[Q] SDCard write issue with 3rd party apps (0 byte files) - Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Questions & Answers

Issue:
When using Open Camera, ES File Explorer or Amaze file explorer files are created with zero bytes. i.e. Copying a file will create a 0 byte file or if file storage location set to the SDCard, the Open Camera app will fail to record video or take pictures.
Initially write operations on the SDCard did seem to work for a while (recorded one video before fail using Open Camera and copied files across without errors).
All operations are fine on internal memory.
There is no issue using the built-in file manager and camera apps. Will update as I check though other apps affected by this.
Setup:
The phone was on MIUI 9, then updated to the MIUI 10 OTA update (from beginning of Oct2018):
GLOBAL Version 10.0.1.0 (OEDMIFH)
Android 8.1.0 OPMI.171019.019
Kernel 4.4.78-pref-ge3e6edb
I then performed a factory reset from the boot recovery before installing everything from my previous phone. I didn't try MIUI 9 with an SDCard.
System Apps and Apps up to date.
I then started with the SDCard (128GB Class 10) cleanly formatted on PC, FAT32, and then when inserted into the phone formatted again. Looked for option to mount as Internal Storage, but noted that this isn’t available on this device (probably for the best), and no obvious option for encryption???
Troubleshooting:
Initially I thought, OK failed SDCard (this was before I found built-in apps worked OK). So I removed the card formatted it and checked using a test program to write/verify the whole card and it checked out OK. Still same issues back in the phone.
Next I pulled SDCard from another phone and tried that, and I get the very same issues. Thinking less likely it is a failed SDCard now, perhaps it is a hardware issue with the phone. Although it did write some files before.
After reading a few places, mention of an issue on MIUI 9 but this was fixed in later update. The steps don't match with anything in MIUI 10.
There is also mention of a bug with Android Orio which is similar, where apps need Storage permissions. Checked and I'd given the apps this permission and I had.
Following this, I tried the standard apps (Camera and File Manager) and discovered that these wrote files without errors (using the very same files which fail before/after on the other apps). Right so looking less like a hardware issue (hopefully!).
For ES Explorer, first time you write to the SDCard you have to select the SDCard root (“Please choose the root directory (XXXX-XXXX) of ext-SDCard…”). In this step, the SDCARD is referred to as BOOT and ES Explorer mounts it with the ID of SDCARD. The internal memory is mounted as /storage/emulated/0 and the SDCard as /storage/XXXX-XXXX/.
Additional testing with the apps, has shown that the data is actually written by ES Explorer since the 0 byte file shown in ES Explorer after a copy, is the correct size and opens from the standard file manager. This is further confirmed when performing a reboot or remount of the SDCard, ES Explorer then reads the file as it should… Any file copied/moved by the standard file manager is shown and works correctly, even from ES Explorer.
I get just the same behaviour with alternative file explorers such as Amaze. Also I think many of the other apps suffer from the same issue since they can't open the 0byte photo or video until there is a remount/reboot.
With regards to Open Camera, this has the option to Use Storage Access Framework, which I think I had to enable for it to select the SDCard for storage (otherwise I think it returned a “serious error” when a few seconds into recording). I suspect something similar is happening on this app, but perhaps not consistently. As mentioned before, the first time I noticed a problem was after it had recorded a video (which was fine) and the next one I recorded was 0 bytes. The fact that it recorded without complaining, in retrospect, suggests to me that it was only reporting 0 bytes for the file (and if I’d remounted the card I would have the video OK) – since it’d have to been writing the data somewhere.
So it may be that the issue isn't writing to the SDCard, but correctly reading the data afterwards without remounting the SDCard (or reboot).
I've noticed there is a new version of MIUI 10 released yesterday, so may pick that up to see if it magically solves things (nothing mentioned on change log).
Questions:
Anyone else experienced anything similar? Ans: Apparently yes, it is a "feature", aren't we lucky.
Am I missing some special setting? Ans: No.
Any thoughts on what the issue could be or if there is a fix? Ans: It can be fixed using root magisk.
Are your mount points similar/different? Ans: Guessing not and isn't related to the problem.
Did you do a factory reset after update (one possibility is that whatever made it work in MIUI 9 remained for most people if they didn't factory reset)? Ans: Not the cause of the problem.
Thanks
meltwater.

i thought i was the only one with zero bytes files. and when you transfer them back- all good

The only way I could find an alternative solution was to install "ExSDCard Access Enabler" module in magisk.
Then point the direction to /mnt/media-rw/XXXX-XXXX/* and you can carry on as usual.
But this only works for apps that allow you to enter or select a path where you can enter the directory path by typing or open a gui to browse to this directory.
Or a file manager such as Root explorer, just go back back back to / directory and go to /mnt and you'll find the folder from there.
Apps such as OpenCamera when selecting the save path you can manually either enter this path or choose to use the Android framework to go to this folder.
But if the app only has an option to "save to external sd card" it assumes the sdcard is mounted to /storage/XXXX-XXXX/* with write permissions.
A bit of a shame..but I don't use any apps that asks for this permission so I can live with it.
I like to mention that this behavior is the same on Treble roms too, Pie or Oreo.

dvijetrecine said:
i thought i was the only one with zero bytes files. and when you transfer them back- all good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, helps to know it isn't something terminal. Will update if I manage to get to the bottom of it.
SUPERUSER said:
The only way I could find an alternative solution was to install "ExSDCard Access Enabler" module in magisk.
Then point the direction to /mnt/media-rw/XXXX-XXXX/* and you can carry on as usual.
But this only works for apps that allow you to enter or select a path where you can enter the directory path by typing or open a gui to browse to this directory.
Or a file manager such as Root explorer, just go back back back to / directory and go to /mnt and you'll find the folder from there.
Apps such as OpenCamera when selecting the save path you can manually either enter this path or choose to use the Android framework to go to this folder.
But if the app only has an option to "save to external sd card" it assumes the sdcard is mounted to /storage/XXXX-XXXX/* with write permissions.
A bit of a shame..but I don't use any apps that asks for this permission so I can live with it.
I like to mention that this behavior is the same on Treble roms too, Pie or Oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, not come across it before, very odd behavior. Very glad I don't have to throw the card or return the phone.
I've seen magisk mentioned elsewhere, shall look into it. Does that require root? How easy is the Mi Max 3 to root? That sounds like that should be enough to make it work.
Also thanks for pointing out it is on other roms too, saves chasing down a fix through that. I assume then it does it on MIUI 9 too.
Thanks!

meltwater said:
Awesome, helps to know it isn't something terminal. Will update if I manage to get to the bottom of it.
Interesting, not come across it before, very odd behavior. Very glad I don't have to throw the card or return the phone.
I've seen magisk mentioned elsewhere, shall look into it. Does that require root? How easy is the Mi Max 3 to root? That sounds like that should be enough to make it work.
Also thanks for pointing out it is on other roms too, saves chasing down a fix through that. I assume then it does it on MIUI 9 too.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk is the new "supersu" standard when it comes to root.
So it is the root per say. Yes you need root. But you root your phone by installing Magisk, its kind of a multi-tool.
You need to unlock your bootloader, if not already unlocked if you bought it that way like I did from Tradingshenzhen.
It will say Unlocked on the bootloader mi splash screen when you turn the phone on if the bootloader is unlocked.
And then you need to properly flash TWRP. Other than that you can stay on stock rom and use Magisk
Magisk thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
ExSDCard Write Access Enabler module thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-exsdcard-write-access-enabler-t3670428
I see something I did not see before.
In the thread OP mentions:
Since the v3.3 ZIP version, a feature has been added especially for Oreo (Android 8) users, on this Android version, several special permissions can be used by any app.
For exemple, theses specials permissions are used to get access to reading logs, managing the power of the device.
If you want to use this special feature, you just have to follow theses easy steps:
- creating a simple file named "ExSDCard_Oreo_apps" in the module path, so: /sbin/.core/img/ExSDCard/ExSDCard_Oreo_apps (remove any extension).
- Write all the apps package names that require a special permissions, one by line, for exemple:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So with this you can apparently create custom rules for apps that don't support selecting the external SD card path.
Maybe you should look in to that and experiment

This bug happened across android 8.0 in various brand.
Since I familiars with ES File Explorer, I solved by root the phone, convert ES File Explorer into System app via Titanium Backup, then everything work perfectly fine. No more 0 bytes copy file.
ES File Explorer still work even I un-root my phone by uninstall Magisk.
If you're really not want to root your phone or any other reason. Just copy file that you want then restart your phone. Copied file will now become usable file.

My bootloader isn't unlocked and for now I'd rather avoid rooting my phone (may well do so later).
Good to know there are work-arounds, and that my device hardware is ok.
Will have an experiment and see if I can live with it until I have a go at rooting. Even if I do the temp fix of ES explorer.
Thanks for the info and tips.

Same **** for me. 1 year to solve this stupid bug and they dont have fix this **** yet
Say thanks to xiaomi[emoji108][emoji867]
Enviado desde mi MI MAX 3 mediante Tapatalk

Hmm i'm getting an SD card tomm for my Mix Max 3, i use the Asus File Manager. I wonder if that problem happnes with other file manager apps. Tried the Samsung Evo and another one and that 0byte bug there. No bueno.

Wmateria said:
Hmm i'm getting an SD card tomm for my Mix Max 3, i use the Asus File Manager. I wonder if that problem happnes with other file manager apps. Tried the Samsung Evo and another one and that 0byte bug there. No bueno.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, looks like it is a solid bug. For now, I'm living with it and use the space I have on internal memory to transfer data to before using a System file manager to transfer to SDcard.
Been trying some app development and now found the "Install via USB" bug.
Again can work around it, but it does spoil debugging with Android Studio.
There are certainly some odd bugs on this phone, I suspect down to Xiaomi going "off plan".

meltwater said:
Issue:
When using Open Camera, ES File Explorer or Amaze file explorer files are created with zero bytes. i.e. Copying a file will create a 0 byte file or if file storage location set to the SDCard, the Open Camera app will fail to record video or take pictures.
Initially write operations on the SDCard did seem to work for a while (recorded one video before fail using Open Camera and copied files across without errors).
All operations are fine on internal memory.
There is no issue using the built-in file manager and camera apps. Will update as I check though other apps affected by this.
Setup:
The phone was on MIUI 9, then updated to the MIUI 10 OTA update (from beginning of Oct2018):
GLOBAL Version 10.0.1.0 (OEDMIFH)
Android 8.1.0 OPMI.171019.019
Kernel 4.4.78-pref-ge3e6edb
I then performed a factory reset from the boot recovery before installing everything from my previous phone. I didn't try MIUI 9 with an SDCard.
System Apps and Apps up to date.
I then started with the SDCard (128GB Class 10) cleanly formatted on PC, FAT32, and then when inserted into the phone formatted again. Looked for option to mount as Internal Storage, but noted that this isn’t available on this device (probably for the best), and no obvious option for encryption???
Troubleshooting:
Initially I thought, OK failed SDCard (this was before I found built-in apps worked OK). So I removed the card formatted it and checked using a test program to write/verify the whole card and it checked out OK. Still same issues back in the phone.
Next I pulled SDCard from another phone and tried that, and I get the very same issues. Thinking less likely it is a failed SDCard now, perhaps it is a hardware issue with the phone. Although it did write some files before.
After reading a few places, mention of an issue on MIUI 9 but this was fixed in later update. The steps don't match with anything in MIUI 10.
There is also mention of a bug with Android Orio which is similar, where apps need Storage permissions. Checked and I'd given the apps this permission and I had.
Following this, I tried the standard apps (Camera and File Manager) and discovered that these wrote files without errors (using the very same files which fail before/after on the other apps). Right so looking less like a hardware issue (hopefully!).
For ES Explorer, first time you write to the SDCard you have to select the SDCard root (“Please choose the root directory (XXXX-XXXX) of ext-SDCard…”). In this step, the SDCARD is referred to as BOOT and ES Explorer mounts it with the ID of SDCARD. The internal memory is mounted as /storage/emulated/0 and the SDCard as /storage/XXXX-XXXX/.
Additional testing with the apps, has shown that the data is actually written by ES Explorer since the 0 byte file shown in ES Explorer after a copy, is the correct size and opens from the standard file manager. This is further confirmed when performing a reboot or remount of the SDCard, ES Explorer then reads the file as it should… Any file copied/moved by the standard file manager is shown and works correctly, even from ES Explorer.
I get just the same behaviour with alternative file explorers such as Amaze. Also I think many of the other apps suffer from the same issue since they can't open the 0byte photo or video until there is a remount/reboot.
With regards to Open Camera, this has the option to Use Storage Access Framework, which I think I had to enable for it to select the SDCard for storage (otherwise I think it returned a “serious error” when a few seconds into recording). I suspect something similar is happening on this app, but perhaps not consistently. As mentioned before, the first time I noticed a problem was after it had recorded a video (which was fine) and the next one I recorded was 0 bytes. The fact that it recorded without complaining, in retrospect, suggests to me that it was only reporting 0 bytes for the file (and if I’d remounted the card I would have the video OK) – since it’d have to been writing the data somewhere.
So it may be that the issue isn't writing to the SDCard, but correctly reading the data afterwards without remounting the SDCard (or reboot).
I've noticed there is a new version of MIUI 10 released yesterday, so may pick that up to see if it magically solves things (nothing mentioned on change log).
Questions:
Anyone else experienced anything similar?
Am I missing some special setting?
Any thoughts on what the issue could be or if there is a fix?
Are your mount points simlar/different?
Did you do a factory reset after update (one possibility is that whatever made it work in MIUI 9 remained for most people if they didn't factory reset)?
Thanks
meltwater.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need for this post. erased.

I want know why xiaomi dont fix this ****?
Think that mi max 3 will die with this bug. Never buy a xiaomi phone more

jorgeepelos said:
I want know why xiaomi dont fix this ****?
Think that mi max 3 will die with this bug. Never buy a xiaomi phone more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a Mi Mix 2S

Wmateria said:
Get a Mi Mix 2S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone with 3 month since release and they dont solve bugs and i have to buy more expensive phones?
All xiaomi phones its ****, policies, comunity,software and bugs that the dont solve
And People like you its the problem=sh it comunity guys that likes get fuked the ass by xiaomi[emoji108][emoji6]
Enviado desde mi MI MAX 3 mediante Tapatalk

jorgeepelos said:
Phone with 3 month since release and they dont solve bugs and i have to buy more expensive phones?
All xiaomi phones its ****, policies, comunity,software and bugs that the dont solve
And People like you its the problem=sh it comunity guys that likes get fuked the ass by xiaomi[emoji108][emoji6]
Enviado desde mi MI MAX 3 mediante Tapatalk[/QUOTE.
It's people like you who make the community bad when you out your hatred in the forums or is not knowledgeable enough because main post talks about THIRD PARTY FILE MANAGER APPS not 1ST PARTY Xiaomi File Manger APP and thinks it's the end of the world on here and the Xiaomi forums. And trust me there is plenty of you people around pushing Devs and OP here by complaining when other people already stated the fact many times on a thread, and trust me, I hardly take offense. "Read", it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Related

[Q] JB sdcard-sdcard0

hello,
I just installed JB ... And I notice that I have a problem with the camera, and taking screenshoots.
These appications work but do not record anything on the SD.
Looking to explore root I noticed that I have two SD slot (which are identical), the first directly to the root - SDcard - and second-SDcard0 him is in the Storage directory (which is at the root ) ....
What to do?
berurier1 said:
hello,
I just installed JB ... And I notice that I have a problem with the camera, and taking screenshoots.
These appications work but do not record anything on the SD.
Looking to explore root I noticed that I have two SD slot (which are identical), the first directly to the root - SDcard - and second-SDcard0 him is in the Storage directory (which is at the root ) ....
What to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read about it in another thread. Noticed that it also creates problems when installing zips from within ROM manager. It boots to recovery and then when it goes to find the zip that is supposed to be in sdcard, it cannot find it resulting in an error. If you boot into recovery, you can install zips from there. Havent needed to restore a backup but I am assuming if you do it right from within the ROM manager, it will create same issues.
I just noticed the same thing with thus sdcard0.
Edit: I found another post that said its harmless very weird.

[Q] Can only create folder through "My Files"?

I have rooted and have disabled most of the recommendations listed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/help/debloating-t2805503
I now find myself unable to create a folder (using ES or ASTRO) in any directory?
Very confused
Did you try and search first before posting a new thread ?????
This is one of a number of similar posts with solution.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2815237
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
UpInTheAir said:
Did you try and search first before posting a new thread ?????
This is one of a number of similar posts with solution.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2815237
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I don't think I was clear. This is not to my external sd card but to the actual storage on my device (or maybe that did happen for others)? I checked out that thread, downloaded the "SDFix: KitKat Writable MicroSD", rebooted and still does not work. I am attempting the wanam xposed fix but whenever I attempt to use the xposed installer, it can't extract (due too inability to write to disk). Is there a way to install xposed via odin?
Thank you for the response. I am new to rooting and Android in general, but I am trying!
lordnorth4 said:
Sorry I don't think I was clear. This is not to my external sd card but to the actual storage on my device (or maybe that did happen for others)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure on what your issue might be, but I just tried using ES File Explorer, and I could create a new folder in the SD0 (internal) directory, without issues. So perhaps try with another file manager like ES.
Freakstyler said:
Not sure on what your issue might be, but I just tried using ES File Explorer, and I could create a new folder in the SD0 (internal) directory, without issues. So perhaps try with another file manager like ES.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay update time. I attempted both Root Browser and ES File Explorer.. Root browser did the same thing as ASTRO, which was that after I attempted to create a folder/file clicked ok, the screen refreshed and viola- nothing. ES File Explorer did have the added benefit of apologizing saying: "Sorry, operation failed".
I attempted more drastic measures, as I am sure I was able to do this earlier on my device (through ASTRO). I backed up my current setup, and then restored the one I made directly after rooting. This had no apps disabled. Problem persisted. Restored to my current and problem still persisted.
I then attempted to use Samsung's "My Files" app, which was surprisingly capable of performing these operations. I don't know what options this leaves me. This is not just a problem with file browsers, as I was using AIDE and was incapable of creating a new project, so this is drastically affecting the use of my device. Does anyone have any suggestions?
EDIT
I have made sure ES File explorer has root permission, and yet it still will not create folder's/files. I have put in an sd card, and am able to write folders to that. A quick and uninformed internet search has lead me to believe that it is because the file system is inproperly mounted, but I have absolutely no idea if that is correct or how I caused that issue. I am further lost on how to go about fixing it.
Would a reflash using the original root method work?
Or perhaps a factory reset?
I just don't know enough.
END EDIT
Thanks for your replies and time, I really appreciate it.
same issue
lordnorth4 said:
Okay update time. I attempted both Root Browser and ES File Explorer.. Root browser did the same thing as ASTRO, which was that after I attempted to create a folder/file clicked ok, the screen refreshed and viola- nothing. ES File Explorer did have the added benefit of apologizing saying: "Sorry, operation failed".
I attempted more drastic measures, as I am sure I was able to do this earlier on my device (through ASTRO). I backed up my current setup, and then restored the one I made directly after rooting. This had no apps disabled. Problem persisted. Restored to my current and problem still persisted.
I then attempted to use Samsung's "My Files" app, which was surprisingly capable of performing these operations. I don't know what options this leaves me. This is not just a problem with file browsers, as I was using AIDE and was incapable of creating a new project, so this is drastically affecting the use of my device. Does anyone have any suggestions?
EDIT
I have made sure ES File explorer has root permission, and yet it still will not create folder's/files. I have put in an sd card, and am able to write folders to that. A quick and uninformed internet search has lead me to believe that it is because the file system is inproperly mounted, but I have absolutely no idea if that is correct or how I caused that issue. I am further lost on how to go about fixing it.
Would a reflash using the original root method work?
Or perhaps a factory reset?
I just don't know enough.
END EDIT
Thanks for your replies and time, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same exact issue. I can add folders through the Samsung My Files; the ES File explorer gives me 'Sorry, operation failed' also. I have reformatted, and re-rooted, but same issue.
Im no expert mind you, but i had this exact same issue, pretty sure its a kernel issue, specifically i think selinux and its two modes passive and enforce.........first i tried an app on the store thats suppose to change this mode upon reboot, before i realised newly installed apps were now also having issue with internal storage........anyways, long story short, i checked out the lone kernel in the dev thread, paraphrasing, selinux disabled, or some such, and bingo bango, everythings back the way it was
If you have recovery, might be worth backing up and flashing kernel, see if that works, report if it does for the benifit of others that might find themselves with internal storage issues
Edit
T700/T705 version
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/orig-development/kernel-skyhigh-tw-kernel-t2806563
"SELinux PERMISSIVE" - turns out kernel is permissive by default, not disabled
T800/T805 version
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...ent/kernel-skyhigh-tw-kernel-synapse-t2854933
Hopefully thats usefull
Yep. Just did a first TWRP backup and restored with my latest kernel flashed. No internal storage write issue. If you really want to know if it's SELinux or how I mount let me know and I can repack a stock kernel for private test. I do set the last line of my /sbin/SkyHigh.sh script as data rw, so probably that's it.
UpInTheAir said:
Yep. Just did a first TWRP backup and restored with my latest kernel flashed. No internal storage write issue. If you really want to know if it's SELinux or how I mount let me know and I can repack a stock kernel for private test. I do set the last line of my /sbin/SkyHigh.sh script as data rw, so probably that's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have the internal issue aswell?
So we have two probable culprits, selinux or a line in a script
Can you flash kernel one ontop of the other without negatives, so lets say you put two test versions here, one with the script change but selinux enforce, and your latest kernel at the moment, anyone in the future with this issue, who is willing to help could flash the first one and confirm if fixed and thus hopefully identify the issue specifically as the data r/w or not
On another note
Although i was having internal issues in android itself at the time, my twrp recovery file manager had no problems deleting/moving files.....maybe that might narrow down the issue, i dont know
banderos101 said:
Did you have the internal issue aswell?
So we have two probable culprits, selinux or a line in a script
Can you flash kernel one ontop of the other without negatives, so lets say you put two test versions here, one with the script change but selinux enforce, and your latest kernel at the moment, anyone in the future with this issue, who is willing to help could flash the first one and confirm if fixed and thus hopefully identify the issue specifically as the data r/w or not
On another note
Although i was having internal issues in android itself at the time, my twrp recovery file manager had no problems deleting/moving files.....maybe that might narrow down the issue, i dont know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I've never had the issue as I've used my own kernel from just about day one Hence restoring with TWRP hadn't been a problem the one time I just used it.
I have posted a couple of times asking if someone wants to do the flashing, I don't have the motivation and time to do it.
I will however respond to a PM if someone wishes to flash a modified re-packed stock kernel to test. They'll need to supply the stock boot.img from the firmware version they are currently using. If all is good, we can then post the results.
Or in the meantime, user SkyHigh kernel
UpInTheAir said:
No, I've never had the issue as I've used my own kernel from just about day one Hence restoring with TWRP hadn't been a problem the one time I just used it.
I have posted a couple of times asking if someone wants to do the flashing, I don't have the motivation and time to do it.
I will however respond to a PM if someone wishes to flash a modified re-packed stock kernel to test. They'll need to supply the stock boot.img from the firmware version they are currently using. If all is good, we can then post the results.
Or in the meantime, user SkyHigh kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks by the way, for your kernel, and its rescue of my device .........and not least of all, the work you've done with our devices:highfive:
So is this actually a bug or by design? Is it KK or Samsung's problem? Kinda stupid to lock us out of our own SD card but still allow us to install apps from unknown sources???
WTF?
flhthemi said:
So is this actually a bug or by design? Is it KK or Samsung's problem? Kinda stupid to lock us out of our own SD card but still allow us to install apps from unknown sources???
WTF?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You'll need to re-read the entire thread. Easy mistake.
The thread is about an issue with INTERNAL sdcard after TWRP recovery restore and a "solution".
flhthemi said:
So is this actually a bug or by design? Is it KK or Samsung's problem? Kinda stupid to lock us out of our own SD card but still allow us to install apps from unknown sources???
WTF?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked fine until i started rooting and flashing the recovery, pretty sure during that process something triggered this issue
UpInTheAir said:
No. You'll need to re-read the entire thread. Easy mistake.
The thread is about an issue with INTERNAL sdcard after TWRP recovery restore and a "solution".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, first post in the Samsung threads and I messed up. Now I have to find a proper thread to get an answer....
Just for future reference
This issue affects both internal AND external storage, if you just have an external issue and no internal, its likely you have a different issue, likely the changes brought about by kitkat, where there are other solutions elsewhere.......thats not to say you cant try a kernal thats known to have selinux as permissive and r/w script change though, might actually be another solution to the kitkat/external card issue?i dont know
So to clarify, this issue involves the INTERNAL storage too, which the other issue doesnt
banderos101 said:
Just for future reference
This issue affects both internal AND external storage, if you just have an external issue and no internal, its likely you have a different issue, likely the changes brought about by kitkat, where there are other solutions elsewhere.......thats not to say you cant try a kernal thats known to have selinux as permissive and r/w script change though, might actually be another solution to the kitkat/external card issue?i dont know
So to clarify, this issue involves the INTERNAL storage too, which the other issue doesnt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread is about INTERNAL sdcard write issue after restoring TWRP backup. Current known solution: flash my kernel.
The EXTERNAL sdcard issue is brought about with the introduction of Android 4.4.2 (There are other dedicated threads on this). Current known solutions: flash a patched custom ROM, use one of the Play Store apps (root), or mod the relevant system folder yourself (root).
UpInTheAir said:
This thread is about INTERNAL sdcard write issue after restoring TWRP backup. Current known solution: flash my kernel.
The EXTERNAL sdcard issue is brought about with the introduction of Android 4.4.2 (There are other dedicated threads on this). Current known solutions: flash a patched custom ROM, use one of the Play Store apps (root), or mod the relevant system folder yourself (root).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, i could have sworn that i was experiencing the same issue on the external, aswell as the internal, infact im certain, i remember trying the external fixes first, assuming i had the kitkat external storage issue, untill i noticed it was also happening to the internal storage.......this was the first and only thread i found concerning internal issues, maybe i had both issues, but then again, the kitkat fixes didnt fix the external issues, your kernel seemed to fix both, at least in my specific situation
Edit
Okay, i see maybe you were answering my question from a more knowledgeble perpective, it just seemed that whatever affected the internal, was also affecting the external, otherwise, wouldnt the sdfix and/or root file managers like es file explorer with a kitkat/sd workaround, worked, both of which i tried.......seems like whatever was affecting my internal was also affecting external..........one way to find out is if folks who find themselves with the internal issues could confirm if they also have external issues, and whether the external fixes work or not
Edit
Ive just come to realise the fact that i was having internal storage permission issues might have caused the external storage fixes not to function properly, and that maybe i did indeed have two seperate issues, and that whatever was affecting my internal storage was a different issue to the kitkat/external sd card issue, so maybe you are right in saying that this only fixes the internal storage issue, which in turn allowed the external storage fixes to work.........hopefully time will tell, and hopefully, some of that makes sense

Is there any way to get write permissions to SD card - xposed Fix EXTSD dont work

I seem to have been at this for hours now. I finally got Xposed framework on my Tab S and Note 4 and decided to try Marshmallow SD fix
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xposed-marshmallow-sd-fix-write-t3403263/page29
and then EXT SD fix
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/fix-extsd-fix-v1-0b-2016-01-18-t3296266
In each case going to Titanium backup it just doesn't work - I get the same old "Folder is not writable" message for anything on the SD card.
Since many people are having success - I'm assuming this is because of the Samsung version of Xposed framework ?
I don't know but nothing I do seems to work.
Any suggestions / advice - has anyone got this to work on their tab s or note 4?
louiscar said:
I seem to have been at this for hours now. I finally got Xposed framework on my Tab S and Note 4 and decided to try Marshmallow SD fix
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xposed-marshmallow-sd-fix-write-t3403263/page29
and then EXT SD fix
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/fix-extsd-fix-v1-0b-2016-01-18-t3296266
In each case going to Titanium backup it just doesn't work - I get the same old "Folder is not writable" message for anything on the SD card.
Since many people are having success - I'm assuming this is because of the Samsung version of Xposed framework ?
I don't know but nothing I do seems to work.
Any suggestions / advice - has anyone got this to work on their tab s or note 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's lollipop you need the sdcard fix. If it's mm you just need to allow write permissions to the app.
ashyx said:
If it's lollipop you need the sdcard fix. If it's mm you just need to allow write permissions to the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I understand that. Are you talking about extsd or marshmallow fix ? Also there are no permissions to set other than the ones shown. For Titanium those are all set to on. Ie. Storage.
Is there a specific 'write' permission elsewhere that I've missed?
louiscar said:
I'm not sure I understand that. Are you talking about extsd or marshmallow fix ? Also there are no permissions to set other than the ones shown. For Titanium those are all set to on. Ie. Storage.
Is there a specific 'write' permission elsewhere that I've missed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any app that wishes to write to the external storage should show a dialog requesting permission to the ext sd after that it will have full write access.
Any app that doesn't isn't mm compatible.
Which folder path are you trying to use?
ashyx said:
Any app that wishes to write to the external storage should show a dialog requesting permission to the ext sd after that it will have full write access.
Any app that doesn't isn't mm compatible.
Which folder path are you trying to use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Titanium problem is fairly common. if all apps need to be was mm compatible then we wouldn't need a fix for the SD cards I would have thought.
But coming to Titanium itself I can select the old folder with is exsdcard/titaniumbackup but Titanium will tell me this has no write access but I can use it to read from and restore.
There is no location that Titanium will use or see on the extsdcard. What one has to do to is to copy the contents of your backup folder to the internal card then select that as the backup folder in Tba. Then you have elect to change the backup folder but choosing DocumentProvider storage. At this point you then have to create a folder - an existing folder is no good. Once created it will copy the contents of the internal folder to the extsdcard. Apart from the fact that this 'workaround' is much slower it is also inconvenient and any kind of change for whatever reason in the backup folder means that you can't just switch to the old one you have to go through the whole creation process.
As far as I am concerned this is why I wanted an SD card fix but I also understand to some point your view and it does make some sense. However it is confusing. When this nightmare started with Kitkat I understood that apps were allowed their own folder but couldn't affect or write to other folders. Also they were media folders only. This as I remember also affected file managers which then couldn't do their intended job.
With MM and without any fix Solid explorer can and does have full access to the sd card and can write in any folder from what I can see. Other apps seem to possibly access with documentprovider permissions - I'm not sure but many appear to have no problems but the pop up is very much like the documentprovider - choose a folder. So I am confused why Titanium has these problems and can understand a point of view that they haven't adapted as they should have perhaps but then I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't have done what they can with the features /tools they have for one of the most popular backup programs..
Either way, at the end of the day I was really hoping I could have got a fix which worked much like sdcard fix on Kitkat which stopped the nonsense and Google's insistence that they know best how we can and should use our SD cards.
And indeed for many people Marshmallow fix and or EXTSD appear to work for a lot of people in the way I was hoping - hence the creation of this thread because
1) it certainly doesn't for both my Samsung devices and
2) Many people with Samsungs (and some other devices) appear to be having the same difficulty.
I don't understand what has been done on MM to make it so difficult to overcome the problem but obviously it appears Google is just plain bloody minded and trying to make it more foolproof.
louiscar said:
The Titanium problem is fairly common. if all apps need to be was mm compatible then we wouldn't need a fix for the SD cards I would have thought.
But coming to Titanium itself I can select the old folder with is exsdcard/titaniumbackup but Titanium will tell me this has no write access but I can use it to read from and restore.
There is no location that Titanium will use or see on the extsdcard. What one has to do to is to copy the contents of your backup folder to the internal card then select that as the backup folder in Tba. Then you have elect to change the backup folder but choosing DocumentProvider storage. At this point you then have to create a folder - an existing folder is no good. Once created it will copy the contents of the internal folder to the extsdcard. Apart from the fact that this 'workaround' is much slower it is also inconvenient and any kind of change for whatever reason in the backup folder means that you can't just switch to the old one you have to go through the whole creation process.
As far as I am concerned this is why I wanted an SD card fix but I also understand to some point your view and it does make some sense. However it is confusing. When this nightmare started with Kitkat I understood that apps were allowed their own folder but couldn't affect or write to other folders. Also they were media folders only. This as I remember also affected file managers which then couldn't do their intended job.
With MM and without any fix Solid explorer can and does have full access to the sd card and can write in any folder from what I can see. Other apps seem to possibly access with documentprovider permissions - I'm not sure but many appear to have no problems but the pop up is very much like the documentprovider - choose a folder. So I am confused why Titanium has these problems and can understand a point of view that they haven't adapted as they should have perhaps but then I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't have done what they can with the features /tools they have for one of the most popular backup programs..
Either way, at the end of the day I was really hoping I could have got a fix which worked much like sdcard fix on Kitkat which stopped the nonsense and Google's insistence that they know best how we can and should use our SD cards.
And indeed for many people Marshmallow fix and or EXTSD appear to work for a lot of people in the way I was hoping - hence the creation of this thread because
1) it certainly doesn't for both my Samsung devices and
2) Many people with Samsungs (and some other devices) appear to be having the same difficulty.
I don't understand what has been done on MM to make it so difficult to overcome the problem but obviously it appears Google is just plain bloody minded and trying to make it more foolproof.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fix for KitKat and lollipop isn't needed for MM because Google did in fact listen to people griping about the ext card restrictions.
MM will give full access to properly coded apps.
I have many different devices running MM and all gave write access to the ext sdcard including TB, which I use regularly.
However that doesn't mean to say I haven't had the issue you speak of. I may have even had it with TB.
The folder path I use in this case is mnt/media_rw/
This path is almost always accessible by apps and is the path I'm using right now for TB.
If that doesn't work try disabling 'mount namespace separation' in SuperSU settings then reboot also make sure your TB is up to date.
ashyx said:
The fix for KitKat and lollipop isn't needed for MM because Google did in fact listen to people griping about the ext card restrictions.
MM will give full access to properly coded apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok understood.
I'm guessing then that the so called Marshmallow fix via xposed is to get older apps which may not be updated to work
ashyx said:
I have many different devices running MM and all gave write access to the ext sdcard including TB, which I use regularly.
However that doesn't mean to say I haven't had the issue you speak of. I may have even had it with TB.
The folder path I use in this case is mnt/media_rw/
This path is almost always accessible by apps and is the path I'm using right now for TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so now the plot thickens and I've no idea what is going on here. Tba says when I navigate to this folder [and I'm assuming that the choice when asked is "filesystem storage" and not "Filesystem storage - Media" (which only offers internal memory anyway)]
"This folder cannot be accessed"
and that is before getting to the external sd card which would be the number (F91E-D472) in my case. ie. mnt/media-rw
Needless to say - Solid explorer can see this and navigate to the sd card no problem.
This happens on both Note 4 and TAB s and I'm really curious now because something on my systems are different.
ashyx said:
If that doesn't work try disabling 'mount namespace separation' in SuperSU settings then reboot also make sure your TB is up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, namespace is unchecked - did that on both devices some time ago, and Tba is up to date.
Pretty damn confused now
louiscar said:
Ok understood.
I'm guessing then that the so called Marshmallow fix via xposed is to get older apps which may not be updated to work
Ok so now the plot thickens and I've no idea what is going on here. Tba says when I navigate to this folder [and I'm assuming that the choice when asked is "filesystem storage" and not "Filesystem storage - Media" (which only offers internal memory anyway)]
"This folder cannot be accessed"
and that is before getting to the external sd card which would be the number (F91E-D472) in my case. ie. mnt/media-rw
Needless to say - Solid explorer can see this and navigate to the sd card no problem.
This happens on both Note 4 and TAB s and I'm really curious now because something on my systems are different.
Sure, namespace is unchecked - did that on both devices some time ago, and Tba is up to date.
Pretty damn confused now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried placing the TB folder on your ext sdcard then used the detect button (whole device) in preferences to detect the folder and then select it under mnt/media_rw?
ashyx said:
Have you tried placing the TB folder on your ext sdcard then used the detect button (whole device) in preferences to detect the folder and then select it under mnt/media_rw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was the method I used as soon as I updated to MM and didn't notice the "this folder is not writable" message.
However, the option to choose mnt/media_rw isn't available. If I use Detect > whole device I'll be offered :
/storage/F91E-D472/Titaniumbackup
perhaps I'd see the other option under normal circumstances but Tba is not able to access that path so wouldn't find it in a search ... I guess
Aha! could this be the problem?
see post #15
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/917126/write-to-external-sd-restriction-in-marshmallow/
What is your sd card formatted as - mine is FAT32 so perhaps I need to go exfat?
..but then such links show that I'm certainly not alone - this one actually confirms that tb has this write problems and leads to the Documentprovider solution:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GATqU1_xzqA
louiscar said:
Aha! could this be the problem?
see post #15
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/917126/write-to-external-sd-restriction-in-marshmallow/
What is your sd card formatted as - mine is FAT32 so perhaps I need to go exfat?
..but then such links show that I'm certainly not alone - this one actually confirms that tb has this write problems and leads to the Documentprovider solution:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ExFAT. Anything above 4gb should be ExFAT.
ashyx said:
ExFAT. Anything above 4gb should be ExFAT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
curiously I set permissions to 777 for the mnt/media_rw and titanium can go there but any further (even though I've done the same for the sdcard folder - nada!
and sadly after converting to exfat - mnt/media_rw .... "this folder cannot be accessed"
Not sure what else I can do.

android.process.media keeps stopping - so annoying

Dear all,
I have been using RMN5 for a while and this is the most f**cking annoying error in this phone (or MIUI's error - i got it in my LG F180L running MIUI7 a long time ago and it happened too)
Every time i connected the phone to PC, i got this problem, I've followed the tips on XDA about disable media storage and download (force stop only in RMN5) and reboot, ok it fixed for a while, but not for long, next time i connect, it happen AGAIN.
I'm so tired of this sh*t and want to get rid of it.
Please, somebody please show me the way.
Thank you
Don't disable those apps instead go to the app settings media storage and download and clear both cache and data, hopes this will solve the problem and move this post to question and answer thread. It belongs there.
you disabled critical system app and complained why you get error messages
This is the Android Media Scanner, looking for files to index on your storage.
Some options are:
Try creating a file called '.nomedia' in every folder, and the problem should dissapear. In that case you may have a corrupted file somewhere, so try to delete the .nomedia file in some of the suspected folders to see if the problem comes back (or google something like 'android.process.media .nomedia' for a better explanation or solution.
You can also enable debuggind (via developer options), to inspect the problem with adb logcat, or to install a logcat related app from Play Store, in case the dump that should appear at the time of the error contains some hint.
rgawenda said:
This is the Android Media Scanner, looking for files to index on your storage.
Some options are:
Try creating a file called '.nomedia' in every folder, and the problem should dissapear. In that case you may have a corrupted file somewhere, so try to delete the .nomedia file in some of the suspected folders to see if the problem comes back (or google something like 'android.process.media .nomedia' for a better explanation or solution.
You can also enable debuggind (via developer options), to inspect the problem with adb logcat, or to install a logcat related app from Play Store, in case the dump that should appear at the time of the error contains some hint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having this issue after updating my Samsung GT-N8013 to lineageos 16.0. When you say to put a .nomedia file in every folder, do you litterally mean every single folder on both the tablet and sd card or a certain level of folder?
tcfulmer said:
I'm having this issue after updating my Samsung GT-N8013 to lineageos 16.0. When you say to put a .nomedia file in every folder, do you litterally mean every single folder on both the tablet and sd card or a certain level of folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The .nomedia flag file will stop the scan in the directory it's placed and all of the directories contained in it.
I ended up reinstalling the the OS 16.0 rom for my Samsung N8013. It took a total of running the installation 3 times but it finally became stable.

How to root Samsung A3 (2017) - Guide

I successfully rooted my Samsung Galaxy A320FL following more or less this guide (I know, it's a video and that's annoying, but it's also very clear. And there is a text version linked in description), with some modifications though.
I will write here what differs / is not specified in that guide.
I also attach all the files I used; they can also be found on the internet with some search.
Make sure to have installed on your PC Samsung USB driver for mobile phones, available on Samsung website.
I used different versions of the files needed (that guide is for Samsung 8). With the following files, everything worked well:
twrp-3.4.0-0-a3y17lte.img.tar
no-verity-opt-encrypt-6.0.zip
RMM_Bypass_v3_corsicanu.zip (learned this from another guide on this forum)
Magisk-v20.4.zip
Once TWRP is installed, the guide instructs you to install no-verity, then reboot to recovery and immediately after that reboot to system; only later, transfer and install magisk. THIS MESSED UP everything, in my case at least.
The solution was even faster: once TWRP is installed
plug USB and transfer all needed files (listed above) at once
install no-verity and reboot to recovery;
install RMM_bypass and reboot to recovery;
install magisk and reboot to recovery
reboot to system
Now you proceed following the rest of the guide.
After rooting, you may want to fix a few problems you may encounter: see next post.
HOW TO FIX FINGERPRINT AFTER ROOT
When your Galaxy A3 is rooted, unfortunately fingerprint will not work properly to log in on your apps (but it will work to unlock your phone). To fix this:
install from Google Play a file manager (like Solid Explorer)
in the left menu select ROOT folder, then rename
/system/priv-app/SamsungPass_1.3/SamsungPass_1.3.apk
to
/system/priv-app/SamsungPass_1.3/SamsungPass_1.3.apj
remove /data/app/com.samsung.android.samsungpass-1
reboot
This will remove SamsungPass. You will not be able to use SamsungPass anymore on your rooted phone, so forget the ability of saving passwords on websites and confirm them with fingerprint (you can still save passwords in browser or use google autofill; you just can't confirm them with fingerprint).
But, with the method above, at least you will be able to use fingerprint to log in those apps which natively support fingerprint login (like banking apps).
HOW TO MAKE BANKING APPS WORK ON A ROOTED PHONE
...Banking apps, though, tend to stop working when they detect a rooted phone. You can try to fix this using Magisk Hide feature.
Open Magisk and tap on the shield icon
Tap MagiskHide
Check your bank apps and any other app that want to prevent from detecting root. (According to the guides I read, hiding too many apps can be a problem: stick to what is really needed).
HOW TO MOVE WHATSAPP MEDIA FOLDER TO SD CARD
This was the main reason why I decided to root my phone: I was running out of storage. So I bought a high-quality and fast sd card (yes, it deserves your 20 €) and did the following:
Download "Apps2SD" (the original by Vicky Bonick; it's free) and follow instructions on how to create partitions.
You can create upto 3 partitions: 1st fat32/exfat/f2fs/ext4/ext3/ext2 (it's your SD card), 2nd ext2/ext3/ext4/f2fs (it is used to link the apps), 3rd swap partition (it's optional).
IMPORTANT: With Apps2SD you can LINK apps (they will end up in 2nd partition) or use FOLDER MOUNT (the chosen folder will end up in 1st partition, the one that looks like your normal SD card).
Please note that for Whatsapp media folder you will use FOLDER MOUNT method: so it will end up in the 1st partition. Create the 1st partition large enough for your whatsapp media.
Use "folder mount (app analyzer)" feature: it's like folder mount, but it's pre-set for some common apps, including Whatsapp. With this feature, you can successfully move Whatsapp media folder to SD, in one clic.
To understand what folder mount means: see FAQ.
In my case everything worked fine. When I reboot I have to re-mount folder, but it takes one second (just open Apps2SD, tap Folder Mount, slide "whatsapp other").
By the way, with App2SD you can do much more: you can move virtually any app to your SD card using the "Link apps to SD card" feature, as explained in Vicky's video.
...Hope this will save you some time!
airali said:
I successfully rooted my Samsung Galaxy A320FL following more or less this guide (I know, it's a video and that's annoying, but it's also very clear. And there is a text version linked in description), with some modifications though.
I will write here what differs / is not specified in that guide.
I also attach all the files I used; they can also be found on the internet with some search.
(...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I successfully used your compilation for a T-Mobile branded unit, all works after some tinkering. I didn't have the fingerprint problem, possibly the Samsung security thing is not the same on the carrier-modified ROM.
I had problems first making root work because of the succession of operations - basically, everything needs to be formatted in TWRP so it can mount partitions. Once I boot up the ROM, TWRP won't mount anymore → every zip you want to install, you need to do in one go before you reboot to Android.
I tried to root mine, but it didn't show up in odin, it did show up in device manager but I can't do anything with it, no transfering files via usb, etc.
The drivers are installed, I reinstalled them a couple of times, tried a different USB port, etc...
No sucess so far, I hope someone here can help me
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