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Help Install Apps from SD Card

U

UNST3RBLICH

Lurker
I searched for a thread like this but did not find anything similar. If there is one, and I just missed it, apologies. This is my problem:

I couldn't get rid of this VM notification, even though I had no new VM's. I tried everything then resorted to a Reset, which fixed it. Before I did the reset, I exported my contacts and made sure my apps were on the SD card. I reset the phone, imported my contacts, but I cannot seem to find a way to import/or install the apps FROM the SD card.

I feel like this might be a hidden feature in the phone, that really should be something simple to figure out. When I go to the On SD Card section of my Application Manager, it says nothing is there. Yet, it says about 3.7 GB of the 8 GB SD card is available. So they're obviously still on there, but I can't get them back on my phone.

Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated. I searched online as well before registering here and posting this.
 
A reset wipes the apps in the sdext. If that is how you 'backed them up' then they are gone. You need to use an app like titanium or root uninstaller to back them up
 
Lordvincent 90 said:
A reset wipes the apps in the sdext. If that is how you 'backed them up' then they are gone. You need to use an app like titanium or root uninstaller to back them up
Click to expand...


I use Astro. Let's me back up the apk. when you go to settings, then application manager and change install to sd, that's just for the app data, right?
 
NightThorn said:
I use Astro. Let's me back up the apk. when you go to settings, then application manager and change install to sd, that's just for the app data, right?
Click to expand...

There are many apps out there that allow you to backup the applications alone that do not need root.

Root is required though if you wish to back up any app data.
 
Well, I had the apps stored on my SD card. I purposely unmounted it prior to the wipe so as to preserve the apps so that when it scanned the SD card, they would just sync up. This was in the hopes of avoiding having to reinstall them all from the Google Play Store.

My phone is not rooted, nor do I intend to root it. The applications are still stored on my SD card, they are just not being recognized as such by my phone. Is there a correction to this, so that I can access the apps still on my SD card?
 
Sadly no. When you install an app to the SD card what you're actually doing is placing some of the required files there and other parts are left on the phone. (There's more to it than just that, but that gives you the general gist of what's going on).

Therefore without both sides, neither prove useful in your situation.
 
UNST3RBLICH said:
Well, I had the apps stored on my SD card. I purposely unmounted it prior to the wipe so as to preserve the apps so that when it scanned the SD card, they would just sync up. This was in the hopes of avoiding having to reinstall them all from the Google Play Store.

My phone is not rooted, nor do I intend to root it. The applications are still stored on my SD card, they are just not being recognized as such by my phone. Is there a correction to this, so that I can access the apps still on my SD card?
Click to expand...


If I'm not mistaken, all that does ismove the data to your sd, your probably going to have to redownload all your apps
 
NightThorn said:
If I'm not mistaken, all that does ismove the data to your sd, your probably going to have to redownload all your apps
Click to expand...

Incorrect. A good chunk of the application data stays on the phone for security reasons. Whilst apps like K9 allow you to store email on the SD card, the app configuration data is kept on the phone.

App2SD affects application binaries only.
 
So I will actually need to install these apps again from the Market, then the data stored on my SD card for them will sync up? I guess I need to look into a back-up service for unrooted if that's the case.
 
UNST3RBLICH said:
So I will actually need to install these apps again from the Market, then the data stored on my SD card for them will sync up? I guess I need to look into a back-up service for unrooted if that's the case.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but no.

Unless you were previously rooted AND had performed a backup using an app such as Titanium Backup that is designed to backup your application data then the most you can do is reinstall from the market. Doing so however will start you from fresh with no data inside them.

There are some apps that perform backups without root but all they do is allow you to 'install' them from the Backup. You'd still be in the same situation data wise.

Real Life example: My tablet is not rooted and needs to go for a minor hardware repair. Even though it operates 100% OK, I'm still in the situation that, no matter what I do, I am unable to backup the app data before I send it off.
 
Rachel_Ambler said:
Sorry, but no.

Unless you were previously rooted AND had performed a backup using an app such as Titanium Backup that is designed to backup your application data then the most you can do is reinstall from the market. Doing so however will start you from fresh with no data inside them.

There are some apps that perform backups without root but all they do is allow you to 'install' them from the Backup. You'd still be in the same situation data wise.

Real Life example: My tablet is not rooted and needs to go for a minor hardware repair. Even though it operates 100% OK, I'm still in the situation that, no matter what I do, I am unable to backup the app data before I send it off.
Click to expand...

Wow...I'm pretty surprised by this. That was, honestly, the entire reason I went out and bought an 8gb sd card. Now it seems that it's pretty pointless besides keeping away that 'Low Phone Storage' notification. FML. This is one of the main problems I have with devices these days: Have a problem and can't figure it out? Factory reset.

It's a giant headache it seems. So for future instances(I'm sure I'll have to do another factory reset one day), if I want to be able to completely store and preserve my downloaded apps and data, there is a way to do with with a rooted phone and a backup service? I'm looking for quick and easy reintegration of the apps/styles after a Reset.

I've not had time to look into Rooting, and do not know a lot about it, which is why I have not done it yet. My understanding is that it is generally like 'Unlocking' an Apple device?

Thank you for your help and information regarding this matter. I appreciate your patience and experience.
 
if rooted could have done a cwm backup and all data and everything is recoverable. and can use sdext from a backup to restore apps but have to be rooted so sorry!!
 
cwhatever said:
if rooted could have done a cwm backup and all data and everything is recoverable. and can use sdext from a backup to restore apps but have to be rooted so sorry!!
Click to expand...

Do you have recommendations for a Rooting process and backup service/app? Something I'm interested in learning about to get the most out of my device. I also understand that via Root I can potentially remove the Default apps that Never get used and just take up space?
 
Yes, once you have rooted then you have a lot more possibilities.

Nandroid backups (created in recovery mode) , for example, create a total backup of the entire OS, configuration, installed applications and data. These can be useful when you're in a situation where you want to see if a reset helps, but if it doesn't then restoring the Nandroid backup takes your entire phone back to where it was before starting. The main use for Nandroid is to backup your phone prior to installing a custom rom, however I have used it in the manner I described above (where I found out that a reset did not fix my issue at the time).

In addition to Nandroid you can use apps like the aforementioned Titanium Backup or others like My Backup Pro that allow you to make scheduled backups of your apps and data.

TB also allows you to copy the backup files to the cloud which means that, in the event if a disaster such as loosing your phone, you'd be able to restore your applications + data to a new phone without needing access to the old SD card.

All the apps mentioned here only work for known application data though - e.g. Any email stored on the SD card for an app like K9 would NOT be backed up (the idea there is that you'd be able to redownload the emails from your mail provider).

Have a look in the stickies in the forum for your phone for information on how to root. Some phones are significantly easier than others (my Incredible took just 5 minutes and involved me plugging it in to my PC, downloading some files to the computer then pressing 'go'. 5 mins later it was complete).
 
Rachel_Ambler said:
Yes, once you have rooted then you have a lot more possibilities.

Nandroid backups (created in recovery mode) , for example, create a total backup of the entire OS, configuration, installed applications and data. These can be useful when you're in a situation where you want to see if a reset helps, but if it doesn't then restoring the Nandroid backup takes your entire phone back to where it was before starting. The main use for Nandroid is to backup your phone prior to installing a custom rom, however I have used it in the manner I described above (where I found out that a reset did not fix my issue at the time).

In addition to Nandroid you can use apps like the aforementioned Titanium Backup or others like My Backup Pro that allow you to make scheduled backups of your apps and data.

TB also allows you to copy the backup files to the cloud which means that, in the event if a disaster such as loosing your phone, you'd be able to restore your applications + data to a new phone without needing access to the old SD card.

All the apps mentioned here only work for known application data though - e.g. Any email stored on the SD card for an app like K9 would NOT be backed up (the idea there is that you'd be able to redownload the emails from your mail provider).

Have a look in the stickies in the forum for your phone for information on how to root. Some phones are significantly easier than others (my Incredible took just 5 minutes and involved me plugging it in to my PC, downloading some files to the computer then pressing 'go'. 5 mins later it was complete).
Click to expand...

Thank you greatly for your help, it is very much appreciated. I think I will look into the Titanium, as having the backup stored via a cloud service would be invaluable.
 
UNST3RBLICH said:
Do you have recommendations for a Rooting process and backup service/app? Something I'm interested in learning about to get the most out of my device. I also understand that via Root I can potentially remove the Default apps that Never get used and just take up space?
Click to expand...

Correct. With root you have the ability to freeze bloatware and other apps or to uninstall them altogether. Freezing an app essentially hides it from the phone and stops it from running. Folk will quite often freeze apps first to ensure they don't have an adverse effect.
 
I couldn't get rid of this VM notification, even though I had no new VM's.

This happens to me every now and then as well. What always clears the phantom VM notification is to have someone leave another VM. Go in, erase it and voila. The VM icon goes away.
 
gretschdrum said:
I couldn't get rid of this VM notification, even though I had no new VM's.

This happens to me every now and then as well. What always clears the phantom VM notification is to have someone leave another VM. Go in, erase it and voila. The VM icon goes away.
Click to expand...

YUP that's how i do it too, and most times (for me) it is caused when i hang up immediately after deleting the VM, without giving the notification a chance to clear.
 
I think the two biggest benefits of Rooting will be to have a real backup available, of Everything, and get rid of a lot of the worthless default apps.
 
..........and if you do it with the guide I posted a few posts above, with CTMod3.68 and koumakernel, you'll also have almost unlimited space to install apps and your phone will be faster too........... And if you use afterwards, when the rooting is done the Titanium Backup ( buy it, it's worth ), you can safe the backup files to your SD card, then copy them to your computer and/or to a cloud. This way, you only need to install ONE program after you do some tests or put stuff on..........

Cheers,

vce
 
UNST3RBLICH said:
I think the two biggest benefits of Rooting will be to have a real backup available, of Everything, and get rid of a lot of the worthless default apps.
Click to expand...

That and having as much 'internal memory' as you heart desires(i have a gig), and being able use your phone as a wifi hotspot ;)
 
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