hello. iam thinking to buy xperia Z2 or samsung S5, so iam aware about sd restriction that kitkat offers,cos i dont want to be rooted, i would ask for a specific scenario: 1. l use firefox browser and i download an apk file,can i move that apk to sd card? or download directly to sd crd? 2. is there a file explorer that can to do that ? move from internal memory to sd card? tnx. i forgot to ask if the device supports OTG (usb stick) can i move files from internal memory to usb stick?
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kitkat 4.4 advice for sd restrictions
- Thread starter stvs
- Start date
Medion
Android Expert
Applications can still write to their assigned folders on the SD card within the /android/data folder. So, you would simply open your file explorer application, navigate to the /android/date folder on the INTERNAL storage, and find the folder name for your file explorer. You would then make the EXACT SAME folder within the /android/data folder on the MicroSD card. Your file explorer now has full read/write permissions to this subfolder.
However, if you copy any media files to it, you'll need media apps that can see hidden folders, or you're going to have to mess with the .NOMEDIA files yourself.
However, if you copy any media files to it, you'll need media apps that can see hidden folders, or you're going to have to mess with the .NOMEDIA files yourself.
so u say i have to CREATE manualy the exact same folder that internal memory uses to sd card and then with that explorer i can copy paste apks from internal memory to created /android/data folder on sd card? now, what about if device supports OTG can i attach usb stick flash to the phone and storage my files there?
Medion
Android Expert
Yes.
With limitations. While KitKat changed the way that MicroSD is treated, USB OTG is not changed. So, here are the limitations:
copying files from --> to = yes or no
Internal to OTG = yes
OTG to internal = yes
MicroSD to OTG = yes
OTG to MicroSD = no (same limitations as internal to MicroSD, /android/data/subfolder only)
Excellent Explanation how KK 4.4 treats external storage!
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
is there a less complicated solution? all i want is to have the choice to copy from the /data/amazon mp3/download folder to any part of my SD Card via ES File Explorer. i assume Google took that away?
Medion
Android Expert
No. But what music app are you using? What's your music app of choice?
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
the Samsung Music app. it offers endless features, including the voice control that works with my headset or car stereo which i find more convenient and less distracting (as in hands free) while driving or walking in the woods. i can play/pause, control the music track, even the volume with my voice. saves fingerprints and keeps the phone in my pocket. it's also quite science-fictiony which i love. it also has a beautiful UI that is not only consistent with the whole Nature UX interface i love, but is not a hideous flat design throwback to 1991 like most apps are going towards these days.
According to the description in the Play Store:
This suggests that the map data is stored on SD card, if one is available.
chanchan05
The Doctor
On 4.4 (Kitkat) on my Note 2, some apps still install their data on the SD card. They can alter SD card contents if it is inside a folder they created on installation. So basically, it would depend on the developer if they made it so that the app can use the SD card. Anyway, this is supposed to be fixed in Lollipop.