Android Partitions Explained

If you've been using your Android phone for calls, SMS, browsing, and basic apps, you should be aware that Android organizes files and folders on the device using several partitions. Each of these partitions plays a distinct role in the device's functionality. The following 6 partitions are logically present in all Android devices:

The SD Card File System Partitions are also included:

This guide will walk you through all about Android partitions.

Android Partitions Structure

There are a total of 8 partitions, 6 of which are internal and 2 of which are external. Only one of these eight partitions (/sdcard) is found on all devices, whereas others may only be found on specific devices. All of this is explained further below:

1. /boot

As the term implies, this is the partition that allows the Android device to boot. It consists of the kernel and the ramdisk. A kernel is a layer of code that allows the operating system and applications to communicate with your phone's hardware. The quality of the kernel code determines the extent to which you can access your phone's hardware features. Choosing a custom kernel means selecting the one that works best with your ROM.

The device will not be able to boot without this partition. Therefore, wiping this partition from the recovery should be done only when necessary. Once done, you should NOT reboot the device before installing a new one. You can accomplish it by installing a ROM with a /boot partition.

2. /system

Apart from the kernel and the ramdisk, this partition holds the entire operating system. It involves the Android user interface and all system applications pre-installed on the device. Removing this partition will eliminate Android from the device without rendering it unbootable. You can still install a new ROM by booting the phone into recovery or bootloader mode.

It contains AOSP source code for system applications and libraries. This partition is mounted read-only during normal operating conditions; its components change only during an OTA update or when flashing a new OS.

3. /recovery

It is specifically intended for backup. This recovery partition is an alternative boot partition that allows you to boot your Android device to a recovery console for advanced recovery and maintenance operations. It is also the most common approach for flashing custom ROMs.

4. /data

The data partition, also known as user data, stores the user's data - it's where your contacts, messages, settings, and installed apps are stored. Wiping this partition may perform a factory reset on your device, restoring it to the state it was in when you first booted it or the state it was in after the most recent official or custom ROM installation. You are wiping this partition when you perform a wipe data/factory reset from recovery.

5. /cache

Almost everybody is familiar with the cache. It is where Android keeps frequently accessed data and app components. Wiping the cache does not affect your data; it simply removes any existing data, which is automatically rebuilt as you operate the device. It is a temporary storage area used by a few applications, with the expectation that files will vanish anytime.

6. /misc

This partition incorporates system settings in the form of on/off switches. CID (Carrier or Region ID), USB configuration, and specific hardware settings are included in the settings. It is a vital partition; if it is corrupted or missing, several device features will not work correctly.

It's a small partition used by recovery to communicate with the bootloader and store information about what it's doing in case the device reboots. At the same time, the OTA package is being applied. It is a boot mode selector that transfers data between stages of the boot chain.

7. /sdcard

It is not a partition on the device's internal memory but rather an SD card on the external. It is your storage space to use as you see fit to store your media, documents, ROMs, and so on. Removing it is completely safe as long as you back up all the data you need from it to your computer. Although many user-installed apps save their data and settings on the SD card, wiping this partition will lose all that data.

The /sdcard partition is always used to refer to the internal SD card on devices with both internal and external SD cards. If an external SD card is present, an alternative partition is used, which varies by device.

8. /sd-ext

It is not a standard Android partition but has gained popularity in the custom ROM community. It is an additional partition on your SD card that acts as the /data partition when used with certain ROMs that support APP2SD+ or data2ext.

It is particularly useful on devices with limited internal memory for the /data partition. As a result, users who want to install more programs than the internal memory allows can create this partition and use it in conjunction with a custom ROM that supports this feature to gain additional storage for installing their apps.

Wiping this partition is similar to wiping the /data partition in that you lose your contacts, SMS, market apps, and settings.

It brings our tour of Android partitions to a close. Now, whenever you install a ROM or mod that requires you to wipe certain partitions before installation, you should be able to tell what you're losing and what you're not, and thus know what to backup and what not.

How To Know Your Android Device Partition Size

By executing Android Debug Bridge (ADB) commands, you can know your Android device partition size without rooting. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Set up the Android SDK

You must first install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer. Download the official ADB. Then, extract it to a location on your computer that is convenient for you. It will enable your PC to recognize your device in ADB mode. You will receive the platform-tools folder, which you can use to access your Android device partition size.

Step 2. Switch on USB debugging

To enable USB Debugging, go to Settings > About Phone > Seven times, tap the Build Number, then return to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options.

Step 3. Start CMD within ADB

Connect your Android device to the computer. First, make sure USB Debugging is turned on. Then navigate to the platform-tools folder, enter CMD in the address bar, and press Enter. It will open the Command Prompt window.

Step 4. Enter the commands

Type the following commands in the cmd and press Enter.

adb shell

df

The first value is the size, followed by the used number of blocks, the available blocks, and the block size (blksize).

Bonus Tips: How To Recover Data if You Accidentally Deleted or Lost an Android Partition

What if you lost or deleted an Android partition by mistake? It could be a significant headache. Fortunately, you can recover deleted or lost Android partitions using reliable software. One of the top solutions is Wondershare Dr.Fone. If you’re finding a fast, simple, and feature-rich data recovery software, Wondershare Dr. Fone will satisfy you.

Dr.Fone includes the following features:

Steps To Recover Phone Data Using Dr.Fone

Follow the steps listed below to recover deleted photos from your Android phone's system memory:

Step 1. Connect Android to PC (insert SD card)

Select Data Recovery from the Dr.Fone menu. Using a USB cable, connect your Android phone to the computer.

Step 2. Dr.Fone will scan for deleted or lost files

Select Scan mode. Dr.Fone will begin scanning the files on the internal memory of the Android phone.

Step 3. Selectively recover files

Preview the recovered photos and successfully recover the deleted photos.

Summing Up

We hope that this article assists you in exploring the Android partitions in the simplest way possible. Exploring the Android partition structure is essential for better organizing your device and fixing issues. If you wish to recover data after accidentally deleting or losing an Android partition, visit Wondershare Dr.Fone.