Help SD card write permission issue

[Asus_Fonepad 7]

Hi when I try to download something using Vuze or utorrent I get this message. Previously I faced no such issue. I guess an update is the cause. I cant write to any location on the sdcard.

 

[apple2005]

Yes. This problem has been started by Google in Kitkat. Now user applications can't write to disk.

 

[Asus_Fonepad 7]

Is there any workaround yet other than rooting the device ?

 

[apple2005]

Is there any workaround yet other than rooting the device ?

Even with root privileges, it failed in two of my devices. No hope. Many people complained to Google about this stupid decision but of no use.

 

[EarlyMon]

Actually, if you're rooted you can use an Xposed module to fix a lot of it. Really, it's just a one-line change to one of the system xml files.

I don't like the decision but I understand it - the idea is that apps own their own areas, any can read from them, but only the owner-app can write to them.

You can workaround this in KitKat using a file manager (I like X-plore for example) - copy out files you want together to a common location (that folder and write ownership will then be owned by the file explorer) and then anything can use them.

As for the complaints - Google did listen and has lightened up somewhat on this in Lollipop. Because it's security-related it's now also extending to all storage, not just external sd cards.

As for apps - they have to conform to the new way, more people complained about potential security concerns than did about this, and devs have had plenty of time to update their apps to conform with what's necessary.

This was actually first introduced in Honeycomb but no one really paid attention until Google upped the game in KitKat. SD cards don't allow for proper access control, because they're using a FAT type filesystem.

And btw - please torrent only for good. Some use that to violate copyrights never realizing that it makes you 1/4 as attractive to the gender of your choice, causes dandruff, and depresses the family dog. Plus - illegal where androidforums.com is hosted ok.

 

[apple2005]

Actually, if you're rooted you can use an Xposed module to fix a lot of it. Really, it's just a one-line change to one of the system xml files.

You can workaround this in KitKat using a file manager (I like X-plore for example) - copy out files you want together to a common location (that folder and write ownership will then be owned by the file explorer) and then anything can use them.

Will you please explain the above in some more details. I shall be thankful.

 

[EarlyMon]

Will you please explain the above in some more details. I shall be thankful.

My pleasure.

First, I use this - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix - and if you read the full description there, you'll nearly be an expert on the whole permissions thing, he really did a great job.

As for the second part, here's an example.

You have your music downloads - Amazon, home rips, whatever - and right now, they're in some folder or folders. And you have album artwork, not embedded in the music files (for lots of reasons). The artwork may have come from an app, here's one that I use - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citc.aag

Next - your music player wants to see the artwork and songs in the same folder for each album. How to do it? Grab X-plore, make a new folder for that album - copy over the music, copy over the artwork. Now, X-plore owns that folder. Point to it with your player (it's not going to write anything) and boom, now you see your artwork with your music. Then using the original apps (if not rooted) go over and delete the originals so you don't duplicate space. Pretty sure you can do all that from your PC too. (But it's been too long for me to guarantee. I think so, but now I do everything on my phone.)

 

[apple2005]

My pleasure.

First, I use this - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix - and if you read the full description there, you'll nearly be an expert on the whole permissions thing, he really did a great job.

As for the second part, here's an example.

You have your music downloads - Amazon, home rips, whatever - and right now, they're in some folder or folders. And you have album artwork, not embedded in the music files (for lots of reasons). The artwork may have come from an app, here's one that I use - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citc.aag

Next - your music player wants to see the artwork and songs in the same folder for each album. How to do it? Grab X-plore, make a new folder for that album - copy over the music, copy over the artwork. Now, X-plore owns that folder. Point to it with your player (it's not going to write anything) and boom, now you see your artwork with your music. Then using the original apps (if not rooted) go over and delete the originals so you don't duplicate space. Pretty sure you can do all that from your PC too. (But it's been too long for me to guarantee. I think so, but now I do everything on my phone.)

Thanks EalyMon for your detailed explanation. My main problem with kitkat is that I can't use backup apps like Titanium backup and Go backup. They can't write to external disk. How I make them to be able to write to external disk? Thanks.

 

[EarlyMon]

Titanium Backup, Menu, General, Preferences, Backup folder location. Exit and restart Titanium after changing.

How it looks on mine, your path may vary -

Writes to my sd on ext_sd, no problem.

 

[apple2005]

Titanium Backup, Menu, General, Preferences, Backup folder location. Exit and restart Titanium after changing.

How it looks on mine, your path may vary -

View attachment 79938

Writes to my sd on ext_sd, no problem.

Thanks once again. I don't know why my ones can't write to external disk then. What did you do then?

 

[EarlyMon]

Thanks once again. I don't know why my ones can't write to external disk then. What did you do then?

Chose the device - in my case the external sd card, then create a backup folder (green option at the top of the folder list) - I chose "tibu" to save typing for this demonstration - and then once in, choose to use it (button at the bottom) and then saved an app - profit!

If you have OTG support on your phone, you can get an OTG cable and a USB thumb drive and back up there.

 

[EarlyMon]

Btw - I'm on 4.4.2 for no other reason than too lazy to update (I already have the 4.4.4 security fixes so I'm current as far as I care about).

 

[apple2005]

Thank you very much for your help and support EarlyMon. God bless.

 

[EarlyMon]

Moved to here, thought it might be more general interest.

 

[Asus_Fonepad 7]

Hi, I have installed nextapp.sdfix but it says it needs root privileges. I have never done this before. How do I run the fix with root privileges ?

 

[apple2005]

Hi, I have installed nextapp.sdfix but it says it needs root privileges. I have never done this before. How do I run the fix with root privileges ?

Hi
You have to root your phone before this application to work...
Google "how to root asus Fonepad 7"....
If you are unfamiliar with rooting, then better not to try. Give to some friends to root it for you. But if you don't need root, better not to do.

 

[Asus_Fonepad 7]

The only reason I need root is to run this fix but since thia can brick my tab I will stay away. Btw this is a terrible move by google

 

[swissnowtiger]

This note is over a year later, but in playing with Cyanogenmod 11, 12, and 13 I have determined that Google is truly "Lucifer in the flesh" to partially quote that idiot Boehner... Only 12.1 Lollipop, was good for all the apps I use being able to access my SD card...I have read that if you make the SD card into system memory in Marshmallow that it slows the system drastically... I have determined NOT to move from 12.1 unless I get full access once I am rooted...

 

[alexpetrut93]

thank you earlymon, this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix solved all problem