[TUTO] Xperia M [SS/DS] Better method for extending storage

Does it work with half root (Towel Root)?

rafik23 said:

test it and post your results

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Soon...

Thanks, I will!

Hi, last night I tried every method to install Link2SD but all failed
I want to try your method because our phone is similar (firmware version), but I need information about these:

1. What partition format do you use for your 2nd partition. FAT32 or EXT2/3/4?
2. I already rooted my phone using Towelroot. SuperSU works fine. Do I have to reroot it using your root method (kingoroot)?

Thanks in advance

amahgfur said:

1. What partition format do you use for your 2nd partition. FAT32 or EXT2/3/4?
2. I already rooted my phone using Towelroot. SuperSU works fine. Do I have to reroot it using your root method (kingoroot)?

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1. Use ext4 for your Link2SD partition of approx. 2GB and FAT32 for your primary partition i.e. the rest of the Micro SD card.
If using a MicroSD 32GB card or larger, you should consider using a 64K cluster size when partitioning FAT32.
I use MiniTool Partition Wizard on a MS Windows system.

The only consideration for using a Link2SD FAT32 partition instead of ext4 is that any old system can read files on a FAT32 partition.
There are however many ext4 file readers for MS Windows systems and thus ext4 is the best option for the Link2SD partition.

With the SD card inserted into the phone and upon the first startup of Link2SD app, select an ext4 partition to mount and restart your phone.

I would suggest purchasing the Link2SD Plus app as it provides a link to SD card for app data too.

2. Root access is just root access. If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it's a duck.
If you're successfully using SuperSU with a full root, your should be fine.
I use Framaroot to gain full root access myself, when most people use other methods.

hgn66 said:

I just tried FolderMount. After moving first app (via app analyzer) the phone just keep rebooting and after each time, just about 30 sec for next reboot! Deleting FolderMount and the phone stops rebooting...
So I don't know is it really possible to move apps to sd card on Sony Xperia M? I searched lots of forums and tested many methods... Seems Impossible...

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[1] Configure full root access for a locked bootloader on C1905 (test and confirm stable)
[2] Configure Link2SD on a 2GB ext4 partition and move apps and data(Link2SD+) to external SDCard ext4 partition (test and confirm stable)
[3] Configure FolderMount and link Internal folders to external SDcard folders (test and confirm stable)

No reboots.

This is VERY possible as that's how I have an Xperia C1905 configured.

Using this method, camera thumbnails no longer use up space on internal storage if you've linked folder DCIM.
Using this method both sdcard0 and sdcard1 point to the same files on the external SDcard for the folders you have linked, thus eliminating internal/external folder location confusion and free space on internal storage.
Using a high read/write 64GB SDcard, one has great storage flexibility and internal storage remains static at approx 1.6GB free.

I just tried FolderMount. After moving first app (via app analyzer) the phone just keep rebooting and after each time, just about 30 sec for next reboot! Deleting FolderMount and the phone stops rebooting...
So I don't know is it really possible to move apps to sd card on Sony Xperia M? I searched lots of forums and tested many methods... Seems Impossible...

rafik23 said:

Better method for extending storage in XMD Or using external at place of internal
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Hi, after searching in forums for swapping External 2 internal , i try all methods but it don't work for me with with my XMDS build 15.5.a.1.5 JB 4.3, then i found this one without swapping
Requied:
1 - Rooted XM SS/DS
2 - FolderMount app
3 - BusyBox installed if you haven't install it from here
4 - Reboot Fix taken from here Credit to jinishpv
5 - Link2SD configured like in thread http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1750888 , and the minimal size of sdext2 is between 1 up 1,5 GB (depending of update applications) the max is 2 GB for FAT16.

How it work?
this method merge and link folders existing folders from internal storage to external one used by application or user (physicaly are on external but logically are on internal or the system recognize the folder on internal memory but use storage from external)
ex: I pair blue-tooth folder in Int and EXT , if I receive a file from blue tooth by default the file wil be received to internal storage virtually stored on Internal but physically stored on external storage.
before mounting folders :


after mount with mount folder app just we what's been added


little explain :
after mounting it create a new mount for folder what a destination is on sdcard1

How To do? :
1- download the app from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.devasque.fmount&hl=fr and install it
2- grant super user authorizations
3- creating substitute folder by pairing from internel to external
4- click on add (+)
5- Creating pairs of folder

1st Method: by choosing folder
Choose Name of folder and paths in both source and destination , source will be the folder on internal and destination will be in external

Ex : obb folder for asphalt 8 and you can do it for DCIM , bluetooth , Download and for big folder on internal storage.

​

2nd Method : from Apps Analyzer

1- Open apps analyzer form app
2- you click on app you want to move its folder to SDCARD Ex: Asphalt 8
3- Click on Create pair for obb or data

1 - you choose the folder for app (it will be choosed automaticaly for some apps)
and save

2- after done wait for mounting and merging folder the list for folder will be appears like above


with white pin not mounted with green one mounted and working

just click on wanted one for mounting/dismounting

Troubleshooting:
in the first time perhaps when it mounts folder it can reboot ( it happend for me whan i chose folder manualy)
remove all and make a first one by app analyzer , if error permissions appears FolderMount ask you if do want patch the rom choose yes and reboot.
then you can mount folder manualy
and enjoy with more space

Results
and here is the result without Link2SD

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after Adding LINK2SD

​

I hope that will helpfull and Sorry for my english!!!

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rafik23 said:

have you do it successefull?

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Yes, I have done it successfully.
Now just living the life dude, living the life.

I've been using a C1905 with root access(Locked BL), 64GB SanDisk Extreme and Link2SD Plus(has data offload) for almost a year.
Installed FolderMount about a month ago just to test if it'd work with WhatsApp as a media offload to SDCard.
Worked so well, I added Pictures,Videos,Music,Downloads,Camera(pesky thumbnails) and a couple of apps which still used internal storage for data.
Now see a continued 1.6GB of free internal flash.
No problems and not really expecting any.

External Link2SD 2GB partition created as ext4 on a SanDisk 64GB card with remainder formatted as FAT32.

When using Link2SD and FolderMount you see funny figures in settings->storage as symbolic links are ignored and reported space used/available now exceeds 2GB

rafik23 said:

i wait your result ...

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I did it. Nothing special, first full root with Towel Root (and fix). I installed Link2SD with 4GB ext4 second partition, moved (bravely) ALL programs with Create Link and restarted the phone. It took a long time to reboot, I thought the phone was stuck on phone operator's logo, so I removed the battery. The second time it was also long reboot, but I just left the phone to boot and when I went back - it was just fine! Now the reboot takes a long time, there's some smallish lag but generally Link2SD works as advertised

THANKS!

Dear Android Bob, does this method work on C2005? I'm about to change my phone and get a Galaxy just because I hate sony for this!

[C1905/C2005] both working with Link2SD and Foldermount

hgn66 said:

Dear Android Bob, does this method work on C2005? I'm about to change my phone and get a Galaxy just because I hate sony for this!

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Yes, Link2SD (paid version with data offload) and Foldermount work as designed on a C2005.

I have a C1905 and a C2005 and both are working without problems using Link2SD and Foldermount.
Most of the application data is 'pulled' off the internal NAND memory using Link2SD, but some internal user data from the likes of WhatsApp and etc still need Foldermount to link their user data to the SD card.

I format cards as FAT32 for the primary (larger) partition with a cluster size of 32K and the Link2SD partition as ext4 at around 2-4GB .

Generally, I have over 1.6GB NAND memory (internal flash) free on both phones

You MUST have full root (not half-root) configured on the phone and you shouldn't have any problems with a XM or XMD phones and a ext4 partition (~2GB) on an external micro SD card.

I would also suggest a U1 Micro SD card instead of a conventional Class10 card (~10MB as max write)
U1 cards normally have write speeds over or approaching 20MB (U1 standard states write speeds over 10MB)
This just means the Micro SD card is not limiting I/O and slowing the phone down with all the apps/data now residing on the external card.

A C1905 with a SanDisk Extreme 64GB card seems to chug along pretty well. (~4GB ext4 Link2SD partition)