Titanium Backup cannot backup to micro sd

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May 19, 2016
16
10
Well, I chose the method 2, created folder in external SD, have root access but TB still says "This folder is not writable". I need SD because my internal storage is insufficient.
If the solution don't be found, I will try option 3, since I will flash my phone (Lollipop) with CM 11.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Guys,
i have the same issue on my note 3 with resurrection remix 5.7.2 rom (cm13 MM). I created a folder in the external sd but titanium backup is unable to write in it as it's seen as not writable.
This issue is not present in custom rom based on stock with MM.
 
May 19, 2016
16
10
I tried the 3rd method and it worked

I added this to my platform.xml

Code:
   <permission name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
        <group gid="sdcard_r" />
        <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
        <group gid="sdcard_all" />	
    </permission>

    <permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
        <group gid="sdcard_r" />
        <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
        <group gid="media_rw" />
    </permission>

    <permission name="android.permission.ACCESS_ALL_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
        <group gid="sdcard_r" />
        <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
        <group gid="sdcard_all" />
    </permission>

but nothing changed
 

alphalz

Member
Feb 25, 2013
13
1
Hi

I found the following from here: https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/917126/write-to-external-sd-restriction-in-marshmallow/
thanks to tonymontana, I think thats a elegant solution

Some Apps like ES File Explorer asks you for granting rights for the SD Card.
For apps who don´t, like Titanium Backup works this solution:

"There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below). Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder – not to the entire card! In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/ Lastly, go to the preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose “Backup folder location” and choose the above specified folder."


In that folder I created another, called BackupData, which I selected in TitaniumBackup for the backup files.
For me, the folder is as follows (with 3466-3131 as the external SD card):
/storage/3466-3131/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/BackupData
 

Skubacb

Senior Member
Jul 21, 2012
126
22
Hi Guys,
i have the same issue on my note 3 with resurrection remix 5.7.2 rom (cm13 MM). I created a folder in the external sd but titanium backup is unable to write in it as it's seen as not writable.
This issue is not present in custom rom based on stock with MM.
There is a solution in TiBU.
In Backup Folder Location: Click on Storage Provider. Then choose "Document Provider Storage". Choose the folder with all of your backups. TiBu will ask if it is ok to move all your backups to that folder. Once that is done you can write to the external SD card.

Now this does seem a little slower but at least you keep your permissions and don't have to grant every program out there permission to write to the extSD Card.

Would love to have someone give me a disadvantage beyond just speed. But I am working now.
 

Dethfull

Senior Member
Jun 4, 2016
258
28
com.android.defcontainer.apk

Anyone heard about this?

You will find in /system/app/DefaultContainer.apk

If today is amother name, you will need search the relative com.android.defcontainer apk's title

Titanium Backup, Package Installer, And simple copy_paste apk, won't install anything if mentioned package is disabled.

Open your eyes, i am now prevented.

Its posible on future, the gogle enables this package temporaryly before installing an apk, and disabling this apk after package installer ended the installation automatically

Doing this, they prevents, remote apk instalkations, and Backup apps, won't restore anything if com.android.defcontainer.apk is disabled.
 
Last edited:

cyberdimitri

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2011
86
9
Qormi
I realise that this is an old post but I found it very useful!
2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

This worked for me, thanks!
3.
There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.

Original:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>

New:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Done..

I tried this as well, as I'm not too paranoid about security, but I couldn't find the line
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
Instead I have the line
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE" >
which underneath it has both the lines
<group gid="sdcard_rw" /> and
<group gid="media_rw" />

Any ideas?
BTW, I have a Ulepfone Power running on the official MM 6.0
 

speculatrix

Senior Member
Mar 7, 2006
708
136
Cambridge
I reinstalled Ti Bk Root and told it to find the backup directory on my external SD card in the "approved" place to work with Lollipop, and it said the directory wasn't writable. After a reboot, it then said it was writable. So if you're pretty sure you have chosen the right directory, and it says not writable, try rebooting.
 

unibombz

Senior Member
Nov 11, 2011
1,220
260
There is a solution in TiBU.
In Backup Folder Location: Click on Storage Provider. Then choose "Document Provider Storage". Choose the folder with all of your backups. TiBu will ask if it is ok to move all your backups to that folder. Once that is done you can write to the external SD card.

Now this does seem a little slower but at least you keep your permissions and don't have to grant every program out there permission to write to the extSD Card.

Would love to have someone give me a disadvantage beyond just speed. But I am working now.

This WORKED perfect. Thank you I was having trouble with that. Much appreciated !
 

degaonkarab

Senior Member
Aug 3, 2014
71
5
Satara
option 3 worked with Lenovo K4 Note MM

To summarize, I have come across three solutions to this problem. In fact, it´s four solutions now, since one additional method was pointed out by Vandevandel (see number two below).

1.
Change the backup-location to /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
Just open Titanium and go to Settings/Preferences/Backup folder location
Change to: /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup

2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

3.
There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.

Original:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>

New:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Done.

After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that accesses either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.

This may also fix problems with other apps that have issues writing to the ext. sdcard, but please be aware that in terms of security, solution two (see above) is preferable.

4.
If you had Titanium Backup installed on a previous ROM, doing a non-wipe install could stop the process of Titanium Backup. You might receive a pop-up notification that Titanium Backup has stopped working. Reinstalling the app might lead to an insufficient storage space error — when an app is uninstalled or modified, it leaves a .odex residue file which causes the error. So all you have to do is delete the .odex file of Titanium Backup.

Here’s how:
Using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer, go to /data/app , find and delete ”com.kermidas.TitaniumBackup-1.odex“. Now you can install Titanium Backup again!
If there is no such file in your folder, that´s OK. But please don´t delete any .apk file!

Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you find this post useful, pls feel free to click "Thanks".
Have a nice day


option 3 worked great thanks
 
Thank you @Parinibbana! #2 worked for me! #3 totally f'ed up my phone. Google Play services was constantly stopping. Keyboard would stop and not appear. My permissions.xml didn't have a WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission node so I added it. That's probably what broke my phone. But then, it was still broken after I reverted the change. Oh well, just heads up warning to others. Luckily, I have a Nandroid backup.

Thanks again! :)

To summarize, I have come across three solutions to this problem. In fact, it´s four solutions now, since one additional method was pointed out by Vandevandel (see number two below).

1.
Change the backup-location to /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
Just open Titanium and go to Settings/Preferences/Backup folder location
Change to: /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup

2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

3.
There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.

Original:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>

New:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Done.

After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that accesses either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.

This may also fix problems with other apps that have issues writing to the ext. sdcard, but please be aware that in terms of security, solution two (see above) is preferable.

4.
If you had Titanium Backup installed on a previous ROM, doing a non-wipe install could stop the process of Titanium Backup. You might receive a pop-up notification that Titanium Backup has stopped working. Reinstalling the app might lead to an insufficient storage space error — when an app is uninstalled or modified, it leaves a .odex residue file which causes the error. So all you have to do is delete the .odex file of Titanium Backup.

Here’s how:
Using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer, go to /data/app , find and delete ”com.kermidas.TitaniumBackup-1.odex“. Now you can install Titanium Backup again!
If there is no such file in your folder, that´s OK. But please don´t delete any .apk file!

Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you find this post useful, pls feel free to click "Thanks".
Have a nice day
 

tsatomas

Senior Member
Feb 5, 2012
2,289
903
Athens
To summarize, I have come across three solutions to this problem. In fact, it´s four solutions now, since one additional method was pointed out by Vandevandel (see number two below).

1.
Change the backup-location to /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
Just open Titanium and go to Settings/Preferences/Backup folder location
Change to: /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup

2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

3.
There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.

Original:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>

New:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Done.

After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that accesses either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.

This may also fix problems with other apps that have issues writing to the ext. sdcard, but please be aware that in terms of security, solution two (see above) is preferable.

4.
If you had Titanium Backup installed on a previous ROM, doing a non-wipe install could stop the process of Titanium Backup. You might receive a pop-up notification that Titanium Backup has stopped working. Reinstalling the app might lead to an insufficient storage space error — when an app is uninstalled or modified, it leaves a .odex residue file which causes the error. So all you have to do is delete the .odex file of Titanium Backup.

Here’s how:
Using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer, go to /data/app , find and delete ”com.kermidas.TitaniumBackup-1.odex“. Now you can install Titanium Backup again!
If there is no such file in your folder, that´s OK. But please don´t delete any .apk file!

Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you find this post useful, pls feel free to click "Thanks".
Have a nice day
I had this problem in my Huawei Y635-L21 with android 4.4.4 (my s4 is ok), Worked the third solution only (adding <group gid="media_rw" />in platform xml. Thank you
 
Last edited:

raisercostin

New member
Aug 5, 2017
1
0
With Android 5.0+ there is a 5th option that I ignored too easily: DocumentProvider storage where you can select the entire External Sd Card or any other folder using your default system dialog views.
 

Vankog

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2009
132
48
Yes, already mentioned this in an earlier post. However, for whatever reason it doesn't work reliably with Titanium. It often happens that the granted permission via document provider vanishes for Titanium after a reboot or so.
My preferred method is the one with the app data folder on SD.
The only downside is that you really have to be careful not to uninstall Titanium on any time, because this will wipe this folder...
 

fellow_

New member
Nov 29, 2017
1
0
No2 rules!

Thank you @Parinibbana! :good: #2 worked for me too, on Samsung S7 running Marshmallow.

Just one remark, folder names are case sensitive, so you must type folder name exactly:
com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup
not
Com.KERAMIDAS.TitaNiumBaCkup or so...
 

sufoc

Member
Sep 30, 2015
23
1
To summarize, I have come across three solutions to this problem. In fact, it´s four solutions now, since one additional method was pointed out by Vandevandel (see number two below).

1.
Change the backup-location to /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
Just open Titanium and go to Settings/Preferences/Backup folder location
Change to: /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup

2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

3.
There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.

Original:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>

New:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Done.

After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that accesses either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.

This may also fix problems with other apps that have issues writing to the ext. sdcard, but please be aware that in terms of security, solution two (see above) is preferable.

4.
If you had Titanium Backup installed on a previous ROM, doing a non-wipe install could stop the process of Titanium Backup. You might receive a pop-up notification that Titanium Backup has stopped working. Reinstalling the app might lead to an insufficient storage space error — when an app is uninstalled or modified, it leaves a .odex residue file which causes the error. So all you have to do is delete the .odex file of Titanium Backup.

Here’s how:
Using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer, go to /data/app , find and delete ”com.kermidas.TitaniumBackup-1.odex“. Now you can install Titanium Backup again!
If there is no such file in your folder, that´s OK. But please don´t delete any .apk file!

Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you find this post useful, pls feel free to click "Thanks".
Have a nice day

got a samsung gt-i9190i, after adding the "<group gid="media_rw" />" my phone went crazy, I factory reset it and I keep getting pop ups saying "google services/youtube/Setup Wizard stopped working", plus samsung blocked my phone due to a faulty factory reset...
 
Last edited:

Parinibbana

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2013
178
153
got a samsung gt-i9190i, after adding the "<group gid="media_rw" />" my phone went crazy, I factory reset it and I keep getting pop ups saying "google services/youtube/Setup Wizard stopped working", plus samsung blocked my phone due to a faulty factory reset...

You can go to www.sammobile.com and find the current firmware for your phone. Download and install via ODIN.

Once your system is running again, try method no. 2 of my earlier post by telling Titanium to use the following folder-structure for backups: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup

That should work also on your samsung gt-i9190i.

Good luck,
Parinibbana
 
Last edited:

dpbaril

Member
Dec 17, 2017
11
4
Almonte Ontario
This fixed it for me

-- begin extract - -
2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

-- end extract - -

Thanks!

From a grateful newbie.
 

ZLRider

Member
Dec 19, 2010
20
3
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
To summarize, I have come across three solutions to this problem. In fact, it´s four solutions now, since one additional method was pointed out by Vandevandel (see number two below).

1.
Change the backup-location to /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
Just open Titanium and go to Settings/Preferences/Backup folder location
Change to: /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup

2.
There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
Finish.

Very clean and safe.

3.
There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.

Original:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
</permission>

New:
<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
<group gid="sdcard_rw" />
<group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

Done.

After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that accesses either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.

This may also fix problems with other apps that have issues writing to the ext. sdcard, but please be aware that in terms of security, solution two (see above) is preferable.

4.
If you had Titanium Backup installed on a previous ROM, doing a non-wipe install could stop the process of Titanium Backup. You might receive a pop-up notification that Titanium Backup has stopped working. Reinstalling the app might lead to an insufficient storage space error — when an app is uninstalled or modified, it leaves a .odex residue file which causes the error. So all you have to do is delete the .odex file of Titanium Backup.

Here’s how:
Using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer, go to /data/app , find and delete ”com.kermidas.TitaniumBackup-1.odex“. Now you can install Titanium Backup again!
If there is no such file in your folder, that´s OK. But please don´t delete any .apk file!

Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you find this post useful, pls feel free to click "Thanks".
Have a nice day

Your suggested method of creating a working for TB to use worked perfectly. Thank you for helping me out of a real jam. :)
 

Shaloha

New member
Feb 9, 2020
2
0
6 years later :): The fastest way(for Rooted dev) is to get the Apps2CDpro apk(free) at the Google Play store. I post ithis only because needed to solve similar problem with Titanium, and could not find fast solution for someone who is not comp literate, as myself. However, I learn from the previous posts quate a bit. Thank you for your posts, I learned quite a bit!
 

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  • 122
    Titanium Backup with insuffiecient storage space - 1 problem , 3 solutions

    To summarize, I have come across three solutions to this problem. In fact, it´s four solutions now, since one additional method was pointed out by Vandevandel (see number two below).

    1.
    Change the backup-location to /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
    Just open Titanium and go to Settings/Preferences/Backup folder location
    Change to: /storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup

    2.
    There is an elegant way of giving TitaniumBackup write access to the external sdcard, without having to forfeit security (as in method 3 below).
    Since the time of Android 4.3, Google uses a very clean security-solution by giving apps that request write access to external SD, permission only to their own folder - not to the entire card!
    In order to get TitaniumBackup to work without compromising security, you can simply create a folder on the external sdcard,using the following folder-structure: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

    If you already have existing backups, move them with a file-explorer from their current place to: /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
    Lastly, go tothe preferences of TitaniumBackup, choose "Backup folder location" and choose the above specified folder.
    Finish.

    Very clean and safe.

    3.
    There is a solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2). The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. This permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to Android 3.2, but for security reasons this is the case now.

    If you're rooted and want to make the ext. sdcard writable to all apps, please try the following:
    1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
    2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
    3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
    4. Save the changes to the file.
    5. Restart your tablet.

    Original:
    <permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
    <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
    </permission>

    New:
    <permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
    <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
    <group gid="media_rw" />
    </permission>

    Done.

    After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that accesses either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.

    This may also fix problems with other apps that have issues writing to the ext. sdcard, but please be aware that in terms of security, solution two (see above) is preferable.

    4.
    If you had Titanium Backup installed on a previous ROM, doing a non-wipe install could stop the process of Titanium Backup. You might receive a pop-up notification that Titanium Backup has stopped working. Reinstalling the app might lead to an insufficient storage space error — when an app is uninstalled or modified, it leaves a .odex residue file which causes the error. So all you have to do is delete the .odex file of Titanium Backup.

    Here’s how:
    Using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer, go to /data/app , find and delete ”com.kermidas.TitaniumBackup-1.odex“. Now you can install Titanium Backup again!
    If there is no such file in your folder, that´s OK. But please don´t delete any .apk file!

    Good luck!

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If you find this post useful, pls feel free to click "Thanks".
    Have a nice day
    13
    I updated to Kitkat 4.4 and am rooted. Im having the exact same issue with Titanium. It tells me the target dir is full and that it cant write/access the SD card. I changed permission of the SD Card with Root explorer but it doesnt stay.

    How do I "roll back" platform.xml? I have no idea how to fix this. Never had any issue like this before in all my years of swapping roms and upgrading android builds.

    You have to edit yoour platform.xml file so Titanium Backup works again. Since you are already rooted, you can refer to this post for what to edit, where the file is etc.:
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=44370296
    9
    Better solution

    Hi !
    All these solutions are not very "clean". They give the right to all apps that asked for sd write access to write to the root of external SD, and thus allow them to intefere with other apps..
    With Android 4.3, Google used a very clean solution :
    Apps that request write access to external SD, will have access to thier own folder in sd card !
    So to have Titanium Backup to work without compromising security and having to install another app that request root access, you can simply move files that are inside /storage/extSdCard/TitaniumBackup/ to /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/

    Now say in TB preference that this is your new saving folder.

    Works like a charm, and it's better for security.
    :good:
    8
    I created /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/ but it still says "This folder is not writable." :( There is no folder /storage/extSdCard/TitaniumBackup/, maybe that's because i just installed TB.

    Just to be sure as I don't know your proficiency level: What exactly did you do? (exact folder locations on what medium)
    You just need
    /Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
    on your SDcard directly. Just in case you might have created literally
    /storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup/
    The base path in the front is different from system to system and your path to the SD card might be another.

    However, what Android version are you on?
    Because on 5 and 6 this isn't much of an issue any more, because Titanium guides you into granting the permissions via the Documents Provider with any folder:
    ->Titanium
    -> Preferences
    -> Backup Folder Location
    -> click on the "Storage Provider" text (text, not the button below)
    -> DocumentProvider storage
    -> in the top right menu, make sure "Show SD card" is enabled
    -> open the drawer on the left
    -> pick your SD card
    -> directly on the root directory (not in any subfolder) pick "select"
    -> now choose whatever folder you want inside of Titanium, as it now has writing permission on the whoöe SD card
    6
    Hi all,

    For the past month or so, Titanium Backup cannot backup anything to my external sd any more and reports "Insufficient storage space". When I look at the folder location under TiBu preferences, it says "folder is not writable", however when I check the permissions with Root Explorer, it says it is writable, and everything else can really write to it anyway (e.g. google music can write there just fine).

    If I switch the backup location to internal storage, it works fine but that defeats the purpose, I want to use my external microsd.

    I've already tried uninstalling/re-installing, updating my SuperSU, rebooting the phone etc.

    Any ideas?