SDFix: KitKat Writable MicroSD

3.8
21.2K reviews
1M+
Downloads
Content rating
Everyone
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About this app

*** THIS APP IS FOR ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT ONLY ***

*** REQUIRES ROOT ACCESS ***

Android 4.4 KitKat removes your ability to write files to the MicroSD card (on phones/tablets that have both internal memory and user-installed MicroSD cards). NextApp SDFix restores this ability by modifying a configuration file. As this app changes a system configuration file, it requires root access.

WARNING! PLEASE READ BEFORE INSTALLING:
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* THIS APP REQUIRES ROOT ACCESS. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS, PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL THE APP.
* This app is used to change a device configuration file.
* Please read this entire app listing for a description of exactly what this app does to determine if it is appropriate for your device and/or custom ROM.
* This app is designed to solve a specific problem. If you don't have that problem, don't install this app.
* This app is only useful on devices that have a user-installed MicroSD card. If you have a Google Nexus device or other device without a MicroSD card that you physically installed yourself, then this app isn't going to be helpful.
* This app is likely only useful if you have a stock ROM. If you're running an aftermarket ROM like Cyanogenmod, then there is no reason to install this app (good aftermarket ROMs don't suffer from the problem that this app corrects).
* NO WARRANTY: as is generally the case with all root modifications, you assume all risk by using this software.
* As with any root modification, ensure you have the knowledge to fully restore your device to stock if required.

[ About MicroSD Cards in Android 4.4 / KitKat ]

When Google released Android 4.4, they specified that applications you download can no longer write to user-installed MicroSD cards. Apps can still write to internal flash storage. Some devices (like Google Nexus devices) only have internal storage, and are unaffected. Other devices (e.g. Samsung Galaxy and Note devices) have the ability to expand their storage space by installing a MicroSD card. When KitKat is installed on such devices, apps are limited to only being able to manipulate files on the built-in storage, with write-access to the MicroSD card being restricted.

This change represents a removal of functionality compared with Android 4.3. 4.3 allowed apps to write to the MicroSD card, as did prior versions.

The limitation introduced in KitKat does not affect the capabilities of preinstalled apps, only apps you choose to install. Apps preinstalled by Google, your device manufacturer, and your carrier still have this ability. Only apps that you choose to install are restricted.

[ Technical Details ]

NextApp SDFix will modify the configuration file located at /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml to allow apps to write to the MicroSD card. Specifically, SDFix will add the Android UNIX group "media_rw" to the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission's configuration. This will enable apps (only those that you granted write access permissions to when you installed them) to write files to the MicroSD card. On many devices, this is effectively reverting the state of this permission back to the way it was configured in Android 4.3. This modification is carried out by modifying the existing XML file, rather than replacing it.

A backup of the original configuration file will be saved at /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml.original-pre-sdfix (provided one does not already exist). Reverting this modification can be accomplished by using a root -enabled file manager to replace the /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml file with the backed up version.

[ Additional Information ]

This app is free and has no advertisements (with the exception of links to other NextApp apps when it completes its task).

--- Please do not contact me with requests for information on how to obtain root access on your device. The process is different for every device, and often requires technical expertise to install. ---
Updated on
Sep 3, 2014

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Ratings and reviews

3.8
19.4K reviews
A Google user
January 15, 2019
First time I tried to use this, it would not work. It would get to the "Please Wait" page and would not go any further. Phone is older Samsung Galaxy S3 with factory 4.4.2 Version on it. ..... rooted of course. In order to get it to work, I moved all my data from the SD card to my computer, then formatted the SD card with my phone. Then I re-installed the SDFix and it completed. YAAAAY. I tested copying files to the SD card and it works now!!!! Thanks
124 people found this review helpful
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Amy Pagnozzi
April 3, 2021
This was a great app. Too bad there is no modern solution. I can't access the SD Cards of any of my 3 phones since upgrading to Android 10. (there's a workaround for the rooted one but do I need to root the rest just to grant access?). Fed up with Google removing more user control and convenience with each update. As soon as there is a viable new mobile OS, I'm outta here, Googlers. I'll even give Huawei a try. What can they possibly do with my private data that Google hasn't done already.
65 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
September 27, 2019
I had issues with my music media not being able to play. Searching Google and it said i had to edit some config files. Well this app does all that for you and it worked perfect. I rebooted my phone and my music worked again. Keep up the kick a$$ apps. For the people that leave crappy star reviews... Please go back to your iPhone!
29 people found this review helpful
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What's new

New update keeps indentation perfect in platform.xml.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO RUN SDFIX AGAIN WITH THIS UPDATE. If you've run SDFix previously and it worked correctly, there is no reason to re-download or re-run the app.