Some apps don't see the SD card

[BennySchenny]

Some apps that were previously able to access and save files on the sd card now don’t even see it as an option.

The SD card is there and is recognized by some apps (music app can find mp3 files, storage settings lists it, standard files can open it) but FOSS file manager and Ecosia can’t navigate or download files to it.

I’m sure they could when I first downloaded them, and I checked multiple developer options without finding something that changes the situation.

What can I do?

[ev_1_69]

Hello, try checking how the SD card is formatted (internal/adoptable vs portable), confirm per-app storage permissions and Android’s “Manage all files” / storage access, test the card in another device and reformat as portable if needed, and finally clear/rescan media or reinstall the apps — these steps usually fix apps that suddenly can’t see the SD card.

[BennySchenny]

I’m not entirely sure how to check formatting, but if I plug the phone to my laptop I can navigate the SD card no problem. I checked all permissions twice but Ecosia doesn’t show up (and I still can’t download files in the SD card even if it shows me the option, it just pauses immediately with no explanation). File manager shows in the settings and has the permission to access files, but the card isn’t even in the file list. I reinstalled both apps, rebooted, shut off and booted again, but nothing changes.
It worked before, it doesn’t work now, and I think I didn’t changed any setting.

[Meaghan]

@BennySchenny

It worked before, it doesn’t work now, and I think I didn’t changed any setting

Hello
unfortunately things might stop working after sometime.

Please consult the forum guide

A little guide to... using SD cards

Android 6 introduced new options for using an SD card in your phone. When you format an SD card or insert a new SD card, you’ll have two options: Internal/phone/adopted storage or external/portable storage. The option that most closely matches older Android versions is the external option. There are a couple of things to take into account when choosing which option works best for you: TL;DR: Formatting as internal will allow you to store apps on it and have it encrypted with the system interna…

and if you will, please reply to @ev_1_69 suggestions

Formatting as external storage means that…

• the SD card will show as a separate folder in your phone.
• there will be an eject icon to the right of the SD card
• the SD card can be taken out to be used in other devices, e.g for file transfer

[BennySchenny]

Ah shoot I thought adding a message was like replying, thanks

[Meaghan]

Yes, but

@ev_1_69

try checking how the SD card is formatted (internal/adoptable vs portable), confirm per-app storage permissions and Android’s “Manage all files” / storage access, test the card in another device and reformat as portable if needed, and finally clear/rescan media or reinstall the apps

we don’t know how your card is formatted, whether you tested it in a different device, whether you reformatted it…

[BennySchenny]

After a bit of prodding and trying to follow your and @ev_1_69 suggestions:

• The card was already formatted as external, my laptop can navigate it. The root file app shows it as a folder with all content intact.
• The FOSS file app doesn’t see it at all
• Ecosia sees it, but clearly can’t access it, even after forcing permissions, since saving a download to the SD card fails
• Root camera app gives the option to save to SD card but doesn’t
• Contacts app shows people not saved to google cloud, stored in the SD card
• Local offline music app shows all mp3 files from the SD card with no issue

I double checked all permissions and there’s no difference between apps of the same kind