The Google Play edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4 has just received its update to Android 4.3. But along with the update comes a problem that is affecting users' handsets. It seems that for some reason, the update to Android 4.3 brings with it a bug that prevents apps from writing to a microSD card. Any attempt to do so results in an error message. The reason for this is that the apps are not seen as in the right group to be able to write on the card. Hopefully, this will soon be corrected.
In the meantime, you can go to the Google Play Store and install ES File Explorer which happens to be in the right group for writing to and reading from a microSD card. If your phone is rooted, you can get into the files and make the appropriate fix yourself directly on the phone, or from your PC. In basic terms, you are telling your phone that it is ok to give permission to the media-rw group to write to the microSD card. Once you get into the /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml file, you need to focus on line 71. Check the photo below. All you are doing is adding that permission.
If you don't want to root your phone or you're worried about bricking it, you can always stick to ES File Explorer. And hopefully, a fix will be sent out soon.
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You can edit your phone to allow apps to write on a microSD card
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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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