Android Enthusiasts
Q&A for enthusiasts and power users of the Android operating system
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0
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How to extract Android 13+ ROMs (system.img and other partitions)?
I'm trying to unpack Android 13/14 ROMs from a set of different vendors but it seems that all images using Android 13+ have some changes in how the filesystem images are built. Using simg2img (`simg2img ./system.img ./system.raw`) I'm capable of converting the sparse system.img file of a ROM correct...
I'm trying to unpack Android 13/14 ROMs from a set of different vendors but it seems that all images using Android 13+ have some changes in how the filesystem images are built. Using simg2img (
simg2img ./system.img ./system.raw) I'm capable of converting the sparse system.img file of a ROM correctly into some unknown image format.
Inspecting the converted image shows that it no partition is detected. For Android version below 12 usually it was an ext4 partition.
file ./system.raw
./system.raw: datadata partition. So I guessed that we need to identify some offset to be able to mount or convert this image correctly. I tried to identify if the partition is a F2FS image (following [this tutorial](https://baremetallics.com/blog/how-to-extract-f2fs-android-flash)) but wasn't successful in identifying the magic bytes for F2FS.
Does anyone know how to mount or convert Android 13+ ROMs? Are there any good script out there to automate it?
Me7e0r
(21 rep)
Sep 30, 2024, 10:20 AM
• Last activity: Jul 4, 2025, 10:00 PM
63
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4
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499322
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Where on the file system are SMS messages stored?
Where in the file system are SMS messages stored? I'm using ES File Explorer to browse around but can't seem to find this - is it on the phone or the SD, and where? I have an HTC Wildfire but I would imagine it doesn't vary hugely from vendor to vendor (although I am an iOS developer who knows littl...
Where in the file system are SMS messages stored?
I'm using ES File Explorer to browse around but can't seem to find this - is it on the phone or the SD, and where?
I have an HTC Wildfire but I would imagine it doesn't vary hugely from vendor to vendor (although I am an iOS developer who knows little about Android).
Alex Coplan
(733 rep)
Dec 13, 2011, 11:36 PM
• Last activity: Jun 21, 2025, 12:50 AM
1
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0
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What is the path to a filesystem object exposed via a DocumentsProvider?
In [`com.android.documentsui.files.FilesActivity`](intent:#Intent;package=com.google.android.documentsui;component=com.google.android.documentsui/com.android.documentsui.files.FilesActivity;end), I am provided with a list of applications' virtual filesystems, exposed via the `DocumentsProvider` API:...
In [
Because these are exposed via the
com.android.documentsui.files.FilesActivity](intent:#Intent;package=com.google.android.documentsui;component=com.google.android.documentsui/com.android.documentsui.files.FilesActivity;end), I am provided with a list of applications' virtual filesystems, exposed via the DocumentsProvider API:
Because these are exposed via the com.android.documentsui.picker.PickActivity to applications with API levels far below that of the OS update which implemented the DocumentsProvider, it must ultimately provide a path for these objects.
However, because I know not of a single external file manager which supports accessing these, [\[1\]] I have no way of ascertaining what the path to them is, except by reading the AOSP source. However, if I could do that, I wouldn't be asking this at Stack Exchange.
[\[1\]]: https://stackoverflow.com/revisions/72859302/1#content:~:text=In%20practice%2C%20I%20am%20not%20surprised%20that%20few%20file%20managers%20do%20this .
RokeJulianLockhart
(556 rep)
Jun 9, 2025, 10:27 PM
0
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1
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65
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Does anyone know where this ad come from? i open any app and it appears randomly, how to remove it?
Lately, I’ve been getting random pop-up ads on my Android device, even when I'm not actively using a browser. These ads appear over any app I’m using — YouTube, messaging, games, etc. It’s not limited to a specific app; they just appear at random times. Example: [![enter image description here][1]][...
Lately, I’ve been getting random pop-up ads on my Android device, even when I'm not actively using a browser. These ads appear over any app I’m using — YouTube, messaging, games, etc. It’s not limited to a specific app; they just appear at random times.
Example:
I haven't recently installed any sketchy apps, but I suspect one of the apps might be causing this in the background. It's super disruptive and annoying.
Has anyone experienced this before? How can I find the source of the ad and stop it permanently?
I haven't recently installed any sketchy apps, but I suspect one of the apps might be causing this in the background. It's super disruptive and annoying.
Has anyone experienced this before? How can I find the source of the ad and stop it permanently?
Fidz
(98 rep)
Jun 3, 2025, 11:20 PM
• Last activity: Jun 4, 2025, 09:16 AM
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0
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19
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Character driver device nodes not listing in Android
Three devices, created using a character driver (`/dev/device1`, `/dev/device2`, and `/dev/device3`), are not appearing in Android (AOSP 15). However, the same character driver functions correctly under Linux (via udev). The matching rule is included in ueventd.rc, and permissions have been enabled...
Three devices, created using a character driver (
/dev/device1, /dev/device2, and /dev/device3), are not appearing in Android (AOSP 15). However, the same character driver functions correctly under Linux (via udev).
The matching rule is included in ueventd.rc, and permissions have been enabled through the SELinux policy.
Here is the file contents
ueventd.rc
/dev/device[0-9]* 0660 system system u:object_r:vendor_device:s0
my_device.te
type vendor_device, dev_type, mlstrustedobject;\
allow system_app vendor_device:chr_file { read write open ioctl };
user1092408
(1 rep)
May 16, 2025, 04:46 PM
• Last activity: May 16, 2025, 11:05 PM
3
votes
1
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8333
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Is there a way to change the default file manager app?
I was wondering whether I could replace the file manager that comes with my phone with a 3rd-party app in a way that any app that needs file access, goes through the 3rd-party app to find the appropriate file. The only other similar question I could find here is left unanswered and I wasn't able to...
I was wondering whether I could replace the file manager that comes with my phone with a 3rd-party app in a way that any app that needs file access, goes through the 3rd-party app to find the appropriate file. The only other similar question I could find here is left unanswered and I wasn't able to find anything online.
Nikos Hidalgo
(131 rep)
Apr 24, 2019, 03:44 PM
• Last activity: May 11, 2025, 12:11 AM
7
votes
1
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10503
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How to access "Work Profile" files via USB on my PC
I've got an Android "Work Profile" on my phone, kind of setup [as explained here](https://blogs.vmware.com/euc/2017/12/android-byod-how-i-use-the-work-profile.html). It's trivial to access normal Android files. Plug a USB cable into my phone and PC, select "File Transfer" and my files show up in Win...
I've got an Android "Work Profile" on my phone, kind of setup [as explained here](https://blogs.vmware.com/euc/2017/12/android-byod-how-i-use-the-work-profile.html) .
It's trivial to access normal Android files. Plug a USB cable into my phone and PC, select "File Transfer" and my files show up in Windows Explorer. Is it possible to access my "Work Profile" files in the same manner? I don't see any path to them in Windows Explorer when connected (to Android 11) via USB. I'm guessing this access may not be possible.
Display name
(313 rep)
Sep 18, 2020, 06:48 PM
• Last activity: Apr 19, 2025, 11:06 AM
2
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2
answers
9803
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How can I mount all partitions of hard disk in Android-x86?
I installed `android-x86-4.2-20130228` as a live USB, but it doesn't read my partition of my hard disk. I tried with **Paragon UFSD Root Mounter**, but it doesn't work well in 4.2.2, and **ES Explorer** doesn't read any partition. How can I mount all partitions of the hard disk in Android-x86?
I installed
android-x86-4.2-20130228 as a live USB, but it doesn't read my partition of my hard disk.
I tried with **Paragon UFSD Root Mounter**, but it doesn't work well in 4.2.2, and **ES Explorer** doesn't read any partition.
How can I mount all partitions of the hard disk in Android-x86?
Tifik aoryu
(31 rep)
Sep 26, 2018, 05:05 PM
• Last activity: Apr 13, 2025, 06:46 AM
1
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1
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2362
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How to access other partitions from Android-x86 on dual boot with Ubuntu 16.04
I have **Android-x86** alongside **Ubuntu 16.04**. I have installed Android in a 16GB partition on my hard drive. I was wondering if it is possible to access other partitions from Android, as it just shows nothing in the `files` app. It would be pointless because all my pictures, videos, and other f...
I have **Android-x86** alongside **Ubuntu 16.04**. I have installed Android in a 16GB partition on my hard drive. I was wondering if it is possible to access other partitions from Android, as it just shows nothing in the
files app. It would be pointless because all my pictures, videos, and other files are in those other partitions. I am not an expert, so please let me know if additional information is needed.
Tangent
(13 rep)
Mar 13, 2019, 10:43 PM
• Last activity: Apr 13, 2025, 06:32 AM
0
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1
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729
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Not able to access other hard disk and partitions on Android 4.4.2 x86
I have installed Android 4.4.2 x86 on my PC that has 2 hard disks with 2-2 partitions each. I have installed Android 4.4.2 X86 on one of them, and I have data on the other 3. The problem is that I am not able to access any of my other three partitions. How can I access my other partitions?
I have installed Android 4.4.2 x86 on my PC that has 2 hard disks with 2-2 partitions each. I have installed Android 4.4.2 X86 on one of them, and I have data on the other 3. The problem is that I am not able to access any of my other three partitions.
How can I access my other partitions?
user2175309
(1 rep)
Nov 4, 2014, 02:38 PM
• Last activity: Apr 13, 2025, 06:04 AM
1
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0
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65
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How to access Android-x86 data (ext4) on other devices?
I recently installed Android-x86 (Prime OS) on my pendrive. However, upon opening through different disk managers on PC & mobile, there is nothing inside my data folder. I can only see `system.img` and `kernel` file in `/Android-86/Android-2.1` and nothing else. I suppose in the `/data` folder, we s...
I recently installed Android-x86 (Prime OS) on my pendrive. However, upon opening through different disk managers on PC & mobile, there is nothing inside my data folder. I can only see 
Also, let me confirm this is not a limitation of mobile or whatsoever. I can see other pendrives and files perfectly in the same format. I also tried to open it on PC through Disk Genius, but it shows the same thing.
Is there any way to access my data on Android-x86 on any device?
system.img and kernel file in /Android-86/Android-2.1 and nothing else. I suppose in the /data folder, we should be able to see /system, /vendor, and /user.
Also, let me confirm this is not a limitation of mobile or whatsoever. I can see other pendrives and files perfectly in the same format. I also tried to open it on PC through Disk Genius, but it shows the same thing.
Is there any way to access my data on Android-x86 on any device?
xNinja
(11 rep)
Apr 12, 2025, 05:48 PM
• Last activity: Apr 13, 2025, 05:48 AM
4
votes
2
answers
13218
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Editing fstab to mount /data from a different partition
Is it possible to edit the fstab to mount /data, /cache, etc. from a different partition on the 1. internal memory? 2. external SD card? Details: The default partition for /data and /cache is too small for my needs and I can manage to format the (internal) /sdcard in ext4. My question may superficia...
Is it possible to edit the fstab to mount /data, /cache, etc. from a different partition on the
1. internal memory?
2. external SD card?
Details: The default partition for /data and /cache is too small for my needs and I can manage to format the (internal) /sdcard in ext4.
My question may superficially seem to be like other questions asking for a way to increase the size of /data, but it's not. Here's why:
1. I need to do it *specifically* by editing fstab, which is the usual way of doing the same thing on a GNU/Linux desktop.
2. The other questions don't ask about /cache and other partitions.
rinfinity
(223 rep)
Nov 9, 2015, 10:21 AM
• Last activity: Apr 7, 2025, 05:11 PM
2
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2
answers
1193
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Can I rename the external storage mount point on Android 10 with root access?
**System**: rooted Samsung Galaxy S10 with Android 10 I have replaced my old external sdcard (128GB) with a new and bigger one (512GB). The old card was automatically mounted to `/storage/6639-3031`. The new card is mounted to: `/storage/9C33-6BBD`. Since I have a lot of configured appz that use cus...
**System**: rooted Samsung Galaxy S10 with Android 10
I have replaced my old external sdcard (128GB) with a new and bigger one (512GB). The old card was automatically mounted to
/storage/6639-3031. The new card is mounted to: /storage/9C33-6BBD. Since I have a lot of configured appz that use custom paths pointed to /storage/6639-3031/somesubfolder I would like to change the new id: 9C33-6BBD back to the old one 6639-3031 system wide.
Since there is no fstab in Android responsible for this and I cannot find **where this id's are stored in Android**, maybe some experts here can help me? It seems like a simple problem but I did not find the solution yet.
Some clues I already found:
1. Android equivalent of /etc/fstab?
2. Remount FUSE partition
Once I have found where this external sdcard id is stored, **can I just change the id** (I have **root**)?
**Will it be stay changed after reboot**?
Kleajmp
(263 rep)
May 7, 2022, 10:25 AM
• Last activity: Apr 1, 2025, 08:09 AM
0
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1
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83
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Where are the user/config files for the game "Ridiculous Fishing"?
*Perhaps this question is too specific, but I am also interested in the more general question of where Android stores hidden/system files, especially user data that would be helpful to transfer to another device.* The specific question is about the game Ridiculous Fishing. It would be nice to be abl...
*Perhaps this question is too specific, but I am also interested in the more general question of where Android stores hidden/system files, especially user data that would be helpful to transfer to another device.*
The specific question is about the game Ridiculous Fishing. It would be nice to be able to transfer my progress to another Android device.
Just plugging the phone into my computer, I can see the following directories, but there are no files in them:
/Android/data/com.vlambeer.RidiculousFishing.humble/cache
/Android/obb/com.vlambeer.RidiculousFishing.humble
*Device in question is a Samsung Galaxy S9+, running Android 10. But I have also run this game on other devices such as the Google Pixel (Android 9) and had the same problem finding user data files.*
Is there any way to backup or transfer the configuration files for this game?
Are there other locations that can be searched?
JonathanDavidArndt
(247 rep)
Feb 14, 2024, 03:19 PM
• Last activity: Mar 20, 2025, 01:46 PM
0
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1
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7399
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Location of wallpaper and lock screen images on Android 13
I have two different images that I use for my wallpaper and my lock screen. These images are of my two oldest sons and have been used for wallpaper and lock screen for a long time. I just had another kid and it is time to update these images to include all three of my boys. Problem is that I cannot...
I have two different images that I use for my wallpaper and my lock screen. These images are of my two oldest sons and have been used for wallpaper and lock screen for a long time. I just had another kid and it is time to update these images to include all three of my boys. Problem is that I cannot find the images and am afraid that if I update the wallpaper and lock screen images, then the current images will be lost forever. I can't lose these images forever. Can anyone tell me how to locate them so that I can copy them to a safe location. I have seen a couple of posts for older versions of Android but it does not seem to apply to Android 13. The path provided in these posts dose not exist on my phone (or tablet).
Edit:
It was suggested that I include device info. Here it is.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
AdamsK
(101 rep)
Jan 25, 2023, 05:43 PM
• Last activity: Mar 9, 2025, 03:37 PM
0
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0
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26
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How to modify not just read files in Android/data folder without root
How to modify the files in subfolders of `android/data` on android 14, I tried shizuku + ZArchiver or FV file explorer and it doesn't work, i connected my phone to my computer and tried to edit files from there also using adb and it doesn't work, I tried the files app by Marc and used splitscreen bu...
How to modify the files in subfolders of
android/data on android 14, I tried shizuku + ZArchiver or FV file explorer and it doesn't work, i connected my phone to my computer and tried to edit files from there
also using adb and it doesn't work, I tried the files app by Marc and used splitscreen but even that doesn't work.
Is there a way to modify (specifically push files into android/data) **not just read** the files, as even before trying shizuku or all these I could already view the files and copy them out of android/data, but I couldn't copy anything in, or edit or delete anything.
To clarify I am talking about the /sdcard/android/data folder not /data/data and I need a way push files in, I could already view and pull files out from before
Programmer
(1 rep)
Feb 13, 2025, 10:23 AM
• Last activity: Feb 13, 2025, 12:20 PM
5
votes
4
answers
25228
views
How to get Android Phone storage as a drive path in Windows PC
I am using MI Note 5 Pro android version 9.0 and Windows 10 Basic. On USB plugging('File Transfer' selected), I can only access files from Phone by normal copy paste(ctrl-c/v) but cannot access full file path from Phone because there is no drive letter assigned. [![enter image description here][1]][...
I am using MI Note 5 Pro android version 9.0 and Windows 10 Basic.
On USB plugging('File Transfer' selected), I can only access files from Phone by normal copy paste(ctrl-c/v) but cannot access full file path from Phone because there is no drive letter assigned.
where disk is sd card.
I am getting files path as "This PC\Redmi Note 5 Pro\Internal shared storage" but want something like "P:\Redmi Note 5 Pro\Internal shared storage" How to get it without rooting phone?
Purpose: I want to backup my phone data to PC periodically using "Areca backup" open source utility which creates incremental backup. Note: I will not be writing any data to Phone but will only need to read it for copy operation.
Edit(11Feb2025): I am using FreeFileSync from a long time now and can say that it is a life saver. I would pay for it without a second thought but it's completely free. It not only syncs from phone to PC but PC to hard drive for periodic backups too. We just need to mention file paths.
For Android, path starts from mtp://
where disk is sd card.
I am getting files path as "This PC\Redmi Note 5 Pro\Internal shared storage" but want something like "P:\Redmi Note 5 Pro\Internal shared storage" How to get it without rooting phone?
Purpose: I want to backup my phone data to PC periodically using "Areca backup" open source utility which creates incremental backup. Note: I will not be writing any data to Phone but will only need to read it for copy operation.
Edit(11Feb2025): I am using FreeFileSync from a long time now and can say that it is a life saver. I would pay for it without a second thought but it's completely free. It not only syncs from phone to PC but PC to hard drive for periodic backups too. We just need to mention file paths.
For Android, path starts from mtp://
Palash Bansal
(51 rep)
May 30, 2021, 05:39 PM
• Last activity: Feb 11, 2025, 03:47 AM
29
votes
1
answers
74204
views
Android Folder Hierarchy
On Android's root (/), what is the purpose of each folder? I want to learn the folder hierarchy structure. I would like to know the differences between Android 2.3 and 4.x, if they have different folders in "/".
On Android's root (/), what is the purpose of each folder? I want to learn the folder hierarchy structure. I would like to know the differences between Android 2.3 and 4.x, if they have different folders in "/".
Devyn Collier Johnson
(509 rep)
Jun 9, 2013, 12:47 PM
• Last activity: Feb 7, 2025, 01:59 AM
36
votes
6
answers
85798
views
What's the Android equivalent of /etc/fstab?
Sometimes I really wish they hadn't messed around with Linux so much! I know there's an `/etc/fstab` in there somewhere, but where? I'd like to mount some partitions with alternative filesystems (because I don't like FAT32).
Sometimes I really wish they hadn't messed around with Linux so much! I know there's an
/etc/fstab in there somewhere, but where?
I'd like to mount some partitions with alternative filesystems (because I don't like FAT32).
barrymac
(849 rep)
Oct 13, 2011, 05:22 PM
• Last activity: Feb 5, 2025, 07:24 PM
-1
votes
1
answers
34
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I think my flash drive is corrupted. is it actually corrupted or am I just dumb?
Due to suggestions people gave me, I tried to backup my tablet's (Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite) data to a USB flash drive but my laptop (Windows 11 Lenovo laptop) and phone (Samsung galaxy s24 using xPlore file manager) recognized the drive's FS as RAW and told me to format it. What do I do? I heard t...
Due to suggestions people gave me, I tried to backup my tablet's (Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite) data to a USB flash drive but my laptop (Windows 11 Lenovo laptop) and phone (Samsung galaxy s24 using xPlore file manager) recognized the drive's FS as RAW and told me to format it. What do I do? I heard that RAW filesystems could be a sign that the drive is corrupted.
IPARA
(1 rep)
Jan 22, 2025, 06:40 PM
• Last activity: Jan 23, 2025, 01:24 PM
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