I originally created this guide for Sony Xperia T/TL/TX/V and have since discovered that the method works for other devices, too. So I present the universal guide to getting rid of that annoyingly tiny allocation of space for internal storage in devices that have plenty of it.
Kudos to @teidus for pointing me to this long-forgotten method.
Screenshots of proof are attached to my original post.
WARNING: You will lose a lot of data if you don't follow this guide!
WARNING: These operations require a rooted device. If you are running unrooted Android 4.3 or newer, you cannot proceed.
NOTE: All of these changes will be reversed if you flash a factory image that contains a partition table.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not responsible for bricked devices and data loss from power surges, hardware damage, or changes to the linked software. Always check the native manuals for all the tools listed here!
I'm also not responsible for your curiosity and desire to resize other partitions. I haven't tried that because messing with /system and /cache can lead to unexpected results.
Requirements:
1. Your device must currently have root access, CMW recovery v6.0.4.6 or later, less than 50% allocated to internal storage, emulated SD card (usually, it's /storage/sdcard0), and at least 8GB of total onboard memory. If you answered "No" to at least one of these, this guide won't help you. To check whether you have an emulated SD card, remove your physical SD card, go into a file manager app, and see whether you still have some sdcard listed.
2. A factory image flashing software for your device unzipped and/or installed on your computer. Look in the relevant forums for downloads.
3. ADB from either Android SDK or your device's flashing tool. Look in the relevant forums for instructions.
4. For locked bootloaders, factory firmware image with Android v4.1.2 or v4.0.x saved on your computer (consult your flashing tool's manual for the default location) - nearly 100% of these have root exploits. Look in the relevant forums for downloads.
5. Root exploit with Superuser or SuperSU installer for your device unzipped on your computer. Look in the relevant forums for downloads.
6. CMW recovery installer v6.0.4.6 or later compatible with your device and the factory firmware version obtained in step 4 unzipped on your computer. Look in the relevant forums for downloads.
7. File system utilities (attached) unzipped to a folder on your device's physical SD card you'll remember (I'll be using /fs-utils in this guide).
8. For Windows 8 users, ADB drivers for your device.
The Guide (skip all the way to the bottom for the short list of ADB commands):
1. Back up all data stored on internal storage:
Option 1: Connect your device to the computer and save it to a computer drive.
Option 2: Open a file manager on the device and copy it to a physical SD card (/sdcard1).2. Back up your current installation with either Online Nandroid or your current recovery and remove the SD card for safety.
3. Flash your device with basic 4.1.2 install.
Refer to the documentation for your tool.4. Connect your device to the computer and let the computer recognize it.
5. Enable USB debugging.
5.1 Go to (System) Settings -> Developer options and flip the switch in the top-right corner of the screen.
5.2 Look a bit down (toward the middle of the screen) and check USB debugging.6. Root your device.
Refer to the documentation for your tool.7. Install recovery on your device.
Refer to the documentation for your tool.8. Boot into CMW recovery.
Depending on the device, reboot into recovery may be available in the power menu, or you'll need to press/hold a button during the power on sequence. Refer to the documentation for your recovery.9. After the device boots into recovery, connect it to the computer.
10. Start ADB shell in command prompt.
Navigate to the folder where adb.exe resides, hold SHIFT, right click the mouse, and select Open command window here, then type adb shell in the command prompt and press ENTER.11. Execute the following commands one-by-one (you can copy & paste, hit enter, and wait for the output):
Code:
umount /storage
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
print
These commands unmount all drives, launch parted utility for mmcblk0 (onboard flash storage), and display the partition table on your screen.12. Write down the info from the following columns for partitions Userdata and SDCard (or Media). Usually, they are the last 2 partitions.
Column 1 - Number, Column 2 - Start, Column 3 - End, Column 5 - File system, Column 6 - Name. The start of the first partition and the end of the second partition are the limits, within which your new partitions will be created. The numbers are in megabytes (MB) unless specified. Make sure the name is recorded just as it appears in the partition table - Andorid is case-sensitive.13. Remove the 2 partitions by executing the following commands:
Adjust the numbers according to your system.
Code:
rm 14
rm 15
14. Calculate the new start and end point for both partitions.
For the first partition, the start point will be the same. For the second partition, the end point will be the same. The end point of the first partition is the start point of the second partition.
Take the end number for the first partition you recorded in step 12, add more space to get the new end. Alternatively, if your first partition is actually the emulated storage, subtract the reallocated space to get the new end point. I advise to add at least 2GB (2048MB) to Userdata feel safe about having enough storage for apps. DON'T TRY TO REMOVE EMULATED STORAGE ALTOGETHER BY ALLOCATING ALL OF THE AVAILABLE SPACE TO USERDATA! Emulated storage is coded into OS environment and requires additional modifications to work properly.15. Create and name new partitions by executing the following commands (don't copy the text in parentheses):
The system might throw several errors in the process. When prompted, just type ignore and hit ENTER.
Code:
mkpartfs logical ext2 OLD_START NEW_END (change ext2 to fat32 if the first partition had that file system)
name 14 Userdata (change the number and the name according to your environment)
mkpartfs logical ext2 NEW_START OLD_END (change ext2 to fat32 if the second partition had that file system; make sure to include GB as the designation of the end point in order to stretch the partition to the end of the onboard storage)
name 15 SDCard (change the number and the name according to your environment)
quit
These commands create the partitions with ext2 file system and given beginning and end parameters, rename them as required, and close parted.16. "Damage" the internal, emulated SD card so that it could be formatted properly later. REMOVE YOUR PHYSICAL SD CARD BEFORE THIS STEP TO AVOID WIPING THE WRONG CARD!!!
Tap Mounts and storage -> Format /storage/sdcard0 -> default and confirm the operation.17. Insert the physical SD card (sdcard1) that you removed in step 2 back into the device.
Make sure it's mounted by going to Mounts and storage and checking its status (it should say unmount /storage/sdcard1/). If not, mount it by executing on the appropriate option.18. Execute the following commands one-by-one in the ADB command prompt:
Code:
cd /storage/sdcard1/fs-utils (the directory name will be different if you didn't follow my conventions)
tune2fs -j /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment - that's the partition that need to have file system ext4 - refer to your notes from step 12)
tune2fs -O extents,uninit_bg,dir_index /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
e2fsck -fpDC0 /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
These commands convert Userdata partition into the appropriate ext4 filesystem, which is not supported natively in the recovery environment. If you receive any errors while executing these commands, reboot recovery.19. Reboot the device into full Android.
19.1 Remove the physical SD card for safety.
19.2 Go to the top menu level of recovery. Then select the top option Reboot the device.20. When Android loads fully, you'll notice a notification about storage file system. Tap it and follow the prompts to format it.
21. Insert the physical SD card and reboot into the recovery to restore the backup from step 2.
Backup and Restore -> Restore from /storage/sdcard1.22. Reboot back into full Android and copy the files saved from internal storage back into it. Then reboot again so that apps recognize the data.
DONE!
Short guide/list of ADB commands and other events (*enclosed in asterisks*) if you know the safety drill & bash-based parted utility:
Code:
*flash 4.1.2 & install recovery*
*boot recovery*
adb shell
umount /storage
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
print
*record start point of Userdata and end point of SDCard*
rm 15 (change the number according to your environment)
rm 14 (change the number according to your environment)
mkpartfs logical ext2 1621 7865 (change the numbers according to your environment)
name 14 Userdata (change the number and the name according to your environment)
mkpartfs logical ext2 7865 15.6GB (change the numbers according to your environment)
name 15 SDCard (change the number and the name according to your environment)
*remove physical SD card*
*Mounts and storage -> Format /storage/sdcard0 -> default -> confirm*
*insert physical SD card*
*Mounts and storage -> Mount /storage/sdcard1*
cd /storage/sdcard1/fs-utils
tune2fs -j /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
tune2fs -O extents,uninit_bg,dir_index /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
e2fsck -fpDC0 /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
*remove physical SD card*
*reboot*
*format emulated SD card*
*reboot recovery*
*restore backup*
*reboot*
*restore sdcard0/*
*reboot*
FAQ
Will it work with Android 4.2/4.3/4.4 or an older version of recovery?
So far I have tested with the versions mentioned in the guide. You can test whether this method will work for your setup without jeopardizing any data by completing step 7 of requirements and executing the following commands in ADB shell after booting into your recovery:
Code:
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
print *wait for output*
quit
cd /storage/sdcard1 *change if your physical sdcard is sdcard0*
tune2fs *no parameters*
e2fsck *no parameters*
No errors indicate the method works for you. Please make sure to tell me about your setup in the comments - I'll update the compatibility list.
Tested devices
Did it work on your device or did you fail? Leave a comment and I'll update the list!
Barnes & Noble
- Nook Tablet 16GB
Sony
- Xperia T/TL/TX
Links to tools and recoveries
Reserved
Sorry for bumping an old thread, but is there any way to remove the emulated SD card ? Or, at least point the physical SD Card as the primary SD Card.
I have searched everywhere but I can't seem to do it. If you know a way, it will help a LOT of people, because a lot of people have this problem and the solutions is not working. I tried to use the app from playstore, didn't work. Tried to find vold.fstab, no vold.fstab available in CM11. My device is XIaomi Redmi 1s running CM11.
derpotato said:
Sorry for bumping an old thread, but is there any way to remove the emulated SD card ? Or, at least point the physical SD Card as the primary SD Card.
I have searched everywhere but I can't seem to do it. If you know a way, it will help a LOT of people, because a lot of people have this problem and the solutions is not working. I tried to use the app from playstore, didn't work. Tried to find vold.fstab, no vold.fstab available in CM11. My device is XIaomi Redmi 1s running CM11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I could understand in Xperia environment settings, "internal storage" is a required location for OS. I think it's possible to emulate that access on an SD card but it would require decompiling and recompiling environment data or something else with a high risk of failing since you'd need to modify the OS instead of just the partition table.
bsined said:
As far as I could understand in Xperia environment settings, "internal storage" is a required location for OS. I think it's possible to emulate that access on an SD card but it would require decompiling and recompiling environment data or something else with a high risk of failing since you'd need to modify the OS instead of just the partition table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I see.. that's too bad. Well, thanks for the information
ignore this
does this method work on Xperia ZR stock 4.4.4 with NUT's dual recovery installed?
in the step where phone has to be booted in recovery mode n connected to pc via USB, nothing happens as I connect. when I type adb shell, error message returns as device not found.
Is there any work around or guide for this?
sourabhp said:
does this method work on Xperia ZR stock 4.4.4 with NUT's dual recovery installed?
in the step where phone has to be booted in recovery mode n connected to pc via USB, nothing happens as I connect. when I type adb shell, error message returns as device not found.
Is there any work around or guide for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there are separate drivers for ADB to work in recovery mode. Sorry that I forgot about them and I'm not sure whether they're included with FlashTool. My best suggestion is to search the forums.
bsined said:
I think there are separate drivers for ADB to work in recovery mode. Sorry that I forgot about them and I'm not sure whether they're included with FlashTool. My best suggestion is to search the forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I searched with google for ADB drivers in recovery mode and found one but even after that device was not detected in recovery mode.
I tried uninstalling and re-installing drivers but no luck. may be need more research
bsined said:
Code:
cd /storage/sdcard1/fs-utils (the directory name will be different if you didn't follow my conventions)
tune2fs -j /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment - that's the partition that need to have file system ext4 - refer to your notes from step 12)
tune2fs -O extents,uninit_bg,dir_index /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
e2fsck -fpDC0 /dev/block/mmcblk0p14 (change the number in mmcblk0pXX according to your environment)
These commands convert Userdata partition into the appropriate ext4 filesystem, which is not supported natively in the recovery environment. If you receive any errors while executing these commands, reboot recovery.[/code][/hide]
[/size]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx bro. I have successfully partitioned my device (Xperia L).
But when I checked the file system, it is ext3 not ext4.
Still my device is running well.
Will it effect the performance of my device?
Is it possible using this method to shirk down the size of SYSTEM partition too?
Any extra caution need to take k?
jjiiaa said:
Is it possible using this method to shirk down the size of SYSTEM partition too?
Any extra caution need to take k?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, SYSTEM partition isn't that big - less than 1GB, so you won't gain much from shrinking it. Secondly, I'm not sure where recovery is written. You're risking bricking your phone. Lastly, if you shrink the partition too tightly, you'll effectively remove the ability to upgrade your device's firmware because all ROMs have various sizes.
I have installed Bliss Pop Lollipop 5.0.2 ROM on my Xperia L, will this make any difference? Should this work?
israfild said:
I have installed Bliss Pop Lollipop 5.0.2 ROM on my Xperia L, will this make any difference? Should this work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Android 4.4+ utilizes the entire internal storage as a single block, so the guide is pointless. If that's not the case on your device and you're willing to be the guinea pig, please do attempt the repartitioning and report on the results.
Sent from my LT30p using XDA Free mobile app
@bsined i follow the steps but now i stay with a corrupt table and ia cant start my phone XPERIA L i follow the step i dont know what i did bad can you help me?
zero995 said:
@bsined i follow the steps but now i stay with a corrupt table and ia cant start my phone XPERIA L i follow the step i dont know what i did bad can you help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just double-checking that you had downgraded to 4.1 before resizing. You should be able to recover your device by flashing any FTF with Flashtool.
i try with 4.1 and 4.2.2 by ftf but no my phone doesnt start now i'm tired i got leave that perhaps i'm gonna buy a new phone pfff :c
zero995 said:
i try with 4.1 and 4.2.2 by ftf but no my phone doesnt start now i'm tired i got leave that perhaps i'm gonna buy a new phone pfff :c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the phone doesn't start at all, that doesn't sound like it's related to partition tables. If the screen, the vibrator, and the LED turn on, the phone is in a soft brick and should be recoverable. You should ask in the FTF threads if you get any errors in flashtool.
I just got my first Android Device (Moto E) and tried to get around the small internal memory by using the sdcard instead of the internal memory for /data. As the KitKat mounting procedure does not seem to be based on vold.fstab anymore, the usual guides to doing that don't apply.
So my idea was to format the sdcard with ext4 and modify the /fstab.qcom file to mount the sdcard as /data instead of the internal data partition. But here's where I don't know how to proceed, as adb shell don't seem to have access to the proper partition during flashboot (though having mounted the rootfs parition which should contain those files?) and is unable to write to the file once the system is running.
I'd appreciate if anyone can point me in the right direction on how to do that.
lunaticat said:
I just got my first Android Device (Moto E) and tried to get around the small internal memory by using the sdcard instead of the internal memory for /data. As the KitKat mounting procedure does not seem to be based on vold.fstab anymore, the usual guides to doing that don't apply.
So my idea was to format the sdcard with ext4 and modify the /fstab.qcom file to mount the sdcard as /data instead of the internal data partition. But here's where I don't know how to proceed, as adb shell don't seem to have access to the proper partition during flashboot (though having mounted the rootfs parition which should contain those files?) and is unable to write to the file once the system is running.
I'd appreciate if anyone can point me in the right direction on how to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little late in the game (I am trying to do the same), but I come across this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443994
boot partition populates the rootfs. So hack the boot.img (unpack to analyze), and you may find your answer. Hope this helps.
I will give it a shot in the next week.
This is a very annoying issue but I have not found any thread about it.
I'm trying to upgrade my external/removable sdcard for an android 6 device.
The new sdcard gets mounted to /mnt/media_rw/XXXX-XXXX (i.e. not 0123-4567), so no app works as files can't be found.
The linux way (ln) wont work. Simply creating /mnt/media/0123-4567 causes bad bootloop on my device. This suggests that FolderMount app or Magisk modules such as fbind are a bad idea. selinux is enforcing.
It appears that Android assigns different mount points are to different sdcards and the first sdcard always gets 0123-4567. It that's right, Android probably stores sdcards' identifiers so as to know which mount point to use at boot time. So, deleting the identifiers database would probably mean that the next card inserted would get 0123-4567 as mount point.
I have looked at the data of com.android.externalstorage, but there is nothing there. I don't see other obvious candidate apps.
Where is this ext sdcard data stored?
I was wrong. Android sets mount points matching sdcard uuid
How to change vfat partition UUID?
How do I change the UUID of a vfat partition? For ext2 / ext3 / ext4, this is done with a simple: tune2fs -U <new-uuid> /dev/<partition> Is there a similar command for vfat partitions?
superuser.com
I have 16GB phone and wanted to do a full backup but it's size is 11768MB which I think should be more, look at the calculation:
it's 16GB phone (in decimal) which in binary is 14.9GB. (16000/1074) so main internal storage in digital computation is 14.9GB.
my system partition+data partition (shown in TWRP backup) are 11768MB. (9500 /data and rest is /system)
my internal storage: 868MB free + 1.36GB used (=2228MB)
all other partitions are 167MB (excluding data and system and sdcard)
so far it's 11768+2228+167=14,163MB
but my whole internal storage is 14,900MB and now whole things on my phone is 14,163MB, so where is that 737MB?
also apps cache and system cache are almost nothing and dalvik cache is 629MB (which I think is included in TWRP's /data calculation)
do you have any idea of missing 737MB? does TWRP exclude anything or am I wrong?
TWRP saves only those partitions that may change due to flashing custom ROM.
An example is the vendor partition.
ze7zez said:
TWRP saves only those partitions that may change due to flashing custom ROM.
An example is the vendor partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I know and I calculated whole partitions and SDCARD and TWRP system and data and free storage and everything but the size isn't same as device internal storage space (you can look at my calculation above)
If you want you can always save a disk and not the partitions.
You won't be able to flash it with fastboot (I don't think), but if you have EDL or its equivalent you can.
Renate said:
If you want you can always save a disk and not the partitions.
You won't be able to flash it with fastboot (I don't think), but if you have EDL or its equivalent you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not about backing up, it's mostly because of my curiosity that why when I have root and calculated whole stuff (partitions) plus cache plus free space, altogether they don't fit my internal disk space (14.9GB) and are 737MB less!!! can you test it on your phone and see what will be the result.
I really have no idea what we are discussing.
Code:
Poke3:/ # dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0 of=/dev/null
61071360+0 records in
61071360+0 records out
31268536320 bytes (29 G) copied, 209.698476 s, 142 M/s
I don't use TWRP.