USB Mass storage? - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

How do I enable USB Mass storage mode instead of the stupid MTP og PTP?
Regards,
BTJ

Not sure if this works for the SGS3 but it worked for the SGS2:
Bring up Settings.
Click More… (under Wireless and network).
Then select USB utilities ~ Set USB cable connection mode.
Select Connect storage to PC then.
Connect USB cable from phone to PC.
Select Turn on USB storage.
That’s all.

Sorry, no such settings in SGS3, we are stuch with MTP or PTP... Don't understand the logic behind removing USB Mass storage mode!! Both MTP and PTP are slow as hell and there is no support for S3 in libmtp at the moment to make matters worse... If I had known this, I would have reconsidered my choice of buying a SGS3.....
BTJ

Like the Nexus, /sdcard is mounted at /data/media (IIRC, mount point could be different), meaning that internal data and the internal sdcard space share the space, rather than being split. UMS removes access to the device that is mounted from the phone, so it cannot be used when the sdcard is shared in this fashion.
I thought libmtp worked? I've been using adb and a GUI for shifting lots of files, qtadb
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Seems to be a problem with both SII and SIII... But I will check out qtadb, thx...
BTJ

So am I reading this right. You can't plug a USB cable in, the SD card appears then in explorer?
I have a sensation XE at moment and use this a lot for transferring files at work/home etc.
So can I not access my files normally now that I copy to SD card, eg docs etc?

Nope... But it sounds like you are using Windows so then MTP will work, kind of like you are used to...
BTJ

The idea about using MTP is it allows you to continue to use your phone without disruption, loading Mass Storage un-mounts the sd from your phone.
However I do think we should still be given a choice

Yes, I guess I understand the idea... What I don't understand is why they have removed the choice we used to have.... :-|
BTJ

I stil don't have an S3, but am a little confused on the MTP etc. Also I use a Mac and a Windows PC.
So when you plug in an S3 on a Windows PC, what does it do in MTP mode? just still allow you to drag/drop files? does the S3 come up as another drive or something in explore?
Also anyone with a Mac, how does this work?
cheers

This might give us some insight on why no USB Storage.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...behind-galaxy-nexus-lack-of-usb-mass-storage/

fylim said:
This might give us some insight on why no USB Storage.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...behind-galaxy-nexus-lack-of-usb-mass-storage/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I got the jist of that article lol but does this mean android developement were looking for devices to have either internal storage or sd storage but because the SG3 has both its sort of screwed things up a bit?
So UMS might be released in a later patch to allow easier access to added SD storage? Or does the current setting allow access to both storage thru windows pc?
Soz if I come across as a noob I havent got sg3 yet but planning to get one in a few weeks for upgrade and Ive been trying to get the low down on positives and negatives before I get the phone

Keep things simple!
Please can someone answer this simply.
Can I plug in the device into my mac/pc and just transfer any file to the micro SD card whilst it is in the phone?
All I want to do is to be able to put avi files on it as samsung kies or doubletwist doesn't seem to suppor them...
A yes or a no with and explanation would be great ta!!

pow001 said:
Please can someone answer this simply.
Can I plug in the device into my mac/pc and just transfer any file to the micro SD card whilst it is in the phone?
All I want to do is to be able to put avi files on it as samsung kies or doubletwist doesn't seem to suppor them...
A yes or a no with and explanation would be great ta!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can easily do that. No issues in that. Simply treat it as a normal pendrive in such a case.

sorted!
toxicthunder said:
yes you can easily do that. No issues in that. Simply treat it as a normal pendrive in such a case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. Although I figure out what everyone was talking about.
This is how I did it (maybe this will help others noobs as well):
You will need the 'Android File Transfer program' --> google search it!
1.Connect phone to PC (you will see usb icon at the top of the screen)
2. Pull down the notification centre.
3. Touch the usb thing.
4. Click PTP mode
5. Open the file transfer program
BOOM! Rock on nerds!

Related

[Q] Selectively mount external SD for PC access

Hi all,
Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere; I did use the search tool, honest!
Anyway, a simple question with what I hope will be a simple answer: is there any way to only make the external SD card visible to a PC when connected through USB? I use Dropbox and Foldersync a lot on my S2, and it would be lovely to leave my phone connected to my laptop to use as a USB drive without crippling the apps that look for data on my internal SD (Spotify, etc).
Many thanks,
salexc
Connect in USB mass storage mode
Via settings wireless networking usb utilities
jje
salexc said:
Hi all,
is there any way to only make the external SD card visible to a PC when connected through USB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not as far as I know. what I usually do: start a FTP server on your mobile, so it's accessible through windows explorer, no cable needed. Personally I use SwiFTP, but there are a few others, free in the marketplace.
JJEgan said:
Connect in USB mass storage mode
Via settings wireless networking usb utilities
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This mounts both internal and external SD; I only want to mount the external SD.
Heimiko said:
Not as far as I know. what I usually do: start a FTP server on your mobile, so it's accessible through windows explorer, no cable needed. Personally I use SwiFTP, but there are a few others, free in the marketplace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, a good suggestion; I should have mentioned there's no Wi-Fi available in my office so I have to connect via USB.
S.
salexc said:
Thanks, a good suggestion; I should have mentioned there's no Wi-Fi available in my office so I have to connect via USB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe "Droid Explorer" is what you're looking for : http://de.codeplex.com/
connects through USB, without mass storage enabled (USB Debugging needs to be enabled on your device)
Heimiko said:
maybe "Droid Explorer" is what you're looking for : http://de.codeplex.com/
connects through USB, without mass storage enabled (USB Debugging needs to be enabled on your device)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, now *that* could be it...I shall have to have a play.
Thanks!
With Multi Mount SD-Card (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rafoid.multimountsdcard.widget) you can choose which card to mount, internal or external or both.
I tried it because I have problems with car stereo not recognizing my phone when connected in usb storage mode. Although it didn't solve that problem, you can mount only one sd-card at the time with it.
spaceKomet said:
With Multi Mount SD-Card (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rafoid.multimountsdcard.widget) you can choose which card to mount, internal or external or both.
I tried it because I have problems with car stereo not recognizing my phone when connected in usb storage mode. Although it didn't solve that problem, you can mount only one sd-card at the time with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might just be exactly what I'm looking for...
Good find, that man.
same problem i have but....
spaceKomet said:
With Multi Mount SD-Card you can choose which card to mount, internal or external or both.
I tried it because I have problems with car stereo not recognizing my phone when connected in usb storage mode. Although it didn't solve that problem, you can mount only one sd-card at the time with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My stereo only recognizes my internal SD on my Droid 4 but i need it to read my
external SD. ive checked that app out and even purchased it but refunded the app because the app stops responding. My droid is flashed with CM9, any idea how to get it to work properly?
Thanks in advance
-Andrew

Mount Galaxy Nexus to Transformer Prime

Anyone know how to mount a galaxy nexus to the transformer prime via USB so i can view files on my phone through my tablet? Any help would greatly be appreciated, pretty sure it has something to do with MTP.
Interesting.
With the appropriate cord, obviously, and you set the nexus into USB mode maybe....
Id love to know this too.
Modded by MBOK
I tried it with my Gnex as an MTP device with USB debugging both off and on and didn't get anywhere. I'd love to see that too.
it's kind of hilarious that google baked an MTP server into android but not the client.
in the meantime, try using the Samba Filesharing on your Nexus (requires root) in combination with ES File Explorer on your tablet over a shared wifi network. if you don't have a wifi network to put both devices on then this will work via a wifi hotspot running on either device. it won't be as fast as a direct MTP mount, but it will get the job done.
if you don't like samba or don't want to root your nexus then you can try using an SSH server like SSHDroid in combination with an SCP client like DroidSCP.
works for my htc sensation, no root on either of them.
just plug in to keyboard, select disk drive on phone, debug off on prime, wait a minute or two...use file manager, all data from sd card on phone is at your disposal
Mine shows it connected as a USB device (on the SGN) and charges the phone but using root explorer I cannot find the file system for the SGN. I find it odd that it says it is connected as a USB device but won't let you see the file system.
Mike02z said:
Mine shows it connected as a USB device (on the SGN) and charges the phone but using root explorer I cannot find the file system for the SGN. I find it odd that it says it is connected as a USB device but won't let you see the file system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
click the folder icon next to where it says that in the bottom right of the screen.
Barff1984 said:
works for my htc sensation, no root on either of them.
just plug in to keyboard, select disk drive on phone, debug off on prime, wait a minute or two...use file manager, all data from sd card on phone is at your disposal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your htc sensation is gingerbread, right?
in ICS google EOL'd usb direct drive mounting for internal storage. it's still supported for an SD card, but the galaxy nexus has no microSD memory slot (lame). that means the only way to access galaxy nexus storage over usb is MTP, which only has support built into newer versions of windows. macOS has a special application they have to install to connect via MTP. to my knowledge android doesn't have one at all. so, in his case it looks like he is SOL for USB transfer.
at least until an MTP android client comes along.
setting---> storage ---> mount external storage. Works for me.
Dam. I'm really hating this MTP mode. Been wondering this question for a while too. Hopefully one day the prime will get updated with MTP capabilities? *sigh*
SeaWaLK said:
setting---> storage ---> mount external storage. Works for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work for the Gnex as we don't have "external storage"
Barff1984 said:
works for my htc sensation, no root on either of them.
just plug in to keyboard, select disk drive on phone, debug off on prime, wait a minute or two...use file manager, all data from sd card on phone is at your disposal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks that worked a charm with my i9000, had to turn off debugging on both the phone and prime
SeaWaLK said:
setting---> storage ---> mount external storage. Works for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly what i needed. thanks!

USB Mass Storage mode?

Is it correct that this mode is missing in S III?
Regards,
BTJ
xda890 said:
Is it correct that this mode is missing in S III?
Regards,
BTJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was re-added to CM9 for the S2 so you just have to wait for CM9 to come out for the S3.
Why shouldn't it have it, it has an SD card slot.
eksasol said:
Why shouldn't it have it, it has an SD card slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I know with my S2 (ICS) is that it has MTP and when I plug it in it detects both internal and external sd with no issues.
My Note on the official ICS build actually has a mas storage mode, so this may be supported in the S3.
I just read it in one of the reviews...
BTJ
No mention on User manual..
User manual has several errors though, so may not be gospel. That said I follow a current user of the S3 on Twitter and he says the option for mass memory is not present on his, but it isn't a retail release version.
otester said:
All I know with my S2 (ICS) is that it has MTP and when I plug it in it detects both internal and external sd with no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old fashioned UBS Mass Storage mode is still available on ICS.
http://www.jayceooi.com/2012/03/14/how-to-enable-usb-mass-storage-on-android-4-0-ics-samsung-galaxy-s2/
It might take a little while to load for the first time - mine did.
Cheers.
[email protected] said:
Old fashioned UBS Mass Storage mode is still available on ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is: "Is this option present in GS3?".
otester said:
All I know with my S2 (ICS) is that it has MTP and when I plug it in it detects both internal and external sd with no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eksasol said:
Why shouldn't it have it, it has an SD card slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go to wireless and networks and there is usb storage mode my friend that was at the event said it was he was doing a detailed review for cnet
There is no USB menu item in settings!
Transfering Data via SwiFTP now...
USB Mass Storage apk is not working without root
i fear the end of mass storage mode especially for internal sd. if the whole internal sd is formatted as ext4 partition, there is no way for it to get detected in windows
Dropbox?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
You have MTP, PTP Mode in Notificationbar when plugged to USB.
You have "\\Phone\" with Internal+ExternalSD available, but not as a Driveletter.
Problem: Losing Timestamp when transfering files... i tried as ZIP but when extracting with AndroZip or TotalCommander, the Timestamp is not set to original.
Think Root+USB Mass Storage apk will help.
this seriously sux. why the hell would I want to set my phone to be on mtp/ptp mode with inferior file transfer speeds...
Thank goodness I bought myself the HTC One X and my Dad's the one stuck with the S3 =)
Yes, it is correct that there is no built-in USB mass storage mode in the stock firmware.
I have been looking for a way to enable it too.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I reformatted my SD card to exFAT and then it was visible via USB, from windows explorer I see phone and SD Card
I'm not sure if it was because i reformated card or because it was exFAT format but its there and it now works!
walda said:
Think Root+USB Mass Storage apk will help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didnt get it to work with UMS1.0.apk or MultiMountSD.
Just plug into computer
If you're intention is just to copy/paste from computer, just plug in your S3 mate to your computer.
That's what i do.

Mass storage mode on Windows XP

When I connect my S3 to my Windows XP laptop it connects as a media device, showing only 2 folders - data and media. When I connnect to a Windows 7 desktop I can access both the internal and external SD cards as storage devices - which is what I want to do on the laptop.
Is there any way that I can get full access to my phone's SD card from a Windows XP machine?
itm said:
When I connect my S3 to my Windows XP laptop it connects as a media device, showing only 2 folders - data and media. When I connnect to a Windows 7 desktop I can access both the internal and external SD cards as storage devices - which is what I want to do on the laptop.
Is there any way that I can get full access to my phone's SD card from a Windows XP machine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd suggest trying to install KIES for the drivers and see if that helps
Or search for the SaMSUNG usb DRIVERS .
jje
I had already installed the Samsung USB driver, so that wasn't the issue. I've now installed Kies, but that seems to have made things worse - I now get an error installing the hardware device when I plug the phone in, and the laptop can't see it at all :0(
itm said:
When I connect my S3 to my Windows XP laptop it connects as a media device, showing only 2 folders - data and media. When I connnect to a Windows 7 desktop I can access both the internal and external SD cards as storage devices - which is what I want to do on the laptop.
Is there any way that I can get full access to my phone's SD card from a Windows XP machine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? It is my understanding that stock s3 does not support usb mass storage, only mtp (which is why you see it appear as a media device). You can download easy usb mass storage from the s3 android apps forum to enable mass storage mode (requires root and busybox), but only for the external sd card. As the internal sd card is a single partition mounting it in windows would render the device unusable. Could you elaborate on how you are achieving this in win7,and what you are running on your s3 (firmware, rooted etc)?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
jwchips said:
Really? It is my understanding that stock s3 does not support usb mass storage, only mtp (which is why you see it appear as a media device). You can download easy usb mass storage from the s3 android apps forum to enable mass storage mode (requires root and busybox), but only for the external sd card. As the internal sd card is a single partition mounting it in windows would render the device unusable. Could you elaborate on how you are achieving this in win7,and what you are running on your s3 (firmware, rooted etc)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was no special setup on Win7. I'm running Win7 Enterprise and did not manually install either Kies or a Samsung driver - I just plugged the phone in. The phone is rooted, and running CheckROM 3.5. It is listed as a media player, but shows the internal SD card as "Phone" and the external card as "Card". Now if only I could get XP to do something similar.
Will investigate easy usb mass storage....
itm said:
There was no special setup on Win7. I'm running Win7 Enterprise and did not manually install either Kies or a Samsung driver - I just plugged the phone in. The phone is rooted, and running CheckROM 3.5. It is listed as a media player, but shows the internal SD card as "Phone" and the external card as "Card". Now if only I could get XP to do something similar.
Will investigate easy usb mass storage....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the speedy clarification. If you went into either phone or card could you see non-media files (e.g zip files)? I think you may be running in mtp mode on both machines, and I think you can only see media files in mtp mode. However I am definitely no expert or developer.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
jwchips said:
Thanks for the speedy clarification. If you went into either phone or card could you see non-media files (e.g zip files)? I think you may be running in mtp mode on both machines, and I think you can only see media files in mtp mode. However I am definitely no expert or developer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm running MTP mode. The only other option is Camera (PTP). On the Win7 machine I can see all files and directories - it behaves just like a mass storage device.
MTP mode
Connected via Samsung USB cable to Win 7 PC.+ drivers installed
Open My Computer
Open GT-i9300
Two drives Phone and SD card exactly the same as in USB mass storage mode .
Cut Paste Copy Delete all the normal functions on all the user folders .
jje
itm said:
Yes I'm running MTP mode. The only other option is Camera (PTP). On the Win7 machine I can see all files and directories - it behaves just like a mass storage device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I just plugged my phone in to test and can see non-media files in mtp mode. I'm sure it has drawbacks but I'm afraid I can't remember them lol. I know the positive points for mtp is the phone can still access the card, and media files will be formatted to the optimum file type when you transfer them (for example movies will be re encoded to native resolution).
I'm afraid I've reached the limit of my knowledge in this area and don't think I can be of any more assistance. The best I can advise is use easy usb to access the external sd card on your xp machine, and research the limitations of mtp mode, and how xp handles mtp.
Edit: after some brief research it seems you need windows media player 10 or higher for mtp to work on xp, although I seriously doubt you have an older version. Also as you are rooted you could install Solid Explorer Beta from the play store (free) and browse the file system via wifi by pressing menu key and selecting file sharing from within the app.
I'm now officially out of ideas
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Do you have the latest service pack installed on XP (sp3), as well as as latest windows media player? The XP MTP support comew with one of those, i don't remember which one, though. Wouldn't hurt to have both anyway.
PS: Those recommending Kies should think again! It has NOTHING to do with it and its a piece of cr^H^H^H bloatware.

I717 windows explorer doesnt see

when I plug in my I717 via USB in my desktop, windows sees it as Samsung Android device, but when I go into windows explorer, there's nothing to see (the usb or sd storage isnt listed at all) and I do have mtp usb storage activated on the phone and usb debug. I am running gingerbread touchwiz rom. I can see the phone and transfer files wirelessly with ES file explorer, but I cant access the sd card or the phones internal storage through usb windows explorer connection even though device management shows Samsung android device. Windows Device manager shows the phone with no yellow flags. anyone had this happen and found solution to share? thanks
You can try rebooting the computer, using different usb ports, using a different cable. I don't know if this works on gingerbread but I have used it on jellybean roms before when I've had trouble connecting... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.zatta.USB_switch
Just thought of one other thing. You didn't say anything about Windows loading the device drivers so I gotta ask if you have installed the Samsung drivers?
Really now said:
Just thought of one other thing. You didn't say anything about Windows loading the device drivers so I gotta ask if you have installed the Samsung drivers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep..have samsung drivers. also, about the app you linked above, I'd like to try it out but google play says its not compatible with my device (probably because I'm still on gingerbread). anywhere else I can download the apk and try manual install?
I think your problem is that you are connecting via MTP (media transfer protocol). You need to connect via USB mass storage. With your Note not connected to your PC, go into Settings, under Wireless and network look for USB utilities. Follow the phone's instructions for connecting to USB storage to your PC. Wait for the Windows autostart to read the phone storage. (My PC is XP and takes a minute or so.) Then you should see two new drives show on Windows Explorer. One is phone internal storage and the other is the phone's external SD card. Hope this works for you. Good luck!
I believe sonebwood is on the right track on this. I remember when the Note first came out I had to change something to get windows to see the drives. Is there any particular reason you keep the phone on gingerbread? ICS was a lot better and you can update to JB through Kies.

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