Help How to transfer files from PC to SD card formated as adoptable (internal) storage?

[smarko1983]

I formatted SD card as internal storage (Android 6.0) and it is confusing...

I read that when the SD card is formatted as internal storage, it is also encrypted, so it can't be accessed trough windows for file transfer (if not rooted). OK, so I thought, there must be some practical way to transfer files such as books, movies, music, etc. from PC to SD card...

I tried to make some folder (for instance, BOOKS) on my phone's internal memory, transfer the files in that BOOKS folder, then move that BOOKS folder to SD card. But, I can't find the location of the SD card, so there is nowhere to move that BOOKS folder.

1) What is the SD card folder location, if there exists one?

2) Is there some practical way to transfer files from PC to SD card?

3) What does "Migrate data" option actually migrates, APK's, pictures, videos,...? And how does it decide what is suitable for migration, on what criteria?

4) Is there a way to pick which files would be transferred to SD card?

 

[The_Chief]

When you select Adoptable Storage, the SD card and internal storage are combined into ONE location, and there's no way to separate them. To access it, plug your phone into a PC, swipe down the notification panel to select File Transfer and drag & drop on your computer screen.

Migrating data (for example, Samsung Smart Switch or Moto Migrate) will move most files, apps, app data, settings, etc. You may have to set a few device-specific things up, but most things like accounts should move right over.

There is a huge reason, though, why I don't like Adoptable Storage and refuse to use it: LACK OF PORTABILITY.

Let's say you have a phone with 32GB internal storage and you add a 128 GB microSD card. If you choose adoptable storage, you now have one BIG storage location with a 150 GB capacity.

What happens if you drop the phone? It gets hopelessly damaged, dunked into water, or suffers other catastrophic failure? You can't get to your data! It's ALL considered internal storage... and even if you pulled the SD card out, the data on it would be gibberish because the other part of the data is in your broken phone!

If I keep the storage locations separate, though, all the data on my SD card is intact. In fact, the SD card is my DEFAULT storage location for photos, videos, files, etc. for this very reason. If the phone is destroyed or damaged beyond use, I can just pull out my card, stick it in a new phone and keep going.

Adoptable Storage may be helpful for some people in some situations, and with some devices. However, I strongly urge against it.

 

[smarko1983]

Thank you for the reply. I will post a picture to make it more clear:
http://imgur.com/a/c2Rhj
I have 64 Gb SD card that is not showing, only the 16 GB internal storage from my tablet is displayed. Consequently, I can't transfer my files on the newly formated ,adopted SD card.
Your observations regarding adoptable storage are correct, it has it's pros and cons, mostly cons, but in my situation, I am running out of place to store my apps, so it's a necessary move. It was better solved in earlier versions of Android where we could transer just the app data to SD card, considerably freeing space. Now, we are requiered to transfer the app + data, which causes all kind's of problems.

 

[Mephir]

Thank you for the reply. I will post a picture to make it more clear:
http://imgur.com/a/c2Rhj
I have 64 Gb SD card that is not showing, only the 16 GB internal storage from my tablet is displayed. Consequently, I can't transfer my files on the newly formated ,adopted SD card.
Your observations regarding adoptable storage are correct, it has it's pros and cons, mostly cons, but in my situation, I am running out of place to store my apps, so it's a necessary move. It was better solved in earlier versions of Android where we could transer just the app data to SD card, considerably freeing space. Now, we are requiered to transfer the app + data, which causes all kind's of problems.

OMG i have the same ******** problem, did you fix it or have a solution? cause it's been 2 years

 

[Davdi]

Turn off adopted storage and reformat the card as FAT32, then set the newly formatted card as default storage for Photos, music and all other media (including offline maps for GPS. Unless you have a LOT of large apps installed, the 16GB internal storage should be plenty for all other App data

 

[jelabarre59]

It was better solved in earlier versions of Android where we could transer just the app data to SD card, considerably freeing space. Now, we are requiered to transfer the app + data, which causes all kind's of problems.

It's Google's way of punishing us for daring to use LOCAL storage, rather than submitting ourselves to Google's cloud.