microSD card to expand internal storage

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1st Official Post

    hey everyone, I'm planning on installing a microSD into my Formuler Z7+ in order to expand internal storage (for app and downloading purposes). Is there a specific recommendation as to whether I should get Android to treat this new memory as 'internal memory' (i.e. combine the built in 8gig memory + microSD memory into one seemless memory) or am I better off keeping the microSD memory separate from the Android OS? Just wondering if maybe there are some bugs out there that I'm not aware of.

    thanks!

    I believe only a flash drive plugged into one of the USB ports can be used for recording purposes. Internal memory (standard 8gig + any microSD card you install) is for app installs plus any storage those apps would use. Correct me if I’m wrong

    I have a MicroSD card in mine and bought it for the purpose of allowing it to be used as internal memory by the android system.

    Also you can record to the MicroSD even when being used as internal storage by android as i have done several times although i do now record to HDD instead to not wear down the MicroSD card with to many read and writes.

    Quote from DroidBug

    I have a MicroSD card in mine and bought it for the purpose of allowing it to be used as internal memory by the android system.

    Also you can record to the MicroSD even when being used as internal storage by android as i have done several times although i do now record to HDD instead to not wear down the MicroSD card with to many read and writes.

    I tried micro SD card to install applications but I was not able to and internal storage was showing full after installing few apps. Are you directly installing on SD Card or moving applications to SD card after installing on internal storage? I don't know why Z7+ does not allow to use external storage as internal storage like other boxes Nvidia shield, Xiaomi etc. Thanks

    Quote from uovervinnelig


    I tried micro SD card to install applications but I was not able to and internal storage was showing full after installing few apps. Are you directly installing on SD Card or moving applications to SD card after installing on internal storage? I don't know why Z7+ does not allow to use external storage as internal storage like other boxes Nvidia shield, Xiaomi etc. Thanks

    Hi,

    All i did was format and then insert the MicroSD card into my Z7+, went to android > Default storage equipment and choose my 64GB MicroSD card as default storage then rebooted. I have a few apps including Kodi and i have only used 1.62GB of the internal storage space and have 5.02GB free and currently my MicroSD card is using 4.21GB of 59.46GB (64GB MicroSD card) and i have not put anything on it, i leave it purposely for the box to use as default storage.

    Everything on the internal storage is mirrored onto my MicroSD card as the MicroSD card is set as default storage. I do not do anything as you mentioned like direct installing on sd card or moving apps to sd. I just select my MicroSD card as default storage as mentioned above. Then when recording in mytvonline it asks where i want to record to, my USB HDD or MicroSD card which is being used as default storage as mentioned and i have chosen my MicroSD card to record to several times now with no issues.

    I'm not sure how it's handled by the firmware, ie. when selecting default storage equipment and choosing MicroSD whether it uses space on internal storage first then the additional storage provided by my MicroSD card , what i can confirm is everything from internal storage is mirrored on my MicroSD card and i can record to my MircoSD card even when set as default storage equipment.

    Hi thanks for your reply. For me I have done the same and set card as default storage but when I download big applications like games my internal storage is showing full i.e. 8GB. Once it is full it is not letting me to install any more applications whereas SD card is still 70% empty. I never had any issue with recording, I can record on both SD Card and USB 3.0. Can you please try this if possible? Download/install few large applications and check internal storage status. If MicroSD card is set as internal storage then you will be able to install several applications (more than 8GB)
    If the above works, can you record programs on external USB even when Micro SD card is set as internal storage
    I would really appreciate if you could do the above and confirm. Thanks

    Hello I’m a below novice at this. I’m sorry but I sent out multiple posts because I don’t know how and where to make new post. Please handle below beginner. What is the best device to use for recordings and moving apps too? If you can please tell me how I do this in simple instructions as it takes a while if not for me to understand? Also how do I set this up so I can record and move apps? The external internal words confuse me lol. I’m really sorry for being so in tech savvy. Thank you for your help. Very much appreciated

    • Official Post

    Hi Billgor,

    1. There is at moment no need to move apps and similar data from internal storage (in the box) to external (micro sd card or USB device like USB Stick or hdd). If you do this, the load speed goes down because internal storage for Apps and OS data are always faster then external storage and there is also some bug in this matter with chipset, we waiting from chipset manufacturer for fix.

    2. For recording you can use USB Stick, SD Card, USB Hdd (Formatted in NTFS or exFAT) network HDD and NAS.

    For example: You want to use USB Stick for recording. Format the usb stick first on pc with format NTFS, stick into your usb port and restart the box. All needed file folders for recording will be automatically created from system. You need only to start with your recording. Recorded files you can see and play with button "Playlist".

    Hi first of I’m sorry for multiple messages. Still don’t reslly know how to post new for help. Thanks for respondimg. Are you saying use external device as internal storage? See I’m getting a little tight on space would some stuff move over automatically? There is a setting in android settings where you can switch to SD card. Do I need to switch that? You said to format the device I see on amazon they have some that are pre formatted. Are those ok they are Fat 32? Do I need to do I need ES file explorer? I’m just not sure what else I have to do!!!! Which device is best to use for speed and what is the max storage I can buy? Can you please recommend one? I know the SD is the less expensive way. I feel so bad for all the questions and I may have more. Lol. Thank you so much for the help. Appreciated more then you know🙂🙂

    • Official Post
    Quote from Billgor

    Are you saying use external device as internal storage?

    No, please read again my posting.

    Quote from Billgor

    See I’m getting a little tight on space would some stuff move over automatically? There is a setting in android settings where you can switch to SD card. Do I need to switch that? You said to format the device I see on amazon they have some that are pre formatted. Are those ok they are Fat 32? Do I need to do I need ES file explorer? I’m just not sure what else I have to do!!!! Which device is best to use for speed and what is the max storage I can buy? Can you please recommend one? I know the SD is the less expensive way. I feel so bad for all the questions and I may have more. Lol. Thank you so much for the help. Appreciated more then you know

    Tell me exactly what you want to do all with your new device and please forget at this moment the switch feature between internal and external in Android, because this confuses you to much.

    - How much are you recording?

    - Do you want also to save your mkv Video files from PC to this storage and watch with this box etc.? I'm asking to know what matches your criteria sd Card, USB Stick or USB HDD.

    The device formatting is on pc always simple for usb, for sd card you need card reader connected to your pc.

    Hello I’m sorry for late reply. Been sick. We want to use external device ( whichever is fastest and able to move apps over and for recordings). A USB Hard Drive or whatever is best for the families needs. Thank you Sam for all the help. Very much appreciated.

    Hello Sam. Sorry for late reply. And sorry for multiple postings. Don’t know what the heck I’m doing. I really stink at any tech stuff but I’m trying to learn as I go. The space issue is a real problem too. First is there any way we could try to move a few apps if we buy a high end device ? Second. My wife and kid want to record to external or however we can. Don’t know anything about this stuff especially bad lol. So yeah Space is a big issue and don’t know how to set up for recording. So yeah whatever we have to buy for it we will. It’s important for family stuff. Thank you Sam for all the help and work you do. Very much appreciated.

    Hi sorry for late reply thanks for info with the patch will we be able to move apps to external is what you’re saying? Also to record now I have a Sandisk 56 GB SD card Fat 32. Do I need to change that option in settings to SD card for recording ? I’n other words is there anything I have to do in settings or on the box? I’m sorry but I’m terrible at this. Lol. Please handle with kid gloves. Lol. Thanks for all the help you have given us😀

    Sorry forgot to ask? I know Sam said forget moving apps to external as it might confuse me lol. But I’m having issue with space filling up and it would be awesome to be able to move just a couple. Is there something faster or better then a SD card and can I buy one on amazon that says it’s formattec already to fat32? It says it’s for fire devices like tablets. Will that work? Thanks again. You guys have been so patient and helpful with someone like me. Appreciated more then you know. 🙂🙂

    a fast USB 3.0 USB key plugged into the USB 3.0 port is probably your ‘fastest’ option. I formatted my USB key to NTFS (not fat32) and then plugged into box. I then rebooted my box and I believe I was able to record without doing anything else. Press the record button to record a show, and press the ‘playlist’ button to view your recordings.

    Sorry but I haven’t tried using a SD card.

    I believe the August firmware update when completed will allow you to store/install apps on something like a USB key

    Hi sorry for late reply. So until then we can only record to internal with external device? How would a hard drive work? Someone told me I have to go in android settings and set it to SD card. I guess there is s setting in there. Thanks for all the help.

    • Official Post
    Quote from 175n

    This issue was fixed and the patch will be available in the August firmware release

    Then you can move your Apps if you want.


    Quote from Billgor

    So until then we can only record to internal with external device? How would a hard drive work? Someone told me I have to go in android settings and set it to SD card. I guess there is s setting in there. Thanks for all the help.

    Billgor i think you didn`t understand what was already written. You are able to record all the time to external drive, just format with NTFS and connect, reboot the box and you can start to record! Recordings can not be done to internal flash! Internal storage 8GB is only for OS, Apps, Updates etc.

    HI yoI guys thank you and sorry but yes I do get comfused with this stuff. Someone told me right now until firmware update I can only record with SD set to internal under android settings-storage. This is why I confuse myself so much. Lol. So for right now which way would be the most simple way for me to record until update as I’m sure I’ll need more help lol. And do we or not have to set up anything in ES file ( I hope not ),? Do I

    Just change the android setting to SD as internal or the way explained above? I’m so sorry but it stinks being this bad at something lol. Thanks you guys for all the help. Take care. 😀😀

    Hi You guys we just tried the SD card and changed android settings under default storage and switched it to SD card internal but we don’t see anything. On ES I see where it says SD card next to internal in upper right side of page. We rebooted but don’t see where it’s doing anything with SD? Thanks you guys for the help. Appreciate it more then you know. 😀😀

    Quote from Billgor

    Hi You guys we just tried the SD card and changed android settings under default storage and switched it to SD card internal but we don’t see anything. On ES I see where it says SD card next to internal in upper right side of page. We rebooted but don’t see where it’s doing anything with SD? Thanks you guys for the help. Appreciate it more then you know. 😀😀

    to record do the following: buy a USB key, format it to NTFS within windows, plug it into box, reboot box. Now you should be able to record. And press the ‘playlist’ button on remote to view recordings.

    Hi what is a USB key? Can we is just external hard drive 1TB or is the key way better? Can it be fat 32 pre formatted or pre formatted NTFS? We are scared lol because we’ve never done this. What is the easiest way to format and how? See I just stink at this lol. I tread somewhere a fella was using a 1tb USB is that the same thing? Lastly I have a tv sub that allows us to record different channels then what your watching. Will this way allow us to do this and I see people talking about putting on ES file to remove recordings Thanks again for your help and patience. We appreciate this way more then you probably realize. 😀😀

    I’m sorry I didn’t ask you if we want to record outside of the portal like in one of our tv subs would we then need like ES or something? My family would love to record something different then what they’re watching and a couple of our subs now have full recording features. That’s why we’re so confused too about this. Thank you again take care and be safe.

    USB key = external hard drive. Size doesnt matter, 32GB, 1TB, 2TB, they're all OK. When you plug it into a laptop/desktop, windows should recognize it. Meaning, go to where you see your C drive, your D drive, etc. You'll see the external hard drive there (it will be another letter, maybe a H drive or something like that). Right click on that and click format. Under 'file system' select NTFS, and then press start. Once it's done, remove it from laptop/desktop and plug into Z7+ box. Then reboot box and you should be good to go.

    As for your other questions, lets leave those for later. Lets get you recording ONE show and NOT watching another show for now. To record a show and watch another you would need another app (MYTVONLINE does not support this). And honestly, no offense intended, but judging by your knowledge level I do not recommend trying to watch a show and record another. Sorry!

    Hi no offense taken lol. I’m well aware of this deficiency of mine. Lol. Had it for a while and it’s extremely frustrating. Anyway we have a 1 TB hard drive Fat 32 pre formatted. Since it’s pre formatted will it work and should do we still need to do anything on the computer? I’m also still confused because a couple weeks ago someone said I need to change the default storage setting but we can’t because there is no option like with SD card where you click it. It does show the hard drive in there and it’s already checked and can’t be changed. Lastly I’m just a little confused because does everything go in the hard drive since it would be default internal storage and can we clear the hard drive of unwanted stuff like you do with the box cache itself? Your correct I need to learn this before anything else. Lol. With the fire box and kodi I knew my way around really well but still trying to learn this!!!! Thanks for your patience and help. Very much appreciated. And I’m sorry about other post but I’m also still trying to learn this app😀😀

    Hello I ended up using a SD card fat 32. I then went into android settings and it’s now it shows shared storage. Wife didn’t want to buy HD until we use this thing that we had sitting around. Is this ok to do since they do say you can use SD card? Thanks for your patience with a NOOB like me. It’s frustrating. Take care. 😀

    Hello I just wanted to let you know too it shows SD card and it’s weird some of the apps not all give option to move to SD card or Shared Storage. Hope I’m doing this right. My wife doesn’t want to buy new one until we try this one which is new. Thanks again. Take csre

    Greetings,

    I have put also a Micro SD card of 256GB bad tried to make has the default for the internal storage it funnie it mirrored the same thing has the internal flash drive on the Formuler z7+

    I’ve insterted the SD card and rebooted the device and it doesn’t prompt me or ask me to format my SD Card my 8GB is in the red I’ve had to delete some programs why is it I cannot mount the SD Card has a internal drive for storage or when I install programs prompt on what drive I want it nstalled ? Can someone educate me has to why ?

    Regards

    Marko