Develop Bugs

[Q] Any uses for /system folder? (Rooted Phone)

I've a strange question that might or might belong in the development thread, but figured since it's a question, I'll try here first.
I'm using a Stock DeOxed Rooted Rom on my EVO.
I recently installed a few more apps and saw this pesky little warning about low on space.
When I went into my "SystemPanel" app to see how much space was left exactly and noticed that my /data folder only had around 30megs out of it's 428M available.
Ok.. time to delete some apps I thought, but then I noticed that my /system folder (Where I presume pre-installed apps live) had almost 1/3 of it's space still available (115 out of 350megs available).
So I'm wondering.....
Is there some method that I can use to install Apps directly to this folder instead of the standard /data that apps appear to go to when installed?
Is it as simple as moving the APK file with Root Explorer, or are there some under the hood items in apps that prevent this sort of thing?
I've a few rather large apps that I cannot move to the SD card due to widget problems and the like but would be perfect for the system folder if I can find a way to move them there easily.
Thoughts?

DroidGnome said:
I've a strange question that might or might belong in the development thread, but figured since it's a question, I'll try here first.
I'm using a Stock DeOxed Rooted Rom on my EVO.
I recently installed a few more apps and saw this pesky little warning about low on space.
When I went into my "SystemPanel" app to see how much space was left exactly and noticed that my /data folder only had around 30megs out of it's 428M available.
Ok.. time to delete some apps I thought, but then I noticed that my /system folder (Where I presume pre-installed apps live) had almost 1/3 of it's space still available (115 out of 350megs available).
So I'm wondering.....
Is there some method that I can use to install Apps directly to this folder instead of the standard /data that apps appear to go to when installed?
Is it as simple as moving the APK file with Root Explorer, or are there some under the hood items in apps that prevent this sort of thing?
I've a few rather large apps that I cannot move to the SD card due to widget problems and the like but would be perfect for the system folder if I can find a way to move them there easily.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/system/app is where system apps are kept. If I remember correctly, any app can be installed into there, but you have to do through flashing an update.zip if I'm remembering properly. You may be able to take the apk that's in /data/app for the app you want to move and move it to /system/app, but I'm not sure if that will work properly or not. Someone who cooks ROMs might know more.
Also, you can partition your sd card and use true apps2sd with most ROMs. Its a little bit of work and will shorten the life of your card, but that gives you a lot more room if you need it.

I don't know that there's a way to move user apps to system. It's very possible there is a way, I've just never seen any posts about it. Apps 2 SD is usually the way to go.
ps. 30 megs?!?! Geez, how many apps do you have?
Sent from my SUPERSONIC

Easy peasy
First, use a true apk backup tool to backup e apk files you want to move. Titanium backup will NOT work because it compresses and distorts, and we need true apk files. I recommend file manager by adao team. Just go to applications, check what you want, and hit backup. Next, get the apk files on your computer by mounting sd and copying files from backups folder. You will lose all app data, but what can you do? Next, adb push the files to system app folder while in recovery mode (just say so if you don't know how to do this and i will tell you) and reboot. Done. Tell me if it works well.
By the way, 30 megs???

Doesn't froyo install to the sdcard if you tell it to?
I thought a2sd was obsolete

You can put apps there after changing the folder's permissions but I wouldn't recommend it. Just not a good idea to put regular apps there.
Just install them to your SD card instead
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

go into the android app manager and go through all your programs and click on move to sd card...
they will all still occupy some space on your nand, but not nearly as much.

Thanks for the advice, I thought it might not be as easy as moving them, oh well, just seems a shame for there to be over 100 megs I cannot do anything with.
I already had moved all I could to the SD card prior to posting this, but thanks for that advice as well, I'm sure others forget they can do that with Froyo.
As for the 30 megs I had left.. we'll it's back up to about 70 free which should be plenty for a while. (Remember we only have about 420 to start with).
Some of the big ones which could not be moved to the SD card are:
Swype (Deleted, took over 17megs)
TouchDown (12 megs.. must keep for tasks sync sadly)
Google Maps update (7.6 megs)
Documents to go (8megs)
A few various games that cannot yet be moved to the SD card at around 5megs each..
The rest are just lots of little apps.. I'm sort of an app junkie You should have seen my old Palm Centro... it was amazing!
According to Titanium, I currently have 194 'User apps', though I think a few are simply widgets, icon packs and the like.

App data to external card

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering if there still is no way of moving the app data to the external sd card?
I am especially interested in the games data, because i've got tons of games, and obviously cannot play all of them because of the storage issue.
I know about the gl to sd app, but I was wondering if there is another way of doing this, as after using this app, you need to launch the game from the app.
Also is there a beta version of some sort of the app2sd app that might work on the S3?
Thanks!

yeah
dont have any way to move app to external card?

Here you go: [TOOL] DirectoryBind - move data to external_sd (GameLoft, Shadowgun etc.) ROOT req.
Runs very well with my S3 and the 64GB sd-card. You are able to move every directory you want to the external sd-card and mount it to the internal sd-card.
- I just do not use the "Transfer files from target to data" and have moved the files manual by myself before I make a directory bind.
- At second I have to activate "Alternate dbase mgmt" and "Persistent service" (under preferences) to have the bindings after a reboot.
- you can make a backup of your bindings e.g. if you want to flash a new rom (under "options" - "backup database")
I use the version 0.2.0o

hurray said:
Here you go: [TOOL] DirectoryBind - move data to external_sd (GameLoft, Shadowgun etc.) ROOT req.
Runs very well with my S3 and the 64GB sd-card. You are able to move every directory you want to the external sd-card and mount it to the internal sd-card.
- I just do not use the "Transfer files from target to data" and have moved the files manual by myself before I make a directory bind.
- At second I have to activate "Alternate dbase mgmt" and "Persistent service" (under preferences) to have the bindings after a reboot.
- you can make a backup of your bindings e.g. if you want to flash a new rom (under "options" - "backup database")
I use the version 0.2.0o
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to make this thing work, but not really succeeding; here's what I did:
> First time I tried one game by using the "Transfer files from target to data":
- I long tapped the first field, the source, and selected an empty folder on the external sd card
- I then long pressed the second field, the target, and selected the folder on the sdcard containing the game data
- Then ticked the "Transfer files from target to data" option and taped the Add button; then waited for the operation to complete
- Afterwards, runed the game, but it prompted me to download the data.
> After this method failing, I tried to transfer the files manually, with another game:
- Created a new folder on the external card and moved the game data manually there
- In the app, I selected the target and the source directory respectively, left the "Transfer files from target to data" option un-ticked and taped the Add button; waited for the operation to complete again
- Then I runed the other game and the same problem.
Please note that I ticked the "Bind on boot", "Alternate dbase mgmt" and the "Persistent service" options in the app preferences and tried restarting the phone and checked the games again, with no luck.
Could someone please point the mistake in what I did?
Thanks!
EDIT: nevermind, I did not taped the icon before the bind so it will turn green.
Now it works!
weepeey!
Thanks for that!

this program can do that too without root, but it's only for gameloft games
http://www.filestube.com/6osJgxhiKD...ch-APK-for-Samsung-by-Duero-include-Java.html

b0gd4n said:
Hi everyone,
I was just wondering if there still is no way of moving the app data to the external sd card?
I am especially interested in the games data, because i've got tons of games, and obviously cannot play all of them because of the storage issue.
I know about the gl to sd app, but I was wondering if there is another way of doing this, as after using this app, you need to launch the game from the app.
Also is there a beta version of some sort of the app2sd app that might work on the S3?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u r rooted then i highly recommend using "gl to sd" from play store n thr great thing is that it is free. I myself use this n this works for all games... provided that u r rooted... worth having a go
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

aneeqkhan said:
If u r rooted then i highly recommend using "gl to sd" from play store n thr great thing is that it is free. I myself use this n this works for all games... provided that u r rooted... worth having a go
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used that, but it is really annoying that you have to launch the game from within gl to sd.
The Directory Bind app works very well, and you can set the bind at boot so no worries about having to set everything up every time.
Thanks anyway!

Try "super mount" from lidroid.u can find it in market.

zodiaxe66 said:
Try "super mount" from lidroid.u can find it in market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me how to use it ?
On google play it says that i9300 is supported.
I created a new dir on extSd: "lidroid". After starting app, and hitting "mount SD card" it says Mount error
Does it require root ?

i tried using app2sd pro to transfer some to my external sd, but when i used it, the transfer button is no where to be found. any idea??? btw, my s3 is already rooted

reyes_todd22 said:
i tried using app2sd pro to transfer some to my external sd, but when i used it, the transfer button is no where to be found. any idea??? btw, my s3 is already rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting does not bring back the apps 2 sd function. I recommend directory bind, mentioned earlier
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...SwxLDIxMiwiaXQuY3JvY2Npby5zd2l0Y2htZW1vcnkiXQ..
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

I have just installed and tested DirectoryBind on my S3, I actually transferred GTA3 data files from the internal to my external SD, works fine, rebooted my mobile and tested the game again, worked fine too. Very happy with this app...

I think that it is a little bit uncomfortable to launch apps from GL to SD(root), however, the developer is working very hard on the app which is great for our SGS3, recently we got an update for 64 SD cards and misc, i wil put my prayers on this man for having a completely app that resolves the anoying emulated storage for our loved SGS3 :fingers-crossed:
for me, this is the best.

App2SD now working on S3!

I just received an e-mail from Zeedomax over at GalaxyS3Root.com with a fix for the App2SD problem on the Galaxy S3!
This will allow you to install apps to your SD card on your GS3.
I just picked up a 64gb SD card and will be enjoying all the extra space for my apps!
Here is the link: http://galaxys3root.com/galaxy-s3-t...-external-microsd-for-u-s-canadian-galaxy-s3/
Much credit goes out to Max for his awesome help on Android!
*Note, this does not use the "App2SD" app, it is just a mod that will swap where your phone stores data

Should we wipe and reinstall apps in order to take advantage?

I think that you can uninstall and then restore with Titanium Backup.

How's the performance with using the SD as the main memory?
I'm planning on using my 32gb class 10 sandisk.
feedbacks?

I didn't use it for very long because I still have room with the 16 gb that came on my phone. But when I did, it worked fine for me. I have a class 10 sdxd. If you don't like it though, it's super simple to switch back.

There thread in s3 development already??
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

Thanks op this works well
from a galaxy, far, far away.

iomega311 said:
I just received an e-mail from Zeedomax over at GalaxyS3Root.com with a fix for the App2SD problem on the Galaxy S3!
This will allow you to install apps to your SD card on your GS3.
I just picked up a 64gb SD card and will be enjoying all the extra space for my apps!
Here is the link: http://galaxys3root.com/galaxy-s3-t...-external-microsd-for-u-s-canadian-galaxy-s3/
Much credit goes out to Max for his awesome help on Android!
*Note, this does not use the "App2SD" app, it is just a mod that will swap where your phone stores data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i recall this is old news now i believe bout 2 or 3 weeks now......that theyve had this already, under android developement section i believe in the second page, but this is still good for people that dont kow and still wanna find it.....only problem bout this is that their is a issue with some phones that when u install this it will swap the storage but ure internal desappears thus leaving u with just the external as a new internal, so u cant access ure real internal anymore due to the lack of support.
there is a way to fix this just follow the instructions here: give thanks to android94301 for figuring out how to do it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1849861&page=5
As Promised, Solved: another way to do it using Script Manager
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't invent this, Zedomax adapted in from mattiadj. But most people haven't been able to get it fully working, probably due to variations in the init.d function of various ROMS. They'd be able to see the External SD card as the internal SD, but the internal SD would disappear. This method avoids using init.d, and instead uses the app Script Manager to load the script on boot.
After much fooling around, I figured out how to do it so the External SD card and the internal cards are swapped, but you can see both with any file Explorer. I got it working on CleanROM 2.0, but it should work on Beans 10 as well.
Here's how to do it: Warning, if you do not understand the following instructions, or don’t have experience doing these things, you probably don’t want to do this hack. I am not responsible if you a) brick your phone, b) delete your data, or c) get very frustrated. That being said, the most likely failure will be that you only see the one card (the External card).
Back everything up that you care about first!!!!
1. First, I'd recommend making a Nandroid backup of your phone.
2. Next, just to be extra safe, I would backup your internal SD card to your PC. While you are doing that, if you have data on the external SD card, back that up too.
3. Next, I would format your external SD card to fat 32. (You could probably use Ext format too, but I didn’t test that.)If you already have it in that format, and have content on it, this won't affect the content, but back it up just to be safe. It’s probably better to have the Ext SD blank to begin with, you can always copy back its content from your pc.
4. Next copy the contents of the internal SD to the External SD card. This is to avoid confusion about apps and such.
5. Next install script manager free from the play store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...51bGwsMSwyLDNd
It will show up on your phone as S manager ads.
6. Download the mod from here: http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/G...EDOMAXv0.2.zip
7. You’ll see a folder called: 11extsd2internalsd_gs3_fat32orextfat_US_ZEDOMAXv0. 2.zip
You need to unzip the folder, then go to System/etc/init.d and copy the 11extsd2internalsd file from there to your phone. Put it into the /data directory. Use Root Explorer, and your phone will need to be rooted.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6305/SD C...0directory.png)
Or you can get just the 11extsd2internalsd file here: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6305/SD C...tsd2internalsd
8. Using Root Explorer, navigate to that file in the /data directory. Press and hold the file name until the menu pops up, and click on permissions.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6305/SD C...ermissions.png
(Unix geeks set them to 777, and everyone else copy the picture below. Click OK.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6305/SD C...ings 777.png
9. Open the script manager app, and select Browse as Root in the config screen. Tell it to remember this setting.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6305/SD C...and save.png
10. Navigate to the /data directory and choose the 11extsd2internalsd file that is located in /data and click on it. Click on the “Is script” button.
11. Now tap on the buttons that say Su, Boot, and Save. The file name will come up in yellow after the save.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6305/SD C...ter save.png
12. Reboot your phone and you should see the swap working and be able to access both internal and external SD cards. The external card will show up as sdcard, and the internal card will show up as extSDCard. Your apps should now install to the external card, since your phone will think it's the internal card. Is that confusing? It was to me too!
Good luck and please share your experiences specifying which ROM you used, so that others can avoid frustration.
Thank you’s always appreciated.

This is not working for me but thanks anyways

the dropbox links are not working... can someone specify what the setting is?
---------- Post added at 10:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 PM ----------
gotnoypi said:
the dropbox links are not working... can someone specify what the setting is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
never mind, clicking the other link above contains the working Dropbox link

So, would this also work for note2? I can't see any reason why it shouldn't.

manuarh said:
So, would this also work for note2? I can't see any reason why it shouldn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note 2 dont have init.d folder and etc is read only can create foldr or paste script

I can't set default storage!
I deleted the mode but when I want to dowload something from play store it said there isn't enough space!!
How can I bakc it???
An can I use this mod with Omega custom rom?

Anyone experiencing their s3 taking long time to charge after using this mod? Before this mod, my phone charge normally. Now it will take forever to go up 1 percent. It has been at 59% for 15min

I a made a Nandroid backup before teying anything. Then I flashed the file using recovery but now I get yhe error that I have insufficient space on my phone and O cant install anything. I restote the Nandroid backup but it is still giving me the ertot. please help!

Looks good to me!

Not working on virgin mobile galaxy s3.

[Q] moving apps and game data?

Just got a GT N7100 few days ago. rooted it. i have lots of games installed like max payne, gta3 etc. so all my storage is gone. i want to ask how do i move games and apps to external sd? can i backup game data which is everytime whopping over 1gb so that i do not need to download it again if i reinstall any game. is there any way to move gamedata to ext. sd?
and:victory: i just got idea if i do not uninstall game back but just backup gamedata and delete it from phone to free up memory and when i need app i just move back data to its original location which is usually android data, will it work.
i have 300 mb free space and now my phone doesnt allow me to install an app even less than 1mb of size..any idea......thanks in advance.......:good:

Moving to external sd has been asked and answered before. Here is one I replied to: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010235
"can i backup game data which is everytime whopping over 1gb so that i do not need to download it again if i reinstall any game"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No if you want to use the same files/folders on another phone. The game downloads files for your specs, not for other phones.
If its for your or another Note 2 then it might work if the game has not been updated since your backup. If it has been updated it might need the new files.

RE
what about if i do not uninstall game back but just backup gamedata and delete gamedata from phone to free up memory and when i need app i just move back data to its original location which is usually android data, will it work and yes i will be doing this on same phone.

That will probably work unless you open it by a mistake. Maybe not if it has the permission to run at startup. It could look for the files then, and not find any.
Both of the solutions i linked to works for me.
Directory Bind is most useful for me with this phone.
And then you don't have to wait for the copying every time you want to play a game.

re
can u shed some light on directory blind and how to use it?

I used this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1889550
Remember that apps with root access can do everything they want with your phone, including making it as usefull as a brick.
Don't use an app with root access until you think you understand a little of what it does, and you have read a few reviews/posts about it.
Be extra careful with root apps that are not in the Play store/Market. This is not. Why are they not there? Maybe because Google rejected it because it does bad things?
I wanted all of the data in the folder DirectoryBind on my external SD card. What you are supposed to do then (step 2 in that guide) is change the default data path to /mnt/extSdCard/DirectoryBind. I wrote /extSdCard/DirectoryBind because my Galaxy S II had a link to the microSD card there. The Note II does not, so the /mnt/ is important
Took me a while to realize what was wrong...

Thanks man .. DB did the job.....everything s now fine.

Startup soung stopped working?
hey man ! after installing DB startup tone doesnt work..any ideas?

The Samsung tone when you turn on the phone? I don't want that, so let me know if you find out what removed it.

How to make SD card writtable

Well, I need to make my SD card writtable, so I can move large apps and games to my SD card.. I found that topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2524277 , but it belongs to Moto mobile, so anyone tried it and found it working for HTC desire 816? I have root access btw...
And if I did that, will I be able to move large games completely to SD card?

Is your mobile rooted ? If so then install the exposed module and then download the sdcard access program. It should work.

vbrsekhar said:
Is your mobile rooted ? If so then install the exposed module and then download the sdcard access program. It should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I even install this module? Never heard of that thingy.. and what do you mean by SD card access program?

Sorry for the double post. I have already made SD card wrritable and it succeeded and afterwards, I downloaded Folder Mount and I can move apps and games to SD card without any single problem, but the main problem I find is as follows:-
Most of apps which are downloaded from store such as:- Facebook, chrome, YouTube, Subway, Minion Rushes etc have free folders in the "Android" folder, although when I was using Jelly Bean, I used to have to access to their files without a problem and I didn't find those folders empty..
I can currently move large games such as NFSMW, MC4 and such games because they aren't downloaded from playstore, but APK Mani, that's why I can get access to their data and OBB files, so any help?

Kabo22562 said:
Sorry for the double post. I have already made SD card wrritable and it succeeded and afterwards, I downloaded Folder Mount and I can move apps and games to SD card without any single problem, but the main problem I find is as follows:-
Most of apps which are downloaded from store such as:- Facebook, chrome, YouTube, Subway, Minion Rushes etc have free folders in the "Android" folder, although when I was using Jelly Bean, I used to have to access to their files without a problem and I didn't find those folders empty..
I can currently move large games such as NFSMW, MC4 and such games because they aren't downloaded from playstore, but APK Mani, that's why I can get access to their data and OBB files, so any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please tell me how did you get write access in memory.