Database Develop

HOW TO: Run games from USB drive

NOTE: Currently only working on Android 4.1.2. I'll look for a workaround when my new OTG cables come in.
So I purchased the 8 GB Nexus 7 and began to regret not getting the 16 GB version. These 1-3 GB games are killing me. I purchased The Bard's Tale (great game btw) and the TegraHD version requires 3.5 GB! I already had a USB OTG cable so I began looking for a way to store the game data on the USB drive and mount it to the data directory on the sdcard.
You will need:
Compatible USB OTG Cable
Paragon NTFS&HFS+
GScript Lite
Compatible kernel (ntfs read/write support)
I've tested this on ParanoidAndroid and SGT7 but it should work on any rom.
Note: Each game requires a game data folder on the USB drive that matches my script (or you can create your own folder and edit the script). You will also need a blank folder on the sdcard (/sdcard/android/data/GAMEFOLDER_from_Script - You have to use this folder name). Once this folder from the USB drive has been mounted to the correct position on the SDCARD, the game data will download to the USB drive.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dWqLjnCSBg&feature=youtube_gdata
NTFS USB Drive STEPS:
Plug in USB drive to Nexus 7 and unmount if the system automounts the drive (Settings - Storage - Unmount shared storage)
Open Paragon NTFS&HFS+ and mount the USB drive using the automatic mount point setting (/storage/usbdisk).
Open GScript Lite and run a game script to bind mount the game data folder to the sdcard.
Enjoy your game and extra space!
When done, unmount with Paragon NTFS&HFS+.
FAT32 USB Drive STEPS:
Plug in USB drive to Nexus 7, it should be automounted by the system to the default location: /storage/usbdisk
Open GScript Lite and run a game script to bind mount the game data folder to the sdcard.
Enjoy your game and extra space!
When done, unmount via the system: (Settings - Storage - Unmount shared storage)
Assuming your USB drive is mounted on /storage/usbdisk/ and you have created the empty game data folder on the sdcard (/sdcard/android/data/GAMEFOLDER_from_Script), the following scripts should work:
Code:
Script for Horn:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/Horn /sdcard/Android/obb/com.Phosphor.Horn.Paid
Script for Bard's Tale:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/BardsTale /sdcard/Android/data/com.inxile.BardTale
Script for Max Payne:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/MaxPayne /sdcard/Android/data/com.rockstar.maxpayne
Script for Dead Trigger (gave me an error the first time opened but worked fine afterwards):
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/DeadTrigger /sdcard/Android/obb/com.madfingergames.deadtrigger
Script for Shadow Gun THD:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/shadowgun /sdcard/Android/data/com.madfingergames.shadowgun_thd
Script for Asphalt 7:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/Asphalt7 /sdcard/Android/obb/com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA7HM
Script for The Dark Knight Rises:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/TDKR /sdcard/Android/obb/com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftKRHM
Script for Mass Effect Infiltrator:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/MassEffect /sdcard/Android/data/com.ea.games.meinfiltrator_na
I'll add more scripts as time permits.
Alternate Method (No scripts needed but you loose SDCard when USB drive is mounted):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1865094

Have you tried running horn or dead trigger from the flash drive? I'm just curious if the drive is fast enough to play high end games off of or if it lags?

kieso said:
Have you tried running horn or dead trigger from the flash drive? I'm just curious if the drive is fast enough to play high end games off of or if it lags?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll see about moving dead trigger over. I haven't purchased horn yet due to lack of space but may consider buying it now.
(BTW the Bard's Tale is pretty graphics intensive and it runs fine)

kieso said:
Have you tried running horn or dead trigger from the flash drive? I'm just curious if the drive is fast enough to play high end games off of or if it lags?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dead Trigger works.. added script.

I'm getting a black screen followed by a close on Mass Effect... Going to try internal memory to make sure it's not the rom.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

I get the message 'no NTFS of HTS+/HFSX partitions found' when opening the app
On paranoid android 2.15

life02 said:
I'm getting a black screen followed by a close on Mass Effect... Going to try internal memory to make sure it's not the rom.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem with mass effect....just turn on internet and use it...game will start. You might need to delete 1 more file...but 1st see if it runs
Please press thanks if it works.
Sent from my K-Touch W619 using xda premium

Jordanooo said:
I get the message 'no NTFS of HTS+/HFSX partitions found' when opening the app
On paranoid android 2.15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you unmount via storage first? Is your USB drive formatted with NTFS?

life02 said:
Did you unmount via storage first? Is your USB drive formatted with NTFS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...oops haha. Forgot about formatting

Jordanooo said:
...oops haha. Forgot about formatting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if it works for you when you get the drive ready.

Kudos to you sir this is briliant i've got the 16gb and i've got a ton of games and im down to 4GB's this should come in handy when more 1gb games come out that interest me.

Directory bind works best for this and free, bards tale works, as does GTA/FIFA/spiderman
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

karl0ss said:
Directory bind works best for this and free, bards tale works, as does GTA/FIFA/spiderman
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's pretty much what I'm doing with GScript (directory bind mounts from one device to another)... still have to unmount via Storage and use Paragon if you want to use NTFS drives.

Got usb mounted and had a go at the script, but keeps saying directory not found
Could you possibly do a video?

Jordanooo said:
Got usb mounted and had a go at the script, but keeps saying directory not found
Could you possibly do a video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'll see if I can't throw one together tonight/this weekend. What game are you trying?
Note: Each game requires a game data folder on the USB drive that matches my script (or you can create your own folder and edit the script). You will also need a blank folder on the sdcard (/sdcard/android/data/GAMEFOLDER_from_Script - You have to use this folder name). Once this folder from the USB drive has been mounted to the correct position on the SDCARD, the game data will download to the USB drive.

life02 said:
So I purchased the 8 GB Nexus 7 and began to regret not getting the 16 GB version. These 1-3 GB games are killing me. I purchased The Bard's Tale (great game btw) and the TegraHD version requires 3.5 GB! I already had a USB OTG cable so I began looking for a way to store the game data on the USB drive and mount it to the data directory on the sdcard.
You will need:
Compatible USB OTG Cable
Paragon NTFS&HFS+
GScript Lite
Compatible kernel (ntfs read/write support)
I've tested this on ParanoidAndroid and SGT7 but it should work on any rom.
Note: Each game requires a game data folder on the USB drive that matches my script (or you can create your own folder and edit the script). You will also need a blank folder on the sdcard (/sdcard/android/data/GAMEFOLDER_from_Script - You have to use this folder name). Once this folder from the USB drive has been mounted to the correct position on the SDCARD, the game data will download to the USB drive.
STEPS:
Plug in USB drive to Nexus 7 and unmount if the system automounts the drive (Settings - Storage - Unmount shared storage)
Open Paragon NTFS&HFS+ and mount the USB drive using the automatic mount point setting (/storage/usbdisk).
Open GScript Lite and run a game script to bind mount the game data folder to the sdcard.
Enjoy your game and extra space!
When done, unmount with Paragon NTFS&HFS+.
Code:
Script for Bard's Tale:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/BardsTale /sdcard/Android/data/com.inxile.BardTale
Script for Max Payne:
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/MaxPayne /sdcard/Android/data/com.rockstar.maxpayne
Script for Dead Trigger (gave me an error the first time opened but worked fine afterwards):
mount -o bind /storage/usbdisk/DeadTrigger /sdcard/Android/obb/com.madfingergames.deadtrigger
I'll add more scripts as time permits.
*FAT32 drives may work fine using the default Android USB automounter (just skip step 1 (unmount part) and step 2. When finished, unmount via storage instead of Paragon NTFS&HFS+). Please let me know if this works for you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotta love bind mounts! I use em all the time.
-Ronan
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

life02 said:
Dead Trigger works.. added script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No lag? Wow you deserve a beer! Awesome work! I have a 16 gig and don't want to get below 4 gig and this will be a big help. This should be pinned.

thanks for the tip, very useful info. I'm looking at using a USB to micro SD adapter and using the micro SD as storage (obviously), will report how well (or not) it works.

Oh, wow. Just got this working.
Didnt see the space in the script
Great work, thanks for this tutorial!

Ignore...

Mount usbotg inside Recovery

Hi Guys,
I have a sandisk 32gb dual pendrive. I want to mount this usbotg inside the revovery. Currently using CWM but its not working when i had clicked on "mount USB storage option " . any idea how to mount those ?
Sent from my MI 3W using XDA Free mobile app

sujithar37 said:
Hi Guys,
I have a sandisk 32gb dual pendrive. I want to mount this usbotg inside the revovery. Currently using CWM but its not working when i had clicked on "mount USB storage option " . any idea how to mount those ?
Sent from my MI 3W using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is not automatic option for OTG mount, so i will explain how to do it manually. Please use only FAT32 or EXT formatted drives.
1. go to Advanced -> Aroma file manager
2. Press options and select console.
3. In console enter the command (while otg drive is insterted)
mount /dev/block/sda1 /external_sd
4. close the console and check /external_sd folder, u'd see the OTG drive contents
5. use file manager to transfer files to OTG drive

Ati20 said:
There is not automatic option for OTG mount, so i will explain how to do it manually. Please use only FAT32 or EXT formatted drives.
1. go to Advanced -> Aroma file manager
2. Press options and select console.
3. In console enter the command (while otg drive is insterted)
mount /dev/block/sda1 /external_sd
4. close the console and check /external_sd folder, u'd see the OTG drive contents
5. use file manager to transfer files to OTG drive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. Worked like a charm.
Sent from my MI 3W using XDA Free mobile app

Mine shows not found
sujithar37 said:
Thanks a lot. Worked like a charm.
Sent from my MI 3W using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i entered the command it showed sd not found.
pls help

same here, external sd not found, my phone is soft bricked, need help

Link2SD

Hello!
On lollipop i could use link2sd, but on marshmallow when i try create script i get message "mount: no such file or directory". How I can repair this?
My phone is Karbonn Sparkle V

Use memory card as internal memory in Marshmallow (warning: it will format your memory card so prepare a backup of your data). Better than link2sd but a drawback that you cannot remove sd card and use it on another mobile and also custom recovery cannot mount your memory card

I don't want to use a internal memory in Marshmallow (apps dont have access to sdcard and it can't download files for example games).

kompus said:
I don't want to use a internal memory in Marshmallow (apps dont have access to sdcard and it can't download files for example games).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I used my card as internal memory and games work pretty well and Download their data in memory card

I use Apps2SD. It's beeter than link2sd and free.

hp5942 said:
Use memory card as internal memory in Marshmallow (warning: it will format your memory card so prepare a backup of your data). Better than link2sd but a drawback that you cannot remove sd card and use it on another mobile and also custom recovery cannot mount your memory card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is better. Link2SD moves more files to SD card.

vjtigas said:
I don't think it is better. Link2SD moves more files to SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better for non rooted users

hp5942 said:
Better for non rooted users
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so has anyone found out how to use link2sd in marshmallow?

Use apps2sd to create mount script and then install link2sd and remove apps2sd. Voila! You're set!

psiknight99 said:
Use apps2sd to create mount script and then install link2sd and remove apps2sd. Voila! You're set!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, please can you share link to Apps2SD, what you mean? There are many on Play Store and mostly useless. Thanks a lot.

This is the one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.co.pricealert.apps2sd

Is it also not working on CM13 or CM13 supports move app to ext sd.

I tried different mount scripts/command with no luck. It looks like during start Android is trying to mount sdext as FAT and is blocking Link2SD.

How to use link2sd with marshmallow?
Sent from my C2005 using Tapatalk

I have the same problem
kompus said:
Hello!
On lollipop i could use link2sd, but on marshmallow when i try create script i get message "mount: no such file or directory". How I can repair this?
My phone is Karbonn Sparkle V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem?... Has someone solved? I have htc one A9 rooted and S-OFF

can some budy plz slove this problem because of only this resone i dont want to use android 6
best needed app is not working in android 6

I have the very same issue on cm13 where link2sd is telling me that mount script cannot be created due to non existing file or directory.
I wrote a mail to the dev two weeks ago but did not get any response which is utterly painful since I bought the pro version like two months ago. Just two weeks before upgrading to marshmallow...
Gesendet von meinem Moto G 2014 LTE mit Tapatalk

gothicVI said:
I have the very same issue on cm13 where link2sd is telling me that mount script cannot be created due to non existing file or directory.
I wrote a mail to the dev two weeks ago but did not get any response which is utterly painful since I bought the pro version like two months ago. Just two weeks before upgrading to marshmallow...
Gesendet von meinem Moto G 2014 LTE mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!! I too bought the pro hoping for continuous support... I dont want any new features n stuff... just make it useable on MM

Found a workaround that works for me.
the_prodigal_coder said:
so has anyone found out how to use link2sd in marshmallow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a workaround to make link2sd work on android 6.
The first time I installed and ran link2sd, during the creation of the boot script an error was raised about a missing /dev/block/vold/179:18 device.
So I logged in with a terminal and discover that the device in vold is no longer called 179:18 but public:179_18.
I created a symbolic link with the 179:18 name that points to the new device name, recreated the mount scripts and I have now the second SD partition automatically mounted and working to move apps with link2sd.
I sent an email to the app creator, I hope he can fix the issue now.
Below how I did:
- Write down the name of missing device from the error raised by link2SD when the mount script creation fails (eg. for me: /dev/block/vold/179:18)
- Open a terminal to open a local shell.
- Log in as the root user ("su" command)
- Change to the device dir and list the present devices.
Example for me (/dev/block/vold/179:18):
Code:
[email protected]: / # [B]cd /dev/block/vold[/B]
[email protected]: /dev/block/vold # [B]ls[/B]
disk:179_16 public:179_17 [B]public:179_18[/B]
[email protected]: /dev/block/vold #
- Identify the new device name: if for example the device name was "179:18", now the new one is "public:179_18"
- create a symbolic link named as the missing device that point to the new device name (replace the name with your device):
Code:
[email protected]: /dev/block/vold # [B]ln -s "public:179_18" "179:18"[/B]
- DO NOT REBOOT YET
- if you list files you should see the new link:
Code:
[email protected]: /dev/block/vold # [B]ls -l "179:18"[/B]
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 Feb 19 11:11 [B]179:18 -> public:179_18[/B]
- Open the link2SD app and from the menu choose "Recreate mount script" and accept to reboot when the script has been created.
link2SD should now be able to create the mount script.
When you reboot your device, the symbolic link that you created is deleted, but in my case the app created a mount script with 2 mounts:
- The first with the device using the symbolic link (that will fail because the link is gone)
- The second with the physical device (/dev/block/mmcblk1p2) that will successfully mount the 2nd sd partition
So, if it's the same for you, you will not need to modify the mount script.
The only issue (but not that annoying) now is that at every reboot android see the 2nd SD partition as corrupted and ask you to format it: I simply ignore it and dismiss the notification (If someone knows a way to make android ignore a specific disk device, let me know)
I don't know if this can work on all devices, I only could test with my galaxy tab 3.8 with A Bliss ROM.
Let me know if it works.
Manu

Will try it asap and report back, @wmanux! Did almost the same already but with a hard link (ln ... without the -s option) but it didn't work. Can you elaborate the difference a symbolic link makes?
Thx ahead bro!
Gesendet von meinem Moto G 2014 LTE mit Tapatalk

Storage/emulated/0/download Explain

Hello , sorry if wrong section and for my English . I did the research on XDA but no results in my case. Problem is following : I have to move files from internal memory of phone to my PC. Files a stored in Storage / emulated / 0 / downloads but when I open it in windows explorer, storage folder is empty . How can I solve this problem thanks .
" Win7 x64 , Samsung drivers installed"..

Hi, just look in downloads instead of storage
Envoyé de mon iPad en utilisant Tapatalk

I can't open the file

[Request] Stickmount magisk

Hello, I love Magisk and all the modules available but there's one problem, Stickmount will not work with MagiskSU. Could anyone look into getting Stickmount to work with MagiskSU? Thanks!

I second this.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/magisk-v9-module-sd-write-access-t3503988
I use this module instead of stickmount, works absolutely fine.

de.er said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/magisk-v9-module-sd-write-access-t3503988
I use this module instead of stickmount, works absolutely fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tested this on a Nexus 6P running v7.1.2 and it does not work for what I use it for. I use StickMount to be able to read and write external USB flash drives/hard drives/SD card readers/etc that are formatted in NTFS.
I simply plug in a NTFS formatted drive/card into my phone and StickMount automatically mounts it to /storage/emulated/0/usbStorage/ with full read and write access thanks to ElementalX Kernel NTFS write support.
I have not found any other method to do this that is as simple, elegant, and fast as StickMount.

ACiDxCHRiST said:
I just tested this on a Nexus 6P running v7.1.2 and it does not work for what I use it for. I use StickMount to be able to read and write external USB flash drives/hard drives/SD card readers/etc that are formatted in NTFS.
I simply plug in a NTFS formatted drive/card into my phone and StickMount automatically mounts it to /storage/emulated/0/usbStorage/ with full read and write access thanks to ElementalX Kernel NTFS write support.
I have not found any other method to do this that is as simple, elegant, and fast as StickMount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, and that's what the module does, just mounts them at mnt/media_rw it's quick and automatic

de.er said:
Yep, and that's what the module does, just mounts them at mnt/media_rw it's quick and automatic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work. Nexus 6P Stock v7.1.2, ElementalX Kernel v4.08, Magisk v12.0
Nothing mounted in /mnt/media_rw/
Nothing mounted in /data/media/0/
Nothing mounted in /storage/emulated/0/
No toast notification that anything was mounted. No notification tray item. Nothing. All I get is the standard Android System notification saying Unsupported USB drive.
-Edit
I have tested this with Magisk v13 as well and the result is still the same. I also tested 5 or 6 other apps from the Play Store that claimed to be able to mount NTFS drives and they all failed to mount. StickMount is the only app that can do it correctly. But it is only currently working with SuperSU.

ACiDxCHRiST said:
It doesn't work. Nexus 6P Stock v7.1.2, ElementalX Kernel v4.08, Magisk v12.0
Nothing mounted in /mnt/media_rw/
Nothing mounted in /data/media/0/
Nothing mounted in /storage/emulated/0/
No toast notification that anything was mounted. No notification tray item. Nothing. All I get is the standard Android System notification saying Unsupported USB drive.
-Edit
I have tested this with Magisk v13 as well and the result is still the same. I also tested 5 or 6 other apps from the Play Store that claimed to be able to mount NTFS drives and they all failed to mount. StickMount is the only app that can do it correctly. But it is only currently working with SuperSU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try the one by paragon? It does the job with ntfs...
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

teddy0209 said:
Did you try the one by paragon? It does the job with ntfs...
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I did. When I tap "Mount" and then select the mount point, the app freezes for a few seconds then the notification pops up and the app returns to the previous screen with the option to select "Mount" again and the flash drive showing Unmounted. It never actually Mounts it anywhere. I actually used to use that app with another device before I started using StickMount. But Paragon it is not working with the Nexus 6P v7.1.2.

ACiDxCHRiST said:
Yeah I did. When I tap "Mount" and then select the mount point, the app freezes for a few seconds then the notification pops up and the app returns to the previous screen with the option to select "Mount" again and the flash drive showing Unmounted. It never actually Mounts it anywhere. I actually used to use that app with another device before I started using StickMount. But Paragon it is not working with the Nexus 6P v7.1.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be because it's the older build, it has always been free, but the new version is now paid, did you try both?
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk

teddy0209 said:
Might be because it's the older build, it has always been free, but the new version is now paid, did you try both?
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One is a free root app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paragon.mounter
The other is a helper for Total Commander, that has in-app purchases: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paragon.tcplugins_ntfs_ro
The root app is the one that I have always used and the one that has the functionality that I want (auto mounting to /data/media/0/ with read/write access) but it doesn't work.
The other app requires you to manually mount the drive each time and even though it said that it works in trial mode and the "Mount" button changed to an "Unmount" button when I tapped it, I could not find the drive mounted anywhere on the filesystem.
So yes, I tried both and neither worked.

Just did couple of tests with different pendrives and it seems the key word here is NTFS, isn't it? FAT and FAT32 drives mount without a fail, but NTFS ones simply don't. You might consider using FAT drives if that's an option? For the sake of getting it working?

de.er said:
Just did couple of tests with different pendrives and it seems the key word here is NTFS, isn't it? FAT and FAT32 drives mount without a fail, but NTFS ones simply don't. You might consider using FAT drives if that's an option? For the sake of getting it working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the limitations... ?
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk