insanelycool
Well-Known Member
It's not designed for cm10. I haven't really spent any time on getting this to work yet, but I will go ahead and take a look at it to see what can be done.
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Root [Virgin Mobile] Updated swap and links2sd guide.
- Thread starter TeachMe
- Start date
It's not designed for cm10. I haven't really spent any time on getting this to work yet, but I will go ahead and take a look at it to see what can be done.
insanelycool
Well-Known Member
I really like it too.. everything is faster and more responsive... even google chrome opens really quickly. I still want to try to figure out a few of the random bugs like wifi reboot, and swapping internal with external, before I worry about the camera (I hardly use the camera anyways, but its nice to have).
I managed to find the mounting points and got the internal to mount to the external but having trouble getting the external to mount on the internal. I'll keep at it and see if I can't get this working.
Edit: I may be onto something... I'll edit this post with progress.
Edit 2: I think I may have the solution, but I have to rewrite scripts to test it and its getting late (I have to teach a class in the morning). I should have something by tomorrow night if all goes well.
What does using liks2SD mean for swapping out memory cards?
One of the things I like about the Victory is how easily I have access to the SD card right there on the side (I swap it out into my DSLR sometimes or pop it into the computer for faster transfer and cleaning up the card when read/write speeds start to dip).
I'm not going to do the swap internal/external thing because I feel like that would probably wreck havoc if it is ever removed, but what about if I just use links2SD? Will the phone have a conniption if I dismount the card for a bit? Or will just those apps disappear (which is how it worked on older 2.x android devices when apps were installed to the card)?
One of the things I like about the Victory is how easily I have access to the SD card right there on the side (I swap it out into my DSLR sometimes or pop it into the computer for faster transfer and cleaning up the card when read/write speeds start to dip).
I'm not going to do the swap internal/external thing because I feel like that would probably wreck havoc if it is ever removed, but what about if I just use links2SD? Will the phone have a conniption if I dismount the card for a bit? Or will just those apps disappear (which is how it worked on older 2.x android devices when apps were installed to the card)?
Madbat
Android Expert
If you use the swap, you have to shut off your phone to remove the sdcard. I always shut it off when removing it even just using
Link2sd.
The swap is only if you want to install large games that exceed the phones internal memory because link2sd does not link obb and data files which are the "additional files" that download with large apps. Usually games and some are over 2gb.
As I understand it, even the fastest microSD cards are slower access than internal memory. So I like the idea of linking large apps like games to the SD, but keeping critical things that load at boot (background apps, widgets, etc) on the internal storage.
So, no swapping for me. I did experiment the other day with unmounting and removing the card to see what would happen to linked apps. They remained in the drawer, just threw an error when I tried to click on them until the card was inserted and remounted. Interesting. I guess its better to turn the phone off first, but I really like that the Victory gives me easy access to the card slot without removing the battery! Oh well. Its a minor inconvenience at best.
Madbat
Android Expert
It doesn't swap apps or widgets or anything like that. That's all a different partition. It only swaps storage. Its only data and obb files from apps that get swapped. But I don't use it anymore either. Its kinda hard to explain briefly the difference between the swap and link2sd, and why it takes both to have complete and total "apps to sd like" situation. You only need the swap if you want to get an app from play store that's bigger than your phones total internal memory. With swap, apks still go on internal. Everything else gets swapped. Then link2sd links the actual apk. Guess I could have explained that a little clearer, but its been a long day and I'm wiped. Lol
Interesting. Thanks for the explanation- although, I am actually rather confused by what you said there! I'm getting the gist of it being that apps are still installed locally, but their data goes to a logical area of the SD instead of internal. But how is that better? If an app that loads at boot has a database that exists on the SD, I'm going to be limited to the read speed of my SD card instead of the internal memory, correct?
In other words, wouldn't it make more sense for it to be all-or-nothing for apps that you want to load with speed?
I don't think I'm installing any apps that each up oodles of space like you describe- my last device didn't have much more available internal memory, or did the original EVO, and I use all of these devices more-or-less the same way with the same apps. But at least back then I had apps2SD for larger ones.
In other words, wouldn't it make more sense for it to be all-or-nothing for apps that you want to load with speed?
I don't think I'm installing any apps that each up oodles of space like you describe- my last device didn't have much more available internal memory, or did the original EVO, and I use all of these devices more-or-less the same way with the same apps. But at least back then I had apps2SD for larger ones.
Madbat
Android Expert
Yeah same here. Link2sd is enough for me. The swap is just for huge apps. The swap doesn't touch system ROM ( which is where system app reside.) So it wouldnt affect widgets or background apps. Say if you go to download a game that says its 2.5 GB, the apk is probably only 20 to 30 mb, that all stays put with swap. All apps (system and user) are in a seperate part that isnt effected by swapping storage. The rest is data and or obb. That all goes on internal SD. Even with link2sd. The only way to get those files on external is swapping storage. The swap doesn't move any apps at all, just the "additional"files. So if you don't use any enormous apps the swap isn't worth the hassle. Normal sized apps don't have those files so link2sd is sufficient. Not trying to sway you one way or another, I just enjoy learning stuff and assume others do too! But if I'm Babbling feel free to let me know. Lol
I wouldn't be asking if I didn't want to know. Thank you!
Obviously the stuff that is contained in the ROM isn't moving anywhere- even if you "move" them, you wouldn't recover any space so it wouldn't really benefit anything anyway. But apps and widgets get updated, and the updates DO take up storage. Also, I wasn't even referring to those, as I have third party apps and widgets which I use and do get loaded up at boot. Loading them off a storage card would likely slow down access time, even if only slightly so. I'd rather keep them on the higher speed internals.
Madbat
Android Expert
It doesn't swap any apps at all. Not even user intalled apps. All of the apps are in a part of storage that doesn't get touched by the swap. The only part of an app affected by the memory swap is the "additional files" (finally got some sleep). So swapping allows you to install apps that are larger than your total internal storage. Even with swap in place you would still need link 2sd to move the app if you wanted it on external.
lEquin0xl
Android Enthusiast
So.... Do I have to flash "Roam To Roam" whenever the memory runs low? I have a 32gb SD card and with only 4 apps (with data) the internal memory is full.
Brave frontier
Family guy
Clumsy ninja
CSR classics
I made a 4gb or 8gb partition on the SD card for link2sd but I having those 4 apps installed doesn't let me do anything else.
Brave frontier
Family guy
Clumsy ninja
CSR classics
I made a 4gb or 8gb partition on the SD card for link2sd but I having those 4 apps installed doesn't let me do anything else.
Madbat
Android Expert
If you have link2sd and the memory swap, all of that should be on your ext SD. You only have to flash once.
lEquin0xl
Android Enthusiast
I have both already but data files are (I installed some apps after flashing) installed to the normal internal partition
Madbat
Android Expert
If you flashed external internal swap, it will say internal but ext and internal will be swapped so its really external.
lEquin0xl
Android Enthusiast
Yes. But data and obb stay in the external (after swap) which is the 2gb partition.
Madbat
Android Expert
After swap, data and obb will be on your external SD card (whatever size you bought). Your external SD is now called internal SD. I have a 32 GB SD, after swapping memory my phone now says " internal memory 32 GB." That's where my data and obb are. My phone thinks its internal and puts data and obb there, it will in fact be called internal, when using a file browser you will find them in internal (sdcard0), but if you've installed the swap correctly it will really be the external SD (now called internal). So if you have a 32 GB ext SD with a 4 GB 2nd partition for link2sd, and swap installed correctly, it should be -28 GB internal- 1.83 GB external- with the 4 GB 2nd partition being for link2sd (2nd partition doesn't show in phone settings) and if swap and link2sd are all working, all app components will be on your removable storage. Sorry if that got long winded. Lol, hope it helped.
lEquin0xl
Android Enthusiast
Ok, thats the setup I have now i think.
25.87gb Device Memory
4gb Partition in SD (i made it within TWRP)
1.83gb SD card space (which is the swap)
But I'm pretty sure things are still being installed on the sd card space (1.83gb) because it tell me I'm running out of disk space. I'll reread the instructions though. Also I did the swap before doing the link2sd steps, could that maybe be the issue?
Yea I just installed Speedtest and it installed to the external sd spot. 1.83gb. I even recreated the mount scripts. Choosing ext4. How do I go about undoing everything and starting back from step one?
25.87gb Device Memory
4gb Partition in SD (i made it within TWRP)
1.83gb SD card space (which is the swap)
But I'm pretty sure things are still being installed on the sd card space (1.83gb) because it tell me I'm running out of disk space. I'll reread the instructions though. Also I did the swap before doing the link2sd steps, could that maybe be the issue?
Yea I just installed Speedtest and it installed to the external sd spot. 1.83gb. I even recreated the mount scripts. Choosing ext4. How do I go about undoing everything and starting back from step one?
Madbat
Android Expert
Open link2sd and link the app you want to be on ext SD. It will only do it automatically if you set link2sd to do so. If you didn't set it to auto link, just open it and link it manually. 😀
If you're running out of space something is doing it. Don't link system apps. I saw someone else have that problem and it was 1 rogue app. Can't remember which one though sorry. I think it was a game with a large obb file, if you have a game like that try unlinking it.
lEquin0xl
Android Enthusiast
I had titanium backup linked, only system. I'll try downloading a bunch of apps now.
Yea I just installed Fruit Ninja and almost all of it was placed in the 1.83gb partition.
I'll list my currently linked apps.
Chrome
Clumsy Ninja Obb: 72mb
CSR Classics Obb: 258mb
Family Guy
Fruit Ninja
IMDb
Google keep
Minigore 2
My Oldboy!
My Boy!
PIMD
Pokemon Online
Root Explorer
Snapchat
Speedtest
Tumblr
Youtube (dont think its system)
The only big-ish apps are Clumsy Ninja, CSR Classics, and Family Guy, not even close to 4GB.
Madbat
Android Expert
A few posts back bilpenny also had that problem, unlinked one app and all was good. If you're using link2sd and memory swap correctly all that should be on your card. Apks and libs go on 2nd ext4 partition, (however big you made it) data and obb go on external (now internal). Nothing should be going on the 1.83 internal (now listed as external). I'm a little stumped here. You have busybox installed? Cause it sounds like your internal to external swap isn't working.