how to solve it. Any help is welcome.
Just a thought, have you given these apps permission to write to the SD card?
kxdaorbit said:
Just a thought, have you given these apps permission to write to the SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really they haven't this option
Some apps, for example Root Explorer, first time that you try to write on SD you have to give permission or go to SD and select so framework authorice it.
I was thinking more in the line of going to app settings and try setting it there.

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