[HOWTO] DTa2sd on MIUI

**justs** · 05-12-2011, 01:11 PM

See UPDATE @ bottom of this post.
First of all, in most MIUI versions, DTa2sd functionality is already integrated into the ROM and should work right from flash so long as you have your SD card partitioned with an EXT partition.

In the event that a2sd does not seem to be working for you, follow the steps below or the full guide in Post #2. Let's try and confine all future a2sd questions/issues to this thread.

Not sure why the sudden influx of a2sd questions, but I'll try and clear things up.

First, it is important to know that there are two types of a2sd, the in-built version by Google that came with the FroYo update and then the custom versions built by other devs (darktremor's a2sd is probably the most widely used/recognized.)

From Darktremor:

Darktremor Apps2SD is not the same as Froyo Apps2SD. Froyo Apps2SD creates a secure folder on the FAT32 section of your SD card (this is the section that you see when you mount your phone to your computer) and stores the programs there. This is nice as you don't have to do anything special with the phone, but it isn't backwards compatible with older versions of Android (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair) and, because of the way Froyo works, older programs not designed for Froyo will automatically stay on your internal storage (unless you install a program that forces the move to your SD card).

Darktremor Apps2SD takes a different approach. Based on the original CyanogenMod works, Darktremor Apps2SD uses symbolic linking to force Android into moving your applications to the SD card. Because Android will not allow anything to be ran from the FAT32 partition on your SD card (and, in Froyo, it will only allow you to run programs from a special folder), Darktremor utilizes filesystems called EXT2, EXT3 and EXT4. Each one of these filesystems is native to Linux (the operating system running Android), which allows you to run programs from them (same as, say, a computer running Ubuntu). This method is completely compatible with all versions of Android, including Froyo. In fact, you can run both the Darktremor Apps2SD and Froyo Apps2SD at the same time.

I personally have used DTa2sd on every version of MIUI since October without fail. The most important thing to know about a2sd is that you need to have your SD card formatted with an EXT partition (EXT3 is regarded as the most stable and widely compatible, while EXT4 is fastest.)

If you already have EXT3 setup on your SD the easiest way to get DTa2sd running is to flash it when you flash a new ROM/MIUI version:

Download and place this DTa2sd Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04 on the root of your SD
Boot into recovery
Wipe per usual
Flash ROM
Flash any customizations/kernels
Flash DTa2sd zip (order of 5 & 6 doesn't really matter)
Reboot
Open Titanium Backup and you should see a reference to SD card [a2sd] at the bottom
Alternately you can open terminal and type
Code:
```
su
/system/bin/a2sd check
```

As a follow up, I move my dalvik-cache to the SD before reinstalling any apps by going to Terminal and typing:

Code:

su
a2sd cachesd

The EVO will reboot and when you come back you can check Titanium and you should see a good increase in Internal space.

I keep a copy of DTa2sd Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04 on my SD and flash it everytime I flash MIUI, whether it needs it or not. I've never had an issue since doing this and I always have a2sd working from first reboot.

This has been verified to work on the HTC Desire as well (Thanks sineld.)

UPDATE:

Also, I can't personally vouch for this app because I don't have EXT setup on my SGSII, but based on the description an app called Link2SD appears to have the same functionality as DTa2sd only in app form. You may want to check it out and see if it works for you.

IMO, the number one advantage of DTa2sd over FroYo a2sd is that DT allows you to run all of your "SD apps" even when mounted to your pc/mac as a disk drive. This is due to the symlink setup. According to the description for Link2SD, the same is true for their setup. This could be a great option.

From Market Link:
- When you connect your phone to PC as mass storage, Android unmounts the first FAT partition but the second partition remains mounted. Therefore linked applications are not affected and can be run without problems.
- Link2SD does not move application's private data directory; it moves apk, dex (dalvik-cache) and lib files.

**justs** · 05-12-2011, 01:11 PM

Complete Steps for Setting up DTa2sd with MIUI. Taken from DT's thread and cleaned up for you all.

Download DTa2sd's latest release for EVO here: Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04.
Determine if you have setup your sd card with an ext partition
(easiest method on MIUI = Menu>Settings>System>SD card Settings>if you have a2sd (EXT) it will show up in the bottom section or open Terminal and type:
Code:
```
su
df-h
```
Scroll over to the right and look down the list for "sd-ext", if it appears you have EXT setup.)

if you have setup your sd card with EXT (existing users of a2sd...any version):

a. Copy DTa2sd Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04 to your sd card.
b. Reboot into recovery (proceed to step 3)

if you have not setup your sd card with EXT (those new to a2sd):
1. backup your sd card to your computer. can't stress this enough, as partitioning will wipe the entire card.
2. Reboot into recovery
3. In recovery, select Partition sdcard (AmonRA = Partition sdcard, CWM = Advanced>Partition sdcard) I have a 15MB SD and use a 1024 EXT, but you'll have to decide what works for you. 512 seems to be a common choice.
4. In the Partition sdcard menu, select partition sd
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to partition your sd card. You can optionally set a swap file while you are partitioning your sd card. (In CWM Partition SD goes right into selections (first one is EXT size, next swap, remaining FAT32)
6. Remain in the partition sdcard menu, select sd:ext2 to ext3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
7. ~Only perform this step if you want ext4 and your rom supports it: in the partition sdcard menu, select sd:ext3 to ext4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
8. Go back to the main menu.
9. Select USB-MS toggle and transfer the DTa2sd Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04 zip (and all your other files you backed up earlier) to your SD card from your computer.
10. Toggle USB-MS off
Still in recovery, select flash zip from sdcard.
Select the a2sd package file you downloaded earlier (Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04) and flash.
Reboot phone.
Check to see if you now have a2sd showing in your SD card Settings (alternately you can see this in Titanium Backup or use Terminal and type:
Code:
```
su
/system/bin/a2sd check
```
If you don't see any [x], you are good to go.If you see anything with [X], type
Code:
```
a2sd repair
```

NOTE: If you apply Darktremor A2SD 2.7 and still notice internal storage is decreasing, this is due to the dalvik-cache not being moved. By default, Darktremor A2SD will not move the dalvik-cache on boot.

If you want to move the dalvik-cache to the sd card, open Terminal Emulator on your EVO and type on of the following (I use a2sd cachesd):

Code:

a2sd cachesd (move dalvik to sd card)
a2sd cachesdreset (move dalvik to sd card and clears contents of dalvik-cache)
a2sd cachepart (move dalvik to cache partition)
a2sd cachepartreset (move dalvik to cache partition and clears contents of dalvik-cache) -OR-
a2sd help (for a list of all supported commands)

Make sure your SD card is at least a Class 4 before doing this, otherwise you may run into performance issues. You should be fine running on the cache partition. (I have a Class 2 and it still works great, YMMV.)

You still have other caches (i.e. browser caches) and other data being stored and updated in Internal Storage, so the number of free space will continue to drop, but at a slower rate (unless you are engage in heavy web surfing, tweeting or facebook socializing.) Clear cache via apps or settings can help with this if it gets out of hand.

Important Links:
Darktremor's OP at XDA - great info, more in depth and more a2sd commands
DTa2sd GUI - awesome app for controlling your DTa2sd setup. There are some bugs with the current update. Check XDA thread to report and get info.
The Root of All EVO - An nice clean general Howto for setting up DTa2sd

After successfully installing DTa2sd, your Titanium Backup homescreen should look similar to this:

**tismo** · 05-12-2011, 01:32 PM

I vote sticky. Thanks justs

**justs** · 05-12-2011, 01:39 PM

No problem tismo. I'll sticky it until it is no longer needed.

**ECrispy** · 05-12-2011, 03:38 PM

I think DTa2s is built into MIUI (or maybe its the kernel). I made an ext3 partition, did a full wipe (system, data, cache) and installed MIUI, and it recognized my ext3 partition and all the apps were already available.

**justs** · 05-12-2011, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by ECrispy

I think DTa2s is built into MIUI (or maybe its the kernel). I made an ext3 partition, did a full wipe (system, data, cache) and installed MIUI, and it recognized my ext3 partition and all the apps were already available.

That is correct as stated in the first sentence of this thread.

First of all, in most MIUI versions, a2sd is already integrated into the ROM and should work right from flash so long as you have your SD card partitioned with an EXT partition. In the event that a2sd does not seem to be working for you, follow the steps below or the full guide in Post #2.

This thread was created due to a number of questions re: a2sd, partitioning and some occasional issues with MIUI/a2sd. If a2sd is working for you, you can ignore this Howto and continue as you have been.

**saifulmuhajir** · 05-12-2011, 09:48 PM

Thank you, justs. This is what I needed.

**naerok** · 05-12-2011, 10:08 PM

sick post! great info on a very common question

**Scarlett** · 05-13-2011, 08:35 PM

WATCHING AND LEARNING

**justs** · 05-13-2011, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Scarlett

WATCHING AND LEARNING

hopefully we all are!

**verboze** · 05-14-2011, 02:07 AM

I've just had to reinstall DTA2SD after a clean flash. Somehow, restoring apps from MIUI backup installed them in internal memory. Probably should have done a2sd reinstall prior restoring apps... This thread was invaluable, thanks. Sharing my steps in case someone else runs into this issue. I ran everything with my phone connected to my computer, but you can skip the adb commands and run things directly on the phone via terminal emulator:
adb shell
a2sd reinstall (phone reboots)
adb shell
a2sd zipalign
a2sd repair
exit
adb reboot

Somehow, I had to run repair for all my apps to launch properly.

**justs** · 05-14-2011, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by verboze

I've just had to reinstall DTA2SD after a clean flash. Somehow, restoring apps from MIUI backup installed them in internal memory. Probably should have done a2sd reinstall prior restoring apps... This thread was invaluable, thanks.
Somehow, I had to run repair for all my apps to launch properly.

Glad you got it working. Also, those are good commands for people to know so thanks for posting that. And yes, if you flash DTa2sd directly after the ROM in the same recovery session, you shouldn't have to go through any of the push/install/repair steps. Hope it keeps running smoothly for you and make sure you check out the DTa2sdGUI app that I linked in post#2. It's a pretty decent front-end for DTa2sd.

**MonsterMatt** · 05-18-2011, 01:40 PM

Okay as Im a first timer when it comes to any form of a2sd I was curious, will this work on other ROMs? Such as Sense or CM should I ever want to take a peek at those again

.

**justs** · 05-18-2011, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by MonsterMatt

Okay as Im a first timer when it comes to any form of a2sd I was curious, will this work on other ROMs? Such as Sense or CM should I ever want to take a peek at those again

.

I responded to you at XDA also, but yes this works with many many ROMs. The list is usually up at DT's thread at XDA. Link in Post#2 here.

**MonsterMatt** · 05-18-2011, 04:22 PM

Thanks! For both posts! Lol now for the hard part and getting it all set up

don74y3 · 05-18-2011, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by justs

Complete Steps for Setting up DTa2sd with MIUI. Taken from DT's thread and cleaned up for you all.

Download DTa2sd's latest release for EVO here: Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04.
Determine if you have setup your sd card with an ext partition
(easiest method on MIUI = Menu>Settings>System>SD card Settings>if you have a2sd (EXT) it will show up in the bottom section or open Terminal and type:
Code:
```
su
df-h
```
Scroll over to the right and look down the list for "sd-ext", if it appears you have EXT setup.)

if you have setup your sd card with EXT (existing users of a2sd...any version):

if you have not setup your sd card with EXT (those new to a2sd):

[*]Still in recovery, select flash zip from sdcard.[*]Select the a2sd package file you downloaded earlier (Version 2.7.5.3 Beta 04) and flash.[*]Reboot phone.[*]Check to see if you now have a2sd showing in your SD card Settings (alternately you can see this in Titanium Backup or use Terminal and type:

Code:

su
/system/bin/a2sd check

[*] If you don't see any [x], you are good to go.If you see anything with [X], type

Code:

a2sd repair

[/LIST]

NOTE: If you apply Darktremor A2SD 2.7 and still notice internal storage is decreasing, this is due to the dalvik-cache not being moved. By default, Darktremor A2SD will not move the dalvik-cache on boot.

If you want to move the dalvik-cache to the sd card, open Terminal Emulator on your EVO and type on of the following (I use a2sd cachesd):

Code:

a2sd cachesd (move dalvik to sd card)
a2sd cachesdreset (move dalvik to sd card and clears contents of dalvik-cache)
a2sd cachepart (move dalvik to cache partition)
a2sd cachepartreset (move dalvik to cache partition and clears contents of dalvik-cache) -OR-
a2sd help (for a list of all supported commands)

Make sure your SD card is at least a Class 4 before doing this, otherwise you may run into performance issues. You should be fine running on the cache partition. (I have a Class 2 and it still works great, YMMV.)

You still have other caches (i.e. browser caches) and other data being stored and updated in Internal Storage, so the number of free space will continue to drop, but at a slower rate (unless you are engage in heavy web surfing, tweeting or facebook socializing.) Clear cache via apps or settings can help with this if it gets out of hand.

Important Links:
Darktremor's OP at XDA - great info, more in depth and more a2sd commands
DTa2sd GUI - awesome app for controlling your DTa2sd setup
The Root of All EVO - An nice clean general Howto for setting up DTa2sd

After successfully installing DTa2sd, your Titanium Backup homescreen should look similar to this:

clockwork mod.. doesnt have partition sd card.. how can i do it another way...

**rayfin** · 05-18-2011, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by don74y3

clockwork mod.. doesnt have partition sd card.. how can i do it another way...

Try ROM Manager from the Market

**BIGWORM** · 05-19-2011, 11:42 PM

Question about a2sd with this rom. I had created a EXT3 partition on my SD card for 2GB on a rom before this one. I installed this ROM fully, apps and all, but didn't activate a2sd until later. I installed it, and TiBackup is saying that I only have ~365MB of a2sd space, instead of 2GB, which I should have. I'm assuming it's ready that because I didn't flash a2sd when I installed the ROM in the same recovery, correct? Is there anyway to fix that without having to reinstall the whole ROM from scratch?

**justs** · 05-20-2011, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by don74y3

clockwork mod.. doesnt have partition sd card.. how can i do it another way...

Did you get it working? If not, see my recent post/reply here.

Originally Posted by BIGWORM

Question about a2sd with this rom. I had created a EXT3 partition on my SD card for 2GB on a rom before this one. I installed this ROM fully, apps and all, but didn't activate a2sd until later. I installed it, and TiBackup is saying that I only have ~365MB of a2sd space, instead of 2GB, which I should have. I'm assuming it's ready that because I didn't flash a2sd when I installed the ROM in the same recovery, correct? Is there anyway to fix that without having to reinstall the whole ROM from scratch?

No that shouldn't do it. I have flashed DTa2sd days after flashing and running MIUI with no issues. Something is up with your partitions. First reboot a couple of times and see if that does anything. If not run the reinstall command from terminal and see if that fixes it. If not, I would back up your SD and repartition. Then just copy everything back over and flash DTa2sd in recovery before restoring apps via TB.

It also could have something to do with your previous setup. Depending on what ROM you were running and if you were running Google a2sd or DTa2sd, very different methods there.

**BIGWORM** · 05-20-2011, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by justs

Did you get it working? If not, see my recent post/reply here.

No that shouldn't do it. I have flashed DTa2sd days after flashing and running MIUI with no issues. Something is up with your partitions. First reboot a couple of times and see if that does anything. If not run the reinstall command from terminal and see if that fixes it. If not, I would back up your SD and repartition. Then just copy everything back over and flash DTa2sd in recovery before restoring apps via TB.

It also could have something to do with your previous setup. Depending on what ROM you were running and if you were running Google a2sd or DTa2sd, very different methods there.

In my last setup, I just partitioned the sd with an ext3, I never ran the dta2sd zip in recovery. Tibackup did pick up the 2gb ext3 I had setup, and I used Apps 2 sd free from the market to move apps to the sd. I'm thinking I messed up two fold, but not flashing that zip, and by using that app I used. Am I gonna have to repartition when I get home?