Windows Mobile to Android ICS

[Nu2Andie]

Hi. I'm new to Android and to this forum. I just recently upgraded my phone from an HTC TouchPro using Windows MObile to a Galaxy II S (Epic) with an Android ICS operating system. I'm having problems managing files. For example, I have somehow managed to move files around so that I have reiterations of folders, subfolders and their files. How can I clean this up? Also, I'd like to know where Android apps put certain types of files. Attachments for example. Any helpful information out there?

Nu2Andie

 

[epidenimus]

Hello and welcome!

I cannot speak to how you may have modified your filesystem, so that is up to you to sort.

For file management, I prefer to use both OI File Manager and Ghost Commander. Think of it as EMC and PowerShell. Each has its place and purpose.

Where Android apps download files can become a web of confusion. They all seem to have their own default location, but that can usually be overriden to be what you like. I simply have a folder on my SD card called "downloads." The other night, I installed a nice Bluetooth transfer app, and it created its own file structure at /sdcard/Bluetooth/". I simply had to point it to my folder and all now works fine. The directory for mine is "/sdcard/downloads" or "/mnt/sdcard/downloads" depending on the app.

Cheers!

 

[B. Diddy]

Other good file manager apps include ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager, and Total Commander (all free).

The way that Android sets up directories can be confusing, especially when it comes to internal memory and the external SD card. For example, if your phone was advertised as coming with 16 GB of memory (not counting any SD card), about 6 GB are usually taken up by the system and about 2 GB are reserved for app storage. The remaining 8 GB is referred to as "Internal Storage" or "Media Storage," and can be used to store files like photos, music, and videos. Apps can also be moved from App Storage to Internal Storage if you're running low on the former. This Internal Storage is usually designated by the directory "/mnt/sdcard," even though it isn't physically an SD card.

If you have a physical microSD card inserted, it comes up under the directory "/mnt/sdcard-ext." The main purpose of external SD cards is storage of media files, because you can't move apps to external SD memory, only to the Internal Storage. Some 3rd party apps may give you the option to save data to the external SD card.

The stock camera app gives the option of saving photos or videos to internal or external storage (look under the Settings menu of the camera). If internal, the directory is "/mnt/sdcard/dcim/camera"; if external, the directory is "/mnt/sdcard-ext/dcim/camera."

Hope that helps!

 

[B. Diddy]

Oh, and when you download a file, it should appear in the directory /mnt/sdcard/download. There is usually a Download shortcut in the full app list that takes you right there, where you can then open a file or delete it.