[Problem] Galaxy Note 3 / Android 4.4.2 / External SD-Card

[bushido76]

Hi,

at first I want to thank you for all the effort you put in TC over the years. Great work!

TC for Android is one of a handful file managers which is really usable with Android 4.4.2 at the moment.

But during my tests (all on external SD) I realized the following two problems:

1) I cannot create or change ZIP-Files.
2) When TC is called "as an Intent" (i.e. from third party software ipBike) it doesn't write files. In normal TC window mode copying and writing works out ok.

Thx in advance,
Bushido

[ghisler(Author)]

1) To create a ZIP file, make sure that the other (target) panel shows a locaction where you have write rights. You can press the "=" button to set the same location as the source. Then select the files you want to pack, and tap on the package button at the bottom.

2) You probably mean the "file open" or "file save" dialog. This is really only for choosing a file name, not to perform any file operations.

[bushido76]

Thank you for your response.

Concerning:
1) This is exactly the scenario I was using for my tests. Left and right folder were /storage/extSdCard/Download. But file selection and a press on the package button leads to "Error writing ZIP-File". An ordinary copy of the same file/folder works fine.
2) Thx for the clearification. Could you explain the "trick" how to make extSdCard writable in Android 4.4.2? I would contact the author of ipBike.

[ghisler(Author)]

1) I see - you cannot write on the external SD-Card on some devices using the normal file functions. In this case, you need to create the zip on the internal card, and then copy it to the external card. TC uses a hack to write there (by creating the file via the media service). This trick doesn't allow to write directly to the file, it only allows to copy it as a whole.

2) I have documented this in the following message:
http://ghisler.ch/board/viewtopic.php?t=34834&start=15

[ifor]

IpBike's intent usage want actually write a file in the app handling the intent. The OI File Pick intent is intended for the user to be able to select the file and directory to save to (or load from) the expected result is just to return the selected full path for the file to the calling app e.g. IpBike which will then do the actual file reading or writing.

I have not tried with Total Commander but there is at least one App responding to the intent and not giving the desired behaviour e.g. not allowing directory navigation and not allowing the user to enter a new file name which are both possible with OI File manager which should be consider the template for the desired behaviour with these intents. I fear I may have to put direct file handling into IpBike which will be a pain if I have to do it.

[NeoX]

Hi,

Not sure if I have the same problem. But if I was on my Lan and I try to write to SDCard(2) it doesn't work. But if I was to write from Lan to internal storage it works and then from internal storage to SDcard(2) it works.

I am on the Android 4.4.2 and have galaxy s4. Previous version of android I can write from Lan directly to SDCard 2.

Also I noticed I can't seem to get "root" in total commander although it has been given root permissions.

Hope you can help.

Thank you.

[ghisler(Author)]

Most plugins cannot currently write to the restricted external SD-Card of Andoid 4.4, sorry. I hope that I can add this soon.

[Micke]

'lo All,

Some additional information:

[SYMPTOMS]
1) Unable to create directory on /storage/extSdCard/
2) Unable to copy/move files to /storage/extSdCard/

[META]
APP: TotalCommander --Android v2.04
Device: Samsung Note3(SM-N900T
OS: Android v4.4.2
Plugins: FTP / LAN / SFTP

[TROUBLESHOOTING]
1) I am able to create directories via the default file app(My Files) on /storage/extSdCard/
2) I am able to create/move files within /storage/extSdCard/ via the default file app(My Files)
3) Symptoms began after I upgraded from Samsung S4 / Android 4.3 / TotalCommander v2.04(android)
-to- Samsung Note3 / Android 4.3 / TotalCommander v2.04(android)
4) Other apps fail: (FileManager--Dialects LLC v8.4) to create new directories on /storage/extSdCard/
5) Other apps succeed: (X-plore File Manager --Lonely Cat Games v3.55.00) to create new directories on /storage/extSdCard/

[ghisler(Author)]

Did you try beta 1 from www.ghisler.com? It should work with it on all Samsung devices.

[siealex]

The best way is to modify your firmware, but not TC. For example, see here: http://winaero.com/blog/unlock-external-sd-card-writing-for-all-apps-in-android-4-4-kitkat/.

[ghisler(Author)]

Unfortunately this requires root rights.

[gemeenteraadslid]

This is completely annoying. I cannot use TC usually, because I regularly copy between internal and external SD.

[ghisler(Author)]

Sorry, all Android apps suffer from that Apple-style limitation. I really don't understand why Google is that foolish. I can only speculate that they do it to make their own Nexus devices (without card slot) look better.

Interestingly, Microsoft is going in the opposite direction: Windows Phone 8.1 will allow write access to the sd-card. Maybe it's time to move on and drop the Android version...

[Xtrician]

Maybe it's time to move on and drop the Android version...

Hi,
You mean you are going to leave TC project for Android?

I don't see how Windows Phone will be better then Android..

[ghisler(Author)]

You mean you are going to leave TC project for Android?

Total Commander for Android is my hobby. I do this just for fun. I left Windows Mobile when it was abandoned by Microsoft in favor of Windows Phone, where apps do not have access file system access (before 8.1, where this will change).

I chose Android (and not iOS) because of its openness - Android is almost like a desktop operating system, so a file manager can be really useful.

Unfortunately with Android 4.4, the Google developers have forgotten the motto "don't be evil", and they are taking away more and more of the freedom the users had. There are rumors that in Android 5, even root users will be restricted. This isn't fun any more.