[SOLVED] File Deletions Not Working in Android TV OS

Jolga77

Member
I tried several file managers and are they were unable to delete files on my external HDD. I don't think this rather minor glitch is unique to the T5 because my wife's Bravia has had the same niggle since the big OS update some time back. It's not a biggie, but it is slightly more convenient to delete them on the TV. Ha! Ha! if this is the only problem I have with the box then it is REALLY GOOD! In French, we have an expression "Se plaindre le ventre plein" which when translated means "Complaining when your stomach is full!" That's me all right:cool:
 
Last edited:
@notrui & @Villa I remember that each time I installed the file explorers I was asked to grant permission to access the file structure. Which I did. Perhaps there is a bug in Android TV's file system access code? Do any of you have Android OS TV's that are exhibiting the same glitch?
 
@notrui & @Villa I remember that each time I installed the file explorers I was asked to grant permission to access the file structure. Which I did. Perhaps there is a bug in Android TV's file system access code? Do any of you have Android OS TV's that are exhibiting the same glitch?
My experience with the T5 and writing to external has been a bit hit 'n miss!
Some apps, after granting permission, work where others don't.

I'm pretty sure ES File Explorer is one that does work. I will have to check!
 
@Villa & @notrui I grabbed a mod APK of ES File Explorer. Why? Some YouTubers mentioned concerns about spyware. Of course, it could have been clickbait but just to be on the safe side I got an ad-free mod. But, I digress ..... so, I tried to delete files 2 or 3 times and after the operations were complete it said task failed.

If you have or find one that works, please give us the exact name of the apk file so we can get it. I have a feeling there are a lot of apk's of this kicking around.
 
@Jolga77 I tried both ES File Explorer and FX File Explorer and they both have write access to a USB drive after granting permission. I can move files and delete them.
 
@Villa .... You mean you have to connect them there HDD's???? I didn't know Ha! Ha! But seriously, you guys have done it!, Now my OCD-Pig-Headedness has been awakened and once this happens it will not subside until this minor bug is crushed forever:devilish::alien:

I think I may have a line on what's been going on. First what didn't work: I tried every file manager imaginable, small ones, big ones, root explorers. Download, install, run, uninstall, Wash, Rinse, Repeat y Nada, Nothing, Ziltch ... the Big O... etc. Then I thought it could be the powered USB Hub which could be introducing an incompatibility to the mix. I have a La Cie 500GB which my wife uses on her TV. It's SCSI. They are not only faster but don't typically need as much power as the new monster 4TB or + drives. I connected it ... yes @Villa I connected it:cool: to the T5 and ..............it didn't work either.

Then I grabbed a 32GB Sandisk USB I had lying around, copied a test file to it and ......... yes... my regular favourite X-Plore deleted it perfectly!! Hmmmm now I had a lead to follow. I checked the file system on the HDD's and it is NTFS. Then I looked at the one on the little USB exFat! Ah! Ha! I found the Guilty Party! Mr. Mustard in the Den with A Knife!!! No no, sorry wrong game!:)

Now, how to convert the 4TB Seagate to exFat without any data destruction. It can be done, but not without severe fragmentation along with all the drawbacks that entails. Ok, I'll just copy the 500 GB of data from the Seagate 4TB to my screaming, highly modified in Cali, Zenbook Pro. It will be done in no time. No way Jose! The Zenbook only has a 500GB SDD so too small. My wife is using her little, fast as Hell, HP Hot Rod, so I am relegated to my 6-year-old 23 inch, HP All-In-One that I only use for teaching on the Internet.

It's doing it now .... 1 hour and 15 minutes for a copy that would only take 30 on my Zenbook.

Once that's done I will format the Seagate to exFAT and Bob should be my uncle!

I will update you once I have done the final test. It ain't over til it's over!
 
Last edited:
@Villa .... You mean you have to connect them there HDD's???? I didn't know Ha! Ha! But seriously, you guys have done it!, Now my OCD-Pig-Headedness has been awakened and once this happens it will not subside until this minor bug is crushed forever:devilish::alien:

I think I may have a line on what's been going on. First what didn't work: I tried every file manager imaginable, small ones, big ones, root explorers. Download, install, run, uninstall, Wash, Rinse, Repeat y Nada, Nothing, Ziltch ... the Big O... etc. Then I thought it could be the powered USB Hub which could be introducing an incompatibility to the mix. I have a La Cie 500GB which my wife uses on her TV. It's SCSI. They are not only faster but don't typically need as much power as the new monster 4TB or + drives. I connected it ... yes @Villa I connected it:cool: to the T5 and ..............it didn't work either.

Then I grabbed a 32GB Sandisk USB I had lying around, copied a test file to it and ......... yes... my regular favourite X-Plore deleted it perfectly!! Hmmmm now I had a lead to follow. I checked the file system on the HDD's and it is NTFS. Then I looked at the one on the little USB exFat! Ah! Ha! I found the Guilty Party! Mr. Mustard in the Den with A Knife!!! No no, sorry wrong game!:)

Now, how to convert the 4gb Seagate to exFat without any data destruction. It can be done, but not without severe fragmentation along with all the drawbacks that entails. Ok, I'll just copy the 500 GB of data from the Seagate 4GB to my screaming, highly modified in Cali, Zenbook Pro. It will be done in no time. No way Jose! The Zenbook only has a 500GB SDD so too small. My wife is using her little, fast as Hell, HP Hot Rod, so I am relegated to my 6-year-old 23 inch, HP All-In-One that I only use for teaching on the Internet.

It's doing it now .... 1 hour and 15 minutes for a copy that would only take 30 on my Zenbook.

Once that's done I will format the Seagate to exFAT and Bob should be my uncle!

I will update you once I have done the final test. It ain't over til it's over!
Yep, looks like you are correct!

I checked the micro SD card I have attached which is FAT32 and the micro card in a USB reader was FAT32 also, I think? (may have even been FAT. It's just a 2GB ard for testing and updates!)
I formatted this card to NTFS and ran in to write issues!

There has been a discussion in private about write issues but I don't recall if we ever solved it. Now looks like we have!
 
Just tested the 4TB drive and it deletes all files perfectly and smoothly. In fact, if you have any files to delete, send them to me and I will wipe them free of charge on my T5:). Many thanks to @Villa and @notrui. Without your kind assistance, dimwitted me would have taken even longer to figure it out.(y) PS I changed the thread title to: Solved!!!!!!! to make it easier for people to know that my rambling posts can sometimes lead to a tangible outcome. Is that OK? If not, I'll go back in and remove it.
 
Just tested the 4TB drive and it deletes all files perfectly and smoothly. In fact, if you have any files to delete, send them to me and I will wipe them free of charge on my T5:). Many thanks to @Villa and @notrui. Without your kind assistance, dimwitted me would have taken even longer to figure it out.(y) PS I changed the thread title to: Solved!!!!!!! to make it easier for people to know that my rambling posts can sometimes lead to a tangible outcome. Is that OK? If not, I'll go back in and remove it.

Well done in solving your problem mate :).

I've been experiencing a similar issue with a T5 in that I was unable to get my T5 to write to any micro SD cards at all.

I tested cards formatted in NTFS, exFAT & FAT32 but it didn't make any difference for me, no write capabilities. It's possible that the card I have formatted in exFAT itself is the problem. I typically just use NTFS, or FAT32 if needed, but rarely exFAT so I just used an old card in that particular format.)

I've been following the progress of your issues as it certainly seemed to be very similar to the issues I was experiencing so I'll reformat a proven micro SD card in exFAT for my T5 & see if that helps :).

Thanks for posting your progress & resolution :).
 
Back
Top