File transfer crashes every time

[thegade]

Ok so this is a major issue that Google really needs to fix.

When transferring a large number of files to your phone from your computer, for example when i want to get my pictures on a new phone, the Google phones crash constantly! This has been an issue with every single android phone i have ever had! And it's REALLY starting to get on my nerves!!

Phones that i have had problems with:
LG G2
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S4
LG Google Nexus 5 (which does this more than any)

All of these phones have problems transferring files. Even just like 100 files at one time it can't comprehend. The Nexus 5 just really sucks at this. I tried with MTP and the other setting with usb, and still the problem persists.

I've had this problem for years and years and yet it never seems to get fixed... Any workarounds? So i can transfer files, without having to do it over and over and over, and having to split up my pictures in like 100 folders, and transfer one at a time?

The Nexus 5 generally just has a problem, when it goes to sleep mode while transferring. Then it just shuts down the transfer. And sometimes crashes my computer...

I've tried with several different USB cables and ports. Same issue.

When the file transfer crashes, I have to unplug the USB cable from the phone and reinsert it and start over again... The computer crashes the connection completely. And this is an issue on all computers. Running Windows 7 and Windows 8 on different computers i've tried this on.

Any tips are appreciated!!

 

[codesplice]

One handy workaround is to use adb to transfer files. That's actually my preferred method for putting stuff on my device.

adb push files /sdcard/

 

[lunatic59]

I think this is a problem with MTP mode. Not sure if the blame needs to go to Google or MS. If I have a lot of files to transfer or very large ones, I'll boot into recovery and mount the device as USB storage. Always seems to work that way.

 

[thegade]

Nice work arounds, though I think it's a general problem that needs fixing. It really shouldn't be a problem, to do something as incredible simple as transferring files.

If phones that are this expensive, can't even handle the most simple task in the world, that is drag and drop, i should just downgrade...

I have a Nexus 5 now and i hate it. It crashes on file transfer constantly, notification LED doesn't work without lightflow, and with lightflow installed, it reacts sooo slowly.

I have both my S3 and Nexus 5 on the same wireless connection, and while the S3 gets the email notification right away, it takes about 5 minutes for lightflow to realize there is a notification at all. Theres the Gmail logo on top of both phones, but Lightflow ignores it for a long time.

Thats another issue though... getting back to file transfer... I'm gonna try your suggestions. Thanks so far. Just had to get that nexus 5 rant off my chest. As i JUST got the phone today and hate it.

 

[PaulS]

Just an idea.What if you,"Zip" the files.Then you can pick them out of the .zip file on the phone?

 

[funkylogik]

With my s3, i just used a card reader to transfer my music onto sd card but i realise thats not an option on the N5.
The zip idea sounds good though :thumbup:
Or upload them to dropbox for example then download to the phone

 

[thegade]

I thought about the zip way to do it too. Or RAR. In which case RAR files would extract faster, as you can choose how you want to compress the files. Problem is, it's gonna require twice as much space per transfer. But definitely a good idea none the less.

On my S3 I used a card reader too. Blazing fast!! And more importantly... Stable. It's not like i can't wait for it to finish. It's just that i have to start over and over again thats annoying.

Next time I'll try the ZIP/RAR way. And oh god how i miss a card slot in my new phone. I don't need the extra storage as much as i want the extra safety. Like if you get water damage on your phone, just pull the card out and everythings fine.

Might swap my N5 for an S4. Because I can't get the notification LED to work properly, even after trying numerous tips and tricks from various forums, and installing LightFlow.. But that's another issue.

Thanks so far guys!

 

[WoohooGuy]

The general migration to MTP is to increase the reliability of the data as a whole and not necessarily speed or portability.

There is a far less chance memory can be corrupted on a device using MTP in the event a host abruptly disconnects because of power or connection loss (such as cable pull during transfer) then the device being fully USB mounted.

We all have some pretty important stuff on our phone memory and it would be a shame to lose it all because something flaked out being a power loss or accidental cable pull.

 

[thegade]

The general migration to MTP is to increase the reliability of the data as a whole and not necessarily speed or portability.

There is a far less chance memory can be corrupted on a device using MTP in the event a host abruptly disconnects because of power or connection loss (such as cable pull during transfer) then the device being fully USB mounted.

We all have some pretty important stuff on our phone memory and it would be a shame to lose it all because something flaked out being a power loss or accidental cable pull.

Yeah data loss sucks, but It's not like i move the data. I copy it before i delete it from the source. If i want to.

All i want is for MTP to work. It doesn't have to hold my wiener while i take a wizz, so to speak. If theres an abrupt disconnect... So be it. I can live with that, since no data is lost as such. But really... I don't need the extra "safety". I just want my data transferred as fast as possible. I only have this problem with phones.

Why can't they just connect like USB pendrives instead of this stupid MTP stuff.... Is there an app for that?

 

[lunatic59]

How to boot into recovery and then enable usb storage? I thought that google disabled usb storage mode.

First, you need CWM installed. I am not sure if stock recovery has a storage mount option. Depending on phone model, you have to hold a combination of the volume buttons and power to boot into recovery.

You will see something like this ...

Choose mounts and storage and select the USB option. Now you simply plug in the phone if it's not plugged in already.

 

[thegade]

First, you need CWM installed. I am not sure if stock recovery has a storage mount option. Depending on phone model, you have to hold a combination of the volume buttons and power to boot into recovery.

You will see something like this ...

Choose mounts and storage and select the USB option. Now you simply plug in the phone if it's not plugged in already.

Nope... Nothing of the sort on my Nexus 5. I'm not interested in rooting my phone just to get something working, that should be a completely easy fix to make for google, in an official update. It's ridiculous that this is just being ignored. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that hates this issue

 

[lunatic59]

Nope... Nothing of the sort on my Nexus 5. I'm not interested in rooting my phone just to get something working, that should be a completely easy fix to make for google, in an official update. It's ridiculous that this is just being ignored. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that hates this issue

The reason that USB storage was replaced with MTP mode was that disconnections during transfer could corrupt an entire SD card, not just the files. MTP mode is more protected. Like it or not it's here to stay. You don't have to root to install CWM, but you do have to unlock the bootloader (which will wipe your phone).

Airdroid or other Wifi options might be better in this case.

 

[thegade]

The reason that USB storage was replaced with MTP mode was that disconnections during transfer could corrupt an entire SD card, not just the files. MTP mode is more protected. Like it or not it's here to stay. You don't have to root to install CWM, but you do have to unlock the bootloader (which will wipe your phone).

Airdroid or other Wifi options might be better in this case.

Yeah I think I'll just live with a wifi transfer app... The speed isn't important if it means one stable data transfer that isn't interrupted constantly.

But how a simple file transfer can corrupt an entire SD card is beyond me.

Thank you all for your suggestions