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How to replace sd card mounted as internal storage extension? (lemdro.id)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The article What's it like using a microSD card on Android in 2023? describes two ways one can mount SD card in android.

I have a question: if I format an SD card as a internal storage extension what are the proper steps to replace it with a bigger/faster one?

Thank you!

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I wouldn't use that option in 2023. It was introduced in an era when low end phones had 4gb of internal storage and it would be full by simply connecting to internet and automatically downloads the updates for the google apps.

It depends how it's encrypted. I can't find info on it. If it uses the same way for the internal storage, "raw" encryption, then I think there's no way to easily replace it. Maybe if there's an option in the software to "prepare for removal", where all the contents are moved away.

If it uses a Linux partition encrypted with luks (I feel unlikely) then it could be cloned and then with expanded with gparted

But I think I remember someone saying at the time that this option is extremely dangerous because it's effectively a raid 0 with the internal memory and when the sdcard fails, everything is lost. And sd cards are not that reliable

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You listed many good points and hints - thank you!

But still: I have a phone with an SD card formatted as "internal storage extender" (without any strong reason, just as a result of misinterpretation of these 2 modes) how can I correctly replace this card with another one (which will be formatted as a "removable")?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Backup old data elsewhere and change the SD card. Start anew.

Or - backup old data elsewhere, then try to dd one sdcard to the other. I can't say if that would wojrk.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, but i do not know what files, apps or apps data is stored on the SD card. I can backup user files, like photos and downloads. But how to make sure that apps and their files will not be corrupted when I remove the SD card?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

You can't. That's the problem with internalised SD Card.

Edit : or you can use some backup tools. I used Titanium backup back in the old days. Don't know how it fares now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Got you. I expected that "extender" mode is not for easy swap SD cards, but not to THAT extended.

Thank you!