[Android Apps and Games] Saro43:
Help moving WhatsApp Media to Second Partition

Hi folks. Thanks for all your efforts developing and supporting a wonderful App.

I just emailed Mr. Bulent Akpinar, my request. I thought probably I could find some of you to help me, if I post the same query here.

I have the Plus Edition of Link2SD.

Device is Lenovo Yoga Tab 3

Running Stock ROM, Marshmallow 6.0.1, TWRP Recovery, Rooted using Magisk.

External SD Card partitioned using MiniTool as FAT32 - 1st Partition, and EXT4 - Second Partition.

Background:

Had a lot of trouble mounting the Second Partition. Nothing helped, whether EXT2, 3 or 4, and whether FAT32 Partition active or not.

Finally, used Apps2SD Pro, converted Link2SD to System App. In Apps2SD, selected don't have init.d/su.d support, and selected the Magisk option. I had to set the post-fs-data.d path in Apps2SD Settings, also set 'Ignore Systemless root' in Settings, and successfully created the Mount Script. I then uninstalled Apps2SD Pro, and then Link2SD could detect the mount in it's Storage info.

I could link WhatsApp 'Data' to the Ext4. I didn't bother moving the App (Apk+Dex+Lib) because they don't occupy much space, and I thought it best to leave them on the Faster Internal Memory.

I assumed Data would also include all the WhatsApp Media files (Video, Images, Audio, Docs, GIF's, Voice notes, Stickers, etc).

And so did some exploring using a Root Explorer, and found that the Data folder only contained the WhatsApp Database db file, containing all the messages, etc, and not the Media.

I found that 'strange' because the very purpose of developing an App like Link2SD was to de-clog the Internal Memory. And when you compare the Data folder to the Media Folder. The Media folder is like 10 times. Just linking the Data, and not linking the Media gives me a little benefit. How could it be possible that Link2SD Developer missed out on the Elephant in the room.

So, was wondering if there is some way I can do it using Link2SD. Is it really not possible with Link2SD in the present version?

If not, then what are the alternatives.

I have been searching and reading through various forums a lot over this. But could not find anything conclusive.

Some say use FolderMount. Some others say it doesn't work well with Magisk. And that we should use Magisk FolderMount Module instead.

Others say use Xposed module called "Xinternal SD"

Some ask to use Scripts like CronMod-A2SD/D2EXT/INT2EXT (updated 08/06) - xda-developers (or) Mounts2SD

Whereas https://xdaforums.com/general/general/mount-binding-sd-card-folder-moving-t3869326 says using Xposed or Folder Mount is over-kill, and the same can be done by Mount Binding the SD Card folder.

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=62220708&postcount=253 posts a method using Link2SD + a Terminal Emulator + Titanium . I believe he suggests creating a soft-link but the method is not reliably detailed.

Wondering which to try. Would be so much easier if it could be done from within Link2SD itself..

Please. Would be great if you could spare some time, and just point me on the best way to go. My goal is to have the WhatsApp Media folder linked to External SD, so it doesn't occupy space in my Internal SD Card.

P.S. https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/magisk-init-d-link-t3579550 says that Init.D support can be created, even if we don't have it.

**(About Xinternal SD)** I tried it. Another half-baked program, another half-hearted attempt. I find it so difficult to believe. When they try to provide a solution, don't they even look at the architecture and data layout of the Program, the whole footprint. How can they miss out on the Folder where the Program occupies the bulk of it's space.

XInternal SD Developer & team?? - I don't know. Don't they run through their program even once putting themselves in the feet of an user. They don't have any Help Documentation. Ok, you specify the path to the Internal SD Card, and enable for an App for your choice, but should someone let us know what actually happens with each choice. And say, ok, you enable it for WhatsApp (com.whatsapp). Then you further have to move directories, and all, but who is going to tell us that, and the proper way as the developer intended. and which one, the one in storage/emulated/0/android/data/ folder, or the one in /data/data and what about the WhatsApp folder in /data/media/0

These developers they blindfold you and send you into a maze full of sabotages... Really. Better they not do anything at all, than give us this half-baked crap-ware that eats up all our time, sends us up blind alleys, and in the end leaves us empty, and high and dry.