Of all the things you can do with a smartphone, managing files is probably last on anyone’s list, right above using the phone as a hockey puck.
From last Wednesday’s post, my point was that file management isn’t something anyone needs to bother with on a cell phone. In fact, I would say flat-out do not do any file management on your phone. I just can’t see the point.
Now that I’ve said that, how about some cell phone file management!
While there are apps on most Android mobile devices for file management, you can do the best file management by mounting the device into your computer’s storage system: Connect the USB cable and choose the option to mount the phone as USB Mass Storage.
On a Windows computer, choose the option to open your mobile device to view its files: Open Folder to View Files. The device’s storage is then mounted into your computer’s storage, and you can view and manipulate the files there.
My PC shows my Android phone as Removable Disk N. On that drive I find a slew of folders and files, all stuff that’s created, organized, and stored on the device, though because it’s mounted into the Windows storage system, I can manipulate and access the files just as if they were on my computer.
(The Mac works similarly, though the device shows up as a NO NAME removable drive.)
The number of folders you see on your mobile gizmo depends on what software you’ve installed. Apps create their own folder. When you use the Kindle app, for example, it creates a kindle folder. Kobo creates a Kobo folder, and so on.
You may find the one or more of the following folders on your Android gizmo:
.android_secure This is a system directory, used by the Android operating system to store apps.
Android Another directory used by the Android operating system.
DCIM The Digital Camera IMages folder, which is where pictures and videos are stored.
download The folder where things downloaded from the Internet are saved, either copied from a web page or saved as an email attachment.
LOST.DIR Yet another system directory.
Media A folder that is created to store audio and other files, such as your own ringtones, alarms, and notifications.
Music The folder used by the Music app to store and organize your tunes.
None of these folders are worth messing with directly. You can look in them if you want to appreciate what’s stored there and how it’s stored. But beyond that, don’t bother.
Remember, the best way to get media to your gizmo is to use a synchronization program, such as doubleTwist or the Windows Media Player.
If you need to copy files over to the Android device, then you just place them in the main or root folder. There is no need to build a folder tree for your stuff, or try to divine where the device itself places the data.
Bottom line: Look, but don’t touch. File systems appeal to the nerd in me, but I’m experienced enough to know that there’s no point in messing with a structure pre-created and used by the operating system.
