Android smartphones are becoming increasingly powerful and complex, which means that managing their internal storage can be a daunting task. One essential aspect of managing storage is understanding partition management, which allows you to maintain your device’s performance, optimize storage, and troubleshoot issues.
In this article, we will delve into the world of Android partition management, explore its importance, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to use partition managers effectively.
Part 1: The Definition of Android Partition Manager & Partition
What are Android Partitions?
Android partitions are sections of your device’s internal storage reserved for different purposes, such as the operating system, user data, and application data. Each partition has a specific function, and proper partition management ensures your device operates smoothly.
Common Android Partitions
- Boot partition: Contains the bootloader, which helps initialize the hardware and load the operating system.
- System partition: Stores the Android operating system and pre-installed system apps.
- Data partition: Holds user-installed apps and app data.
- Cache partition: Stores temporary data used by the system and apps.
- Recovery partition: Contains the recovery mode, which allows users to troubleshoot and fix issues with their device.
PS: if you have problems with the SD card won’t format or GPT Protective Partition Error, these are just for you.
Part 2: The Importance of Android Partition Management
Performance Optimization
Regular partition management can help maintain your device’s performance by preventing storage-related issues, such as low disk space or file fragmentation. Additionally, it can help you identify and remove unnecessary files or apps that consume storage and affect performance.
Troubleshooting and Recovery
Effective partition management allows you to diagnose and fix issues with your Android device. For example, if your device fails to boot, accessing the recovery partition can help you restore the system to a working state.
Part 3: The Steps of Partitioning Android SD card
We will show you how to partition the SD card for Android one step after another in the following instruction. Just follow the instructions.
1. What You Have to Prepare
- Jelly Bean, Android Gingerbread, or Ice Cream Sandwich: With these tools, you can speed up the working process, lengthen your battery usage time, manage your application better and get a more comfortable gaming experience.
- Busy Box: This app is installed on your Android device to make extra Linux-based commands for you. This is a necessary app because you will need some crucial commands to root your device while they are not approved.
- A smartphone or other Android devices.
- The MiniTool Partition wizard. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
- An SD card or Micro SD Card has at least 8 GB of storage space.
- Link2SD: This app allows you to easily transfer apps to the SD card. With the app, you can view, list, sort, repair, or manage the application. You can go to Google Play Store to download and install the tool.
- Swapper 2 (For users who would like to root the device)
Besides, let’s figure out how to fix the 0x8004242d partition formatting error and the 0xc0000185 error code.
Read the Notice Below Before You Start the Partition.
Start with being aware that you are about to format the SD card. This means all the data on the card will disappear.
So make sure you have backed up all the files on your computer if your SD card doesn’t have enough space to store your data, choose the most important files to back up.
To partition the device successfully, you need to root your Android device before that. The rooting process varies between different devices running the Android OS.
You should know that rooting is a very risky move since it may destroy your phone and undo your warranty.
If your phone is damaged by rooting, most phone manufacturing companies are not responsible for it. Therefore, you need to be responsible for the risk of rooting.
2. Root Android Device Step by Step
At the very beginning, unlock the bootloader. If you have no idea what a bootloader is, pay attention to the instructions we offer below. A bootloader is actually a system made to guide the operating system kernel to boot.
Normally, it is locked because the manufacturer allows no access to the operating system. When the bootloader on your device is locked, it is impossible to install a new ROM without unlocking it. A forced break may damage your device permanently.
2.1 How to Unlock Bootloader
Note: The instructions below are for Stock Android OS devices like Google Nexus. The Stock Operating System of Google is based on Android with no change in user interface UI.
#1: Get the Android SDK downloaded and installed on your system.
#2: After installing the SDK, turn off your device and turn it on in bootloader mode again.
#3: Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to your computer. Wait till all the drivers are installed automatically.
#4: Locate the terminal interface on your computer/command prompt when the installation is finished and input the command fastboot OEM unlock.
#5: Press enter right now. There will be an alert about bootloader unlocking showing on the screen. Look through the instructions carefully and press the volume up button and power button if you are confirmed about your choice.
At this point, you’ve unlocked the bootloader on your device successfully. Cheers!
Note:
For non-stock Android devices, you can get the unlocking tool from the manufacturer’s website directly as long as you know the model of your device. For example, you can download an SDK from the HTC official website.
But Samsung users have to notice that the official website doesn’t have a section to download unlocking tools.
For Samsung users, you can search for suitable tools on your own. For Sony users, you can use the available tool to unlock the bootloader. Make sure you install the right version for the model of your device.
As for LG users, there is no official tool on the website for you to download. However, you can give it a try on the Internet.
2.2 How to Root Android Device
After you unlock the bootloader successfully, it’s time for you to root the device. Rooting means that you have the right to access your device freely and are no longer restrained by the manufacturer. We still have to remind you to do extra carefully when rooting the device.
According to the operating system of the Android device or the manufacturer, the requirements of roots are not the same among devices.
However, a universal rooting procedure is available for you, which saves you time and energy. The universal rooting procedure can be applied to almost every hot Android device and some less popular devices.
So Just Try the Following Solution Out
1. Use SuperOneClick to root your device. Before you try this solution, you have to get the new version and install it on your computer.
2. Make the connection between your Android device and your computer.
Warning: Do not mount the SD card on your PC. The way we suggest most is to plug it in. Remember to open Settings and tick the USB debugging.
3. Click Root on SuperOneClick at last. However, if there is a NAND lock on your device, you may be unable to pull the unlock process successfully through unrevoked. In a case like this, you need to click Shell Root instead of Root. Check out the following picture.
4. After you hit the Root button, you can wait a while for the rooting process to end. When it is over, make sure you will reboot the device.
3. Partition Android SD Card Now
We take the 16GB Micro SD card for an example in the following instruction, but you can pick any SD card larger than 8GB.
Follow the steps below carefully to prevent potential issues. However, the article is not responsible for negligent damages to your Micro SD card, hardware, or the device itself.
Use an adapter to connect the SD card to your computer at the beginning. Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard Manager. You can download the app online.
There will be five partitions showing on the SD card. You only have to pay attention to partition 4, named FAT32. Now it’s time to dissect the partition to your wanted size. This is the place where all the files are saved.
In the column “create as”, choose the primary. Decide the size of this partition by splitting about 32MB for the swap partition and 512MB maximum for your applications.
You should set the 512 partitions as ext4 or ext3 and lab;e the 32MB partition as a swap. Besides 32, a specific ROM may require a different number. So you can follow what is suggested by your ROM developer.
Since you already reserved all the room of the Micro SD card for one of the three partitions, you can hit the button Apply and wait for a while. Make sure all the file systems, such as FAT32 and Ext2, are properly set as Primary.
Put your SD card back on your device and reboot it. Open Google Play Store and get the Link2SD downloaded. After installing and running the app, you are asked to select ext2, ext3, ext4, and FAT32. Choose ext2. Your applications will be installed in the ext2 partition.
When you create the manuscript successfully, get your device restarted immediately. Click link2SD to find whether the message indicates. If not, you can be relieved because the process is successfully done.
Now, Hit Link2SD, go to Settings, and lastly, Check the auto-link. Following the steps, you can transfer apps automatically after installation to the ext4 partition.
Hit the Storage Info option to check out the memory. You will get the hang of the current state of your ext2 partition, FAT3, and internal memory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: It is possible to accidentally delete or modify crucial partitions, which can lead to data loss or a non-functional device. Always exercise caution and backup your data before making any changes to partitions.
A: Some partition managers may require root access to perform certain actions, while others can function without it. Always check the app’s requirements before installation.
A: Partition managers can help optimize storage usage, but they cannot physically increase your device’s storage capacity.
Conclusion
Android partition management is a vital aspect of maintaining your device’s performance and troubleshooting issues. By understanding the different partitions and using a reliable partition manager, you can take control of your device’s storage and keep it running at optimal efficiency.
Remember to always backup your data before making any changes to partitions and choose a partition manager that best suits your needs and experience level. With proper partition management, you can ensure your Android device remains a powerful and reliable tool for years to come.
