Hi everyone. I'm heavily considering getting a Xperia Z3 Compact, but I have a few hangups that I would like to get some feedback. I've been rooting my devices since I've been using Android. When my Galaxy S4 Active was updated to Android 4.3 and I lost root for 3 months, I hated it. But it's an ongoing battle that I'm tired of fighting and I've found that there are only really a couple apps that I really need root access for. Plus, if I really need to, I can unlock the bootloader and root the Z3C, but I don't want to lose the DRM keys and degrade my device for only a couple programs if I don't have to. So I'm wondering just how necessary they are and whether I can work around this.
The first application that I use all the time is Titanium Backup. I've been using it since my very first Android device and it has been a valuable tool. I've used it to backup applications that I didn't have room for and restore them later, to remove or freeze bloatware, and to upgrade system apps with new versions to save room. These things were a necessity with my old Xperia Play. However, the main function that I really need is the backup of app data. Anything can restore the installed apps, but very little will backup the actual app data.
Or at least so I thought. I've been using Titanium Backup for so long that I didn't really consider switching to any other applications. Plus the GS4A was my first phone on Android 4.x, so I didn't know about the included ADB backup feature built into it. From what I understand, Helium can do an ADB backup without root access, correct? Has anyone used this with the Z3C? I've read that some Sony phones don't support it. Although I've also read that all Motorola phones don't support it, and the GSM version of the Droid Turbo (aka "Moto X Play" last I read) is my other contender against the Z3C.
The next app that I use right now is FolderMount and this one is a bit trickier. Back on the Xperia Play, space was incredibly limited. I used Link2SD to save more space than moving apps to the MicroSD card through the Application Management. I could probably have used it on the GS4A, but I found FolderMount to be much easier to work with. It was also necessary because all moving apps to the SD card did was move them to an emulated SD card on the main device storage, which defeated the entire purpose.
I still don't understand why this is so stupidly designed now and why Google keeps trying to kill off the SD card. Or for that matter why device manufacturers still include only 16GB with SD card expansion (and no way of moving apps properly) or only 32GB without. Neither is enough room for games that can consume a gigabyte or two for massive .obb files. And in all honesty, those .obb files are all that I want to move, which is why FolderMount works so well for that.
So that brings me to the question that I think I already know the answer to: Has anyone found a way to move the .obb files to the external SD card without root access? Either that, or to change it so that the shared storage is the SD card and all the .obb files get downloaded to it by default? I suspect that the answer is still "not without root" here. It just seems asinine that Sony not include this feature if they are going to include an inadequate amount of storage space.
Aside from those issues, I could probably run without root access for most other things. Although root does make it much handier. I just hate needing it to fix or workaround poor design decisions on the part of manufacturers or Google themselves.
Info
MechaBouncer said:
Hi everyone. ...
Can backups and moving apps to SD be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
without Root >> NO
:good:
So that goes for using Helium as well?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=312768077
Helium does work with Z3C without root. Switched from my old HTC One to Z3C with Helium. Restored most of the apps without a problem. Not all apps do work though, but this seems to be a problem with adb backup itself, not Helium itself.
MechaBouncer said:
Hi everyone. I'm heavily considering getting a Xperia Z3 Compact, but I have a few hangups that I would like to get some feedback. I've been rooting my devices since I've been using Android. When my Galaxy S4 Active was updated to Android 4.3 and I lost root for 3 months, I hated it. But it's an ongoing battle that I'm tired of fighting and I've found that there are only really a couple apps that I really need root access for. Plus, if I really need to, I can unlock the bootloader and root the Z3C, but I don't want to lose the DRM keys and degrade my device for only a couple programs if I don't have to. So I'm wondering just how necessary they are and whether I can work around this.
The first application that I use all the time is Titanium Backup. I've been using it since my very first Android device and it has been a valuable tool. I've used it to backup applications that I didn't have room for and restore them later, to remove or freeze bloatware, and to upgrade system apps with new versions to save room. These things were a necessity with my old Xperia Play. However, the main function that I really need is the backup of app data. Anything can restore the installed apps, but very little will backup the actual app data.
Or at least so I thought. I've been using Titanium Backup for so long that I didn't really consider switching to any other applications. Plus the GS4A was my first phone on Android 4.x, so I didn't know about the included ADB backup feature built into it. From what I understand, Helium can do an ADB backup without root access, correct? Has anyone used this with the Z3C? I've read that some Sony phones don't support it. Although I've also read that all Motorola phones don't support it, and the GSM version of the Droid Turbo (aka "Moto X Play" last I read) is my other contender against the Z3C.
The next app that I use right now is FolderMount and this one is a bit trickier. Back on the Xperia Play, space was incredibly limited. I used Link2SD to save more space than moving apps to the MicroSD card through the Application Management. I could probably have used it on the GS4A, but I found FolderMount to be much easier to work with. It was also necessary because all moving apps to the SD card did was move them to an emulated SD card on the main device storage, which defeated the entire purpose.
I still don't understand why this is so stupidly designed now and why Google keeps trying to kill off the SD card. Or for that matter why device manufacturers still include only 16GB with SD card expansion (and no way of moving apps properly) or only 32GB without. Neither is enough room for games that can consume a gigabyte or two for massive .obb files. And in all honesty, those .obb files are all that I want to move, which is why FolderMount works so well for that.
So that brings me to the question that I think I already know the answer to: Has anyone found a way to move the .obb files to the external SD card without root access? Either that, or to change it so that the shared storage is the SD card and all the .obb files get downloaded to it by default? I suspect that the answer is still "not without root" here. It just seems asinine that Sony not include this feature if they are going to include an inadequate amount of storage space.
Aside from those issues, I could probably run without root access for most other things. Although root does make it much handier. I just hate needing it to fix or workaround poor design decisions on the part of manufacturers or Google themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium backup doesn't work because it is built in a way that requires root to work. On the other hand Helium uses ADB therefore it works without root but requires the device to be connected to a computer for the backup. Tested and it works flawlessly. I heard that the Sony compagnon isn't bad either but it doesn't work with encryption.
Also you can do manually full ADB backups including the APK without any software or root.
You cannot move apps to the sd card but I would say that you don't need too either since the apps can store their data on it.
Thanks -Vulture- and difto. That confirms what I was wondering about Helium. I knew that Titanium Backup wouldn't work without root, so it's good to know that Helium still will for most apps.
And I figured root would be necessary to move apps or their files to the SD card. Unfortunately, a lot of games I have still won't write to it on their own, which is why I've had to resort to FolderMount. It's quite frustrating. I feel like any application that needs to download external files should be able to move those to the SD card.
Related
I have used a reported 6gig out of 11 on my /sdcard0, and yet when I run sd analyst in es explorer it doesn't add up as you can see in the attachment.
Sd analyst seems to be correct because I don't have any huge games installed. So where did all my storage go?
Its all the apps Samsung puts on there that you cant delete.
If somebody starts a class action lawsuit on this device like they did with the iPad I am all over it. Its not even remotely fair that a 16gig device has 8.9gig free because of 3+ gigs of bloatware you cant delete.
I have an SD card, but the lack of app space is concerning me.
Except I'm not running touch wiz. I'm running a CM12 ROM. Any way if I'm reading it right, this is just counting /storage/emulated/legacy the user data partition. Very weird.
barth2 said:
Except I'm not running touch wiz. I'm running a CM12 ROM. Any way if I'm reading it right, this is just counting /storage/emulated/legacy the user data partition. Very weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not make sense? I hope one of the Devs can come up with the answer to this mystery!
Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't it that if you root your device and get a rom let's say CM, as far as I know CM doesn't eat up a lot of space meaning depending on the contents of that rom, that 3gb bloat ware should be gone right?? Also this is what frustrates me with Samsung, we just can't have the option to write over to SD cards which I know can be a liability but look at the what we need to deal with. There's no 32gb version in my country so I'm always cramped up for space and I hate it, having to remove apps and games just to get by.
Sent from my SM-T805
Well I wiped my internal memory (drastic measure) and started over and now it looks correct. Not sure what was behind it.
More information would be great here. I know there's an incredible amount of Google bloat on these devices, but perhaps there is some information missing from the ES File Explorer results. I'd recommend downloading a dedicated app cache cleaner and a dedicated storage analyst app to get an accurate idea of all the things that are taking up storage. Some of the biggest offenders are browsers, but the one I've seen eat up a whole gigabyte on unknowing users' phones is usually the sneaky Google+.
Storage analyzer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.levelokment.storageanalyser
1Tap Cleaner
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.acc.free
steelbrachen said:
with Samsung, we just can't have the option to write over to SD cards which I know can be a liability but look at the what we need to deal with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, with Google Android Kitkat, it was decided that apps should only be allowed to write to their own sandboxed folders on the SD card anyway. Samsung has always been pretty good about at least allowing file management via a first party app, and even managing which apps can use the SD card are listed in the application manager, so I fail to see how Samsung is at fault here. (Meanwhile, in addition to demanding restrictions across the board to SD cards in Kitkat and then Lollipop, Google's more focused on forcing a social network on their users than writing a file manager for all the devices that DO have SD cards... or providing any decent AOSP apps in general.)
Sent from my Galaxy S5
Without going into too much detail the amount of available space is affected by the partition layout of the device. Esp with cm or custom rom that only takes up a couple hundred mb; the system partition ends up with a lot of unused space. If you were willing the modify your default partition table you could reclaim some usable space. Though I would place this in the advanced user grouping and would not recommend attempting it.
Hi All, at the risk of being flamed with a crazy n00b question, I'm trying to figure out the best way to use the microSD card. Got 3 of these Kindle Fire's for Christmas for my 10, 8, and 5 yr old boys. The parental controls look fabulous for my needs for them, the obvious problem is the internal storage. I'm reading up as much as I can, realizing root is my saving grace (Thank you Tomsgt!!!!) for getting apps to move to the microSD card, I'm trying to figure out the best/easiest program to make this actually happen.
What are you all using? Any pre-requisites to make this happen (besides root)? Do I have to setup symbolic links, or is there a way to make this all automagic? Is there a way to make content automatically download to the SD card or do I just need to plan on managing this a little an app at a time to move after install?
I tried Link2SD, followed some guides I found, but the immediate problem I found was I wasn't able to copy anything onto the FAT32 partition when it's in the Fire and the Fire is in my computer. Maybe I need to just take the card out and copy content (movies and stuff) directly onto the card that way, but it just doesn't seem quite right.
Ultimately my goal is to get all apps (not system apps obviously) and content to the microSD card.
Thanks so much for your help to this n00b (typically an iPhone user, having a fun time trying to drink from a firehouse trying to live in both worlds)!!
I've been using Link2sd for a number of years. And I find it very helpful for the fire. 1st off you need to repartition the SD card. Set both partitions as primary. 2nd partition I set as a ext2. I have it setup to automatically move new apps to 2nd partition via settings.
Sent from my KFFOWI using Tapatalk
Thanks for responding back! I'm working to try to get link2sd working, but am running into an issue.
I've rooted, installed link2sd, rebooted, and when I launch the app I can choose whichever of the 2 I've created (44GB FAT32 and 20GB EXT2), in either case, after I choose that I'll see a screen that says: "Root Access Warning", "Link2SD could not obtain root access."
In an effort to try to 'start over', I've downloaded the latest firmware, re-installed, went through the basics, did root ONLY (no OTA blocks, nor ad bocks), and just tried re-installing Link2SD, but I'm getting the exact same behavior and unable to move apps.
Got any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks a ton!
Short Version:
I formatted ext2, but had to choose ext4 upon startup of link2sd.
Long Version:
I got it worked out. Stupid. When I formatted the SD card on my computer, I KNOW I told it to go ext2 because every guide I read said use 2 since it'd be better for stock ROMs. When launching link2sd every time I said use ext2 it would tell me it couldn't obtain root. I went and got the link2sd app from google play (I had previously only been using the one from the Amazon App store) and it's pretty obvious the one in the Amazon App store is out dated, or stripped down or something. When I launched the latest link2sd, I would get mount script errors. I then proceeded to just start trying other partitions, and when I chose ext4, BAM, looks like that's the ticket.
Hopefully this might help other poor unsuspecting souls.
Is LINK2SD the only way to do this ?
I'm running the resurrection-remix rom and wondered if there's something built in that I'm missing.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Connorsdad said:
Is LINK2SD the only way to do this ?
I'm running the resurrection-remix rom and wondered if there's something built in that I'm missing.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I certainly can't say for sure, but, it definitely appears that this is truly the only app I can find that will actually allow you to move ALL aspects of an app to the SD Card. I've tried several others and all they end up allowing you to do is move the program itself, not the content. Which, for something like Knights Of The Old Republic, sucks 'cause the app's like 40 MB, and the content is 2GB. The kicker is that Link2SD is "free", but it's basically not functional until you purchase the license. I suppose they do this so you can first see if you can get it all to the point JUST BEFORE you can move content, because as I've found, there are several steps. Once you're ready to move, you're good to go, just need the license and you can proceed forward. I'm still in the middle of playing with it, but it appears that there are settings which will auto place EVERYTHING onto the SD card if installing from an online app store. Truly worth the 2 bucks and change to actually open up your SD card.
(on a side note, I totally understand one reason why this *could* be a bad thing to do, and that's only if your microSD card is slow. The internal memory on devices is likely as fast as you can get, but the budget microSD cards are definitely going to be slower. I seriously doubt it'll prevent an app from opening, all it means is that you just need to go into it with your eyes wide open that it might launch apps a little slower... which... for me I could care less 'cause these fires are for my 10, 8, and 5 year olds )
Just found foldermount on the playstore, sounds ideal, I'll report back here.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Connorsdad said:
Just found foldermount on the playstore, sounds ideal, I'll report back here.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app works a treat
I highly recommend paying the small price for the pro version to remove the limitations.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
link2sd isn't the only app that's severely out of date on the Amazon appstore. I find that to be very common.
Foldermount works well, but nothing beats the simplicity of link2sd. Most notably, sometimes on bootup Foldermount can take some time to do its thing, whereas link2sd links are usually immediately functional. I don't know what difficulty you had with the free version; I used it successfully for years (and supplemented it with Foldermount for two offline navigation apps whose data storage was particularly bad) before finally paying the $2.35 for the Plus version which basically just adds the ability to move an app's data as well as the app itself.
When you have a ton of apps on a slow SD card (regardless of link2sd vs. Foldermount etc) the whole system can get very slow and even unresponsive, far beyond a tolerable mere need to wait for an app to open. However, if that happens then you know what you need to do...uninstall some apps. I try to keep apps that run all the time on internal. That helps. And yeah, if you're using link2sd/Foldermount/etc then definitely don't cheap out on a slow card.
Using a Samsung Memory 64 GB Evo MicroSDXC UHS-I Grade 1 Class 10 Memory Card at the minute, hopefully good enough. Poor decision not to be able to store apps on an external card as standard tbh.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Hey all. Long time Blackberry user here. I have a couple questions about my note 5 I just picked up.
- Can I root the device (I'm on verizon)? I've done a bunch of googling and so far it seems like verizon has done a good job at making it impossible?
- The main reason I want to root is to just to rid my phone of all the JUNK apps I don't want. If rooting my phone isn't possible, what's the best way to prevent the apps from taking up space and using up data? With no sdcard slot, space will be a premium, and I'd like to free up as much as possible.
-RYknow
-RYknow said:
Hey all. Long time Blackberry user here. I have a couple questions about my note 5 I just picked up.
- Can I root the device (I'm on verizon)? I've done a bunch of googling and so far it seems like verizon has done a good job at making it impossible?
- The main reason I want to root is to just to rid my phone of all the JUNK apps I don't want. If rooting my phone isn't possible, what's the best way to prevent the apps from taking up space and using up data? With no sdcard slot, space will be a premium, and I'd like to free up as much as possible.
-RYknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now without root access on our Verizon Galaxy Note 5s there's no way to get rid of the apps to free up space. However there is a way to disable the apps by using Package Disabler but you have to make sure that you don't disable anything if you don't know what it does because you can end up causing the phone not to work or not boot in which case you'll have to do a restore and lose everything. I actually made the mistake and disabled some things that I shouldn't have and it caused the phone to get stuck at the Verizon logo so just be careful what you do with it! Also if you disable certain things that the system needs it can actually become detrimental to the battery life and make it run out faster. Personally I'd say to just leave it alone unless it's actually doing something because on mine I noticed that if I don't use them or tap into them they won't run anyway.
-RYknow said:
Hey all. Long time Blackberry user here. I have a couple questions about my note 5 I just picked up.
- Can I root the device (I'm on verizon)? I've done a bunch of googling and so far it seems like verizon has done a good job at making it impossible?
- The main reason I want to root is to just to rid my phone of all the JUNK apps I don't want. If rooting my phone isn't possible, what's the best way to prevent the apps from taking up space and using up data? With no sdcard slot, space will be a premium, and I'd like to free up as much as possible.
-RYknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
Here's a few pointers, what i do (managing free space)
Firstly, i am also on a branded version. No root, stock Rom.
I found that i could uninstall most of my carriers bloatware,
( see... Device /Settings /App Manager)
Other system bloat apps, i just disabled in App Manager.
Check system apps like...
Eg S Voice.. Briefing.. S HEALTH ?, (if you can disable.)
Secondly your stock Smart Manager, /App Powersaving, the apps i hardly use, i set to always... optimizing.
I used to store movies on my ext Sd card, (but as
we have no Ext Sd card) , i keep my movies on
a mini OTG SanDisk. If i want to watch,i plug /attach, OTG and watch.( Saves a lot of space)
Eventually, you just "adapt" to the limited space.
Good luck
Post note,
Root, is not always the answer.!
Sometimes you just create, more problems /issues
for yourself.
All my other devices Note 2/3/4 is rooted.
My Note5 is not rooted and i am overall very happy with device.
I only have 2 x small system bugs, nothing to stress about /root (Found a roundabout way to fix these.)
Otherwise.......
(Battery life is good , Device runs very smooth, optimized good)
willcor said:
hi,
Here's a few pointers, what i do (managing free space)
Firstly, i am also on a branded version. No root, stock Rom.
I found that i could uninstall most of my carriers bloatware,
( see... Device /Settings /App Manager)
Other system bloat apps, i just disabled in App Manager.
Check system apps like...
Eg S Voice.. Briefing.. S HEALTH ?, (if you can disable.)
Secondly your stock Smart Manager, /App Powersaving, the apps i hardly use, i set to always... optimizing.
I used to store movies on my ext Sd card, (but as
we have no Ext Sd card) , i keep my movies on
a mini OTG SanDisk. If i want to watch,i plug /attach, OTG and watch.( Saves a lot of space)
Eventually, you just "adapt" to the limited space.
Good luck
Post note,
Root, is not always the answer.!
Sometimes you just create, more problems /issues
for yourself.
All my other devices Note 2/3/4 is rooted.
My Note5 is not rooted and i am overall very happy with device.
I only have 2 x small system bugs, nothing to stress about /root (Found a roundabout way to fix these.)
Otherwise.......
(Battery life is good , Device runs very smooth, optimized good)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I've gone through and just disabled all the verizon apps that I could, as well as a few of the samsung apps I feel pretty confident I won't be using. Seems like rooting is more of a headache then I really want to get into right now with a new device, and a brand new platform (I've literally been using an android for 2 days now).
Thanks again!
-RYknow
-RYknow said:
Thanks for the response. I've gone through and just disabled all the verizon apps that I could, as well as a few of the samsung apps I feel pretty confident I won't be using. Seems like rooting is more of a headache then I really want to get into right now with a new device, and a brand new platform (I've literally been using an android for 2 days now).
Thanks again!
-RYknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah , dont root it. It voids your warranty, and also few features will not work. Like private mode, Samsung Pay etc
My mother is looking at getting a new tablet but is looking at getting a tablet where she can install the apps on the sd card. Looking at the 2016 version with 6.0. Can you do that with this tablet
I have the T813 and stock it's cumbersome. You have to manually move each app to SD card within Application Manager. And every time there's an update from Play Store for said app you have to repeat memory move. It's garbage really.
Tennoh said:
I have the T813 and stock it's cumbersome. You have to manually move each app to SD card within Application Manager. And every time there's an update from Play Store for said app you have to repeat memory move. It's garbage really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not even a Samsung limitation it's Android in general, so not sure what you mean by 'garbage'?
There are 2 ways around this, enable adoptable storage or use one of the many apps to move the apps for you automatically.
Link2sd , Folder mount etc. Root required.
Also the fact it already has 32gb of internal storage, to fill it you would have to have a serious amount of apps installed if all you use the internal storage for is apps.
I manage just fine with plenty left over on 16gb.
DONATE ME HERE IF YOU WANT TO BUY ME A BEER OR HIT THE THANKS BUTTON IF I HELPED YOU
I had said stock. To use any of those 3rd party app or terminal fixes or you need root which in turn invalidates warranty currently with the 2016 S2 Tabs that I'm aware of.
As for this being a general Android problem, so what? Samsung being largest OEM should be building devices with large internal memory options for this 2016 series.
Aside from memory management, I'm actually quite satisfied with my T813 regardless. I just won't be custom modding right now. Maybe later when the issue becomes more annoying.
greetings community,
i have tried to search it, but being pro newbie, I found nothing. Is it possible to make this folder little bit lighter it takes 22gb of space, and my poor phone has only 64gb
I have rooted devices
thank you in advance
You can delete some apps using root file manager. I've use root explorer and have for years but nowadays there are times where it will not allow me to delete some apps (YouTube, chrome are a few this has happened to me on..) that my phone will NOT allow me to. And yes I have magisk and root explorer pro has root permission when this has happened. One way to get these apps off when this has happened to me is use another root file manager. Amaze file manager did the trick. I was able to delete apps I could not with root explorer. I'm BIG on not having useless bloatware on my phone so disabling apps is NOT my style. I usually save a copy by making backup and throw the backed up apks on my laptop or a USB thumb drive and delete whatever in case I end up deleting something that messes with my phone...Far as what can be deleted and what can't you can just discover for yourself. That's what I've done. I'm currently on a custom rom and I normally don't do much deleting unless I'm using the Google stock rom. If and when I do wipe more off stock I'll return and give you a list of what I did clear out. Just look in /system/app, /system/priv-app, product/app, /vendor/app with a root app and go to town. That's what I've always done. I believe TWRP for Android 11, the test build that bigbiff dropped about a month ago works now to make backups so that would be something to maybe do before hand in case you end up needing to restore your rom. On a few other devices I've owned people would sometimes make a thread on here for apps that can be removed and all and then list what they took off and what not to. I believe this Is what you are talking about.. If so hopefully it helps
Far as making system folder smaller and not meaning apps I believe it's possible but I think maybe you would have to repartition your device to do that and although it's possible it's dangerous. One wrong move and you have a paper weight doing that. I messed up my original Pixel XL because power went out while I was doing it before I was done and it was a goner. If anything I say here isn't right or there is more information about this please someone share who has more knowledge of this sort of thing. I would love to know as well. Good day/night to all. Cheers.
100kaa said:
greetings community,
i have tried to search it, but being pro newbie, I found nothing. Is it possible to make this folder little bit lighter it takes 22gb of space, and my poor phone has only 64gb
I have rooted devices
thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@100kaa
You would be better off deleting excess files, trash, and photos that are already backed up. The system partition can be mounted and some files removed, but for the most part it is a minefield. Google has a fantastic new tool (since changing Photos retention rules) called "Takeout" that allows you to back up the contents of many parts of your phone and allows you do d/l it in compressed format directly to your PC. Check it out. OTHERWISE- If you simply must carry large files like movies, music database, pictures etc. then consider getting a USB-C OTG drive.
https://takeout.google.com/
This is why you get a phone with an SD card slot.
You then use the SD card as your data drive.
Only the apps and temporary folders go on the internal memory.
Next best thing is a flash stick or use cloud based storage which has downsides to it. Even if your internal storage is huge you don't want to store critical data there. I use about 64 of my 500gb of internal vs 340 of 500gb on the data drive.
If a large data base is on a large internal memory a data restore takes... forever. Most times the SD card is spared in OS crash and burns. Plus it can be used to restore the OS drive apps and settings.
Much of the above doesn't help you now but it could with future devices. All my PCs even my laptop are configured as dual drives. I learned a long time ago it works well, saves sweat and data.