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I've run up against the Nexus One's meager internal storage. I don't have that many applications installed and what i do have is essential. My stock, unrooted Nexus One has ~20 mb of free internal phone storage, which prevents me from trying out some of the new applications that are large in size, eg. Angry Birds beta is 11mb or Google Earth is 20mb. What are my options for using my 8gb micosd card as additional storage space?
Here's what i've been able to gather on my options:
1. Froyo's "Move to SD card" option only moves the apk file. Applications themselves need to provide this functionality. I've already removed and uninstalled what I can, and still have very little free space.
2. Apps2SD: requires me to partition my sd card with an ext3 partition and install a custom rom that boots this partition.
3. use SetInstallLocation: requires me to Root device. Would probably have to uninstall/reinstall all my applications.
My phone is stock, no root or custom firmware, and I'd like to keep it that way. I know about the accessibility and ease of the 1-click root application, but working 80 hrs a week, I don't really have the time to mess around with keeping up to date with firmware, bugs, etc. I did this with WinMo and it got pretty old/tiring after awhile. Besides, I've been very happy with the stock android OS and have only consider getting root access to install some programs, but have not been tempted enough to do so. I'm also a Linux/Unix commandline noob and have no experience with android SDK/ADB
Help? Opinions?
Thanks.
Actually you can root your device without reinstalling your applications. The best bet would be to go that route and then use a program like titanium backup (donate version, 3.99) to force move it. The only thing not to do is to move anything that has widgets and doesn't support move to SD as it will no longer display the widget (program will usually still work). That way you don't have to have ALL programs installing on the SD and still have to worry about the installation location. Also, titanium is great to back up all settings incase something horribly goes wrong and either you have to flus your system or you get daring and start installing custom roms.
It's one of the most useful $4 I've spent since I got my N1. And it will stay with me if I ever move to another Android device too.
I'm a bit confused by "force moving" applications via titanium backup and then your statement about not moving anything that doesn't support move to SD. Isn't that what I've already done now when I've moved all programs that support moving to SD?
I understand that programs that require background services, widgets, etc are probably better off on the internal storage as it's likely faster and always accessible as compared to SD storage. But some apps like XBMC remote, epocrates, nytimes, epicurious, adobe acrobat (which are all apps > 3-4 mbs in size) probably dont need to be on internal storage, yet don't support Move to SD by the application developer.
#3 does not require root if performed via adb.
Rusty! said:
#3 does not require root if performed via adb.
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Click to collapse
I think I did this. I now have the ability to move ANY app to SD (although you may want to stay away from moving widgets and the like)
Could somebody post that method? It involved a few simple commands via command line on a windows pc. Something about setlocation....
I have much more room now that I can move everything to SD. I'm not sure why this isn't the default method in FroYo. Does anybody know if there are any serious side effects from doing this? I haven't noticed any so far.....
Download ModInstallLocation. Lets switch the install location to sd card and that lets you use the applications panel to move apps to the sd card. I've got nearly everything that isn't a widget or system app on the sd card. Works great
unknownrebelx said:
Could somebody post that method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Code:
adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2
GldRush98 said:
Download ModInstallLocation. Lets switch the install location to sd card and that lets you use the applications panel to move apps to the sd card. I've got nearly everything that isn't a widget or system app on the sd card. Works great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Plus you can root using 1-click root app without unlocking your bootloader nor installing any different rom. In fact, nothing will be reinstalled, not even your apps. It's literally 1 tap and you are rooted, then you can benefit from ModInstallLocation hassle free.
wow. that really wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. after using 1-click root, i downloaded Mod Install Location from the market, and set install to 2 (external). then used Android OS' Settings>>Applications>>Managage Applications panel to move most of what I could. there were still some apps that had the option to "Move to SD" greyed out, but most were movable. I'm now up to 55mb free. this will hold me over for now although more installed internal storage, as seen in some newer android devices, would have been the better option.
Do most of you keep setInstallLocation 2 or change it back to setInstallLocation 0 and then switch to move applications as needed? I recall reading elsewhere that somet applications have trouble or don't work correctly when installing to SD card initially.
Hi, I've been using GingerDX v022 (and Alfs v08a kernel) for quite a while and I'm happy with it but one thing bothers me.
Sometimes when installing large apps with low internal phone memory left the system still tries to install the app on the phone leaving me with like 4 MB of internal memory and then I have to manually move the app to sd card using the application manager. I would prefer Android to install apps to sd card by default (while still letting me move them to phone memory when I want).
In CyanogenMod settings I found two options that I find somewhat confusing. One is "Install Location" and it allows me to select sd card, which is exactly what I want but here's what I find confusing... The option "Install Location" is right next to "Allow Application Moving" and even though I have "Allow Application Moving" unticked I can still move apps to sd card. Are these two options related to a different system of moving apps to sd card (e.g. to a separate partition instead of the .android_secure thingy)? Because I still want to use .android_secure and I'm not sure if "Install Location" option might somehow mess it up.
Long story short: Does "Install Location" in CyanogenMod settings work with Gingerbread's built-in moving apps to sd card?
Long story short: Does "Install Location" in CyanogenMod settings work with Gingerbread's built-in moving apps to sd card?[/QUOTE]
Yes it does.. How do you find Install Location confusing? It's sort of self-explanatory, isn't it?
I thought "Install Location" might have been a subsetting of "Allow Application Moving" (and "Allow Application Moving" some completely alternate app2sd method). Now looking at screenshots I see that the English tooltip under "Allow Application Moving" says "Allow moving of any application to external storage" while the Polish translation says something like "Allow moving applications to external storage" and omits the word "any", which kinda changes the meaning.
So I'm guessing "Allow Application Moving" simply bypasses the block that some apps have on being moved to sd card?
Not sure that's the case at all..
It just facilitates being able to use the sdcard as an install media. That's all..
I changed "Install Location" in CyanogenMod settings and it didn't really do anything. Some apps still install in phone memory while others on sd card, like before.
Soo... Does anyone know how to make this option work?
CuriousJack said:
Soo... Does anyone know how to make this option work?
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Click to collapse
The question to your answer is: Some apps are movable using native apps2sd and some apps are not (that is indicated actually in the info of the app, seen in links2sd, you can see an sdcard icon on the right and says that it is movable, if there is no icon, it is probably recommended that you don't move the app using native apps2sd). If you want to move apps that are not movable using native apps2sd, use links2sd.
No, that's not the case. The apps I'm talking about ARE movable and CAN be moved using the built-in interface but they install in phone memory by default and then have to be moved manually (using the regular Android app manager, not some brute force method). I don't want to force apps that normally cannot be moved to sd to install on sd, I want the movable apps to choose sdcard as the default location.
CuriousJack said:
No, that's not the case. The apps I'm talking about ARE movable and CAN be moved using the built-in interface but they install in phone memory by default and then have to be moved manually (using the regular Android app manager, not some brute force method). I don't want to force apps that normally cannot be moved to sd to install on sd, I want the movable apps to choose sdcard as the default location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have such issues with GingerZaraki or FroyoPro..
I set to Automatic..
Okay, then let me rephrase the question. Does anyone KNOW if "Allow application moving" in CyanogenMod settings needs to be turned on for the "Install location" setting to work?
And to clear up any confusion, I didn't mean that all apps install in phone memory, just some. The thing is... the decision isn't up to me and I would prefer it to be my decision.
Does anyone KNOW if "Allow application moving" in CyanogenMod settings needs to be turned on for the "Install location" setting to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that when Allow Application Moving is turned ON that it works..
Now I tried with both "Allow Application Moving" On and Off, and I installed Ustream app from Android Market for test. The app still took ~9 MB of phone memory instead of installing on SD card as the "Location" selection in CyanogenMod would suggest. Meh...
Any idea of something like a terminal command that could override the default install location?
I installed Alliance Rom, followed the steps as written. I am getting a full storage space used showing up in systems menu. I downloaded a different app from play store to make sure it was true or not.
Needless to say the storage is not full. While I know my storage space isn't used up, I would like to know if there is a way I can reset the system menu to show the accurate number of space used. I am not able to download any more apps as it is choosing to go off that menu and blocking me from updating/downloading more apps.
Is there a way around this to where I don't have to do a full system restore or re flash? If I have to I don't mind. Just wondering if I can get an easy work around or not.
Thank you
Nsane81 said:
I installed Alliance Rom, followed the steps as written. I am getting a full storage space used showing up in systems menu. I downloaded a different app from play store to make sure it was true or not.
Needless to say the storage is not full. While I know my storage space isn't used up, I would like to know if there is a way I can reset the system menu to show the accurate number of space used. I am not able to download any more apps as it is choosing to go off that menu and blocking me from updating/downloading more apps.
Is there a way around this to where I don't have to do a full system restore or re flash? If I have to I don't mind. Just wondering if I can get an easy work around or not.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you install? stock slot or slot 1?
On our Tab S2... how can we make the external SD card as the default location to store downloaded content? I looked at the settings and other options but could not find the solution. Any input is appreciated... thanks
...
It's usually in the browser settings.
Thanks... found it. On my other android tablets, they have it under android settings and all apps will store to whatever you prefer from there.
On our Tab S2... do we have to go to the individual apps and choose the sd card as the storage, it does not have that one option that changes everything?
...
cktlcmd said:
On our Tab S2... do we have to go to the individual apps and choose the sd card as the storage, it does not have that one option that changes everything?
...
Click to expand...
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Yes, this is a lollipop security feature. Each individual app needs to be granted permission to use the sdcard.
Ok... thank you.
So the CM 13 snapshot came out for a while so I decided to give it a try. Every thing went well until I realized the "move apps to sd card" option is missing. After doing some research on Google, it is said that going to "Settings > Apps > [The app you wish to move] > Storage > Change > SD Card" will do it. But unfortunately I can't see the "Change" button in CM 13 on an app that can be moved to sd card on CM 12 previously. Is it a feature that CM 13 removed or there's a fix for it? Please don't tell me to use that fancy "adoptive storage" thing. I do not trust the reliability of my sd card. And also I was using the latest snapshot of CM 13 (20161220). Thanks.
steveglowplunk said:
So the CM 13 snapshot came out for a while so I decided to give it a try. Every thing went well until I realized the "move apps to sd card" option is missing. After doing some research on Google, it is said that going to "Settings > Apps > [The app you wish to move] > Storage > Change > SD Card" will do it. But unfortunately I can't see the "Change" button in CM 13 on an app that can be moved to sd card on CM 12 previously. Is it a feature that CM 13 removed or there's a fix for it? Please don't tell me to use that fancy "adoptive storage" thing. I do not trust the reliability of my sd card. And also I was using the latest snapshot of CM 13 (20161220). Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link2SD works perfectly in Cm13. I recommend the Pro Version. Affordable and has great features. Way better than the deprecated Move2SD you're looking for.
Kaffeetrinker said:
Link2SD works perfectly in Cm13. I recommend the Pro Version. Affordable and has great features. Way better than the deprecated Move2SD you're looking for.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for replying. But I want to see if there's any solution that doesn't require a third party app first. I was asking if the built-in move to sd card function which was present in CM 12 and previous android versions is still in CM 13 (screenshot in attachment).
steveglowplunk said:
Thanks for replying. But I want to see if there's any solution that doesn't require a third party app first. I was asking if the built-in move to sd card function which was present in CM 12 and previous android versions is still in CM 13 (screenshot in attachment).
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Click to collapse
I'm sorry,l. When I said deprecated, I actually meant abandoned. The feature does not exist anymore in CM13. It caused too many problems. And it was slow.
Few developers liked this feature, few developers set the "allow Move2SD flag" in their apps, so Google removed the Mobe2SD feature in JB or ICS (don't remember exactly).
CM ignored these flags until CM12 and just continued the Move2SD feature ignoring Googles decision. But that's stopped in CM13.
If you do not want to use a third party app, you can link the apps manually to the SD. But that's not worth it, it's just too much work.
Afaik, there really is no other feasible option than a 3rd party app to get more out of your storage.
I'm sorry, but that's the way it is...
Maybe you want to do it the way I do it:
I use the merged storage feature and save each and every important file via Syncthing. That way, I don't have to fear losing what's on the SD in case it gets corrupted.
If I had to change the SD, I could restore all data automatically.
But I can't move my apps either, only user files!
Merged Storage COULD, but WON'T let you move apps to your SD.
Now, there is a "allow Move2MergedStorage flag". No developer sets it, CM doesn't ignore the flag like it ignored the "allow Move2Sd flag". Afaik, there is no Xposed module circumventing this (so far).
I got a little bit off topic, so let there be summary
- Classic Move2SD
Dead!
- Move2MergedStorage:
Won't move apps because developers don't like their apps to be put onto SD. CM doesn't ignore this anymore.
- Xposed Module that enables Move2MergedStorage by forcing CM to ignore the regarding flag:
Possible, but doesn't exist (yet).
- Link2SD (or similar 3rd party app)
Seems to be your only option if you want to move apps onto your SD.
Kaffeetrinker said:
I'm sorry,l. When I said deprecated, I actually meant abandoned. The feature does not exist anymore in CM13. It caused too many problems. And it was slow.
Few developers liked this feature, few developers set the "allow Move2SD flag" in their apps, so Google removed the Mobe2SD feature in JB or ICS (don't remember exactly).
CM ignored these flags until CM12 and just continued the Move2SD feature ignoring Googles decision. But that's stopped in CM13.
If you do not want to use a third party app, you can link the apps manually to the SD. But that's not worth it, it's just too much work.
Afaik, there really is no other feasible option than a 3rd party app to get more out of your storage.
I'm sorry, but that's the way it is...
Maybe you want to do it the way I do it:
I use the merged storage feature and save each and every important file via Syncthing. That way, I don't have to fear losing what's on the SD in case it gets corrupted.
If I had to change the SD, I could restore all data automatically.
But I can't move my apps either, only user files!
Merged Storage COULD, but WON'T let you move apps to your SD.
Now, there is a "allow Move2MergedStorage flag". No developer sets it, CM doesn't ignore the flag like it ignored the "allow Move2Sd flag". Afaik, there is no Xposed module circumventing this (so far).
I got a little bit off topic, so let there be summary
- Classic Move2SD
Dead!
- Move2MergedStorage:
Won't move apps because developers don't like their apps to be put onto SD. CM doesn't ignore this anymore.
- Xposed Module that enables Move2MergedStorage by forcing CM to ignore the regarding flag:
Possible, but doesn't exist (yet).
- Link2SD (or similar 3rd party app)
Seems to be your only option if you want to move apps onto your SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing up the ideas, finally the reason why such feature wasn't included in stock JB is uncovered. Looks like I'll have to stay on CM 12 forever or use Link2SD which I have a not so good experience with because it caused bootloops when I was on stock JB with root.
But it's odd because the stock lollipop rom for newer xperia phones have that classic move to sd card feature too...
steveglowplunk said:
But it's odd because the stock lollipop rom for newer xperia phones have that classic move to sd card feature too...
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Just googled a bit, some manufacturers reenabled the Move2SD feature in 4.4 or 5.0 for phones with little storage. Just like CM did.
Nevertheless, the other facts still apply. You can't move Apps to your SD without Link2SD.
Exceptions: Merged Storage; tiny apps that have the allow flag can be moved. But the ones that are huge can almost never be moved in CM13. No allow flag, no built-in moving.
Kaffeetrinker said:
Just googled a bit, some manufacturers reenabled the Move2SD feature in 4.4 or 5.0 for phones with little storage. Just like CM did.
Nevertheless, the other facts still apply. You can't move Apps to your SD without Link2SD.
Exceptions: Merged Storage; tiny apps that have the allow flag can be moved. But the ones that are huge can almost never be moved in CM13. No allow flag, no built-in moving.
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Click to collapse
I am guessing the "merged storage" means the new "adaptive storage" introduced in marshmallow?
steveglowplunk said:
I am guessing the "merged storage" means the new "adaptive storage" introduced in marshmallow?
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Click to collapse
Yeah, exactly. Adoptable Storage actually is the correct term.