Losing USB connection after having copied files to Android\data\app folder

[nissepistol]

I'm using a field surveillance app called QField, and every time after having copied a folder into the app's subfolder at Android\data\ch.opengis.qfield\files, the USB data transfer connection seems to enter some kind of sleep or paralysis mode.

I can still access all folders on the tablet, but I can't copy anything from the tablet or put more files into the app folder. If I start to use QField, it will produce photos into a subfolder but I can't see the newly creates photos from Windows. The only solution I've found is to remove/reconnect the cable, and set the connection to allow data transfers + click "Allow data transfers" in the popup window.

The error is the same with an Active4 Tab Pro, but it works flawlessly on a Sony and Asus device.
Before I tried on the Sony, I reinstalled MTP drivers, tried other cables (USB C-C and C-A) and a host of other things.

Does Samsung protect the data inside the Android\data\ file structure in some way other than Sony/Asus other producers do?

Greatful for all input!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I thought subdirectories of /Android/data are typically not accessible to the user, since they're supposed to be protected by the system. Are these tablets rooted? How are you copying the folders to that directory, and what file manager app are you using to look for them?

 

[nissepistol]

Thank you for the welcome, B.Diddy!

No neither of the devices are rooted, we're using a powershell script on the PC to copy the files and folders into the app in /Android/data/.

The USB-connection stops working practically immediately after I have copied the files to the android device, and then I'm using Windows Explorer (on the PC) to troubleshoot when I look for the files. That's when I stop getting data via the cable. Pull/replug the cable makes the connection to come back alive again.

And what we've found so weird is that the USB connection only drops on Samsung devices, not Sony/Asus.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Have you tried another different USB cable on the Samsung device?

 

[nissepistol]

Have you tried another different USB cable on the Samsung device?

Yes, numerous different cables, USB C-A, C-C, 2.0, 3.0, different USB ports, switching polarities (dunno if thatwould help but still).

 

[nissepistol]

I just tried on a Samsung Galaxy A35 phone. The connection drops again, just like with the 2 Samsung Tablets

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm not really familiar with the process that you're trying, but in case the issue has to do with accessing the /Android/data folder, try testing it instead by transferring files to a folder that is intended for the user to access, like /Downloads or /Pictures.

 

[nissepistol]

Thanks for the reply B.D!
Hey, unfortunately I need to access the /Android/data folder by a powershell script as I need to copy files into the app's folder structure.

I know it's not best practice but it's the only solution I have due to limititations of the android app.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's surprising that you can do this on the other phones. Which Sony and ASUS phones are they? Are they rooted? I'm guessing this kind of thing would usually require root access..

 

[nissepistol]

I wasn't aware of that file structure being protected so I wasn't surprised until now

We are using a Sony Xperia 5 V and an Asus Zenfone 8, both non-rooted.
Having read this it seems it's getting tougher now to access those folders. Perhaps Sony and Asus are a bit behind in their security?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/192vfjt/is_there_a_way_to_access_the_datadata_folder_in

 

[nissepistol]

We're transferring using MTP.

Looking at:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1875mar/solution_to_access_androiddata_subfolders_in

They write "ven the MTP protocol is still unrestricted so you can still simply attach your phone to a PC and navigate to android/data from there." Could it be that different android brands control MTP differently?

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry, that's beyond my understanding, I'm afraid. It may very well be related to hardened security on Pixel and Samsung phones. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about this can weigh in!

 

[nissepistol]

Same here B.Diddy, this is already way past the little I know about android.
Thanks a lot for having taking your time to answer!

 

[mustang7757]

What Android version is your Tab S9 on ?
On the Android 14 Samsung has a feature called Auto blocker in the phones settings menu under Security & Privacy like my screenshot below , make sure not on .

 

[nissepistol]

Hey Mustang,
Thanks for your idea!
I'm om Android 14 on all devices I've tried.
I tried your suggestion, but the conx still goes silent. I've also enabled Developer options and tried with USB-debugging.

 

[mustang7757]

Hey Mustang,
Thanks for your idea!
I'm om Android 14 on all devices I've tried.
I tried your suggestion, but the conx still goes silent. I've also enabled Developer options and tried with USB-debugging.

I haven't read through the whole thread completely but have you tried using a another known Good Cable? Sometimes you may have a have a few laying around but they don't allow Data transfer but do charge the device

 

[nissepistol]

I haven't read through the whole thread completely but have you tried using a another known Good Cable? Sometimes you may have a have a few laying around but they don't allow Data transfer but do charge the device

No I've ruled out it being a cable or PC issue as it works with the same cable with a Sony and Asus device. Basically the only parameter I've changed is from a non Samsung device into a Samsung device.

 

[mustang7757]

No I've ruled out it being a cable or PC issue as it works with the same cable with a Sony and Asus device. Basically the only parameter I've changed is from a non Samsung device into a Samsung device.

Ok.. where is this parameter you changed non Samsung to Samsung device?