Database Develop

[Q] App2sd or DT script not necessary with 16 gb ?

Hi all
first I want to thank all "geeks" or "home" or pro devs for helping me since my first Android (nexus one is going to celebrate 2 birthday as my mobile phone)
so I got 2 weeks ago a SGT-P 7310 wich was rooted 2 hours after arrival home (and i installed overcom of course)
Can someone confirm it s not necessary to install DT script to move apps to SD (as I did on my nexus with sdext3 etc)?????
thanks all

haha im also still rocking my N1.
as for a2sd. this is not necessary on the gtab. the nexus needed it because our internal memory (where all apps get saved) is pretty small, meaning it fills up really fast. having a big sd card let you save the apps on the card (via a2sd/a2ext whatever) on the gtab we have only one memory which is the 16gb and its used for everything (media & apps) so there is no need for a2sd because we don't have an sd card and everything gets saved in the same place anyhow.

Yes, and I feel that 16Gb is not very enough storage for me.

beyondwei said:
Yes, and I feel that 16Gb is not very enough storage for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its ok. i stream most of my media so i don't need it on the tab. if i go for longer journey, where i cant stream i take along a 16gb pendrive full of media and connect it to the tab via a cheapo usb conection kit.
my tab still has about 8gb of free space so i really don't need more space for what i do with my tab.

[SOLVED] Opinions wanted: Rooted vs. CM, etc. EDITED: SD-install of CM.

I've been looking for a tablet for some time, and the $135 refurb deal from B&N was finally enough to push me over the edge to a NC. Nothing else really comes close at that price point.
The technical explanations and threads for rooting/flashing seem pretty straightforward. As I'm familiar with CM from my Droid Eris, I think I'll be ok here.
What I would like to know is:
What do I lose/gain by flashing CM (such as Kang) over rooted stock?
* Do I lose Youtube/Flash? (I did read that there are issues with HD video)
* Can I still buy or install apps from the Market?
* I have some Humble Bundle android games (world of goo, etc) - is stock or CM better for this?
* I currently have no B&N content. I understand I will not be able to use the stock app if I flash - does the alternative B&N app limit me in any other way?
* If I flash, is there any reason I should *not* install to internal flash (emmc, i think?) ?
Sorry if some of the questions seem obvious, I just want to look before I leap
Thanks in advance,
A Nook noob
*************************************************************
EDIT: A summary for first-pagers:
I installed to the sd card, using CM7 (Kang). No real problems so far. Everything just works. I do have trouble prying the dang thing out of my kids' hands.
For the technically-minded: I will note here that apps that can usually remount /system as read/write fail on my sd-only installs. I always have to go back in through the terminal app and do the following steps manually:
bash
mount -t yaffs2 -o rw,remount /dev/block/mtdblk3 /system
This does make changing screen dpi and other similar tasks a pain in the rear, but oh well.
I have not upgraded from the inital Kang release I started with - partly because I'm not sure how using recovery mode in the sd-installed version will work (I hate having to reinstall every app), and partly because everything just works so far.
I will also note that I had to set apps to automatically install to the sd card (this is off by default) because I very quickly ran out of space on the 1GB /emmc slice. Apps get installed here by default even on sd-only installs.
I strongly recommend the "Hacker Keyboard" available on the market (free). It's great when you have to use vi in the Terminal app .
I updated framework.jar to include an IMEI number for apps in the Market. I also edited build.prop for the same reasons.
I overclocked to 1200, and it's solid as a rock at those speeds.

bigrat said:
I've been looking for a tablet for some time, and the $135 refurb deal from B&N was finally enough to push me over the edge to a NC. Nothing else really comes close at that price point.
The technical explanations and threads for rooting/flashing seem pretty straightforward. As I'm familiar with CM from my Droid Eris, I think I'll be ok here.
What I would like to know is:
What do I lose/gain by flashing CM (such as Kang) over rooted stock?
* Do I lose Youtube/Flash? (I did read that there are issues with HD video)
* Can I still buy or install apps from the Market?
* I have some Humble Bundle android games (world of goo, etc) - is stock or CM better for this?
* I currently have no B&N content. I understand I will not be able to use the stock app if I flash - does the alternative B&N app limit me in any other way?
* If I flash, is there any reason I should *not* install to internal flash (emmc, i think?) ?
Sorry if some of the questions seem obvious, I just want to look before I leap
Thanks in advance,
A Nook noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is all assuming you use CM7, which is more mature than CM9.
1. You lose the stock Nook ereader software. it can read kids books and other things which the android app cannot.
2. apps from the market work great from cm7. Don't know about Humble Bundle.
3. you do not lose youtube. (you lose HD with the newest version of Youtube, but still works on old versions.) Flash, I really don't remember. I don't think so. (edit, just checked, yes flash)
4. The only reason not to put on emmc is B&N warranty. You lose it with CM on emmc. But if your broke nook still works you can put stock back on and warranty still good.
But CM on SD works as well as on emmc. And you have stock still available for the reader and warranty.

Thanks leapinlar!

CM will allow you to get even more applications from the market. Also, performance is far better, compared to the stock.

And you can try flashing CM7 to an SD card and try it out before you flash it to internal memory (if you have a sandisk SD card, other brands don't work as well).

As leapinlar listed item 1 above, addition to that is you would lose the ability subscribe free magazine directly on your NC, other than that, CM7 is miles ahead.

The question is really what you lose by moving away from stock. Rooting doesn't really give you any advantage if you are willing to mess with stock you might as well go CM7.
As mentioned you will lose the B&N reader which is built into the Nook and has unique functions. You can still keep nearly all of the functionality of the reader though by getting the B&N app from the market. You will also technically void your warranty (though you can always flash back to complete stock).
If losing the Nook reader's specific functions or the warranty are a concern then you have the option of running a bootable SD card which leaves the internals of the Nook totally stock. This also has its disadvantages though in that you loose the extra storage capacity of the on-board memory and you lose the ability to use multiple SD cards. The slot will be filled by the bootable one you are running on so you can't put others in and out.
Everything else is an advantage in favor of CM7 and are too numerous to list. Bottom line is unless you really like the OS B&N has provided including it's limitations, then there is no reason to stay running stock. Either use a bootable CM7 SD card or put CM7 on internal and don't look back.
JP

Thanks very much for the great answers! It seems I will go CM.

J515OP said:
TThis also has its disadvantages though in that you loose the extra storage capacity of the on-board memory and you lose the ability to use multiple SD cards. The slot will be filled by the bootable one you are running on so you can't put others in and out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First bold, why do say losing on-board storage? It's always there for us to use, either 1G, 5G or custom set.
Second bold, we're strongly NOT suggesting people keep inserting and removing the external uSD. Minimize to the lowest possible.

votinh said:
First bold, why do say losing on-board storage? It's always there for us to use, either 1G, 5G or custom set.
Second bold, we're strongly NOT suggesting people keep inserting and removing the external uSD. Minimize to the lowest possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Because by breaching the SD card wall the user can potentially make changes to the stock B&N that will cause issues and possibly void their warranty. If the concern is to leave stock alone by using the SD card method then they probably will not want to do anything to potentially mess up emmc. This is a consideration for a user that only wants to run from SD card that they may be limited to the space seen on the SD by default by the ROM and not the extra internal space.
2. Not suggesting that a users should repeatedly insert and remove cards. However running from emmc you have internal storage plus up to 32GB of SD card space available and if necessary you can swap out the SD card. However, when running from the SD card you only have the portion of the SD card unused by the ROM. This portion is split between "internal" and "sd card". If you are using a 4GB bootable SD card you may find you have very little space for apps and media with no option of expanding that by adding an external SD card since you are already using that slot.
These are just considerations that people not familiar with bootable SD cards may want to know about.
JP

J515OP said:
1. Because by breaching the SD card wall the user can potentially make changes to the stock B&N that will cause issues and possibly void their warranty. If the concern is to leave stock alone by using the SD card method then they probably will not want to do anything to potentially mess up emmc. This is a consideration for a user that only wants to run from SD card that they may be limited to the space seen on the SD by default by the ROM and not the extra internal space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably confuse the eMMC system partitions and the eMMC /media partition. The eMMC /media partition is for us to use, it won't hurt the "stock OS/kernel" at all.
These are just considerations that people not familiar with bootable SD cards may want to know about.
JP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, agree, but you know, say that we have a 16GB uSD card, if utilize internal memory, we have a full 16GB (don't bother to convert) as personal storage, yes.
If running ROM from a 16GB uSD card, we still have roughly 13GB left for personal storage.

Yep, I agree. Over all a bootable uSD with CM7 is a great way to go. Taking it one step further, if you use a 32GB card you really have quite a bit of space even if you only use the space on the card. This is a solid option particularly if you don't want to mess with eMMC or just have something else on eMMC entirely.
Back to the original question I still say CM7 on eMMC or uSD card is the way to go unless you need the stock B&N functions or layout. In that case root would be better than straight stock.
2 cents
JP

Guys, I really appreciate all the suggestions. I ordered two 32GB Sandisk cards, I'll probably just boot from them until maybe the warranty period is up. 32GB is a lot of space...

I've been running on an SD card for a while now but I'm considering going dual boot on the eMCC. What are the pros/cons for doing that?

mario_de said:
I've been running on an SD card for a while now but I'm considering going dual boot on the eMCC. What are the pros/cons for doing that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Voiding your warranty (if you still have one) and the need to be slightly proficient with recovery either from internal or on a bootable uSD card (in case something goes wrong and you need to reflash) are the only cons I can think of.
Pros are possibly smoother (depending on the performance of the uSD card you were using) access to a straight data uSD card through the slot since you won't have to take it up with a bootable card and the ability to keep your ROM and data/backups completely separate. The last one would be for example if your current bootable card became corrupted and non-readable you might not be able to boot it or recover any backups you had saved on it possibly leading to complete loss of the card and the need to start from scratch. This would be avoidable with a little precaution though. Still it's a pro that if you back up the eMMC to the SD card and eMMC crashes you can restore backups from the card.

So, just so that I'm clear here, I'll summarize (in case anyone else wants to know this):
If I wish to install CM, I need to create a bootable uSD card with the image I want. Once I've done this, I can boot directly from this image. If I choose to do this, I do not need to root or modify my NC. Should I wish to return to the original firmware because my NC dies or whatever, all I need to do is pull the uSD card out.
If I do this, I will have access to the remaining storage of the uSD card, and the /media slice on emmc.
The only media/B&N content that I will not have access to will be that content which requires the original NC reader. Pretty much everything else will be better - I can overclock the NC, have access to normal GApps, bluetooth access, Youtube, Flash, games, etc, everything that having CM gives you.
Using the uSD for booting means I will not be able to swap the card out while the NC is running, and is really the only thing I'm giving up here.
Please feel free to correct me where I'm wrong here, and thanks to everybody for the answers.

bigrat said:
...
If I do this, I will have access to the remaining storage of the uSD card, and the /media slice on emmc.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
\>>> Forget the eMMC. The eMMC is not the memory you are looking for. <<</
To me, the whole purpose of booting to the uSD is to forget, leave pristine, ignore anything on internal memory. Get a 16G Sandisk and the eMMC shouoldn't be worth your time. Better yet, http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-microSDHC-Flash-Memory-SDSDQM-032G-B35/dp/B004G60AD6?tag=dealswoot-20

If I wish to install CM ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was you, I would say "If I wish to run CM from the external uSD card ...."

MISRy said:
\>>> Forget the eMMC. The eMMC is not the memory you are looking for. <<</
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no reason you should not use your emmc media partition in addition to the balance of the SD card. It is there so you might as well use it (especially if you have the full 5GB version). You can never have enough storage space no matter how big your SD card. I have a 16GB card with CM9 on it and have it almost full and emmc media (5GB) almost full too.

leapinlar said:
There is no reason you should not use your emmc media partition in addition to the balance of the SD card. It is there so you might as well use it (especially if you have the full 5GB version). You can never have enough storage space no matter how big your SD card. I have a 16GB card with CM9 on it and have it almost full and emmc media (5GB) almost full too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There definitely appears to be two schools of thought here. With cloud options these days on board storage is really becoming less of an issue (Dropbox, Skydrive, Box etc.).
It is nice to have an informed decision based on both options but at the end of the day it is a preference call.
JP

Does 'adaptable' storage on the Note 8?

Has anyone tried the 'adaptable' storage hack on the Note 8 yet?
Worked on my S7.

I have the same question

I was thinking about doing this but from what I hear it's more trouble than it's worth but if anyone whose done it would like to chime in I'm sure we'd all greatly appreciate it.

GallardosEggrollShop said:
I was thinking about doing this but from what I hear it's more trouble than it's worth but if anyone whose done it would like to chime in I'm sure we'd all greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same way. More trouble than its worth. The 64GB is plenty for all your apps and for everything else you have your fat Micro SD card.

I can't find half a reason to bother with it. 1. Many apps, especially larger one will use SD card for storage, if not you can set it to do so in settings. 2. SD card is slower than internal memory, so frequently used programs shouldn't be there 3. It creates whole lot of problems if SD card goes bad and yes, had this happen to me multiple times on Sandisk included. 4. it can get complicated when you swap the cards between phones, computers etc and you use the phone without dedicated SD card inside 5. If you really think 64GB internal storage doesn't do it, hunt for elusive 128 and 256 GB versions. They should show up somewhere.
The only a reason to do it I can think off: "because I can?"

I wouldn't do it unless the UFS ever comes out. Supposed to be a lot faster external storage.
Sent from my LGV20 using yo Mama's unlocked bootloader.

If anybody does want to enable adoptable storage on the Note8 despite the potential issues, try ashyx's patch here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/patch-adoptable-storage-enabler-t3460478
Note:
- You will need TWRP installed.
- It might not work for you. I've only tested it with Renovate.
- You will need to use adb to set up your sd card.

You won't do it on an unrooted phone. Samsung never implemented it.
The phone's built in memory is far faster than any SD card at this point. You'd be slowing your phone down... and not by just a little bit.

I beg to differ
Agree the phones internal memory is tops right now.
Disagree the phone will be slow if you offload storage.
Source: i have virtually every app i use daily (Save a couple) moved to SD card and ive noticed NO.. I repeat NO.. noticeable difference in speed or issue by moving these apps. And im talking about WhatsApp, textra, several video playing apps, Instagram, Snapchat, outlook mobile, and some other apps.
There is SOME residual data from these apps that LIVE on the internal storage—perhaps this left over data keeps the app from bottlenecking from the SD card. This is speculation though.

If interested, in mexico, the largest carrier, telcel offers the 128 Gb model

adoptable Storage under PIE.

Have anyone tried formatting the SD card as internal using the SM Partition command over adb?
We (me and my group on WhatsApp) have and it always corrupt the card, I am here now, because I would like to learn how to look for clues to troubleshoot this.
Because it makes no sense at all, pie is compatible with using adoptable storage and FBE, in custom rooms we are able to use this feature, feels odd that in the official rom we can't.

adAptable storage
LionLorena said:
Have anyone tried formatting the SD card as internal using the SM Partition command over adb?
We (me and my group on WhatsApp) have and it always corrupt the card, I am here now, because I would like to learn how to look for clues to troubleshoot this.
Because it makes no sense at all, pie is compatible with using adAptable storage and FBE, in custom rooms we are able to use this feature, feels odd that in the official rom we can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also interested in this. Has anyone had success in setting up adaptable storage on Pie?

Tried with a 8gb sandisk... corrupted sd card after the process
i've tried with this tutorial: https://stackoverflow.com/questions...sd-card-into-internal-storage-via-adb-command

The problem is that modern consumer grade SD cards are not reliable for using as SSD. The number of write cycles is limited, the garbage management may corrupt card on certain conditions, etc. It is good enough that we can use SD card for camera and videos.

bookworth said:
The problem is that modern consumer grade SD cards are not reliable for using as SSD. The number of write cycles is limited, the garbage management may corrupt card on certain conditions, etc. It is good enough that we can use SD card for camera and videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not really a problem.
You see, the SD card lasting around the same time as your device is all there's needed, because it's almost certain that when you replace your device you're probably gonna get a newer, better and larger card along with it.
Or on the off chance you're not, you can "afford" to lose a SD card faster because they are usually cheaper than a SSD, not to mention that apps usually have way less writing to the card can computer programs so it may even outlast SSDs.
I take my SanDisk exterme pro for example.
I have it it's been 3 years now and it's still performing exceptionally.
I've formated it countless times, as internal, as external, multi parted it for Link2SD, made and used SWAP partitions for expansion in performance on low ram phones, hell I used this card a lot and the old faithful is still kicking.

Formatting doesn't do anything to the card, writing gigabytes of data does and disconnecting power at the wrong moment does.
Not everyone buys extreme pro cards - most of the guys who can not afford bigger SSD will also buy cheaper SD cards - because, you know, they are cheaper. And no manufacturer is willing to explain why you lost your important pictures of your baby's 7 day anniversary.
If you want cheap solutions then go for cheaper products - I believe Moto G5 has the feature you are interested in. Maybe this is because with slower CPU's the user has less actual options for wrecking the SD card.

After the Pie update, In the Moto Help app under LEARN, I found this:
"Change storage type" "Go to Settings>Storage>Touch SD Card name>3 dots>Storage Settings>Format as Internal or Format as Portable". (I tried to upload a pic, but it won't load)
I haven't tried this as I am waiting on a new UHS-1 SD card hopefully delivered today! Also under the Moto Help app: "Using SD card as extended Internal Storage" you need to have a high speed SD card such as a UHS-1, "you can move DL apps, app files, media files to the card. This card is NOT readable in other devices and cannot be decrypted on other devices". Hope this helps...

PowurPlayr said:
After the Pie update, In the Moto Help app under LEARN, I found this:
"Change storage type" "Go to Settings>Storage>Touch SD Card name>3 dots>Storage Settings>Format as Internal or Format as Portable". (I tried to upload a pic, but it won't load)
I haven't tried this as I am waiting on a new UHS-1 SD card hopefully delivered today! Also under the Moto Help app: "Using SD card as extended Internal Storage" you need to have a high speed SD card such as a UHS-1, "you can move DL apps, app files, media files to the card. This card is NOT readable in other devices and cannot be decrypted on other devices". Hope this helps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it is supposed to be this way, but when you format the card it gives no such option.
I think the rom is bugged because the restrictions imposed was on fbe, now that pie fixed this, there's no such restrictions.
On custom ROMs this works as intended.

LionLorena said:
Yeah it is supposed to be this way, but when you format the card it gives no such option.
I think the rom is bugged because the restrictions imposed was on fbe, now that pie fixed this, there's no such restrictions.
On custom ROMs this works as intended.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which custom ROM this feature works?

abrfilho said:
Which custom ROM this feature works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I have tested the Havoc was, and several folks on my WhatsApp group reported Lineage to be working too.

typically when I have a card go read only (bad) I clone it to a new card and it continues to work in the device. The whole encryption system in android is kind of a bummer because you can't read it on another devices. There is a lot of compromises for security that are made to satisfy the least common denominator. Like they could offer you a way to back up the key to another location, etc.

Not being able to use my 128gb card as internal on my X4 has me a little regretful for leaving Apple. If I had known they took that option away I would have sprung for another model. Hopefully they'll change that. I'm on stock Android Pie, so if any custom ROMs are out there I'm all ears?

biggdogg40509 said:
Not being able to use my 128gb card as internal on my X4 has me a little regretful for leaving Apple. If I had known they took that option away I would have sprung for another model. Hopefully they'll change that. I'm on stock Android Pie, so if any custom ROMs are out there I'm all ears?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently purchased my new moto x⁴ after my beloved moto G6 (needs to be repaired [trying to get an estimate from Motorola] as both front and back are shattered).
I'm baffled about the storage limitations for SDcard integration as well. I'm struggling with this low storage space warnings with 32GB but far less for actual storage because of the incredibly huge system files. My 128GB available space on my SDcard is just 128GB when it makes no use via x⁴ .
Updated to PIE but making use of more storage capacity doesn't seem to be a priority. Can't wait until my moto G6 returns but I'll continue to research and see what options are available on x⁴.
Any and ALL advices are most welcomed with a huge thank you in advance.
SOMNER

somner said:
I recently purchased my new moto x⁴ after my beloved moto G6 (needs to be repaired [trying to get an estimate from Motorola] as both front and back are shattered).
I'm baffled about the storage limitations for SDcard integration as well. I'm struggling with this low storage space warnings with 32GB but far less for actual storage because of the incredibly huge system files. My 128GB available space on my SDcard is just 128GB when it makes no use via x⁴ .
Updated to PIE but making use of more storage capacity doesn't seem to be a priority. Can't wait until my moto G6 returns but I'll continue to research and see what options are available on x⁴.
Any and ALL advices are most welcomed with a huge thank you in advance.
SOMNER
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here. I bought the phone and even bought 128gb extra sd card to increase the space. But after I opened and inserted my card I realized it's not showing up extra space. I searched through many forums and found out that's it not possible to do so. I have tried ADB tool and formatted it as internal memory as per steps mentioned. But once I do that it says my SD card is corrupted.
Not sure what is the reason for giving SD card when you cant use it as internal storage. You don't have a gallery app and you already have all your photos going to your google photos, whats the use here.
As you said, will wait if anyone finds a solution. Please do post here in case you find a solution, I will do as well.
Thanks

kaka1981 said:
Same issue here. I bought the phone and even bought 128gb extra sd card to increase the space. But after I opened and inserted my card I realized it's not showing up extra space. I searched through many forums and found out that's it not possible to do so. I have tried ADB tool and formatted it as internal memory as per steps mentioned. But once I do that it says my SD card is corrupted.
Not sure what is the reason for giving SD card when you cant use it as internal storage. You don't have a gallery app and you already have all your photos going to your google photos, whats the use here.
As you said, will wait if anyone finds a solution. Please do post here in case you find a solution, I will do as well.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can set the moto camera to write to scard is probably the biggest reason, outside of music storage. It does suck adaptable storage isnt working/supported.

SchmilK said:
You can set the moto camera to write to scard is probably the biggest reason, outside of music storage. It does suck adaptable storage isnt working/supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the default storage of the camera photos to phone or its auto saving to google photos?

kaka1981 said:
Is the default storage of the camera photos to phone or its auto saving to google photos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Default is internal, but can be set too sdcard.
Then Google photos will detect a new folder and an if you want to synch

SchmilK said:
Default is internal, but can be set too sdcard.
Then Google photos will detect a new folder and an if you want to synch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last time I changed to SD card, the "Free up space" in Google Photos did not work for some reason.

jhedfors said:
Last time I changed to SD card, the "Free up space" in Google Photos did not work for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm, I'm more paranoid than you, I transfer my pictures to my computer to free space.

Sd card query

Hello fellow Note 9'ers! I've got a 32gb card just sitting in a drawer doing nothing whatsoever and was wondering about installing it into my N9. A few Q's come to mind.
1. How does the card fit into the slot? It looked too big for a micro sd card.
2. Does having an sd card typically make the device work harder as it periodically scans the drive when being accessed and having files moved to and from it.
3. What do you tend to store upon the sd card? Pictures? Films? Music? Camera stores locally in the camera folder so it would be manual moves if using sd card as a backup.. I'm looking to understand people's usage to see if it's some method I'd follow.
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

1. SD card vs. microSD card? The Note9 only takes microSD cards, and if you have one, it should go in just nice. It needs a bit of a push to "click" the card in the holder, and it goes in more easily in certain ways (which edge is inserted first, which way the card is pushed sideways a bit, etc.)
2. Typically just having the microSD card in does not affect the phone's performance in general, unless one has some anti-malware software that has been designed in a very stupid way. However, any access to that microSD card (when such access is needed) are somewhat slower than to the internal storage, but one typically does not even notice the difference. There are some use cases where it can be very noticeable, though.
Files are only moved in/out of it if/when one tells the phone to do so, it does not happen all the time or even "periodically". (Note, this phone apparently does not support installing the card as an extension of the internal storage; in that method there could be less control on what and when gets stored/moved on the card.)
3. The phone automatically switches at least some things to be stored on microSD card as soon as it is installed. E.g. the Samsung camera app automatically switches the target storage to the card instead of internal memory, so new photos/videos will go to the card. One can still adjust that setting manually. (Photos already on the internal storage are not automatically moved.) However, this behavior would be app-specific, i.e. whether one needs to manually change such setting or not, and if such is even possible in an app.
These phones have a built-in "file browser"-style app so moving almost any normal files between internal storage and card is possible, though one might need to know what he is doing, not just blindly move everything
The most typical things to be stored on the card are indeed the "media" files: photos, videos, music. One can move also some apps from internal storage to card, but this needs more consideration (i.e. card random access speed vs. how the app needs storage access). Also, Note 9 having so much internal storage space, moving the apps to the card is not as needed as with some other phones.

6thtry said:
1. SD card vs. microSD card? The Note9 only takes microSD cards, and if you have one, it should go in just nice. It needs a bit of a push to "click" the card in the holder, and it goes in more easily in certain ways (which edge is inserted first, which way the card is pushed sideways a bit, etc.)
2. Typically just having the microSD card in does not affect the phone's performance in general, unless one has some anti-malware software that has been designed in a very stupid way. However, any access to that microSD card (when such access is needed) are somewhat slower than to the internal storage, but one typically does not even notice the difference. There are some use cases where it can be very noticeable, though.
Files are only moved in/out of it if/when one tells the phone to do so, it does not happen all the time or even "periodically". (Note, this phone apparently does not support installing the card as an extension of the internal storage; in that method there could be less control on what and when gets stored/moved on the card.)
3. The phone automatically switches at least some things to be stored on microSD card as soon as it is installed. E.g. the Samsung camera app automatically switches the target storage to the card instead of internal memory, so new photos/videos will go to the card. One can still adjust that setting manually. (Photos already on the internal storage are not automatically moved.) However, this behavior would be app-specific, i.e. whether one needs to manually change such setting or not, and if such is even possible in an app.
These phones have a built-in "file browser"-style app so moving almost any normal files between internal storage and card is possible, though one might need to know what he is doing, not just blindly move everything [emoji14]
The most typical things to be stored on the card are indeed the "media" files: photos, videos, music. One can move also some apps from internal storage to card, but this needs more consideration (i.e. card random access speed vs. how the app needs storage access). Also, Note 9 having so much internal storage space, moving the apps to the card is not as needed as with some other phones.
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Thank you ever so much for your thorough and detailed response! XDA to the rescue!
I need to decide if it's actually needed. Whilst it could be a good backup area for pictures it is also more likely to corrupt.. decisions decisions!
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Better stick with internal storage or go cloud with Google drive.

What?! No smart alek responses and no idiots screaming about searching first??? Really... I was chastised about a hardcore question and this total ridiculous question is answered without ridicule? What a joke.

OJsakila said:
What?! No smart alek responses and no idiots screaming about searching first??? Really... I was chastised about a hardcore question and this total ridiculous question is answered without ridicule? What a joke.
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screw u OJ.

OJsakila said:
What?! No smart alek responses and no idiots screaming about searching first??? Really... I was chastised about a hardcore question and this total ridiculous question is answered without ridicule? What a joke.
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Merely getting peoples own user experience regarding the use of an sd card on their own devices. [emoji851]
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