Files on phone are invisible in Windows

[muddlemand]

Hi, just joined to ask this.

I'm having various problems, so I'm looking at my phone in File Explorer. I've learnt (about five minutes ago) that the Emulated/0 folder is only virtual (clue's in the name, eh). Horrible feeling that perhaps I've deleted a lot of photos without meaning to, but haven't given up hope yet... not quite...

1. Is there ANY way of viewing files if the filename begins with "." ?
2. How to find out where a file really is, if it shows as being in emulated/0?
3. Is it possible for a file to be in emulated/0 when it really doesn't exist at all (any longer)?

For example, I can (on the phone) see a picture named foxy.jpg. When I look at its properties, it is in fact .foxy.jpg.

The files in question aren't hidden, but I have hidden files visible both on my file manager app and in Windows. I've tried searching with a wonderful Windows app called Search Everything, but it can't see anything at all on the phone - and it shows the drive as a long string that means nothing to me. (I right-clicked on Internal Storage to open Everything, and it shows the drive as "::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\\\?\usb#vid_22b8&pid_2e82#ta93008bxj#{6ac27878-a6fa-4155-ba85-f98f491d4f33}\" - I expected something like "D:\"! And if I browse to select the drive, it doesn't list the phone at all.

Does Windows see the whole phone as virtual?

... Back story: I need to free up space on the phone, and have got rid of all apps I can spare, all duplicates, thumbnails, cache, cleared junk, etc etc, everything possible I believe. But it's still over-full as if I hardly deleted anything. So I decided to copy photos and videos to the laptop and then delete them from the phone - did this with all that I could find in File Explorer, but there they still were on the phone at which point I began to feel something supernatural was going on. And the phone's so stuffed full that no apps can update. I know I'm space-greedy, but it has never been this bad before.

 

[Dannydet]

Your gallery app will show you every image on your phone. If it shows them, you haven't deleted them.
Install Google photos from the play store and it will automatically backup every photo on your phone, and is linked to your Gmail account, so if you switch phones your golden. You can also login to your Gmail account on any device and have access to your photos and videos.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Welcome to Android Forums, muddlemand!

1. Is there ANY way of viewing files if the filename begins with "." ?

Easy: use a real operating system, the same one behind Android, Linux. All your problems--which probably aren't actually problems--should be solved.

In UNIX/Linux, any character can be in a file name. Dots in *nix have long been used in naming files, like: something.09.13.2019_something.different

DOS, which poorly copied UNIX, was too stupid to tell what type a file was, so it came up with the 'extension' method to identify them: file.txt photo.jpg document.doc and so on.

Dots in *nix are only special when they're the first character of a file or directory name--it makes them hidden, but effortlessly visible. Except, apparently, on window$.

I can (on the phone) see a picture named foxy.jpg. When I look at its properties, it is in fact .foxy.jpg.

This makes no sense! Can you screenshot both and post them? One showing the picture named foxy.jpg and another showing its properties.

Meanwhile, give some thought to using basically the same OS on your PCs as you do on your phone. It will make life better in so many ways. My favorite Linux distribution is Kubuntu, but there are tons of others to choose from.

 

[GameTheory]

1. Is there ANY way of viewing files if the filename begins with "." ?

There could be something wrong or the files are simply not there. By default windows displays files that begin with a dot. It simply ignores the dot at the beginning of file names.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ot-files/e781c002-e8ab-49b1-ae7c-fd4168316542

2. How to find out where a file really is, if it shows as being in emulated/0?

On my Moto phone /storage/emulated/0 is just a shortcut to the internal SD which is /sdcard. It should be the same for most if not all android phones.

3. Is it possible for a file to be in emulated/0 when it really doesn't exist at all (any longer)?

If it's in /storage/emulated/0 and deleted, then it's also deleted from the internal SD /sdcard.

This is much easier to handle with linux utilities such as cd(current directory) and ls(list). You should be able to use WSL(Windows Subsystem for Linux) to use these utilities. WSL should be available in the windows app store. We can help you with the linux commands.

Another simple and effective way to view all sorts of files on your phone is with AirDroid which allows you to view your files in your PC browser.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid&hl=en_US

Directories to find pictures:
/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots

 

[svim]

Windows does not have extensive support for viewing or accessing files/folders in other operating systems and just limited support when accessing files/folders residing on non-native file systems. When you need to work directly with files and folders on your mobile device, use a file manager app to do so. Working indirectly over a USB connection or over WiFi will have limitations, you'll find it easier to work with things directly instead.
Some phones come with a file manager app already installed, Samsung includes the 'My Files' app as an example. But not knowing what phone you have, go to the Play Store and install this 'Explorer' app, it's free, ad-free, and has a good feature set:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.speedsoftware.explorer&hl=en
(... be sure to peruse though the apps Settings menu to set it up the way you like -- also be sure to enable viewing 'hidden' files/folders. The files and folders with a . in their naming are intended to be hidden, as in not typically apparent)
Also keep in mind there will be a lot of files and folders outside of the data partition that you can only view but you won't be able to alter/delete/rename/move. Those files and folders have system-level permissions so they're protected and restricted.

If you go into your Settings >> Storage menu and look through the different items listed there you'll be able to get a better viewpoint on what's what on your device. You might also want to install an app like 'DiskUsage', it's a nice way to get a graphical picture what is residing on your device's storage media.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage&hl=en

 

[Shotgun84]

After a re-read I'll retract that statement lol. Feel free to delete mods #winkyface

 

[muddlemand]

Lots of great replies, thanks everyone. I get it now - but have more questions, as you do.

I just typed in order that I read, so halfway through I found I no longer understood things that made sense earlier. It looked like I'd deleted my pictures accidentally - but now I find them still there, at least the one i've tried is. But it's the version beginning with "." so I did do something.

Anyway, here are my thoughts in order - the progression of my learning, let's say.

 

[muddlemand]

Your gallery app will show you every image on your phone. If it shows them, you haven't deleted them.
Install Google photos from the play store and it will automatically backup every photo on your phone, and is linked to your Gmail account, so if you switch phones your golden. You can also login to your Gmail account on any device and have access to your photos and videos.

They aren't in the gallery. I forgot to look there, as I haven't used it for years.

I won't do the Google thing that you suggest, because I haven't got a Gmail account and do my best to boycott Google - not that it's possible to, but where i can. Thanks though, and I'll look into other cloud backup. (I do back up my laptop to a cloud service.) I'll still want to see the pictures on a bigger screen, though.

Welcome to Android Forums, muddlemand!

Thanks!

Linux... One day I'll get there. Decided long ago to at least try it, but life hasn't yet given me the breathing space to undertake switching. I struggle to find half a day to read up on an overfull phone, as it is.
I used to enjoy DOS, as a raw beginner exploring on my own.

 

[muddlemand]

(Hey, I like how this forum handles multi-quoting.)

 

[muddlemand]

@MoodyBlues
D'oh. I must have been asleep when I saw it like that - it was .foxy.jpg all along.
(Attached anyway, to reassure that the picture isn't anything tantalising. )

ETA: Can i upload, or must I link to a URL to show images?

But now I'm confused all over again. Why do I still have the image even though I deleted it? Maybe I'm asleep again but I thought I'd made sense of the conundrum, until this thought.

@GameTheory
Yup, I now know that the reason Windows can't see the files is that they aren't there. (Gutted. And I don't understand how I did it - isn't like me at all. I thought I'd only got rid of thumbnails, things sent on WhatsApp, etc and was intending to copy these before deleting them from the phone. At least I can recover some from WhatsApp by downloading, I suppose.)

... Hold on, typed this before I saw that they apparently are still there. {confused face}

 

[muddlemand]

If it's in /storage/emulated/0 and deleted, then it's also deleted from the internal SD /sdcard.

Yes, I meant the other way round - if they aren't deleted in emulated/0, but elsewhere, how come they still show in emulated/0?

I haven't got an SD card.

I do have AirDroid, hadn't thought of that for finding out. I'll store that thought for future reference.

This is much easier to handle with linux utilities such as cd(current directory) and ls(list). You should be able to use WSL(Windows Subsystem for Linux) to use these utilities. WSL should be available in the windows app store. We can help you with the linux commands.

One day I'll find time to try Linux out - and I'll be back for that help.

 

[muddlemand]

Windows does not have extensive support for viewing or accessing files/folders in other operating systems and just limited support when accessing files/folders residing on non-native file systems. When you need to work directly with files and folders on your mobile device, use a file manager app to do so.

OK, I've only tried it with e-readers previously (kindle and iLiad) and hoped it would work as easily. My file manager app doesn't see the images either... since, as we now know, they aren't there. I have File Manager + (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphainventor.filemanager&hl=en) but will check out Explorer in case it's better. My hidden files are visible almost always.

I have no space to install DiskUsage - until I free up the space taken up by images! But the built-in storage info shows 0.97 GB still taken up by pics and vids - makes no sense since I've deleted most by mistake. Videos (which I didn't delete) total 488 MB according to File Manager + (hidden files visible) and images 524 MB.

 

[muddlemand]

PS. File Manager + doesn't show the emulated folder.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I haven't got an SD card.

Yes, you do! I know what you're thinking...but Android disagrees!

Let me show you. Bear in mind that I 'don't have an SD card' either, okay? In other words, the only storage is what came with the phone (Moto Z² Force Edition). Here's a shot of my 'home' directory:

See its path? /sdcard

Can i upload, or must I link to a URL to show images?

Upload. With a caveat: there's a bug that's been around for months now. It makes it impossible to upload images over a certain size. Just resize them down until they're accepted.

(I do back up my laptop to a cloud service.)

Why not use it for backing up your phone, too? I have Dropbox, and that's what I do. I have it set to auto-upload all images (screenshots, camera, video).

I do have AirDroid

It's a very good option! I'd give it a whirl if I were you.

 

[svim]

PS. File Manager + doesn't show the emulated folder.

You might be better off readjusting your thinking about 'emulated folders' as they don't exist as actual folders, they are simply links to actual folders. They're just virtual directories, not real ones. Focus on the actual contents of the actual folders.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Linux... One day I'll get there. Decided long ago to at least try it, but life hasn't yet given me the breathing space to undertake switching. I struggle to find half a day to read up on an overfull phone, as it is.
I used to enjoy DOS, as a raw beginner exploring on my own.

If you enjoyed tinkering in DOS, you'd think you'd died and gone to heaven with Linux! Take DOS's very limited--and limiting--command set, multiply it by a zillion, and you're talking *nix.

Even though everything can now be done through its [much more] beautiful [than window$] GUI, I still do all my real work at a Linux command line.

You'd have to buy a good reference book, or find a thorough online resource, to see the cornucopia of commands Linux has to really see the difference. Plus, with its use of 'arguments' most commands can become 10, 20 or more commands.

I'd like to suggest that you download Kubuntu and then run it in its 'live' mode. This does nothing to your computer--makes no changes, installs nothing, etc. It will give you a chance to look around, get a feel for what it looks like--although that is infinitely customizable, once installed--check out some of its programs, and so on, with no commitment.

If you're interested in seeing my main laptop's look, take a peek here. If you're confused by anything, just ask!

Also, you're always welcome to post in our Linux mega-thread. No assumption of prior Linux knowledge made.

 

[muddlemand]

Yes, you do! I know what you're thinking...but Android disagrees!

Let me show you. Bear in mind that I 'don't have an SD card' either, okay? In other words, the only storage is what came with the phone (Moto Z² Force Edition). Here's a shot of my 'home' directory:

< >

See its path? /sdcard

Very cool! Though I'm not convinced it applies to my phone (Moto G - 1st gen, I think). Not viewable in File Manager +.

Upload. With a caveat: there's a bug that's been around for months now. It makes it impossible to upload images over a certain size. Just resize them down until they're accepted.

Ah, ok - but I can't see how to upload? EDIT: Yes I can.

Why not use it for backing up your phone, too? I have Dropbox, and that's what I do. I have it set to auto-upload all images (screenshots, camera, video).

I use Carbonite and either it doesn't do phones, or I'd have to pay for a second device, one or the other. There was a time when I knew my good reason for not going with Dropbox, too. Sorry, brain fade.

 

[muddlemand]

Not that it's quite on topic, but this is foxy.jpg since we mentioned it!

 

[muddlemand]

You might be better off readjusting your thinking about 'emulated folders' as they don't exist as actual folders, they are simply links to actual folders. They're just virtual directories, not real ones. Focus on the actual contents of the actual folders.

Got it now. I'm still getting it backwards but pretty sure that's me thinking faster than I can think, not my understanding of the concept. If that makes sense!

 

[muddlemand]

If you enjoyed tinkering in DOS, you'd think you'd died and gone to heaven with Linux!

From what you say it is mouth-watering! You have converted me to at least looking at it... but it'll be a while before I can. My "leisure" time for now is all taken up mastering biochemistry (sort of) so as to fix my health. Socialising as much as this in a forum is a rare luxury. But I'll know where to come when Linus reaches the top of the Fun Learning list.

 

[MoodyBlues]

From what you say it is mouth-watering! You have converted me to at least looking at it... but it'll be a while before I can. My "leisure" time for now is all taken up mastering biochemistry (sort of) so as to fix my health. Socialising as much as this in a forum is a rare luxury. But I'll know where to come when Linus reaches the top of the Fun Learning list.

Did you have a chance to look at screenshots from my laptop? Get a napkin handy to catch the drool!

So you're dealing with health issues? Me too, so I get it. I was absent from this and my other forums for 2+ years. Coming back was slow and difficult, and I appreciate every moment and every interaction now in a way I didn't before.

Take your time and do what you're comfortable with. Believe me, Linux--the world's most-used operating system, and the OS that runs ≈97% of all supercomputers--will still be here.

I'd love to help you with your biochem studies, but it's 30+ years since my pre-med days.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Not viewable in File Manager +.

For two reasons, you might want to try two one of my favorite Android file managers, Solid Explorer; I have the paid version. My actual favorite is ES File Explorer Pro, but it's been removed from the Play Store. (Luckily, I had its APK file, so I used that to install it on my newest phone.)

The two reasons are: I know they show the sdcard/emulated storage on my Moto phones (Z² Force and X 2nd Generation), and I know they can connect to Wi-Fi networks. Here's a shot of the latter:

You can see they also connect to cloud storage. The computers you see listed are, of course, Linux (since that's all I use), but window$ should have the ability to network with your phone. I send/receive files/directories all the time to/from my computers and Android devices. This would come in very handy in your situation.

 

[muddlemand]

Did you have a chance to look at screenshots from my laptop? Get a napkin handy to catch the drool!

I did, and the cube thing is intriguing. I definitely have a new ambition now: get my head around all that.

So you're dealing with health issues? Me too, so I get it. I was absent from this and my other forums for 2+ years. Coming back was slow and difficult, and I appreciate every moment and every interaction now in a way I didn't before.

Thirteen years and counting... I'm at the point now of being well enough to be bored, which is a good milestone in any recovery. Though it's boring, of course. Only a couple of years that I couldn't do email, forums etc. I was near-housebound for seven years so the internet was my entire social, leisure and work life (not that I'm employable!). But I'm still quite sporadic and everyday life leave little "thinky" capacity for the leisure side of things.

I'd love to help you with your biochem studies, but it's 30+ years since my pre-med days.

Aha - for me it's the (formerly-capable) linguistics brain that I draw on for the med learning. Same sort of structure to the subject (same part of the brain as I use for computery stuff too, come to that). Always hated chemistry, but the deeper I get, the more I see why people get into it...!

 

[MoodyBlues]

I did, and the cube thing is intriguing. I definitely have a new ambition now: get my head around all that.

Yeah, if you're only used to window$, with its ugly, largely-noncustomizable UI, and only one desktop, Linux will take your breath away. We've been able to do things on *nix for decades that M$ users still can't do today.

I recently learned that they've finally introduced the concept of more than one desktop, but--as expected whenever they try to copy *nix--they did it badly. It's a clunky implementation, and can't do the amazing things we've been doing for decades.

Thirteen years and counting... I'm at the point now of being well enough to be bored, which is a good milestone in any recovery. Though it's boring, of course. Only a couple of years that I couldn't do email, forums etc. I was near-housebound for seven years so the internet was my entire social, leisure and work life (not that I'm employable!). But I'm still quite sporadic and everyday life leave little "thinky" capacity for the leisure side of things.

I hear you. My timeframe is similar. It started with a brain tumor, that made me have to quit working--quite a hard pill to swallow for this [reformed] type-A workaholic. More recently, I was hospitalized for six months after nearly dying (sepsis and a liver abscess). That entire time, I was unable to do anything. I remember one day, while still in the ICU, I feebly tried to reach my hairbrush. A nurse came running over and moved it out of reach, then said "you're not allowed to brush your hair." I said huh?! "The exertion can trigger cardiac arrest."

I'm much better now, but still very limited. I have a live-in helper who takes care of everything around here. When I was still bed-bound, that included changing my diapers.

Aha - for me it's the (formerly-capable) linguistics brain that I draw on for the med learning. Same sort of structure to the subject (same part of the brain as I use for computery stuff too, come to that). Always hated chemistry, but the deeper I get, the more I see why people get into it...!

Oh, I loved Organic Chemistry. Other chem courses? Meh. But something about orgo I just loved. I remember in the summer prior to taking it, I kept hearing that Organic Chemistry is the course that produces former pre-med students!

 

[muddlemand]

"you're not allowed to brush your hair." I said huh?! "The exertion can trigger cardiac arrest."

Goodness. I have been as weak as that, almost (but not quite) as helpless, but no longer have help around the house. Could do with some, can't get it any more, but don't get me onto the politics of tax relief for the rich versus freezing payments to the poorest... Mine started with a stroke so we have brains in common, yay! And A Type in common, too. Brainy Me still job-shares with Idiot Me and I don't always know which one is present, so I can't trust what I concluded yesterday unless I wrote all the workings down, and if it was the day before I probably can't remember whether I worked it out... but thank goodness Brainy Me still does exist. It is a learning curve; lucky I like learning.