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Root New link2sd

bg4m3r

bg4m3r

Android Expert
So the new version of link2sd is out, thought I'd make a post of the changes. First, OBB files can be moved. As these account for the bulk of most apps, especially games, this is huge, and the reason I bought the full version. Second, and equally awesome, it now supports FAT, exFAT and NTFS partitions. For whatever reason, it still requires a second partition to move the apk/dex/lib files, but data and OBB files can now be linked to the SD card with no special setup at all. You do still need the paid version, but now it's even more worth it.
 
Screenshot of what's new...
 

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I found FolderMount very simple to use for moving apps to the SD card. But rooting is required for it to work
 
Never used FolderMount, but link2sd is very simple and straight forward, especially now, aside from the second partition bit, but I suspect that will change soon too since it has standard formatting support now.

Also, it has many other functions, like clearing app cache, cleaning up the dalvik cache, and integrating system app updates into the system partition.
 
Both FolderMount and Link2SD require root.

If you want to use all the features of Link2SD (i.e. linking apps and internal data to SD card), then yes you do need a 2nd partition on your SD card. But if you don't have that 2nd partition, you can still use all the other features, notably the ability to "move" some apps to your SD card using the native Android method, and the ability to link external data and obb files to the SD card.

If you were able to root your phone, then partitioning your SD card should be a piece of cake. Here is a guide:
http://www.noypigeeks.com/android/tutorial-a-guide-to-link2sd/

And if you don't have a PC handy, you can use this app to partition the card while it's in your phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sylkat.AParted&hl=en

To learn more about Link2SD, and the benefits of having the 2nd partition, go here and do some reading:
http://www.link2sd.info

Since Link2SD added the ability to link external data/obb files, I don't think there is anything that FolderMount can do that Link2SD can not. However, I can still think of 2 reasons why someone might want to continue using FolderMount in addition to or instead of Link2SD:

1) If you are only interested in linking external data/obb folders, it could be argued that FolderMount provides a simpler UI for that purpose.

2) The free version of Link2SD doesn't offer the ability to link external data/obb folders. The free version of FolderMount will allow you to mount up to 3 data/obb folders.
 
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spocko said:
Both FolderMount and Link2SD require root.

If you want to use all the features of Link2SD (i.e. linking apps and internal data to SD card), then yes you do need a 2nd partition on your SD card. But if you don't have that 2nd partition, you can still use all the other features, notably the ability to "move" some apps to your SD card using the native Android method, and the ability to link external data and obb files to the SD card.

If you were able to root your phone, then partitioning your SD card should be a piece of cake. Here is a guide:
http://www.noypigeeks.com/android/tutorial-a-guide-to-link2sd/

And if you don't have a PC handy, you can use this app to partition the card while it's in your phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sylkat.AParted&hl=en

To learn more about Link2SD, and the benefits of having the 2nd partition, go here and do some reading:
http://www.link2sd.info

Since Link2SD added the ability to link external data/obb files, I don't think there is anything that FolderMount can do that Link2SD can not. However, I can still think of 2 reasons why someone might want to continue using FolderMount in addition to or instead of Link2SD:

1) If you are only interested in linking external data/obb folders, it could be argued that FolderMount provides a simpler UI for that purpose.

2) The free version of Link2SD doesn't offer the ability to link external data/obb folders. The free version of FolderMount will allow you to mount up to 3 data/obb folders.
Click to expand...
I personally use aparted to do my SD partitions. Real simple and easy. That with link2sd makes for a simple and smooth transition.
 
bg4m3r said:
Only to link apk, dex, and lib files. Why it is still needed with the new format support I don't understand, but I think that may change soon.
Click to expand...

It's is not currently possible to link apps without the 2nd partition because Link2SD uses symbolic links (symlinks) to relocate the files to the SD card. By default, SD cards are often formatted with a filesystem such as FAT32 which does not support symlinks.

A different mechanism (bind mount) is used to implement the new feature of moving external data/obb files. That's why it is possible to move them to the 1st or 2nd partition. I don't know if it is possible to use that same mechanism to link apps to the 1st partition. If it is possible, then I bet the author will add it in a future version. However, even if it is possible, there are still benefits to using the dedicated 2nd partition, so I don't think that option would be removed.
 
spocko said:
A different mechanism (bind mount) is used to implement the new feature of moving external data/obb files. That's why it is possible to move them to the 1st or 2nd partition. I don't know if it is possible to use that same mechanism to link apps to the 1st partition. If it is possible, then I bet the author will add it in a future version. However, even if it is possible, there are still benefits to using the dedicated 2nd partition, so I don't think that option would be removed.
Click to expand...
Well, I am hoping that the binding method is a viable option for apks. I understand the benefit of having a dedicated partition for this, if you have a big enough SD, and I wouldn't expect the option to be removed. I would just like to see the first partition option added.

Thanks for the explanation. I knew it was using symlinks, and that fat32 doesn't support that (hence the need to have the ext fs). I just didn't really give the time to think past that as far as figuring out the continued need for the second partition. :)

Right now, I'm happy using the new features to move OBB and data files and then using the stock move to SD function to move the apps with the largest apks. If I get a hold of a bigger/faster SD card (the 8GB I have now I picked up on clearance for $6 along with SD adapter and USB adapter), I would probably do a big enough second partition to have like all my games on the SD card.
 
bg4m3r said:
Right now, I'm happy using the new features to move OBB and data files and then using the stock move to SD function to move the apps with the largest apks.
Click to expand...

There nothing wrong with that approach. Are you able to "move" apps using Link2SD, or are you doing it via the system settings? I'm getting an error if I try to move apps from phone to SD card within Link2SD. I can move them to SD card just fine within the system settings. I can also move them from SD card back to phone using Link2SD. I submitted a bug report on this already. If your phone doesn't have the same issue, please let me know.
 
spocko said:
There nothing wrong with that approach. Are you able to "move" apps using Link2SD, or are you doing it via the system settings? I'm getting an error if I try to move apps from phone to SD card within Link2SD. I can move them to SD card just fine within the system settings. I can also move them from SD card back to phone using Link2SD. I submitted a bug report on this already. If your phone doesn't have the same issue, please let me know.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm getting the same error. Wants you to have the second partition even for just native moving.
 
Spaghadeity said:
What's the benefit of the second partition?
Click to expand...
Well, especially now with the new features, you can completely compartmentalize your apps and make them immune to factory resets. If you move everything to the second partition, then do a factory reset, all you have to do is reinstall l2sd and relink and boom, your apps are back with all their data.
 
bg4m3r said:
Yeah, I'm getting the same error. Wants you to have the second partition even for just native moving.
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming the error, it is helpful to know that it is not just me. I saw it on a phone that did have a 2nd partition, so that's not the cause.

bg4m3r said:
Well, especially now with the new features, you can completely compartmentalize your apps and make them immune to factory resets. If you move everything to the second partition, then do a factory reset, all you have to do is reinstall l2sd and relink and boom, your apps are back with all their data.
Click to expand...

Nice! I hadn't even thought of that.

Another benefit is that once a symlink has been created, then it "just works" without any further intervention. Even if you uninstalled Link2SD after creating a symlink, the link would still work. There is no extra work that needs to be done at boot time. With the bind mount method that is used for external data/obb, the folders do need to be actively mounted by Link2SD at bootup before they will be usable, so there is a slight delay. Not a good idea to use that method to move data for an app that may run automatically at boot.
 
I use gparted for all my partitioning needs works great and never had an issue with the phone recognizing the card.
 
Yes. My phone can read the FAT32 partition. And TWRP keeps failing to do it itself. Do both partitions need to be primary?
 
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