How does adoptable storage work? - General Questions and Answers

Strongly tempted to do it on my note 8 as 64GB isn't enough.
Does adoptable storage mean that i can't add anything anymore to the main 64GB storage, only the sdcard from then on as the sdcard is the new storage the phone installs to? Cause i do want to add or remove stuff between both. Cause as i sorta value the warranty on my note 8 more as it's a 1280 usd phone in norway, then it's not so tempting to root.

If there is an option for a microsd card, then you can put whatever you want on it. Remember, microsd card is expandable storage, never heard of the terminology adoptable storage but assuming it means the same thing. It is extra storage, everything else will go on the main phone. If you have your phone, go to settings and go to storage (without inserting a microsd card). You will see that the system is taking up space by default, and every app you install and all your pictures, music, movies are on the phone taking up space. You can move these files to the sdcard so you could avoid filling up space on your main phone to make room for apps, etc.

mohhaxs said:
If there is an option for a microsd card, then you can put whatever you want on it. Remember, microsd card is expandable storage, never heard of the terminology adoptable storage but assuming it means the same thing. It is extra storage, everything else will go on the main phone. If you have your phone, go to settings and go to storage (without inserting a microsd card). You will see that the system is taking up space by default, and every app you install and all your pictures, music, movies are on the phone taking up space. You can move these files to the sdcard so you could avoid filling up space on your main phone to make room for apps, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adaptable storage is something Google setup for low budget devices. It allows you to use an sdcard as main storage. But (there is always a but) once you set it for adaptable storage, you can't use it as a normal swappable sdcard. If you remove it before undoing it the your device won't boot up without a full reset.
I'll be honest, it is wasted on divices like yours. Samsung normally disables it because it is pretty useless with devices that have more then 16gb of storage.

Related

Weird Memory Location Problem

I have a HTC Touch (Elf) with the 1GB memory card.
When I download or install something, even if I tell it to save to memory card, it still seems to go onto the internal memory. I don't quite understand what's going on, but it is of course limiting what I can do as the internal memory is very small.
When selecting install location as 'Storage Card' its as if the shortcut to that is pointing to some location on internal memory, as checking the memory usage shows my internal memory depleting and my storage card not changing.
Unless I move files by cutting and pasting afterwards.
Cheers in advance.
Jon
OK to narrow the problem down a bit... when I install something and it gives you the option where to install it i.e. on phone or storage card, whether I pick phone OR storage card it always ends up on the phone.
I cannot install programs to storage card! Which is not good as the phone memory is tiny!
Any ideas please?

[Q] RAZR Maxx HD Memory in 4.4.2

I went into developer options after doing the upgrade and in Process Control I'm seeing either (at different times) "Device Memory is Currently Low" or "Device Memory is Currently Critical." I'm completely illiterate about these things, but I assume that this isn't what I want. How bad is it, and what might I do about it?
dimdem said:
I went into developer options after doing the upgrade and in Process Control I'm seeing either (at different times) "Device Memory is Currently Low" or "Device Memory is Currently Critical." I'm completely illiterate about these things, but I assume that this isn't what I want. How bad is it, and what might I do about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe all your space is being taken up by pictures and videos check by going to settings then go to storage to see what is taking up all the space if it is pictures and videos buy an sd card and move them all to the sd card and set the default place for the camera to save to the sd card.
billycar11 said:
maybe all your space is being taken up by pictures and videos check by going to settings then go to storage to see what is taking up all the space if it is pictures and videos buy an sd card and move them all to the sd card and set the default place for the camera to save to the sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alas, that's not it. I've got an SD card, and internal storage has over 19GB free. Like I said, I'm illiterate, but I don't think that the flash storage where you'd potentially have things like media files has anything to do with available RAM.
dimdem said:
Alas, that's not it. I've got an SD card, and internal storage has over 19GB free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's weird 19gb is fine maybe its one of those cloud apps that is almost full not the phone it self take a screenshot of the message to do this power + vol down
It's not referring to storage but to memory/ram. Mine says that sometimes, sometimes it says "Device memory is currently moderate". If you aren't experiencing a device slowdown then don't worry about it. If you are worried about it then perhaps take a look at the app listing on that screen and if there are apps you are not using and don't require until YOU start them then try the Greenify app. or check out this thread: on Reddit

Moto G 2015 SD card Problem (Android Marshmallow)

So I just upgraded two moto g 2015 GSM 1GB models to android marshmallow. One that is completely stock using the update directly from motorolla, the other unnoficial ROM from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/2015-moto-g/orig-development/rom-cyanogenmod-13-t3254236. Everything seems to be working fine besides the Micro SD cards (which are Sandisk Pixtor class 10 / UHS-1 cards) (this one http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk...mory-card-gray-red/1300086.p?id=1219047586662 ). At first, they worked perfectly, and I formatted them both for internal storage. Then, the next day, when I woke up, the CM13 ROM phone said that the SD card is "unsupported" and tells me to reformat it. then, once I do that, the phone gives me an message saying "Attempt to invoke virtual method 'java.lang.String android.os.storage.VolumeInfo.getld()' on a null object reference" I have tried everything I can think of! Rebooting the phones, safe mode, resetting the stock phone, re-installing the CM13 ROM, and trying to re-format the drives on the computer! Please Help!
epicnun said:
So I just upgraded two moto g 2015 GSM 1GB models to android marshmallow. One that is completely stock using the update directly from motorolla, the other unnoficial ROM from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/2015-moto-g/orig-development/rom-cyanogenmod-13-t3254236. Everything seems to be working fine besides the Micro SD cards (which are Sandisk Pixtor class 10 / UHS-1 cards) (this one http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk...mory-card-gray-red/1300086.p?id=1219047586662 ). At first, they worked perfectly, and I formatted them both for internal storage. Then, the next day, when I woke up, the CM13 ROM phone said that the SD card is "unsupported" and tells me to reformat it. then, once I do that, the phone gives me an message saying "Attempt to invoke virtual method 'java.lang.String android.os.storage.VolumeInfo.getld()' on a null object reference" I have tried everything I can think of! Rebooting the phones, safe mode, resetting the stock phone, re-installing the CM13 ROM, and trying to re-format the drives on the computer! Please Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you really want to use the SD Card as internal. If so, the card will be encrypted and locked to the one device. If not, you have the option to use as a portable card. I actually made no selection, after a few reboots, the nagging notice about the SD Card went away. Card works perfectly as portable storage.
I had the same problem with my moto g 2015 8gb on marshmallow a view weeks ago. I used a transcend 32gb sd card and formatted it as internal storage. One day i recogniced that all my apps on the sd card were gone. The sd card didn´t work anymore, and the phone wanted to format it again, but it didn´t work. I tried to format it on my computer and also with cameras, because I heard this could work, but i always got the error "sd-card locked".
After hours of trying to fix it i got a new card, and all my photos were gone.
I´m not sure if it is the phones fault.
balsamic said:
I had the same problem with my moto g 2015 8gb on marshmallow a view weeks ago. I used a transcend 32gb sd card and formatted it as internal storage. One day i recogniced that all my apps on the sd card were gone. The sd card didn´t work anymore, and the phone wanted to format it again, but it didn´t work. I tried to format it on my computer and also with cameras, because I heard this could work, but i always got the error "sd-card locked".
After hours of trying to fix it i got a new card, and all my photos were gone.
I´m not sure if it is the phones fault.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awe bummer. Are you using the new card as internal storage aswell? Which card are you using? How long have you been using it for? Any problems yet?
The same problem.
I also had the same problem. I failed to find a solution, I had to MiniTool Partition Wizard to format the SD but when trying to format from windows does not work. After that I tried to set it again as internal, but, just as I shot this error.
Same thing happened to me last night when I decided to make my Transcend micro sd to be internal storage. I thought it was just a bad sdcard, turns out Marshmallow bricked it. Any solution yet?
EDIT (02-16-2016): Switched from Internal Storage to Portable Storage today. All headaches are gone.
Not looking forward to this happening to my SD card. The really bad part is that I have a TWRP backup on the SD card; it was set up as internal storage, but my desktop can't see it so I can't copy it over for safe keeping. Therefore the backup will be destroyed along with the rest of the SD card if the SD card is scrogged. This whole internal storage thing just sucks. Can't store Google Music to the SD card as well.
I have a problem with the SD card too, i set it to internal storsge and my computer doesn't see it, my phone says it see it but when i go to the total commander on my phone it doesn't see it. I dont't know what to do. I thought I willnhave more space for my apps and data but the SD card works only for apps
Wysłane z mojego MotoG3 przy użyciu Tapatalka
cricetus said:
I have a problem with the SD card too, i set it to internal storsge and my computer doesn't see it, my phone says it see it but when i go to the total commander on my phone it doesn't see it. I dont't know what to do. I thought I willnhave more space for my apps and data but the SD card works only for apps
Wysłane z mojego MotoG3 przy użyciu Tapatalka
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As Internal Storage it will not show up as a separate entity, you access it via Internal Storage. The SD card is now mated to to the phone, it is not independent and cannot be read in any device except in the phone that formatted it.
I just bought a Moto G 2015 8GB ROM phone, it's my 1st smartphone and I also bought a Lexar 32GB microSDHC UHS-1 class 10 sd card.
What I want to do is install my iTunes music folders that are on my Windows 7 PC onto the sd card and install JetAudio app from Google Play Store that is on the phone and play my iTunes music on my new phone.
The sd card is still in the package and have not touched it yet, so my question is, do I install the card on my PC with a microSD card reader and copy paste my iTunes Artist folders from PC onto the card and then insert the card into my phone, -or- do I install the new sd card into the phone first, then select the option for the card as portable storage device( I assume I do get an option for the card on the phone), then plug the phone into my PC using phone to USB cable and then copy paste the iTunes music folders from PC to card on the phone that way. I am not sure which method to do. I believe the phone app Jet Audio can play music files in .m4a file format. But I am not sure about this sd card in the phone selected as internal or portable storage, what happens when I first install the fresh blank card in the phone, will I get an option to select it as internal or portable.
tom_eastcoast said:
I just bought a Moto G 2015 8GB ROM phone, it's my 1st smartphone and I also bought a Lexar 32GB microSDHC UHS-1 class 10 sd card.
What I want to do is install my iTunes music folders that are on my Windows 7 PC onto the sd card and install JetAudio app from Google Play Store that is on the phone and play my iTunes music on my new phone.
The sd card is still in the package and have not touched it yet, so my question is, do I install the card on my PC with a microSD card reader and copy paste my iTunes Artist folders from PC onto the card and then insert the card into my phone, -or- do I install the new sd card into the phone first, then select the option for the card as portable storage device( I assume I do get an option for the card on the phone), then plug the phone into my PC using phone to USB cable and then copy paste the iTunes music folders from PC to card on the phone that way. I am not sure which method to do. I believe the phone app Jet Audio can play music files in .m4a file format. But I am not sure about this sd card in the phone selected as internal or portable storage, what happens when I first install the fresh blank card in the phone, will I get an option to select it as internal or portable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just don't pick Internal Storage like I did. Neither Google Play nor any of the top music apps I contacted have the capability to store or read from internal storage, and you can't manually put or get files from there either. A ton of other people have run into the same problem. The other problem is that it appears that not many apps have the capability to use internal storage, so if your intent is to make more room on your 8 GB device you will be most likely be very disappointed. If you have a lot a songs like me, I would definitely choose portable storage to save space. on your 8GB. As I recall I had the choice which way to set up the storage when I inserted the card into the phone.
As long as your M4A files are not encrypted somehow your method should be not relevant. I don't know if iTunes does this or not (pretty sure it used to), but if you can play your audio files on your PC with a generic player it should work fine in the phone.
As far as what @pjc123 was talking about, several developers have not yet updated their apps to support Marshmallow's adopted storage of the SD card... I would have highly recommended the 2GB RAM version, but you got what you got. I would first put the card in the phone and allow it to format it if needed but set it up as Portable Storage, then how you move the files is up to you (if you set it up as adopted or internal storage, you can only see the card well it is installed in the phone). If you have a USB 3.0 card reader, it MIGHT be faster to remove the card and put it in a PC and copy the files, or you can just connect via USB and copy and paste the files. If you have a very large amount, I would recommend doing it in smaller blocks rather than all at once. Also remember that if you have a large number of files, they might not all show up in your media player right away, sometimes Android's media databases can take some time to update, give it a while and if they don't show up reboot the phone and give it some time. On the 1GB model people have sometimes noted laggy response well the media databases are updating.
I did not try the internal storage option yet. But if you have issues with your sd card bricked try low level format tool on windows, at least to make it work again. Aldo idk how the encryption actually works but if you want your data back, use the option "quick format, just delete mbr" and use some tool like recuva to fetch the data (if its not encrypted it should work)
Cheers.
I think I jumped ahead too fast, I mean I bought this new 32GB Lexar microSDHC UHS-1 class 10 card and it's still in the package and I had thought that I had a good plan on how to use it (internal or portable) in my Moto G 2015 1GB 8GB Marshmallow phone, I was going to format the card in the phone as 'Portable' but now not so sure, and now need to go back and start over again in the learning curve.
The first thing I would like to know about is the terminology, I know what selecting and formatting the SD card as 'Portable' in the phone means, to me it means you can remove the card and insert it via card reader to my Windows 7 PC and create a new Folders and copy paste music and picture files to the card, but one thing I know about 'Portable' storage is that when the card is in the phone, you cannot move 'apps' to it, I don't think apps will run from Portable storage sd cards.
What has me confused is the term 'adopted storage'. Is adopted storage the same as selecting 'Portable' storage option when the phone formats the sd card?
Or is adopted storage refer to selecting the card as 'Internal' option?
So I am trying to understand, if I select the option for the card in the phone as 'Internal', and the card is 32GB and my phone has 1GB memory and 8GB storage, what does Internal option do?
I mean does Internal add the 32GB to the 1GB memory making phone memory be 33GB? Or does an Internal card add the 32GB to the 8GB phone storage making my phone have 40GB of storage.
So if I format the card as 'Internal', I know that card is mated to the phone and cannot be removed, that's ok but if my phone can have 40GB of storage, I think it's possible to move phone apps to the card when it's formatted as Internal, but how do I get my Windows 7 PC music files to the phone? I am thinking of installing jetAudio music player app onto the phone via Google Play. I am still researching all of this first before I try anything.
No... Adopted storage and internal storage are the same thing (the card is "adopted" by the phone as internal storage). Portable storage is the same as external. As far as the technical difference, you are mostly correct about the portability and use in other devices.
As far as actual storage goes when adopted, it's not as clear cut... In theory is should replace your internal storage (your ~4-5GB of usable space) and give you 32GB of storage, but in actual use in the Moto G it doesn't quite work like that... There are several threads discussing it you can read on.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Ok, thanks for that, you explained that well for me, so if I format the sd card as Internal or Adopted, I can have more usable internal storage space, which is good, because my phone now without a card is showing 2.13GB used internal storage of 4.53GB. So not much storage space left. So now I need to find out how you can copy Windows 7 PC music files to the phone. I assume I can't just USB cable the phone to the PC and copy paste music files to the phone, I am assuming that will not work.
tom_eastcoast said:
Ok, thanks for that, you explained that well for me, so if I format the sd card as Internal or Adopted, I can have more usable internal storage space, which is good, because my phone now without a card is showing 2.13GB used internal storage of 4.53GB. So not much storage space left. So now I need to find out how you can copy Windows 7 PC music files to the phone. I assume I can't just USB cable the phone to the PC and copy paste music files to the phone, I am assuming that will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work fine, in either internal or portable mode. MPT transfer mode built into Android is intended for this purpose.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Ok I have run into a problem. What I did was go buy a micro to PC USB cable, and with no card yet installed on my MotoG3 Marshmallow phone, I plugged the phone into the USB on the PC and powered up the phone, and on the PC window it shows MotoG3 under Computer, but nothing in the blank pane screen, I cannot create a new folder on the phone or copy paste anything to it, when I do try it says device is either not connected or turned off. Help.
---------- Post added at 04:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:00 PM ----------
oK, what I found out by calling the store here was I need to have Developer options to have phone connect to PC via USB and show, you go to phone Settings, scroll down and click on About phone, scroll down and press Build number 7 (seven) times, then the OS will add the Developer options in Settings under System. I am about to dig into Develop options to get the phone to connect to PC so will update what happens.
---------- Post added at 04:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------
ok once you have Developer options showing in Settings, System, click on Developer options and scroll down the screen to under Debugging and turn ON USB debugging. then continue to scroll down in Developer options to Select USB Configuration (MTP Media Transfer Protocol), click it and then in Select USB Configuration screen, click on MTP radio button to turn it ON if it's not already ON. Then with 2 fingers at top of phone screen swipe down to show USB used for charging only touch for more options, press it and change the radio button under Use USB for, press Transfer files (MTP). That should fix the problem and now you can see the internals of your Android Marshmallow phone on your PC screen. Next I am going to attempt to create a new Folder on the phone called Music but I will try that tomorrow. Bye for now.
tom_eastcoast said:
Ok, thanks for that, you explained that well for me, so if I format the sd card as Internal or Adopted, I can have more usable internal storage space, which is good, because my phone now without a card is showing 2.13GB used internal storage of 4.53GB. So not much storage space left. So now I need to find out how you can copy Windows 7 PC music files to the phone. I assume I can't just USB cable the phone to the PC and copy paste music files to the phone, I am assuming that will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just realize that if you pick internal storage, there is no way to copy the music files to the SD card, only to the main storage (Music directory for example), thus eating into your 4.53GB of space. You do not have access to the SD card encrypted ext3 filesystem from your pc. Furthermore the music apps do not have the capability to do this, at least not yet. As portable storage you would have that capability, in fact I just converted internal storage to portable storage for that exact reason. I feel sorry for those that bought 8GB phones thinking that adaptive storage was going to be the cure-all to space issues. I am glad I opted for the 16 GB version.
Just realize that if you pick internal storage, there is no way to copy the music files to the SD card
Update: what I did today was insert the new 32GB SD card into the phone and Formatted it as Internal Storage, then connected the phone to my PC to view phone info and the PC says my Android Marshmallow phone has
5.65GB used of 36.56GB, Android OS 3.47GB , Internal Storage 2.12GB used of 4.53GB, SD Card 55.38MB used of 28.56GB
Then with phone connected to PC I created a new folder on the phone called My Music then in My Music created MP3, then I went into my PC's music folder copied a folder called The Police and pasted that folder in the phone under MotoG3 > SD Card > Music > My Music > MP3
Then disconnected phone from PC and using Google Play on phone searched for a music player app called Power Amp free, (14 day free trial) selected Install and it is now on my phone playing music from the The Police mp3 files. So next I will try copy pasting iTunes folders with m4a music files to phone. All appears to be working ok so far and I do believe formatting the SD card as Internal Storage works and is the way to go. I went into the phone Settings and Apps and tapped on Power Amp to see if it had downloaded to the phone into Internal Storage or SD Card, and it's on the card so I didn't have to move it to the card from Internal. So yes when selecting Internal format for the SD card the new installs will go to the card.
---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------
OH, by the way, where you say a sd card formatted as Adopted Storage I said Internal Storage in my previous post, which means the same. Internal Storage = Adopted Storage although on the phone the Format Option just says either Portable or Internal

Adoptable storage, missing external SD card, double internal card in Windows

I can't seem to find this exact problem anywhere, so forgive me if its been posted somewhere already.
I used MoDaCo's method to enable adoptable storage quite some time ago. I partitioned my
SD card into 2 volumes and kept one as an external SD card and one for the adoptable storage.
Initially, when I would plug my phone into my Windows pc, it would recognize both an internal and external card. Now, it does not. I *think* the change may have happened around the same time I upgraded to nougat.
Currently the phone seems to recognize both partitions - in fact the camera defaults to putting new photos on the external partition. When I go to Settings> Device Maintenance > Storage it lists :
53.5GB / 64 GB for the internal and an "SD Card" with 12.6GB / 23.4 GB.
ES File Explorer lists:
Internal Storage - 19/34 GB
External Storage - 12/23 GB
However, when I plug it into my PC, it shows my device, i double click on my device and it shows 2 hard drives, both with the same size. And if you click on either, you access the exact same files - which are internal files.
Anyone have any idea how to fix this? I would really appreciate the help.
Thanks!
I have attached a couple of screenshots from the PC and the phone in case it helps clear up my less than clear explanation. Thanks again.
Since it looks like this is some odd twist of fate that has bitten me in the ass - I have a followup question. If I turn off my phone, remove the flash drive, and put it into a PC machine will everything be ok or will I wind up crying myself to sleep at night? In other words, since there are 2 partitions (the encrypted, adoptable storage one and the normal external sd card one), windows should ignore the encrypted and just see the external SD one right? If I do this, windows isn't going to freak at the encryption and jack something up is it? I would rather not have to reinstall all the apps I have on the card.
Thanks again in advance.

Micro SD card and increase internal storage?

Hello. I'm thinking to buy Micro SD card. Sandisk Extreme Pro. My idea is to increase internal storage. I know since Android v6.x is/was possible to move apps to sd card or make it as internal storage. I never tried and used this way on Samsung phone. So I have some questions. How or is it possible to use micro sd card as internal storage. How quick opening, rinning, working applications. And last question what is max video recording settings to work smoothly with micro sd card. Unfortunately Note 20 Ultra 128Gb storage not enought.
see
How do I use an SD card with my Galaxy device?
FAQ for Samsung mobile devices. Find more about ' How do I use an SD card with my Galaxy device?' with Samsung Support.
www.samsung.com
You should have plenty of room for a normal load...
You don't want to run apps from the SD card vs internal memory.
The bridge and memory of the SD card are much slower than internal.
It's purpose is as a data drive.
You want the SD card isolated from internal memory.
Move all critical data to the data drive. Put everything up need to do a factory reload here as well including copies of apps and backup settings. Back this drive up redundantly to at least 2 hdds that are physically and electronically isolated from each other!
The OS, apps, the temporary photo and download folders go on the internal memory. Keep this drive as small as possible.
Use a V30 or higher card, vids run fine from it. The Lexar .5tb V30 goes for about $75 and it's good to go out of the box. Format in phone before use.
This is how my 10+ is set up. Using about 60gb of the internal and 340gb of the card. It runs fast and stable.

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