Database Develop

[Q] Directory for apps stored on SD Card

I am about to undertake the task of factory restoring my Moto Droid (for reasons I won't bore you with). I'm rooted, and have Rom Manager for Nandroid backups (so I flashed a new recovery), but other than that I'm running stock.
I don't want to redownload all of my apps, so I want to copy them over to my PC and push them back to the phone later using adb. My issue is, I cannot find the apps I have moved to the SD card. What is their file pathway?
I've used Astro and Terminal Emulater (with the ls command) to try to find the pathway, but I'm at a complete loss.
Before you say anything, I know Astro can backup apps; however, it does not back up apps that are stored on the SD card. And I have too many apps to move them all to internal storage to back them up with Astro.
I really need to find the file pathway so I can copy the .apk's. Any help will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

the easy way, try titanium backup
Sent from my Milestone using XDA App

I ended up just playing 'musical chairs' with the apps on the SD card to put them on the internal storage to back them up with Astro. It worked pretty well, though was unnecessarily time consuming.
And a lot of the best features in Titanium cost; I know it's supporting the dev, but I'm an eternal cheap skate when it comes to apps...

[Q] Possibly quick noob question? Help needed! :)

Right now I'm using CM 6.1.1 on my Nexus One. When I flashed CM for the first time I wiped my SD card right after I installed the ROM, so I really don't remember too much about what happened to my apps or anything like that. So, my question is, if I want to install CM 7, can I just wipe my phone with ROM manager right before installing it, and then not wipe my SD card afterwards? Will the apps, pictures, ect., that is on my SD card right now magically appear untouched on CM 7? I guess I'm just not sure how the SD card contents will be affected when flashing ROMs, and I'm not sure if after you flash a new ROM, the ROM can use all of the stuff that's on your SD card just like the ROM you had before did.. Does that kinda make sense? I feel dumb for asking all this. Also, when I save a backup of my ROM, the backup will just be a copy of all of my phone's internal memory and the operating system, right? And when I wipe my phone and install a new ROM, the new ROM just replaces all of my phone's old contents? So if I ever flashed my original ROM again, it'd bring back all of my phone's contents, system memory, operating system, apps installed on the phone, ect?
Thanks for taking the time to read my long, poorly written batch of questions Help would be very very appreciated!

SD card isn't touched when flashing ROMs.
You can restore your backup and it'll be all like it was.
If you use DT A2SD - things start being more complicated.

Yumunum said:
can I just wipe my phone with ROM manager right before installing it, and then not wipe my SD card afterwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can leave your SD contents as is, they won't be touched.
Will the apps, pictures, ect., that is on my SD card right now magically appear untouched on CM 7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pictures, Music, Videos etc that are stored on the SD card will remain untouched by flashing a new ROM, however apps are a different story. Basically you've got two main types of Apps on SD cards. The first is froyos implementation which is basically used to free up space on the phone memory but will not survive a wipe or flashing a new ROM. The alternative is Dark Tremors A2SD which uses a dedicated partition on your SD card (Created through recovery) to store apps by tricking the system into thinking the folder on your SD card is actually on internal memory. Once a new ROM is installed over the current (Which obviously must use DT A2SD also) these apps should be available again with their settings etc remaining.
I guess I'm just not sure how the SD card contents will be affected when flashing ROMs, and I'm not sure if after you flash a new ROM, the ROM can use all of the stuff that's on your SD card just like the ROM you had before did
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, all data/media remains but apps require A2SD or its variants.
Also, when I save a backup of my ROM, the backup will just be a copy of all of my phone's internal memory and the operating system, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you backup/nandroid you take a screenshot of sorts of your system. By default I think most recovery images save the boot, system, data and cache partitions when a backup is being made. Certain recoveries offer to backup other partitions such as sd-ext (Where A2SD stores the apps). Backups are designated by folders with a time stamp, I personally rename these to reflect the contents e.g. MM.v.20 tells me this is MicroMods v.20 of his GB ROM. Obviously yours will differ but I find this keeps things organised. Basically think of nandroid as the Android equivalent of Acronis true image or Norton Ghost for the PC. It lets you create any number of backups which will restore your device to the exact state at the moment of backup.
And when I wipe my phone and install a new ROM, the new ROM just replaces all of my phone's old contents?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A newly flashed ROM will basically restore your device to factory settings but on the new ROM. Once you've signed in to your Google account certain settings and content will be automatically downloaded e.g. Calendar appointments, Contacts. Other settings will not be restored e.g. Display brightness, alarms.
So if I ever flashed my original ROM again, it'd bring back all of my phone's contents, system memory, operating system, apps installed on the phone, ect?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, again it would return to the factory settings. However you can restore nandroid backups you have made of your original ROM which would return the system exactly to its previous state.
Basically if you're on a stock ROM it won't have A2SD. If you wish to use A2SD from now on then find a ROM which uses it, partition your SD card appropriately (Plenty of guides around) and you'll have minimal problems moving from ROM to ROM. As for Nandroid you'll find that most ROM devs recommend wiping all data from the phone (Not SD card) before flashing their ROM. Otherwise files or settings from other ROMs can cause some undesired effects on your current one.
Good luck and get reading the Nexus wiki, it's very helpful for these types of questions
Note: For some reason I vaguely remember someone noting that Froyos A2SD can be used to move apps to another ROM or at least the base app itself (If not the individual setup/settings) but I can't seem to find any info after a quick Google and it never interested me enough to look into it further. Perhaps someone can clear this up?

Hollow.Droid said:
Note: For some reason I vaguely remember someone noting that Froyos A2SD can be used to move apps to another ROM or at least the base app itself (If not the individual setup/settings)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think thats true.. suppose it's formatted during a wipe.. titanium backup serves the purpose like a charm.. (with all the settings for the apps and the resumes for the games)
Sent from my Nexus One

I have a similar question to the OP. I use a 1GB EXT through DT's A2SD. If I wanted to flash a new ROM would the following be my step-checklist?
1 - Nand backup (just in case)
2 - Backup apps with Titanium
3 - wipe system data & cache
4 - flash new rom
5 - restore apps?
I'm just wondering what the procedure is to keep the apps in A2SD on a new flash without re-setting up.

Wiggz said:
I have a similar question to the OP. I use a 1GB EXT through DT's A2SD. If I wanted to flash a new ROM would the following be my step-checklist?
1 - Nand backup (just in case)
2 - Backup apps with Titanium
3 - wipe system data & cache
4 - flash new rom
5 - restore apps?
I'm just wondering what the procedure is to keep the apps in A2SD on a new flash without re-setting up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that would be fine..
btw 1: if you upgrading a cm nightly, you need not wipe system n cache..
2: if you do a titanium backup before, then you can finish all the steps in the recovery in one go..
n I dint quite get what you are asking. but from what I know, apps 2 sd folder (ie android.secure) is erased in a wipe.. that isnt changing
Sent from my Nexus One

shreyas - thanks for your help.
I understand the A2SD (EXT) partition onthe sd will be wiped, but I'm assuming I would have to do nothing to get the new rom to see the ext and use it?
That's really my question. Would recovering my apps from Titanium push them back on the A2SD location or would I need to install A2SD again?

i don't think so..
I suppose that the pro version must support the direct a2sd.. but give it a try.. if it dosent work then you have do manually..
Sent from my Nexus One

[Q] new to cyanogenmod + Titanium Backup + Link2SD

Hey,
I have decided to give CyanogenMod a go for the first time.
I've been rooted for some time now - running a stock Gingerbread 2.3.4 rooted.
I've heard so many good things about CyanogenMod and I have had an itch for a bit of a change, that I decided now is a good time to give it a try.
I was hoping you guys might be able to help me clarify a few things first though.
I have Link2SD installed and setup. I have linked a couple of apps using and I was wondering if anyone knows how it works with Titanium Backup?
What I was hoping to be able to do was:
Code:
1)
Make a back up of some of my apps + their data using Titanium Backup - Some of these apps have been moved using Link2SD
2)
Install ClockworkMod Recovery and make a full nandroid backup.
3)
Make a backup of all the contents on my SD card - from the fat32 partition primarily.
4)
Install CyanongenMod using ROM Manager
5)
Redo the ext2 partition on my SD card and reinstall Link2SD once CyanogenMod has been installed
6)
Reinstall Titanium Backup and restore all the apps I backed up.
I was hoping that by doing the above I could hang onto all the custom settings I have in some of the apps.
For the apps that have been linked using Link2SD, will Titanium backup restore them properly as long as that ext2 partition on the SD card is there?? Or am I going to run into issues?
I have done some searching on these forums but there seems to be no clear cut answer.
Any help or advice would greatly be appreciated!
Thank you

You'll be fine - just make a full Titanium backup and a nandroid (just in case).
Do a full wipe, install CM with gapps, install your apps2sd, then restore your Titanium backup...

Titanium Backup will just restore the apps to the /data partition (or the ext if you have app2sdext enabled), but since link2sd is setting up individual symlinks for each app, those probably won't be carried over when you restore with Titanium Backup. You will have to redo those apps. But this may be time to look into a full app2sdext option. It is much simpler than link2sd and there aren't any noticeable performance hits (unless you do data2sd).

Good catch bass - I missed the Link2SD detail!

@danger-rat @bassmadrigal
Thank you guys for giving me some advice.. it is much appreciated!
So the app2sdext option can be done using dark tremor?
I was looking at dark tremor previously when I was trying to decide what method to use to relink apps.
Do you guys know of a good tutorial to go about setting it up? Is it done pre install of Cyanogen? Or post install?
My other concern about moving apps to the SD card using methods like link2sd and dark tremor is recently I had a situation where my ext2 partitions filesystem actually became corrupted. I ended up having to a 'fsck' on it to repair it ( I am pretty sure I got lucky with that ). Using the app2sdext do I still have the options to decide what I move to my SD card?

You can use Darktremor or S2E as the popular methods. S2E is a bit more intuitive (its an app in the market, with a front end GUI).
Install after you've installed CM.
As far as corrupt cards, just make sure you backup from time to time. Titanium or nandroid should do the trick. The advantage of having an ext partition is that once you have the partition, you can reformat it without losing your regular SD partition...

i would also recommend S2E, recently went from dt to
s2e and its working great.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

I remember seeing you mention s2e once before! At the time though I couldn't use it since I wasn't running CyanogenMod
That sounds like a good plan.
What do you think of this
Code:
1)
Do a Titanium Backup of my apps+their data
(including ones that have been moved using link2sd)
2)
When I install CyanogenMod, setup and install s2e
3)
Install Titanium Backup and start recovering my apps.
Since Titanium Backup should restore apps linked via
link2sd back to the default /data directory, I should just
be able to relink them using the s2e method?
I was wondering something else to actually.
@danger-rat you have mentioned in the past that you do not like the most recent version of the ClockworkMod recovery due to stability and reliability issues (I have seen a few other people say this as well). If this is still the case, can you recommend a version to install? From Rom Manager itself, can you choose a different version of ClockworkMod recovery to install?
Sorry for all the questions!
EDIT ------------------------------------------------
Just after I posted this I noticed there is an option in Rom Manager "All ClockworkMod Recoveries" - It looks like this option will allow me to install older version of ClockworkMod?

I use CWM 2.5.1.4 and install via ROM Manager, just as you suggested...

Thank you sir for suggesting a version and confirming I can do it via ROM manager.
Hopefully I can try this in the next couple days. Will report back success/epic failures!
Thank you baseballfanz as well!
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

Why posting a question in general section???
Thread moved.

hey sorry I wanted to ask one more question...
Since I plan on implementing s2e I will have to reformat my ext2 partition to ext3 or 4 (I think it said ext4..)
My question is, what should I do with my fat32 partition?
After I backup all the data on it, should I reformat it as well? Then after I get CyanogenMod installed, move back only what is important - Titanium backup directory for example? Or copy everything that was on it. There will probably be a lot of useless/old files on there that aren't really useful.
EDIT ---------------------
Sorry Mr.Clown for posting in wrong section.. I'll post correctly next time!

i went from dt a2sd to s2e with no need to redo anything on my sd card. i had ext4 already.
if you use amon ra you can change ext 2 to ext 3 or ext 4.

Sorry, I was gone all day and away from a computer. Glad others chimed in. But to start, S2E and DarkTremor's a2sd both are not selective on which apps are installed to the sdcard. It is an all or nothing approach. That is the difference between app2sdext and link2sd. With S2E, you just install it and open the app. Select the checkboxes to move apps to the sdcard and then I recommend moving the dalvik cache as well (as it takes a lot of space). Reboot, and any apps you install/restore will be automagically put on the sdext partition.
And to answer your last question, if you already have an ext partition on your card, there is no reason to change it. It may say ext 3 or 4 is needed, but I am running ext2 on mine without any issues (I have been too lazy to take the time to change it). Just make sure the ext partition is wiped (which can be done in recovery under Mounts and Storage). The fat32 can be wiped, but it isn't necessary. Although, if it has been awhile, you may want to consider it, just to get rid of some of the stupid folders that devs can't figure out how to keep them out of the root of the card.

@bassmadrigal
thanks for the response man!
All or nothing eh? I will give it a try and hope for the best! At least then I will have more flexibility in the amount of apps that I can have!
I think I will just reformat the entire card since it has been a while. There is so much stuff on the card now I don't really know what is what anymore. I will keep a back up of it though juuuust in case.
I think the ext2 partition might have some files left over from link2sd so I think I might wipe it out as well and start again.
I have since removed all the apps I moved using link2sd just to calm my nerves a little bit (ha!).
I am currently trying to purchase titanium backup but it looks like maybe the market is having issues. It is stuck on "Authorizing purchase..." seems like a few people have had this.
In the mean time I will install the recovery image and do a nandroid backup!

Just as an FYI, if you redo your partitions (ie repartitioning your sdcard through the recovery), that will erase and format both partitions. I think by default, clockworkmod will do an ext2 partition, whereas Amon_RA gives you the option between ext3 and ext4. One thing to keep in mind, in the past, with ClockworkMod v3.x, it had been known to cause issues with partitioning cards. I don't know if that has been fixed in the v5.x, but I know it doesn't exist in v2.x and it also works properly in Amon_RA.
All or nothing really isn't a bad approach. I have a class 4 32GB Sandisk, and I don't seem to have any speed problems. Then, with some of the apps that have a large amount of data, I will move those individually with Titanium Backup. Two big ones are Google Earth (16MB of frickin data), and Firefox (I don't remember how much, but it is still a large amount). But I had to move those because I was running out of room in my internal memory (I have a lot of apps installed).

I was actually just about to update this thread!
I have been busy since my last post!
I have since installed clockworkmod recovery, done my backups, installed cyanogenmod, and am just in the process of going through it.
I FINALLY got titanium backup pro key to install.. I think there must have been something wrong between google and the titanium backup app, but after like 2 hours of trying it finally went through!
I think I am okay with the "All or nothing approach" as well. I know now that I need to start to take backups WAY more serious! So if I ever run into a situation where my ext partition dies, I won't be devastated!
I think what I will end up doing is reformatting it all tomorrow at work. I will turn the phone off, remove SD card, format using a Linux system at work, place card back in and go from there.
To restore my ROM Manager backup and my Titanium Backups I just have to copy those folders back to the SD card (after the format) from the backup I made of the SD card prior to formatting it (sorry if I am sounding repetitive, I can't tell if what I am saying will make sense to anyone other then myself lol + plus I am EXHAUSTED!)
That's awesome though its working for you. I have a class 10 8 gig kingston SDcard and so far its been great!
So when I setup s2e (I have it installed, but not configured!) I should select the check boxes "Applications, Private apps, and Dalvic Cache"?
You mentioned that you use Titanium Backup to move certain apps like Google Earth... I was just wondering in what direction you were moving them? From the phone to the SDcard, or from the SDcard to the phone? Sorry for probably another really stupid question I just wanted to make sure I was following you correctly!
Thank you again for all your help though. Things have gone smoothly so far

In S2E move applications, private apps, dalvik cache and optional too download cache.
As for moving data to sd card individually by Titanium, you are moving the data from internal memory to sd card

Yes, all you need to do is copy those folders back, but if you restore any of your nandroid backups, you will reset everything in your system back to the time before you installed S2E. So, I would only do that as a last resort. But, Titanium Backup does not have that limitation. It is just restoring the data to whatever the system is setup to do.
Once you do get everything up and running properly, it would be beneficial to do a nandroid. But as far as a lot of backups, you can set TB to run on a schedule to back up your phone every so often while you are asleep. And then, I just make sure I do a nandroid before I flash ANYTHING.
And ditto for what baseballfanz said. I never bothered with the download cache, as that is stored on a different partition within the phone (the /cache partition). Unless you resize all your partitions, it is probably pointless to move it. And yes, I am moving the data (ie the saved games/settings etc) for the app to the sdext partition with Titanium Backup, but you probably won't need to do this for a while (I have 213 user apps installed according to TB).

@bassmadrigal and @baseballfanz
Thanks guys for all your advice!
Sorry for the million's of question, I'm learning a lot from you guys though!
So.. Cheers!
Nandroid is similar to Acronis (imaging software) for PC so I definitely follow you when you say that restoring an Nandroid backup will erase anything I have done since doing that particular backup.
Good to know that moving those folders back onto the SDcard is all I have to do so now reformatting the card isn't as scary! Oh and I have to make sure I grab the Titanium Backup License file - Sorry I just read this is the old method!
I will definitely take your advice and produce a Nandroid backup once everything is up and running just in case! I have been thinking about it and I figured I could automate a backup of the Titanium Backup folder and the clockworkmod folder by using the rSync app. I could just copy everything to my NAS during the night, which would ensure I have two physical copies just incase my SD card decides to dead.
thanks for clarifying the direction of the data being moved using titanium backup. I figured it was that but wanted to be sure. I still have a lot of learning to do with that app to get fully familiar with it!
I'll be setting up my two new partition today and hopefully I can start restoring apps later this afternoon. Will report back my status.
Thanks again for the help!
cheers

[Q] Switching from an old SD-Card to new

Hey guys!
I bought a new bigger SD card for my galaxy mini. Since I moved a lot of apps to my old SD card, I can't get the new SDcard to work without loosing all the data.
So basicly I'm asking, how to change SD cards without loosing anything and just getting the new sd-card to work.
I'm using chocobread latest release. Thank you for your responses!

With Titanium backup, backup all apps.
1. If not rooted, *root your phone
2. Install Titanium Backup
3. Batch Backup all user apps on SD
-------------------------------------------
Copy the 'Titanium backup' folder
4. Now copy & paste the 'Titanium backup' folder from OLD SD to PC.
5. Recopy & paste from PC to NEW SD.
-------------------------------------------
Restore all apps & data.
6. From Titanium backup, Batch Restore those apps with data.
7. Reboot the phone (not necessary, but to speed up the phone)
*Read up the reference sticky thread for how to root.

and dont forget to partition new one before restoring

Try just copying the old memory card content to the new one . Did the same a while back and i guess pretty much everything worked the way it should.

thinkingood said:
Try just copying the old memory card content to the new one . Did the same a while back and i guess pretty much everything worked the way it should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, already tried that one, didn't work though. Going to try again, maybe it's the hidden files issue.

Hey, wanna ask
I already partioned my sdcard but I forgot which one I use to partition, ext3 or ext4, anyone knows how to check it without using PC/Laptop?

droidface said:
Hey, wanna ask
I already partioned my sdcard but I forgot which one I use to partition, ext3 or ext4, anyone knows how to check it without using PC/Laptop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use mini tool partition wizard
just use the google [i can't post the link , my posting still under 10 ]
and it's free for home edition

bacangaja3 said:
you can use mini tool partition wizard
just use the google [i can't post the link , my posting still under 10 ]
and it's free for home edition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mini Tool? It's included here -> http://4shared.com/file/1dR4dAGy/Tools-tools_Penting_partisi_mi.html

how to backup apps on micro sd card using titanium?

the other day my tablet reset. i had to download everything again. when i use titanium backup it will only backup to the tablet which it sees as the sd card which gets erased if you have to restore the tablet. there doesn't seem to be a way to change it in the settings. any way to backup my apps to my external sd card? i did search here but nothing clear came up. i am running stock with root. no cm 10 or any of that stuff

bckrupps said:
the other day my tablet reset. i had to download everything again. when i use titanium backup it will only backup to the tablet which it sees as the sd card which gets erased if you have to restore the tablet. there doesn't seem to be a way to change it in the settings. any way to backup my apps to my external sd card? i did search here but nothing clear came up. i am running stock with root. no cm 10 or any of that stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have three choices. The first is to just copy the backup folder on sdcard to ext_sdcard. Then it does not get wiped out in a reset. The second is to use the CWM card you had used to root to do a nandroid backup to SD. That way if reset, just restore and everything is back. The third way is to use my swap zip to swap sdcard and ext_sdcard. Then TB backs up to your external card. I prefer the nandroid backup myself.
Sent from my Nook HD+ running CM10.1 on emmc.

i recently just set my backups to back up to my sd card
first thing is make a folder on the sdcard, something like TitaniumBackup
in the TB app, press Menu in the top rightthen > preferences, then down to the backup settings > Backup folder location > hit back once or twice until you are on /mnt > find ext_sdcard > then click the folder folder you made on the sd card and then hit use current folder.
I do the nandroid backup probably once every 4-5 days just to be safe in case i eff something up lol

Yea I am using a 16gb card. At first I used the wrong zip and my open space wasn't enough. Found the 4gb zip and all is well with the nandroid backup. This is the second time in 3 days I had a tablet reset. One thing I like about apple products is less crashing and such but loving this tablet for $179.

bckrupps said:
One thing I like about apple products is less crashing and such but loving this tablet for $179.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Less crashing because they don't allow you into the area where you can mess things up in the system (unless you jailbreak) Also, much less complexity with tens rather than hundreds of device configurations. I'll take more complexity, a little less stability but the ability to do what I want :cyclops: