My Samsung Galaxy ACE S5830 needs the kiss of life, so as to return to the 21st century.
It has slow responses and quite often freezes and messes up with my nerves.
It currently runs on a 2.3.5 android version.
I want to root it, take a backup, increase ram by creating a partition in my new sd card and install a light custom rom (like MIUI). For this purpose, I just bought a very fast Kingston 32GB, class 10 U3, sd card with theoretical 90MBs read and 80MBs write speed. I think that will suffice.
I am a simple user and I need basic functions. My main issue is to get a faster response from the phone. I don’t play games and I am not a major fun of social media. I just want to want to use it mainly as a phone, for calls, messages, Viber, and some extra facilities like emailing, web browsing, watching some videos online (news and youtube), occasional photos, listen to music, and install a GPS program like Sygic.
I’ve already read a lot about the whole process, but as I’m doing it for the first time in my life I want to make sure that I got it right. And I have a few ambiguities.
Please advise or freely suggest if any better/easier method is available.
1. Rooting.
I decided to use Kingo Root. So, I need to download Kingo Root to my pc and connect the phone (having enabled USB debugging) and just press Root. Then check if rooting is successful with Root Checker. Then download and install SuperSU app. And I’m done.
Do I need to unlock my bootloader, too?
2. Backup.
a) Take an image of the existing ROM.
Download and install ROM Manager, flash ClockworkMod Recovery and update. Boot in to recovery by using ROM Manager or manually by pressing simultaneously UP+POWER+HOME buttons. Then go to Backup and Restore and take a backup image. Right?
b) Backup apps and messages.
I want to take just 2 backups here, my text messages and my Viber messages. Do I use Titanium or something else? My contacts are already synchronized with Google. If I use a MIUI stock rom do I need to take a backup of my contacts too?
3. Increase phone's RAM
I think now is the right time to increase the phone’s RAM. Do I need to partition it with CWM? Or I just use an app like Ram Expander? Do I do both? I mean firstly partition the sd to the desired size and then use Ram Expander? None of the above? What do you suggest? I have read some other possible solutions like using INT2EXT+ after partition. And when I download a new app how will the phone know where to store it, in phone’s RAM or in sd card?
The key factor is speed and efficiency.
I’ve also read that “Even though the Internal Storage would read 2GB (or whatever is your partition size), the apps would still use some amount of REAL INTERNAL Storage for data, hence you need at least 100MB REAL Internal Memory for every 500MB SD-EXT memory.” Is this true? And if so, since I believe the Galaxy ACE S5830 has about 150 MB RAM the most I can actually get is 750 MB RAM?
It is important to get as much RAM as possible because I’ve read that Sygic (the GPS Navigator app) needs to be installed in phone’s RAM to work properly and it is about 700MB.
4. Install Stock ROM
Finally, the time has come to install a new stock rom. I am thinking about MIUI 6. I like its interface and I’ve heard it is light and fast. Any better suggestions? Can I do it in my phone?
My problem here is this, is MIUI a fully functional stock rom, which means I just download it and flash it or is it a “port rom” which means I have to previously install some android 4.4.x base rom? I have read in some article that is needs a compatible android rom to lean on before installing. Is that so?
Here I am stuck, I can’t decide how to proceed and I need your help.
Sorry, if the post is too long.
Hi there, long time galaxy ace user and MIUI lover here.
1. For rooting my device, I just flashed a zip in recovery mode. Can't find the link to that thread.
2. Yes, backup is very important right after rooting, especially for beginners.
As for sms backup, I recommend using SMS backup and Restore, which can be downloaded from the market. I haven't used viber, so I don't know which app would be the best for backing it up, but you can try Titanium backup. For contacts, you can sync them as long as you flash a g-apps package and sign in with the same google account. To be sure, you can try exporting your contacts to your sd card and import it later on (.vcf)
3. I did not even increase my phone's ram via swap, Even with a tiny ram, Miui on top of Cm7 is pretty fast and can handle any basic task such as browsing, youtube videos, music, calling, camera, camcording and messaging with minimal stutters. (I don't play games btw)
4. If you are a simple phone user just like me, who only need some calls, sms and browsing functionality, the best bet would be to use MIUI builds based on gingerbread (CM7). I found that MIUIv4 builds (ICS and JB) are poorly optimized for our device. Also, there are currently no MIUI v5 or v6 builds for armv6 devices.
My personal recommendation is: MIUIXXX http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1908444 which comes with FireKernel OC.
I use Gabreek's Miui v5 theme, which you can find it on his thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2280553 In my opinion, his v5 theme is the best, because of LOTS of app icons and the overall feel.
Also, be sure to flash a g-apps package for gingerbread after flashing the rom.
MIUI v4 snapseries build is too unresponsive for me, and missing some features like screen off animation. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1879323
MIUI v4 JB by msnnsm is also good, but consumes lots of ram http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2054460.
TL;DR: flash an miui gb rom. It is the best in terms of stability and speed.
Thanks for your prompt answer and suggestions my friend. I will follow them all.
One question please, which is the most important query for me:
After I have made all the preparations (root and have taken a backup image with CWM, messages, etc.), what is the next step?
a) I need to install and flash the phone with a CM7 first and then install and flash MIUIXXX?
or
b) I just flash MIUIXXX straight away?
Also, I am not sure I understood correctly, Gabreek's Miui v5 (which is now updated to v6) is an alternative MIUI rom or a theme? Because I have downloaded it and it is a zip file not an .mtz file.
I am sorry if these sound like very noobish questions but I want to make sure that I understand what I am doing before I actually do it.
Thanks again for your help.
tommycr7 said:
Thanks for your prompt answer and suggestions my friend. I will follow them all.
One question please, which is the most important query for me:
After I have made all the preparations (root and have taken a backup image with CWM, messages, etc.), what is the next step?
a) I need to install and flash the phone with a CM7 first and then install and flash MIUIXXX?
or
b) I just flash MIUIXXX straight away?
Also, I am not sure I understood correctly, Gabreek's Miui v5 (which is now updated to v6) is an alternative MIUI rom or a theme? Because I have downloaded it and it is a zip file not an .mtz file.
I am sorry if these sound like very noobish questions but I want to make sure that I understand what I am doing before I actually do it.
Thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's completely fine to flash miuiXXX right away (B)
gabreek's is another MIUI rom, but bluetooth is not working in his v6 build. The theme file (mtz) is somewhere in the bottom of the post, below some useful tips and just above the credits part of his post
Thanks again for your help.
I also thought the same, but I wanted to make sure.
I have already rooted my phone and I am in the process of taking various backups.
I will try the rom you have recommended and I will revert to report.
I think I owe you as much.
Btw do you know if Themer works in MIUI? It's quite an impressive app to have.
Cheers
as far as i know, themer does not work.
Also, MIUI comes with its own theme engine, and you can download online, which is very nice.
Remember that when Applying themes, do not include lockscreen (uncheck lockscreen) . Lockscreens from the Theme app are meant for HDPI device, and you won't be able to unlock your phone if you apply them. If you accidentally get stuck on the lockscreen, press volume up and back button at the same time. It will unlock your phone.
There are a handful of themes ported to MDPI which you can use over here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1428940
So far, so good, I have not experienced any major problems.
2 more things to ask if you dont mind.
a. Where do I get the gapps file to flash from? Is is a specific file for our rom (MIUIXXX) or any gapps file will do?
b. Can I add an extra language, in the android keyboard or do I have to use an app for this? Or even better in the system itself. I am from Greece and I would find it very convenient in some tasks of the phone. I mean since it is essentially a MIUI rom and MIUI has the greek language in its official roms, there must be a way that this can be done.
tommycr7 said:
My Samsung Galaxy ACE S5830 needs the kiss of life, so as to return to the 21st century.
It has slow responses and quite often freezes and messes up with my nerves.
It currently runs on a 2.3.5 android version.
I want to root it, take a backup, increase ram by creating a partition in my new sd card and install a light custom rom (like MIUI). For this purpose, I just bought a very fast Kingston 32GB, class 10 U3, sd card with theoretical 90MBs read and 80MBs write speed. I think that will suffice.
I am a simple user and I need basic functions. My main issue is to get a faster response from the phone. I don’t play games and I am not a major fun of social media. I just want to want to use it mainly as a phone, for calls, messages, Viber, and some extra facilities like emailing, web browsing, watching some videos online (news and youtube), occasional photos, listen to music, and install a GPS program like Sygic.
I’ve already read a lot about the whole process, but as I’m doing it for the first time in my life I want to make sure that I got it right. And I have a few ambiguities.
Please advise or freely suggest if any better/easier method is available.
1. Rooting.
I decided to use Kingo Root. So, I need to download Kingo Root to my pc and connect the phone (having enabled USB debugging) and just press Root. Then check if rooting is successful with Root Checker. Then download and install SuperSU app. And I’m done.
Do I need to unlock my bootloader, too?
2. Backup.
a) Take an image of the existing ROM.
Download and install ROM Manager, flash ClockworkMod Recovery and update. Boot in to recovery by using ROM Manager or manually by pressing simultaneously UP+POWER+HOME buttons. Then go to Backup and Restore and take a backup image. Right?
b) Backup apps and messages.
I want to take just 2 backups here, my text messages and my Viber messages. Do I use Titanium or something else? My contacts are already synchronized with Google. If I use a MIUI stock rom do I need to take a backup of my contacts too?
3. Increase phone's RAM
I think now is the right time to increase the phone’s RAM. Do I need to partition it with CWM? Or I just use an app like Ram Expander? Do I do both? I mean firstly partition the sd to the desired size and then use Ram Expander? None of the above? What do you suggest? I have read some other possible solutions like using INT2EXT+ after partition. And when I download a new app how will the phone know where to store it, in phone’s RAM or in sd card?
The key factor is speed and efficiency.
I’ve also read that “Even though the Internal Storage would read 2GB (or whatever is your partition size), the apps would still use some amount of REAL INTERNAL Storage for data, hence you need at least 100MB REAL Internal Memory for every 500MB SD-EXT memory.” Is this true? And if so, since I believe the Galaxy ACE S5830 has about 150 MB RAM the most I can actually get is 750 MB RAM?
It is important to get as much RAM as possible because I’ve read that Sygic (the GPS Navigator app) needs to be installed in phone’s RAM to work properly and it is about 700MB.
4. Install Stock ROM
Finally, the time has come to install a new stock rom. I am thinking about MIUI 6. I like its interface and I’ve heard it is light and fast. Any better suggestions? Can I do it in my phone?
My problem here is this, is MIUI a fully functional stock rom, which means I just download it and flash it or is it a “port rom” which means I have to previously install some android 4.4.x base rom? I have read in some article that is needs a compatible android rom to lean on before installing. Is that so?
Here I am stuck, I can’t decide how to proceed and I need your help.
Sorry, if the post is too long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
To Root Your Device See The XDA's post.
Take The Backup of Current Rom Using CWM recovery or ROM Manager would do this too.
Then inorder to Increase Memory On Your Device By Partitining the SD Card.
Check My Guide over it in Galaxy Ace Development Section or General Android Dev Section.
If Helped Click Thanks
Hi,
1.
Try always to have on your sdcard a backup or a ROM that works ok.
Probe this a few times to be sure you can return anytime to the previous step.
2.
Take a notepad and make a change log with steps you made, so you can return to the previous step if something is not working ok.
3.
Try first to understand what you want to do, to be sure that you will not commit an error.
Try to learn from the mistakes of others.
It will be much easier for you.
Hi All,
Day by day, another MIUI quirk/challenge... Things that were easy and possible under other phones and stock Android versions seem ever so more challenging under MIUI....
So, I purchased a nice 128GB SD Card to go with the built in storage. Mainly for moving data around, so don't loose it...
However due to Android 4.4 and beyond, Google make it difficult to write access this. However other File Managers and Android versions in past, I've managed to re-enable this. However with this phone, so far I have not found to a way to unlock it yet??
The usual app (FX Explorer) doesn't work, says I can't unlook the root of the SD Card, only individual folders... which it then complains, isn't the root.... (yeah, I know that... you wouldn't let me unlock the root of SD).
I try MIUI Storage settings, but that has nothing in there to unlock it....
I then install Google Files, as strangley a guide says that'll work... it doesn't....
There was then a guide with the stock Xiaomi File Manager to unlock write access to SD Card, yet the options in the guide don't exist in this version. And can't see how allowing access to my Contacts in File Manager and then clearing the settings would fix it anyway?
So now running out of idea's to allow access to SD Card... T'was so simple on other Android devices.....
Cheers, Lister
Update: Seems I am not alone, many have this bug and looks not to be fixed.... or consistently fixed. Very hit and miss....
https://www.reddit.com/r/miui/comments/joxuhi
The plot thickens.... or not, so it seems !!!
So under Developer Settings, there is an options to "Force Write Access to External SD for all Apps" so I have enabled this and it has done..... diddly squat !!!
What's the point of providing an SD Card slot, with no write access...??
Lister
Hi All,
Has anyone had any luck getting an Ext SD Card to be writable between apps....?? As all the usual methods that I know of, and apps (FX) that have worked in the past, don't work.
The OS built in settings don't work, and the hidden Developer Settings to force write access don't work....
So at this point, I am racking my brians why Xiaomi even bothered to include an SD Card slot, as currently its pointless and redundant !!!
I'm having to copy it from the Internal memory, onto PC, then from PC back onto Exteral.... and it's slow as hell and doesn't always work... It's a brand new SanDisk MicroSD purchased from large retail store... So not like its some iffy thing off eBay.
Cheers, Lister
Thats, lets say, weird. i never had that problem, try finding something in the developer options?
if nothing worked, then root your phone i guess
Yeah it's very weird, I've never faced this issue on any of my other phones in the past.... Which have mainly been Samsung's.... S2, S5 and Note 1.... All old and trusty models, had no issues with those phones over the years, they were like TANKS.... just kept on working.
However this phone, I am encountering issue, after issue.... things that worked like stock/standard under normal Android are not working on MIUI.... I can't even get Ringtones to work, just have the 3x ringtones it comes with with no option to add more....
SD Card won't allow me to write at the root of the card, it says create a folder from the root of the card and then make the folder writable. I do that, then the OS complains this isn't standard practice and that I should allow the whole card.... which was what I was trying to do, when it tells me "for my own privacy" not write at the root level... Argghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!! lol
I am trying not root the phone itself at the moment, as this is the most moddern and recent phone ever purchased and trying to run it as stock with banking apps.... But if pushed, I may try rooting and try masking root at a later date....
But for now, if there is any official non-root ways of making the SD Card work, would be grateful...
Cheers, Lister
Lister Of Smeg said:
Yeah it's very weird, I've never faced this issue on any of my other phones in the past.... Which have mainly been Samsung's.... S2, S5 and Note 1.... All old and trusty models, had no issues with those phones over the years, they were like TANKS.... just kept on working.
However this phone, I am encountering issue, after issue.... things that worked like stock/standard under normal Android are not working on MIUI.... I can't even get Ringtones to work, just have the 3x ringtones it comes with with no option to add more....
SD Card won't allow me to write at the root of the card, it says create a folder from the root of the card and then make the folder writable. I do that, then the OS complains this isn't standard practice and that I should allow the whole card.... which was what I was trying to do, when it tells me "for my own privacy" not write at the root level... Argghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!! lol
I am trying not root the phone itself at the moment, as this is the most moddern and recent phone ever purchased and trying to run it as stock with banking apps.... But if pushed, I may try rooting and try masking root at a later date....
But for now, if there is any official non-root ways of making the SD Card work, would be grateful...
Cheers, Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the root of the sd card is not allowed a lot of phones, i have a lumia 530 (windows phone) and don't have full access, but my huawei p smart 2019 has root of the sd
Hi All,
Just gets better and better..... NOT !!!
Xiaomi why the fook have you included an SD Card reader to your phones, and Google why do you allow the user to VIEW but NOT use additional storage? Might as well remove the SD Card slot and add a 3rd SIM slot.
Then rebrand Android OS to Google-iOS, and continue to lock this sh*t down !!! Utterly pointless....
Google Issue Tracker
issuetracker.google.com
So it seems this is a known issue since Android 11, getting worse in 12 and dread to think by time of 13. So many unhappy and angry users out there over Googles latest changes... So Google lock their DocsUI storage down to secure their devices, thus users are installing unknown apks to try and re-enable it or ROOT their phones to regain the feature back. Therefore reversing what Google are trying enforce... lol
Pity I purchased a 128GB SD for this phone, might as well slamed in a 2GB for all the use it'll get...
Lister
Hi All,
<< Credit, where credit is due... as no other solution all over the web worked... other than below >>
Thanks to @xetc , with regards to this post... Ext SD Card write access has been resolved and can now make use of my 128gb Micro SD Card again... Yaaaaaaay....
Fault: If you're running Android 11, or higher. You will now find you cannot write/make use of your External MicroSD Card as Google have now blocked this. Android 10 is not as restricted, and Android 9 or below is not affected by this issue.
Solution: Download and use FX Explorer v8.0.3.0
To re-summarize steps...
1) If you already have FX Explorer installed, remove it.
2) Then download specifically FX Explorer v8.0.3.0 from your usual source.
3) Then click the top right corner, and select [Enable Write Access] at the bottom of the menu and follow prompts.
4) Once completed, reboot your phone.
5) Now test, to make sure you can write between internal to external, if all good, proceed to update.
6) Now grab the latest version of FX Explorer, once updated, re-check that you still have write access.
Happy days....
Lister
hmm
Lister Of Smeg said:
Hi All,
<< Credit, where credit is due... as no other solution all over the web worked... other than below >>
Thanks to @xetc , with regards to this post... Ext SD Card write access has been resolved and can now make use of my 128gb Micro SD Card again... Yaaaaaaay....
Fault: If you're running Android 11, or higher. You will now find you cannot write/make use of your External MicroSD Card as Google have now blocked this. Android 10 is not as restricted, and Android 9 or below is not affected by this issue.
Solution: Download and use FX Explorer v8.0.3.0
To re-summarize steps...
1) If you already have FX Explorer installed, remove it.
2) Then download specifically FX Explorer v8.0.3.0 from your usual source.
3) Then click the top right corner, and select [Enable Write Access] at the bottom of the menu and follow prompts.
4) Once completed, reboot your phone.
5) Now test, to make sure you can write between internal to external, if all good, proceed to update.
6) Now grab the latest version of FX Explorer, once updated, re-check that you still have write access.
Happy days....
Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Btw, on 4), I didn't need a reboot on A10, just enabled write access, then updated. Your mileage may vary, though, with A11+.
Lister Of Smeg said:
Hi All,
Day by day, another MIUI quirk/challenge... Things that were easy and possible under other phones and stock Android versions seem ever so more challenging under MIUI....
So, I purchased a nice 128GB SD Card to go with the built in storage. Mainly for moving data around, so don't loose it...
However due to Android 4.4 and beyond, Google make it difficult to write access this. However other File Managers and Android versions in past, I've managed to re-enable this. However with this phone, so far I have not found to a way to unlock it yet??
The usual app (FX Explorer) doesn't work, says I can't unlook the root of the SD Card, only individual folders... which it then complains, isn't the root.... (yeah, I know that... you wouldn't let me unlock the root of SD).
I try MIUI Storage settings, but that has nothing in there to unlock it....
I then install Google Files, as strangley a guide says that'll work... it doesn't....
There was then a guide with the stock Xiaomi File Manager to unlock write access to SD Card, yet the options in the guide don't exist in this version. And can't see how allowing access to my Contacts in File Manager and then clearing the settings would fix it anyway?
So now running out of idea's to allow access to SD Card... T'was so simple on other Android devices.....
Cheers, Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I changed my SD card to another version and my problems were fixed... I don't know if it will help others bud I now associate the problem with my SanDisk as it is not working in my other Redmi
Be aware that when swapping cards, even if you had previously granted card write access, you'll get into the same problem again with the new card. Is it related it to FX not relying on system file transfer app to handle permission, but doing it on its own, instead?
Equally, bookmark links, which are linked to the card's individual path (/####-####/), once you swap card, won't work anymore, either.
Unfortunately, seems none of these and other reported issues seem will ever be fixed, so maybe it's time to move on...
Btw, wonder if this still works...?: NextApp SDFix
Lister Of Smeg said:
Hi All,
<< Credit, where credit is due... as no other solution all over the web worked... other than below >>
Thanks to @xetc , with regards to this post... Ext SD Card write access has been resolved and can now make use of my 128gb Micro SD Card again... Yaaaaaaay....
Fault: If you're running Android 11, or higher. You will now find you cannot write/make use of your External MicroSD Card as Google have now blocked this. Android 10 is not as restricted, and Android 9 or below is not affected by this issue.
Solution: Download and use FX Explorer v8.0.3.0
To re-summarize steps...
1) If you already have FX Explorer installed, remove it.
2) Then download specifically FX Explorer v8.0.3.0 from your usual source.
3) Then click the top right corner, and select [Enable Write Access] at the bottom of the menu and follow prompts.
4) Once completed, reboot your phone.
5) Now test, to make sure you can write between internal to external, if all good, proceed to update.
6) Now grab the latest version of FX Explorer, once updated, re-check that you still have write access.
Happy days....
Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you also @xetc for reporting the fix first. I was experiencing this on my secondary phone with LineageOS 17.1/ Android 10.
@tliebeck can you revisit the v. 8.0.3.0 code and re-implement the way you enabled media card write access in that version back into the current version? Obviously something got twisted (and has been ever since v. 8.0.3.0 +)
Above all, thank you for your app !!
Not sure why to use FX Explorer. I use Total Commander and it works to the ext SD card fine. (NOTE: Be aware that if you update to the 3.33 version or higher, you will lose the ability to install apps manually from the SD card. Blame Google! You can solve this by signing it with your favorite app (like apk-signer) so Play won't keep telling you there is an update to the program.
Lister Of Smeg said:
Hi All,
<< Credit, where credit is due... as no other solution all over the web worked... other than below >>
Thanks to @xetc , with regards to this post... Ext SD Card write access has been resolved and can now make use of my 128gb Micro SD Card again... Yaaaaaaay....
Fault: If you're running Android 11, or higher. You will now find you cannot write/make use of your External MicroSD Card as Google have now blocked this. Android 10 is not as restricted, and Android 9 or below is not affected by this issue.
Solution: Download and use FX Explorer v8.0.3.0
To re-summarize steps...
1) If you already have FX Explorer installed, remove it.
2) Then download specifically FX Explorer v8.0.3.0 from your usual source.
3) Then click the top right corner, and select [Enable Write Access] at the bottom of the menu and follow prompts.
4) Once completed, reboot your phone.
5) Now test, to make sure you can write between internal to external, if all good, proceed to update.
6) Now grab the latest version of FX Explorer, once updated, re-check that you still have write access.
Happy days....
Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The old 8.0.3.0 from December 2020 is now a 7-day trial app, and step #3 does not produce any "enable write access" from the top right hamburger menu. I enabled root/developer access in its settings but no difference.
EDIT: though I see no "enable write access" anywhere the app, I can read and write to it, and send files from it to Drive, the last 2 things fail on my RN11. Both are on custom ROMs on A13. So, this has to be a developer's issue in the ROM, OR something with the card itself. I will keep testing to see what I can find.
i.e. this no longer works (NOTE: this might just be an SD card issue. I am able to write to and send files from an external SD on a different ROM on a different A13 phone - Redmi Note 10 Pro - without any permissions stalls at all using Total Commander 3.31, for example.)
xetc said:
Be aware that when swapping cards, even if you had previously granted card write access, you'll get into the same problem again with the new card. Is it related it to FX not relying on system file transfer app to handle permission, but doing it on its own, instead?
Equally, bookmark links, which are linked to the card's individual path (/####-####/), once you swap card, won't work anymore, either.
Unfortunately, seems none of these and other reported issues seem will ever be fixed, so maybe it's time to move on...
Btw, wonder if this still works...?: NextApp SDFix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. It produces an error. "Platform permission file is invalid. no groups specified in WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
Sheist! said:
The old 8.0.3.0 from December 2020 is now a 7-day trial app, and step #3 does not produce any "enable write access" from the top right hamburger menu. I enabled root/developer access in its settings but no difference.
i.e. this no longer works (NOTE: this might just be an SD card issue. I am able to write to and send files from an external SD on a different ROM on a different A13 phone - Redmi Note 10 Pro - without any permissions stalls at all using Total Commander 3.31, for example.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @Sheist! ,
All versions/editions of FX Explorer are considered a Trial edition when first installed... You can enable full features for a 7 - 14x day trial to which it reverts back to limited features. You only miss out on the bonus, networking/app management and few extra controls/filesystem features.... All the core Explorer features are still there...
This method was correct and accurate at the time of testing, which I believe I was on Android 11, as I don't think A12 was around at the time. Since upgraded to A12 afterwards it has still kept write access to the SD Card enabled after the hack.
I've not tried this method on A13 yet, as I am still on stock rom. However, each release of Android, from version 10 upwards keep tweaking SD Card usage, and restricts access to it more and more... So A13 could well have issues, don't know.
Personally, when I tried Total Commander back on A11, I couldn't get it to work at all (despite reading a guide somewhere) saying to use this. I tried all the various apps out there, one even suggested using the MiExplorer. No method worked at all, apart from that very specific release of FX Explorer, and when tried worked like a charm. As it always has done since Android 4.4x when Google first started messing around with SD Cards. I believe Android developers were asked to remove such features from their File Manager apps, hence why after 8.0.3.0 this feature disappeared.
There was a method briefly, using Googles own "Files" app, known as packagename "My Documents" or something like that... This feature only worked on Android 11, and had limited access when enabled. However as this is often a system app, and without root... Trying to disable, debloat, replace this app... this method also was fiddly and didn't work.... the only sucess that worked for me was what was mentioned above.
I tried practically everything, and was at the point of giving up and annoyed I wasted money on a 128GB SD card not to be used... until I stumbled on the above. Relieved it worked, and thought if it helps others in similar position, share the info... as I read pages and pages (forums/Googles own documentation) on how its disabled, how it no longer works, workarounds that didnt work... I believe it should still work for A11, and poss A12 roms (does via upgrade), however not personally tested on A13.
Cheers, Lister
Lister Of Smeg said:
Hi @Sheist! ,
All versions/editions of FX Explorer are considered a Trial edition when first installed... You can enable full features for a 7 - 14x day trial to which it reverts back to limited features. You only miss out on the bonus, networking/app management and few extra controls/filesystem features.... All the core Explorer features are still there...
This method was correct and accurate at the time of testing, which I believe I was on Android 11, as I don't think A12 was around at the time. Since upgraded to A12 afterwards it has still kept write access to the SD Card enabled after the hack.
I've not tried this method on A13 yet, as I am still on stock rom. However, each release of Android, from version 10 upwards keep tweaking SD Card usage, and restricts access to it more and more... So A13 could well have issues, don't know.
Personally, when I tried Total Commander back on A11, I couldn't get it to work at all (despite reading a guide somewhere) saying to use this. I tried all the various apps out there, one even suggested using the MiExplorer. No method worked at all, apart from that very specific release of FX Explorer, and when tried worked like a charm. As it always has done since Android 4.4x when Google first started messing around with SD Cards. I believe Android developers were asked to remove such features from their File Manager apps, hence why after 8.0.3.0 this feature disappeared.
There was a method briefly, using Googles own "Files" app, known as packagename "My Documents" or something like that... This feature only worked on Android 11, and had limited access when enabled. However as this is often a system app, and without root... Trying to disable, debloat, replace this app... this method also was fiddly and didn't work.... the only sucess that worked for me was what was mentioned above.
I tried practically everything, and was at the point of giving up and annoyed I wasted money on a 128GB SD card not to be used... until I stumbled on the above. Relieved it worked, and thought if it helps others in similar position, share the info... as I read pages and pages (forums/Googles own documentation) on how its disabled, how it no longer works, workarounds that didnt work... I believe it should still work for A11, and poss A12 roms (does via upgrade), however not personally tested on A13.
Cheers, Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is I have other apps that need to write to the SD and at this point they started failing. I don't suspect A13, as CherishOS does not have this issue on RN10P, OR the SD card I am using on that RN10P phone is error-free. My card would not read in the crDroid recovery in my RN11 UNTIL I formatted it in Windows with NTFS. Even formatting in the phone in exFat gives an exFat error in the incorporated crDroid recovery! This is probably still some issue with my card or its formatting, as I don't see noise on this issue from other users. My external SD was working fine for my write/copy-to apps on A13 until I fixed the issue getting it to read in crDroid recovery, which oddly I don't even need anymore! (successfully installed TWRP to ramdisk now). I need to reformat back to exFat and see where I am. If good, then I will reply again.
Lister Of Smeg said:
Hi @Sheist! ,
All versions/editions of FX Explorer are considered a Trial edition when first installed... You can enable full features for a 7 - 14x day trial to which it reverts back to limited features. You only miss out on the bonus, networking/app management and few extra controls/filesystem features.... All the core Explorer features are still there...
This method was correct and accurate at the time of testing, which I believe I was on Android 11, as I don't think A12 was around at the time. Since upgraded to A12 afterwards it has still kept write access to the SD Card enabled after the hack.
I've not tried this method on A13 yet, as I am still on stock rom. However, each release of Android, from version 10 upwards keep tweaking SD Card usage, and restricts access to it more and more... So A13 could well have issues, don't know.
Personally, when I tried Total Commander back on A11, I couldn't get it to work at all (despite reading a guide somewhere) saying to use this. I tried all the various apps out there, one even suggested using the MiExplorer. No method worked at all, apart from that very specific release of FX Explorer, and when tried worked like a charm. As it always has done since Android 4.4x when Google first started messing around with SD Cards. I believe Android developers were asked to remove such features from their File Manager apps, hence why after 8.0.3.0 this feature disappeared.
There was a method briefly, using Googles own "Files" app, known as packagename "My Documents" or something like that... This feature only worked on Android 11, and had limited access when enabled. However as this is often a system app, and without root... Trying to disable, debloat, replace this app... this method also was fiddly and didn't work.... the only sucess that worked for me was what was mentioned above.
I tried practically everything, and was at the point of giving up and annoyed I wasted money on a 128GB SD card not to be used... until I stumbled on the above. Relieved it worked, and thought if it helps others in similar position, share the info... as I read pages and pages (forums/Googles own documentation) on how its disabled, how it no longer works, workarounds that didnt work... I believe it should still work for A11, and poss A12 roms (does via upgrade), however not personally tested on A13.
Cheers, Lister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I reformatted in the phone again (exFat) and all apps work fine again to/from the external SD card. I am on TWRP so I don't care about the installed crDroid recovery issue anymore. (A13, crDroid 9.3, TWRP 3.7.0_12-0)