Database Develop

[Q] Can I verify that apps are being installed on the sd card?

I've formatted my sd card with Rom manager, 512MB on the ext partition, and 32MB on the swap.
Then I installed LiquidSense 2.2.1, which has A2SD built-in...so far as I can tell.
So I've installed a bunch of apps I had before (I was running LiquidSense 2.1 and was running out of room...down to ~20MB internal). And I have over 100MB free, but when I install a few apps, my internal memory still drops a little. I started with ~124MB free. Does a small part of the app still take up space on internal?
So is there a way to check where the apps are actually residing? Also, I pushed a few apps...Mail.apk and the htc bookmark widget...to /system/apps, so are they on internal or on sd? Can I move them to sd if they are internal?
Thanks for the help. I hope this isn't a repeat question, I searched for a way to verify app installation location and didn't come up with anything.

Apps will still take up some amount of space in the internal. Like the kindle app goes from 6 megs to about 4.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

With Apps2SD, the application is moved from the /data/app directory to the /sd-ext partition, but the userdata is still stored internally in the /data/data directory.
Edit: Also the dalvik cache is still stored internally.
Sent from my HERO CDMA using XDA App

Thanks for the responses. That makes sense that some data is stored internally. I don't suppose there's a way to browse the ext partition of the sdcard? Using Astro, I don't see a way to see a different partition, but maybe I'm just missing it. Also, the internal /data folder is empty. That didn't seem right.

[Q] APK's stored in internal memory but there on sdcard

As most of you do I have space problem with the N1, and there is something I dont understand
inside /mnt directoy is obb, sdcard , asec and secure.
Now to my understand my entire sdcard contents is under "sdcard" directory
however both "/mnt/asec" and "/mnt/secure" are outside that directory and they contain apk's and some other files.
Here is my delima if application gets installed on the sdcard it still dumps the apk files in the "asec" directory which mean it doesn't matter if i install the application on the sdcard it will still take alot of space.
Is this correct and if so can i create a symbolic link the directory and dump in the sdcard itself instead of wasting viable internal memory space?

No, you're wrong. /mnt/asec/ mounts on /sdcard/.android_secure. So the APKs are on SD card. And you can't properly link the /data/data/ or the /data/dalvik-cache to FAT, the apps won't work - or the phone will crash when you unmount the FAT.
This is why there is Darktremor's A2SD/XPART/Link2SD/many others.

ok.
But how come if uninstall application I get free space even though they are on the sdcard?
edit: Or rather the bigger question is that i have plenty of space on my sdcard as i install more and more application some of the application space creep into the internal memory is there a way to know what is going on and how to prevent that space from being occupied in the first place.

You can't.
Application space is split into:
1) APK. (this is the APK itself - the installation file)
2) Data. (this is the data that the app creates and/or stores between and during uses)
3) Dalvik-cache. (this is a space that system uses to run the app)
Each installed app has all 3 parts.
Whatever you do on stock or CM7 ROM, you can't get parts 2 and 3 to SD. The only way to do it is using the add-ons mentioned in my previous post - Darktremor's A2SD/XPART/Link2SD/many others. They all do the same thing - given additional EXT partition on SD card, they selectively move any of the 3 parts for any app to the EXT partition, freeing phone's internal memory. Of course, if you don't have EXT partition on your SD card - you need to create it, repartition the card, to be able to use any of those add-ons.

thanks again

[Q] How should SD card be set up?

Hi I have Squadzones CyanogenMod 7.2.0 RC5 and I tried to partition my SD card for using one of the apps to make internal storage bigger.
So I have a 2Gb SD card and want to use 512Mb for Increasing internal storage, Dalvik cache, System apps and all other apps (But I want system to think they are internal, know what I mean?) and then 1.5Gb for External Storage so I can use it for Music, downloads, pictures, videos etc... Basically the space my PC can see.
So what settings should I choose in CWM and which app is the best for increasing internal storage????
Thanks in advance

first partition sd card on pc using a partition manager like Easeus partition manage,minitool etc. Format the partktion by either FAT or ext3 file system.Now,download a free software from android market called 'link2sd'.
Advantage of using this is that you can select which apps to move to sd or which to not.You can also link any apps to sd-ext partition.
If I helped helped you press thanks.

If I use this how much space will I have left to store music and such or will this use let the whole 2 Gb be used and then use some of that for storing cache and such
Sent from my GT-S5570 using XDA App

jaimbo said:
If I use this how much space will I have left to store music and such or will this use let the whole 2 Gb be used and then use some of that for storing cache and such
Sent from my GT-S5570 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a 2gb card you can make a partition (for eg.512mb ext3 partition)by using the above mentioned ways.You can only link any application to that partition only. However you can force move any app to sd card by using link2sd.In that case some software may gets functionless if they are not meant to move to sd(here you can apply 'link'function of link2sd.)
Advantage of link2sd over darktreamer app2sd or s2e is that you can select which part of the app (app,data or delvic cache) should be linked to sd.Moreover it is the most easiest method.

[Q] ext4 and a2sd

I am using gingerzaraki rom and had created 512 mb ext4 partition using clock work but when i view internal memory it shows 212 mb. also i had set in cynongenmode settings to use a2sd and store applications in external memory but they are not stored in external memory and i have to use application manager and shift applications to sd card manually. please help out configure this

Using ext partition doesn't affect internal memory. So in settings there will be always 212mb (miniCm7 ROMs for sure, other - don't know).

than what is the use of ext partition???

ext partition cant improve your internal memory but if you put your movable apps in ext partition you will get free space in your internal memory for new apps to install!

thks for the info but how to move movable apps to ext???

I meant move apse to ext

too_cool_4_all said:
I meant move apse to ext
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have created the partition on your SDcard..then when you install app,it will automatically moved to your SDcard..and your Internal memory will not be reduced..

I have created the partition but still when I install applications internal memory keeps decreasing

You can use Link2sd, which is more simple...

too_cool_4_all said:
I have created the partition but still when I install applications internal memory keeps decreasing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooo..i see..first go to settings..then go to cyanogenmod settings..go to applications and tick allow application moves(i'm not sure its name but its the first one)..and select external from the second menu(under the allow application moves)..i hope you can understand me..

I have done this too than also internal memory keeps decreasing......

OK, the sd-ext is the partition where your .apk app are moved into sd-ext the partition...
Depends on the custom rom ext mounter script or APP2SD app, it can move your app & dalvik-cahe together into the sd-ext partition or not.
Now, Sd-ext just store .apk(app) And/or Dalvik-cache. So, the data(data & databases) that created by some app (games, media player, and for forth...) will sit in your phone /data/data. so your phone /data partition spaces will decreased out. If your custom rom ext mounter script does not assign to move dalvik-cache together, your phone /data partition will max out very quickly.
Because every app installed will create a .dex file in dalvik-cache folder. except for some app (Theme, etc....)
And TIPS. USE PARITION WIZARD FOR GOD SAKE (Sorry for the caps)
Hope this will get into your head
Hope you guys Doesn't get lost in the jungle

[Q] Some apps don't see sdcard1

I have tried to Google this issue with little success. What happens is I used to have the Xperia Ray (GB 2.3.4) where apps like ZDBox can detect my Samsung 32GB microSD and moved apps to SD without issue. Now with the SP, it cannot see the ext SD at all (but Cleanup Master still can). Another issue is that SD Tools was able to display the Samsung SD ROM data on the Ray but can't now with the SP. Also, SD Booster used to recommend 2048 for 32GB SD on the Ray, but now saying 512 is optimal? I am so confused. Is it a SP or JB 4.1.2 issue? Both are rooted BTW.

Because the Sp has internal memory mounted as SD card you won't be able to move apps to SD card.
To move apps and data a lot of people use link2sd to move apps to ext SD card and apps like folder mount to move game data/obb files to ext SD card.
Only works if rooted.
Sent from my C5303 using xda premium

zolaisugly said:
To move apps and data a lot of people use link2sd to move apps to ext SD card and apps like folder mount to move game data/obb files to ext SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that link2SD din't move the /data/data/x folder to the ext2 Sd partition, then if you have a lot of files there (like music temporal files of Google Music) the benefits are poor.

themacboy said:
The problem is that link2SD din't move the /data/data/x folder to the ext2 Sd partition, then if you have a lot of files there (like music temporal files of Google Music) the benefits are poor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will not move it. It will mount it in this point.
Link2SD can move data to other partition. But. You have to had two partitions on sd card. First one in FAT on wich you hold any files (music, movies...) and second on wich you will move app data. With new version you can have on second partition ext2, ext3, or fat filesystem.
You need to have root of course. You can try make only one partition in sdcard, but in this case you have to make ext2 or ext3 partition on SDCard and I really dont know if it work. I didnt see option in link2SD where you can set your data partition so it will try to find second partition on sdcard.
I use 32GB sd card with 16GB with FAT filesystem and 16 in ext3 to move app data there.

To create 2nd partition you need to use PC and a partition creating tool I use easeus maker.
You need to create partition and make it primary,if you use fat32 it will be supported by stock ROM.
Once done put card back in phone start link2sd and it will find new partition and ask how to handle select format that matches yours.
Then you can link all the apps you want apart from system apps.
Sent from my C5303 using xda premium

I usually use AParted to format all my partitions on SD card from my phone.
As I said before, in my phone link2SD din't manage /data/data/x folder on second partition (ext2, ext3, ...), only manage /data/app/x and probably others.
Then if you try to move to ext2 partition (link) any app with a lot of data files stored, alll this files din't point to ext2, will remain in internal memory.
For exmaple:
Try to download Google Music app, link this app to ext2 partition. Now in app make ready a lot of file in offline mode. It will store all this temp song files in /data/data/com.google.andorid.music folder.
Now check in Link2SD and with any filebrowser, you will see that this files are always in internal memory because link2SD din't manage /data/data/x to link it to second partition on external sd.

Sorry I can't help any more as I dont use that app you said. I do use link2sd and have no issues when linking the app to the ext SD card.
Remember you may see info still on data/app but the contents are sym linked.
But if you are sure you have set 2nd partition correct to primary and using fat32( stock supports this)
I can't help you further sorry
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I ended up just using Clean Master moving 19 apps to SD. There are many can't be moved but not too bad consider it is far more convenience than Folder Mount. I also removed SD booster which was tested to offer no speed advantage. Next will be battery drain problem. Boy I feel I have spent more time tweaking the android than actually utilizing it.

themacboy said:
I usually use AParted to format all my partitions on SD card from my phone.
As I said before, in my phone link2SD din't manage /data/data/x folder on second partition (ext2, ext3, ...), only manage /data/app/x and probably others.
Then if you try to move to ext2 partition (link) any app with a lot of data files stored, alll this files din't point to ext2, will remain in internal memory.
For exmaple:
Try to download Google Music app, link this app to ext2 partition. Now in app make ready a lot of file in offline mode. It will store all this temp song files in /data/data/com.google.andorid.music folder.
Now check in Link2SD and with any filebrowser, you will see that this files are always in internal memory because link2SD din't manage /data/data/x to link it to second partition on external sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'll check that once again (I had to buy new SD Card) and you have right. Link2SD move only:
APK File - /data/app/*.apk
Dex files - /data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]*.dex
Libraries - /data/data/*/lib/app_libraries
And other things from /data/data/ stays there. Only libraries are moved from this folder ((
But Its a solution. Just use FolderMount from Google Play It works awesome.