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Locus Map - help desk Topic Question Locus Map (Android)

Category Locus Map (Android)

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Android Data Folder Access On Newer Android Versions?

Steve L shared this question ago

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Hello,

I updated to a NOS Galaxy S10 about 6 months ago. It came with Android 11 and I could still access the Android/Data folder. Since then the phone updated itself to Android 12 and I have lost all access to any app data that is contained in the android/data folder.

Apparently this was a Google "improvement" for privacy & security. Have any of you found an app that can get around this restriction?

Thanks,

Steve

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Replies (6)

Michael Bechtold ●

Hi Steve,

I'm also running a Galaxy S10 (since 2019), also upgraded to Android 12 quite some time ago. I had been using x-plore before and this app continues to do the job, also in .../data. Just copied a file into this private Locus folder on INT SD, then copied that file from INT SD to another private folder on EXT SD. Worked like a charm.

However, disaster strikes when it comes to Android 13 (I have such on my Tab S6 lite) - beware.

Cheers

Michael

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Andrew Heard ●

I *think* it got better again with V14. I haven't had any problems with V14 & using the Media folder.

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Steve L ●

The GS10s are locked at Android 12 so 13+ isn't an issue. Hopefully, by the time I retire this phone Android should be in the upper teens!

I am currently using FX explorer Pro which has cloud account access.

When I started looking into this months ago I came up with this short list of potential apps (or apps that were in development)

X-plore

FV file manager

Solid Explorer

MI Explorer

I got distracted and never completed my research.

Andrew,

Is the Media folder just an exception (Like Download) or did Google loosen up other restrictions on Android 14?

Thanks,

Steve

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Andrew Heard ●

I don't really know Steve, but I know others were happy when LM devs allowed internal/Android/media instead of (default) internal/Android/data as an option for saving map files. I did a quick test on a brand new V14 phone using Solid Explorer - I can create a folder in internal/Android/media but not in internal/Android/data.

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Steve L ●

I just tried this with FX Explorer and I can see into the media folder which shows 4 other folders. I also see the Locus map folders but FX says that the folders are empty so the maps are still somewhere else hidden or FX can't see the map files.

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Michael Bechtold ●

Locus V4 will move the data away from /data when you change the location in the settings (... filesystem ...)

Get everything to /media and you are fine until Google's next insanity.

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Michael Bechtold ●

The main directory should be on INT SD, as it contains databases and scratch folders that need speed.

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Michal Stupka ●

Hi,

if you have Locus Map 4, you can change its default storage to fully accessible /Android/media/ in settings > Backup&filesystem > Fily system manager > Set the main directory. If Locus Map 3 Classic, you can only move the map directories (Locus/maps, Locus/mapsVector) to the Android/media sector.

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Steve L ●

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. This is Locus 3 Classic.

You may be able to regain access by using the built-in Android "files" app. It is hidden but might be still available to use via the shortcut app "Files by Marc". This is not an app but a link to the internal Android Files app. If that works you should regain access. If it doesn't, you can find the "Files" app under settings>apps and try to uninstall any updates which may restore an earlier version that works.

I just tried this and at least I can see the file structure once again. I haven't actually tried writing/copying anything into the now forbidden area. This would be a final test.

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Gergely TOTH ●

It works! When you go to the folder, hit dot-dot menu, new windows. This opens a second FILES app. Activate splitscreen so that these two apps are on the screen and you can drag&drop files into any folder under Android\data!

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Matthias ●

Drag and drop on a phone? And between two Splitscreen apps? How to do that?

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Matthias ●

Ah, got it. Select the files in one window, then tab and hold the checkmark icon and drag to the other screen.

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Matthias ●

Android/data access still works from a computer, when connecting the phone via USB.

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Steve L ●

That's interesting I remember trying this when I first commissioned the phone and remember getting some form of error message. However, now on the latest Android 12 it seems to work using the MTP protocol. I had visibility into the Data and OBB directories but didn't try to actually write anything into them.

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