[Q] Change application external write locations - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have been wondering if it is possible to modify where programs store their external data on the SD card, but have not been able to find an answer yet.
Example...
I have the program "FolderOrganizer" and it stores it's backup data to /mnt/sdcard/FolderOrganizer. Now what I would like to do is to clean up my SD card a bit by moving all my program saves to the /mnt/sdcard/Android/xxxxx folders. This way I know where all my backups, skins and etc are located at while keeping my file structure clean.
I have been using Root Explorer to poke around and see if I can find any indication of where these programs set their external save directories at (xml files etc), but I have not been able to figure it out yet.
I bet it is something easy that I am just missing. Can anyone help out or point me in the right direction?

djstaid said:
I have been wondering if it is possible to modify where programs store their external data on the SD card, but have not been able to find an answer yet.
Example...
I have the program "FolderOrganizer" and it stores it's backup data to /mnt/sdcard/FolderOrganizer. Now what I would like to do is to clean up my SD card a bit by moving all my program saves to the /mnt/sdcard/Android/xxxxx folders. This way I know where all my backups, skins and etc are located at while keeping my file structure clean.
I have been using Root Explorer to poke around and see if I can find any indication of where these programs set their external save directories at (xml files etc), but I have not been able to figure it out yet.
I bet it is something easy that I am just missing. Can anyone help out or point me in the right direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... it's not something you're just missing... there is no standard and as a result it's almost impossible to achieve what you're aiming for. I too wish for the same, everything simply under <sdcard>/android/ ...
Some apps are hard coded in their code, some allow the user to select, some store in /data/data/xxx/shared_prefs/ - it's a lottery.

djmcnz said:
No... it's not something you're just missing... there is no standard and as a result it's almost impossible to achieve what you're aiming for. I too wish for the same, everything simply under <sdcard>/android/ ...
Some apps are hard coded in their code, some allow the user to select, some store in /data/data/xxx/shared_prefs/ - it's a lottery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. That is a bummer though, I was really hoping to be able to tell everything where to write to. I currently have a ext4 partition on my SD and that is where all my apps install to... if I can't tell the apps where to save on my SD partition, it would be nice to at least move it all to the ext4 partition.
There is crap all over on my SD card and my OCD is starting to kick in!

Yeah, I know the SD card can get messy... it's really stupid and annoying... Unfortunately, there is no SD card data saving guidelines for developers... and writing to an ext partition is completely out of scope for market apps because not all users have ext partitions... it would be nice, though, to have apps save data under one common folder... say /sdcard/data or /sdcard/Android... maybe we need to petition developers or Google!!

I agree with the saving to and ext partition. I just think it is silly that you can't at least specify a directory to save external data. I know some apps allow this, but I guess that if Google forced a change then everyone would have to change their code.
I wonder what would happen if you took out your SD and tried running those apps. Where would they write to then?

djstaid said:
I agree with the saving to and ext partition. I just think it is silly that you can't at least specify a directory to save external data. I know some apps allow this, but I guess that if Google forced a change then everyone would have to change their code.
I wonder what would happen if you took out your SD and tried running those apps. Where would they write to then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps that require the sdcard for storage will usually either give an error when run without an sdcard or just not work at all.
I am also pretty anal about my storage and neatness, and I have given up on my sdcard being organized. What I have done is create folders with capital first letters to bring them to the top of the listing when browsing by default sort, at least I can find what I want easily without sifting through all the data folders..

That is pretty much what I have done. I guess it it better than nothing. If I knew more about programming I would try and build something to look for and modify those paths. I just never really understood/got into the whole programming thing... that is why I ended up in Infrastructure. lol

djstaid said:
That is pretty much what I have done. I guess it it better than nothing. If I knew more about programming I would try and build something to look for and modify those paths. I just never really understood/got into the whole programming thing... that is why I ended up in Infrastructure. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you there, long time (20+ years) building and repairing pcs, 0- years programming.
As far as building something to modify the paths used by programs accessing the sdcard in Android, that seems a nearly impossible feat. Each program would have to be modified, requiring reverse-coding (baksmali) each one individually, modifying the code, and recompiling (smali). This would also require re-signing and reinstalling each application, making updating from the market impossible, and would take a lot of work.
Due to the fact that applications are "sandboxed" (so to speak) in Android, I wouldn't think there was a global %externaldata% path variable that can be modified from /mnt/sdcard to /mnt/sdcard/Android, I am pretty sure that path is set in each application.
Though, I could be wrong. However, it is worth noting that if it is a global variable, changing it would result in applications that are already properly coded to use /mnt/sdcard/Android/%appname% or /mnt/sdcard/data%appname% to instead attempt to write the data to /mnt/sdcard/Android/mnt/sdcard/Android/%appname% as they would append their string to the global variable.
I believe, all we can do is petition developers to use a more structured data path in their programs, and learn to live with disorder!

daveid said:
I believe, all we can do is petition developers to use a more structured data path in their programs, and learn to live with disorder!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lmao!
this is true though... at least I know that I am not alone. haha

I am definitely with you all on this. I found this post after having the same epiphany just now. There needs to be more structure to the use of external storage. These little things are what set our OS apart from say, the "forbidden" iphone...

I have actually tried digging into different apps to see where the store locations are set at and have had no luck. I guess if I knew how to program or at least modify that one part of the app I would have more luck.
Problem with that is if I modify something in an app and it gets updated, I would have to do it all over again. I guess that is the gift and curse of having such an open OS. I will post back here if I figure something out though. I have been digging into the Android OS a little more, but I am still having problems understanding how it all works underneath.

Related

Android File Manager

Its out now, anyone seen it yet?
This should help out a lot...hopefully next we can move apps to the mem. card.
just found that you can view the app data by going to system and then to apps.
you think if we were to make a app folder on the mem. card they would run? im going to play around and see what happens
well the manager at the moment only lets you view the files. I have tired multiple times to cut and paste program files onto the mem. card but with no luck. possibly the second file manager program will have all of the bugs out of it.
but....
do you think if we had a system/app file on our mem. card the phone would pull the apps off of our card? just trying to get things rolling here so we can get everything FINALLY on our cards and stop wasting all of our phone memory.
THANKS
I don't think so... but could be wrong. I noticed the card only has "media" folders nothing yet is stored on the card really.
ya i noticed that as well....hopefully this is a step in the right direction. once we can actually view ALL files and are able to move things around then things should start to get interesting.
what if we were to somehow make a shortcut to tell the phone where the app is? so only the command to the app on the memory car would be on the phone. it would be a VERY small size file on the phone compared to the entire app...think this may work?
I doubt we can ever be able to move or view all files. Google set it up so our version is locked down and no one can get root access.
neoobs said:
I doubt we can ever be able to move or view all files. Google set it up so our version is locked down and no one can get root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just one damned symlink. That's all we need.
neoobs said:
I doubt we can ever be able to move or view all files. Google set it up so our version is locked down and no one can get root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root? Oh Google, and you said you opened the platform but forgot to give us the root password
sfdteam said:
No root? Oh Google, and you said you opened the platform but forgot to give us the root password
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Platform is open... it is the provider who locks the platform so that you can't do just anything you want. IE steal their my faves app code or some such code they find secretive.
neoobs said:
Platform is open... it is the provider who locks the platform so that you can't do just anything you want. IE steal their my faves app code or some such code they find secretive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True words. Sometimes I think that openness and mobile operators are two incompatible things. You should be watching the presentation of G1 organized by T-Mobile. All was going good until the audience was able to ask questions. The questions were about operator restrictions on the device and locking. The general mood of the presentation went down after it...
With the source code available, can't the developers just compile a new version of the software to run on the G1 which is not locked by the operator/carrier?
Don't know much about developing but just wondering what it is that really stands in the way?
Byte_76 said:
With the source code available, can't the developers just compile a new version of the software to run on the G1 which is not locked by the operator/carrier?
Don't know much about developing but just wondering what it is that really stands in the way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A good developer that knows what he/she is doing is what is standing in our way. This is all new so it will take time for developers to first look at the code and start building. And more time to perfect their talents on this new device and OS.
I'll give props to this program for it's functionality that should have been native.
At work I had a customer who had a bad version of a ringtone he made with Ringdoid and needed to delete. Aside from refer him to edit the SD via USB (which I cannot even do yet w/o swapping devices).
I had him d/l the Android File Manager and use that to locate and delete. Made it easy and only took 2 mins d/l time included.
Based on the good start, this might become the default file manager I use once more options become available within it. (especially the open ability - and a select all would be nice).
android file manager or glance
any ideas? which one do you think is better?
haitiankid4lyf said:
any ideas? which one do you think is better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment Glance because it looks as thou Android File Manager is now just for the SD Card I can't seem to access anything else.

[q] sd-ext s2e

Hello all. I have problem with my sd-ext. What i mean. It happend with 2 different ROMs. Yesterday with CM9 and today with Apocalypse. All works ok till i use S2E. I checked in S2E option Mount as ext4, reboot, checked move apps to sd-ext and all gone. No have them and system looks like after reinstal - fresh. Inn app manager apps are but only as browser.dolphin.firefox.opera... or com.sygic.aura. But they are invisible in drawer. What i am doing wrong. How to move safetly to sd-ext without that problems. Help!
try darktremors app2sd
But i want to know what heppend... It is S2E fault or sd-ext sth wrong?
Wojtys said:
But i want to know what heppend... It is S2E fault or sd-ext sth wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried S2E today, and it did not work. Looks like undocumented rubbish to me.
I tried moving only the Dalvik cache, but after I activated that function and rebooted, all the settings but the last were greyed out, so I could not even undo what the piece of garbage had done.
Another point is that it has a setting allowing you to choose between ext3 and ext4. This is stupid, because the normal user cannot possibly know what to choose there. He cannot know whether his ext partition is ext3 or ext4, because the most common recovery, Clockworkmod, has no such choice in its SD card partitioning function. If the program itself cannot find out, how can the user? It is not even clear what the setting actually does.
So we keep wading through the idiot swamp, until somebody writes a usable program and documents it properly, if a really good program needs documentation at all.
My general advice is, look carefully at a program. Check its settings. Check its documentation for quality and completeness. As soon as you spot the first sign of madhouse style, drop it like a hot potato and look for something better. There are too many garbage programs around these days to waste our time with.
If you cannot find any that fulfills the minimal requirements for decent software, give up on the apps-to-ext idea. Buy a phone with more internal memory, if you have money to spare, or delete the programs you can do without.
The minimal requirement for an apps-to-sd program would be that it can cleanly move installed programs to the ext partition and back. Since you may have installed too many programs to move them all back, I would think that the program should help you to uninstall enough programs to make the rest fit, if you have to move them back.
hgmichna said:
I tried S2E today, and it did not work. Looks like undocumented rubbish to me.
I tried moving only the Dalvik cache, but after I activated that function and rebooted, all the settings but the last were greyed out, so I could not even undo what the piece of garbage had done.
Another point is that it has a setting allowing you to choose between ext3 and ext4. This is stupid, because the normal user cannot possibly know what to choose there. He cannot know whether his ext partition is ext3 or ext4, because the most common recovery, Clockworkmod, has no such choice in its SD card partitioning function. If the program itself cannot find out, how can the user? It is not even clear what the setting actually does.
So we keep wading through the idiot swamp, until somebody writes a usable program and documents it properly, if a really good program needs documentation at all.
My general advice is, look carefully at a program. Check its settings. Check its documentation for quality and completeness. As soon as you spot the first sign of madhouse style, drop it like a hot potato and look for something better. There are too many garbage programs around these days to waste our time with.
If you cannot find any that fulfills the minimal requirements for decent software, give up on the apps-to-ext idea. Buy a phone with more internal memory, if you have money to spare, or delete the programs you can do without.
The minimal requirement for an apps-to-sd program would be that it can cleanly move installed programs to the ext partition and back. Since you may have installed too many programs to move them all back, I would think that the program should help you to uninstall enough programs to make the rest fit, if you have to move them back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Undocumented rubbish? What? The app or ur brain? You cant just call an app like that just because you cant make it work. Alot of users have been using it without problems.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
Shadow xD said:
Undocumented rubbish? What? The app or ur brain? You cant just call an app like that just because you cant make it work. Alot of users have been using it without problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly do you mean by, "make it work"?
S2e moves all non System apps to SD-ext. So, it will move itself to SD-ext aftwr reboot. This means the SD-ext won't be mounted at boot, and non System apps won't be accessible after boot (even if their shorcuts are there).
Simple solution for this problem; make s2e a system app before running it, and use some common sense before flaming a great app.
How to make it a System app? Move s2e to System/app and give rw, r, r permissions.

[Q] Whatsapp Backup

Hey,
Has anyone ever looked into how the Whatsapp Backup is stored? It can be used after reinstalling the app, but not after hard resetting/flashing/etc. So it should be stored on the phone, but not the normal isolated storage of the app since I can reinstall it and use the backup then.
Is there special access necessary or could other apps also access (and modify/export) this backup? I'm asking this because I hope to find a way to make a backup that really is useful, I almost only write via whatsapp because SMS cost way more than internet here. Thanks!
why do you think whatsapp isnt useing isolated storage? shure it is, but you still cant access it - unless you have a interopt unlocked device
the reason you can restore, is that the app id stays the same.. you could try to deploy an older (uncrypted) whatsapp xap to your phone, if the app id still stays the same (and im not shure it does! actually i think it doesnt..) you would gain access... again, thats total theory! i havent tryed this, and it has propably the potential to mess up your backup...
maybe GoodDayToDie has some more info about the app-id thing.. i'll also do a quick research
tfBullet said:
why do you think whatsapp isnt useing isolated storage? shure it is, but you still cant access it - unless you have a interopt unlocked device
the reason you can restore, is that the app id stays the same.. you could try to deploy an older (uncrypted) whatsapp xap to your phone, if the app id still stays the same (and im not shure it does! actually i think it doesnt..) you would gain access... again, thats total theory! i havent tryed this, and it has propably the potential to mess up your backup...
maybe GoodDayToDie has some more info about the app-id thing.. i'll also do a quick research
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! I din't know files in the isolated storage keep being there after you uninstall the app..
I tried deploying an old Version (1.4) of Whatsapp and it replaced the current one, so it should use the same app id. I didn't find anything in the isolated storage, but the backup is still there when I reinstall it from the store. I'll try launching the deployed app first now.
have you checked out the IsolatedStorageSettings?
Let me have a quick look where this thing is on my harddrive... when i find it, i'll be able to tell you where / how it saves the backup
tfBullet said:
have you checked out the IsolatedStorageSettings?
Let me have a quick look where this thing is on my harddrive... when i find it, i'll be able to tell you where / how it saves the backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I have no real clue how to do that, the only thing I can is deploying apps and watching their isolated storage thanks!!
they used "messages.sdf" & "contacts.sdf" before, but then at some version they started to migrate this files into a database.. not shure where it gets stored, or if you can access it with simply browsing the IsoStoreage... ill make a quick test project to test out how or if we could access it..
EDIT: actually i was talking **** the .sdf files are already databases, and the data still resides there... and forgot to mention: even if you couldn't see the database files, you should see the user-picture thumbnails that reside in "cphotos/" + some-sha1-hashed-userinfo...
IsoStore is cleared when an app is uninstalled. So far as I know, this is instant, as part of the app removal process, although I suppose I haven't actually checked that. However, apps can (and many do) implement a backup situation to cover this use case by using a unique identifier that survives a re-install. There are several places such IDs can come from. Since the one you have survives app installs but *not* OS reflashing (even though you presumably sign on with the same Live ID afterward), I'm guessing it's a value that uniquely identifies your OS install and is randomly generated the first time the OS boots. Re-flashing counts as a new install, I guess.
I'd have to investigate further to be sure. There could be other mechanics at play, such as the OS keeping the data around for a short time in case you re-install the app, or the app storing its data in some other (off-phone) location. It's not storing it in some special folder within the phone, though; there's nowhere else it could!
Backup history with Whatapp on Android. Then check the backup file on:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt
Or
/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db and wa.db (root)
Coweri said:
Backup history with Whatapp on Android. Then check the backup file on:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt
Or
/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db and wa.db (root)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but this is Windows Phone, not android..
@GoodDayToDie so, there is no simple way like deploying an app with the same ID and trying to access the backup with it?
Since the data would have been deleted when the old app was removed (and since you can't sideload an app with the same Product ID as an existing Store app), no, that won't work (well, it didn't in WP7; I guess you could try again here; some things are somewhat less secure now than before).
th0mas96 said:
GoodDayToDie so, there is no simple way like deploying an app with the same ID and trying to access the backup with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait for a interop-unlock... thats the way to go in this case.
Until then, you can send your conversations to yourself by mail (option form the context menue)
GoodDayToDie said:
IsoStore is cleared when an app is uninstalled. So far as I know, this is instant, as part of the app removal process, although I suppose I haven't actually checked that. However, apps can (and many do) implement a backup situation to cover this use case by using a unique identifier that survives a re-install. There are several places such IDs can come from. Since the one you have survives app installs but *not* OS reflashing (even though you presumably sign on with the same Live ID afterward), I'm guessing it's a value that uniquely identifies your OS install and is randomly generated the first time the OS boots. Re-flashing counts as a new install, I guess.
I'd have to investigate further to be sure. There could be other mechanics at play, such as the OS keeping the data around for a short time in case you re-install the app, or the app storing its data in some other (off-phone) location. It's not storing it in some special folder within the phone, though; there's nowhere else it could!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GoodDayToDie, any news about this Whatsapp backup feature in Windows Phone? Is it possible to utilize this feature as an "ordinary" developer?
I would have to reverse engineer the app to see how its backup feature works. The most likely explanation - that it's storing the backup "in the cloud" using the device ID (which resets when you do a hard reset, I think) - is easily possible for any app so long as you provide the storage space...
GoodDayToDie said:
I would have to reverse engineer the app to see how its backup feature works. The most likely explanation - that it's storing the backup "in the cloud" using the device ID (which resets when you do a hard reset, I think) - is easily possible for any app so long as you provide the storage space...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That could be an explanation. But then the Whatsapp developers could easily offer a full backup, as on other platforms, linked to the phone number or something. Then you could restore the messages even after a phone exchange. But who knows what's in their heads ...
GoodDayToDie said:
I would have to reverse engineer the app to see how its backup feature works. The most likely explanation - that it's storing the backup "in the cloud" using the device ID (which resets when you do a hard reset, I think) - is easily possible for any app so long as you provide the storage space...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it doesn't seem to be online.. it backups pretty big chats extremely fast with 2 bars of GPRS, so it can't be via internet.. it even backups without connection at all. That's the weird thing.. how are apps even allowed to store files that keep being there after an uninstall?
There are a couple really sneaky ways you could do that; one that comes to mind is creating a fake "image" or "ringtone" or similar, serializing the data to it, and then looking for it the "first" time the app is run after installing. However, I'm definitely more curious now. There are folders which apps can request permissions to write to, but usually that's a trick limited to "second-party" apps (OEMs, etc.) and prohibited for third parties.
I've already looked into the code, as far as i can tell there is no online backup feature. it just stores the conversations in a database.
And to answer yout question schluff: no there is absolutley no way the usual developera to utilize this.
btw: @GoodDayToDie could you provide us the newest WhatsApp XAP (2.11.312.0)?
When I get the chance to extract it of my computer, yeah. It's really hard to get full FS access working these days, so I'm looking into other ways to access the install folders and storage of other Apps.
here you go
edit: I've changed nothing, so it's the whole install folder in this zip file
Thanks for the extraction! Obviously, I can't do anything with it
However, if anyone is interested in this too, in the following versions it seems to backup to the SD card, at least @Nazwzil8 reported so at twitter: https://twitter.com/Nawzil8/status/410486248156172288 he reported a lot about whatsapp, he seems a legit beta tester.

Automate copying/back up all video and pictures taken

I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks
EntityPacket said:
I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.
brian Marshall said:
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I'm not sure having two copies of an image or video on the same device gives you any real redundancy. However letting them sync with G+ gives you a reliable backup.
Why would you backup the same image or video onto the same device? All you're doing is using more storage, of which is limited.
Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.
EntityPacket said:
Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use rsync to do this. Android doesn't come with it, but you can install it by following instructions here: http://linux.wxs.ro/2011/08/05/rsync-your-android/. There's probably also apps in the play store that provide rsync.
'rsync -a --delete /src/ /dest/' will keep the directory /dest/ in sync with /src/
create a shell script with that in it, and you should be able to schedule it using tasker, or there are apps out there to create icons for shell scripts.
Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?
Yeah....I don't get it. 2 sets of the same pics on the same drive is no fail safe at all. If you have a problem where you can't access the regular gallery stored pics, I doubt you'll be accessing the other folder either. Seems pointless?
Are you sure what you want to do is really what your trying to do?
Flashing roms or whatever won't wipe your pics by accident. And if for some strange reason your pics get wiped, chances are your backup pics will get wiped at the same time, since they are both on sd card.
Plus you'll have 2 sets in your gallery. Unless they are put in a backup apps file....which again...will be wiped along with your pics if something happens to your sd card folder.
Makes no sense.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
EntityPacket said:
Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions indicate that you should copy it to /system/xbin/ and set the permissions to allow execute access. In order to be able to write to that directory you will need root.
In order to execute the command, you will not need root access. Assuming you're copying to someplace you have write access to.
I haven't tried this, but there's a "busybox non-root app" in the play store that contains rsync. You should be able to install that, and then you'll have access to rsync.
Look at bittorrent sync. You set it up to back up a specific folder or folders on your phone and using torrent technology, you can have it back up to your PC. I use it for exactly this purpose. All my photos of my kids and videos are automatically backed up to an external hard drive.

deleting unnecessary stuff out of system folder - Android 11

greetings community,
i have tried to search it, but being pro newbie, I found nothing. Is it possible to make this folder little bit lighter it takes 22gb of space, and my poor phone has only 64gb
I have rooted devices
thank you in advance
You can delete some apps using root file manager. I've use root explorer and have for years but nowadays there are times where it will not allow me to delete some apps (YouTube, chrome are a few this has happened to me on..) that my phone will NOT allow me to. And yes I have magisk and root explorer pro has root permission when this has happened. One way to get these apps off when this has happened to me is use another root file manager. Amaze file manager did the trick. I was able to delete apps I could not with root explorer. I'm BIG on not having useless bloatware on my phone so disabling apps is NOT my style. I usually save a copy by making backup and throw the backed up apks on my laptop or a USB thumb drive and delete whatever in case I end up deleting something that messes with my phone...Far as what can be deleted and what can't you can just discover for yourself. That's what I've done. I'm currently on a custom rom and I normally don't do much deleting unless I'm using the Google stock rom. If and when I do wipe more off stock I'll return and give you a list of what I did clear out. Just look in /system/app, /system/priv-app, product/app, /vendor/app with a root app and go to town. That's what I've always done. I believe TWRP for Android 11, the test build that bigbiff dropped about a month ago works now to make backups so that would be something to maybe do before hand in case you end up needing to restore your rom. On a few other devices I've owned people would sometimes make a thread on here for apps that can be removed and all and then list what they took off and what not to. I believe this Is what you are talking about.. If so hopefully it helps
Far as making system folder smaller and not meaning apps I believe it's possible but I think maybe you would have to repartition your device to do that and although it's possible it's dangerous. One wrong move and you have a paper weight doing that. I messed up my original Pixel XL because power went out while I was doing it before I was done and it was a goner. If anything I say here isn't right or there is more information about this please someone share who has more knowledge of this sort of thing. I would love to know as well. Good day/night to all. Cheers.
100kaa said:
greetings community,
i have tried to search it, but being pro newbie, I found nothing. Is it possible to make this folder little bit lighter it takes 22gb of space, and my poor phone has only 64gb
I have rooted devices
thank you in advance
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@100kaa
You would be better off deleting excess files, trash, and photos that are already backed up. The system partition can be mounted and some files removed, but for the most part it is a minefield. Google has a fantastic new tool (since changing Photos retention rules) called "Takeout" that allows you to back up the contents of many parts of your phone and allows you do d/l it in compressed format directly to your PC. Check it out. OTHERWISE- If you simply must carry large files like movies, music database, pictures etc. then consider getting a USB-C OTG drive.
https://takeout.google.com/
This is why you get a phone with an SD card slot.
You then use the SD card as your data drive.
Only the apps and temporary folders go on the internal memory.
Next best thing is a flash stick or use cloud based storage which has downsides to it. Even if your internal storage is huge you don't want to store critical data there. I use about 64 of my 500gb of internal vs 340 of 500gb on the data drive.
If a large data base is on a large internal memory a data restore takes... forever. Most times the SD card is spared in OS crash and burns. Plus it can be used to restore the OS drive apps and settings.
Much of the above doesn't help you now but it could with future devices. All my PCs even my laptop are configured as dual drives. I learned a long time ago it works well, saves sweat and data.

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