You may have heard that Google has implemented changes in the KitKat code base that affects the ability to write to the SD card. You may have even been suffering from this problem without even knowing it wasn't related to your device. Basically, Google is limiting app access on the SD card to their own little sandboxed folder, meaning that one app can no longer write to another app's folder.  

SanDisk's 128 GB microSD card isn't much use on KitKat without this fix. / © SanDisk

While Google's defense of this position is similar to their excuse for not including SD card slots on Nexus devices – that it wants to keep Android simple and free of file pickers – the truth is likely more about pushing cloud storage and devices with larger internal storage capacity on consumers. Of course, Google apps and OEM apps that are preloaded on devices can still read and write to the SD card, but third-party apps cannot. But never fear, the solution is at hand! This fix assumes your device is rooted.

Don't let the pretty colors fool you, SDFix is as simple and necessary as it gets. / © NextappSDFix

We've already shared flashable zips in the forum to solve this issue, but now you can now grab a nifty app called SDFix from the Play Store, which comes from a senior member over at XDA Developers. The app does nothing more complicated than modify a config file so your third-party apps have permission to read and write to the external SD card once again. All you need to do is launch it, go through the process, reboot and you're done. If you have a stock ROM and are rooted, this is the easiest method. Most custom ROMs are unaffected by the change as they made this mod ages ago.

If you want more information on the history and implications of the removal of SD card privileges in KitKat you can read this excellent breakdown by Cody Toombs at Android Police.

Have you been suffering from this issue? Have you taken the steps to repair it yourself?

View the original article here