Unable to see files or write to external SD card since 4.3 upgrade

ROCNDAV

HI. I have an external SD card plugged in to my SIII.

It's been working great for months.

A week or so ago, an upgrade was pushed down to my phone, 4.3 to be exact.

Since then I can't see files on my external SD card.

If I plug a cable into my computer and browse to my phone's external card I can see them on my PC.

I've searched around and backed up my files, unmounted, reboot, remount. Reformat the card, unmount & remount.

No change.

I've formatted the SDcard on a PC and no difference.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

The card is a SanDisk Ultra 64gb microSD card, but it really isn't card specific.

I put my older 16gb card that I used to use and it can't read any files on there either.

The phone DOES see the card and cant report free space, it just can't do anything with it since the last update.

What can I do?

Thanks,
David

Accepted answers

unknown

I believe it will also work for your sd card.

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/654417-samsung-galaxy-s3-kills-sd-cards-10.html

Has a good fix.

Originally Posted by Tec_guy_2100

SAMSUNG S3 external memory card error FIXED!!
(previously access was unavailable in S3 or PC).

Steps used to Fix the SD card:
1. S3 set Developer options (ON)
2. Set Protect SD card (checked)
3. Remove battery
4. Install 32g card
5. Install battery
6. Turn on S3

Download SanDisk Android app. - external 32g shows up - YES!!
Scandisk app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sandisk.mz

Good Luck

All comments

bearone21

if you formatted the card, the files are gone. does the old card work in another phone?

unknown

I believe it will also work for your sd card.

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/654417-samsung-galaxy-s3-kills-sd-cards-10.html

Has a good fix.

Originally Posted by Tec_guy_2100

Good Luck

ROCNDAV

After I formatted the card I can copy files via the PC & cable, but they don't show up when viewing from the phone.

If I use an app like Astro File manager (which did show the files correctly, prior to the 4.3 update), it shows the word "empty" for truly empty folders but it just shows a blank empty folder for folders that have a file that I copied in via the PC & cable.

If I try to make a folder in Astro, it looks like I did, but it doesn't show in Astro.

If I look from my PC, it shows the folder that I created on the phone via Astro.

Once again, everything was working great up until the pushed 4.3 update.

The Old card does show up fine on other phones.

I haven't tried the 64gb card on another phone yet, but the card isn't the issue.

As I copy over files to the card via the PC and cable, the phone does reflect the data used/free space correctly.

I see a similar issue someone is having on an S4, but the thread is locked:

https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1016871

Still wondering what I can do. Can I downgrade my S3 OS? to 4.1/4.2?

ROCNDAV

I installed the sandisk app. It showed the used/available data but not the actual files.

I went through your steps above (note, 4.3 hides the developer option, so you have to go to:

settings -> about phone -> and then tap "Build number" 7 times

between steps 2 and 3, I unmounted the sdcard.

The sandisk app now shows the video files that I copied over, so I guess these steps do work.

Astro is still behaving the same, so I guess they must need to fix something with 4.3

Thanks Elector.

ROCNDAV

Another update for someone else that may run into this issue:

From Astro's site:

http://support.metago.net/entries/20565473-UPDATED-Can-t-view-find-my-external-storage-sd-card-USB-devices-

From ASTRO's default home directory (/mnt/sdcard) press 'Up' on the toolbar to navigate to /mnt. From here, there should be a folder(s) corresponding to your SD card and/or USB device. They are generally named 'sdcard-ext', 'sd_external1', or 'usb_storage'.

unknown

It was my pleasure to assist.

Have a nice weekend!