How to configure Adoptable Storage on Galaxy S7, other memory issues

Ever wonder how to improve the decent storage capacity of your #GalaxyS7? Samsung was not very generous with Galaxy S7 and S7 edge’s internal storage at all but they did offer a workaround to let users significantly add more GBs in their phone with Adaptable Storage feature. This post gives you a short discussion on how to configure it in an S7 or S7 edge. This article also discusses other memory-related issues so we hope this will of help.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Below are specific topics we’re bringing for you today:

Problem 1: Galaxy S7 edge keeps saying phone number is registered to another device

Phone (Sprint) has a message that says that my phone number is registered on another device and that it needs to be registered on my new one, but it doesn’t say how to do it. just recently sold my old phone which was a Samsung Note 4. So i don’t have access to that one. New phone is a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Any help would be much appreciated. — Mandy Babel

Solution: Hi Mandy. Only your carrier can help you with this issue. We can see that you’re from Sprint, which is a CDMA network, so your account and phone number are associated with your old phone. In an ideal situation, you’re supposed to wipe your phone first and tell Sprint afterwards that you are selling it. That way, they can disassociate your account from that device and allow the buyer to use it. Make sure that you contact Sprint and tell them about the situation. All the things that are needed can only be done in their end so you’re basically helpless in a sense in this one.

Problem 2: Galaxy S7 settings have changed following an update

After the new update it has changed all my settings. Music has disappeared, favorite contacts gone, no names to messages, sound is quieter and won’t higher up. My phone has completely changed and it’s used all my data allowance over night while updating. It’s a bloody joke. What’s gone on? — Diane

Solution: Hi Diane. Most updates modify things under the hood and do not normally change customizations of users or delete user files such as music. If a lot of things has changed in your device after you installed an Android update, there must be something wrong with the update or system. Try wiping the cache partition first and see how it works. Here are the steps:

Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
Now highlight the option ‘Yes’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Cache partition wipe will delete the existing system cache and force the phone to build a new one over time. If nothing happens after doing, which means that the problem continues afterwards, make sure that you install updates for your apps as well. A lot of Android users are keen on installing Android updates but not so when it comes to apps. This can sometimes be problematic since not all apps are built to be compatible with all phone models, firmware, or Android version. If you have one incompatible app installed, it may be enough to cause problems like the ones you’re experiencing right now. If you haven’t yet, make sure that you install updates for all your apps.

If all your apps are already updated at this time, you should then back all your files up (photos, videos, etc.) as preparation for the final troubleshooting step — factory reset. The aim of this troubleshooting step is to see if a content (app) or bug is responsible for the trouble. Factory reset returns all software settings to their defaults so it effectively removes any bug that may have developed over time or after an update. Be sure to check how everything works after a factory reset when there are no apps installed. Don’t install apps right away. When you install apps, make sure to do it one by one so you can observe the phone. This is the only way to see if an app is problematic or not.

If you haven’t tried a factory reset yet, here’s how to do it:

From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
Find and tap Settings and then touch Backup and reset.
Tap Factory data reset and touch Reset device.
If you have screen lock feature turned on, enter your password or PIN.
Touch Continue.
Tap Delete all to confirm your action.

Problem 3: Galaxy S7 not detecting SD cards

Hi. I have purchased the Samsung Galaxy S7 Verizon model online. I have tried to insert two different types and size of SD card which was working in my older phone but phone doesn’t show me any notification to use/format. Actually it’s not detecting at all. I have even format the card in PC and also tried to use but no different. later I did the factory reset all for the phone but still no solution. Any suggestion will be helpful for me. — Hiren

Solution: Hi Hiren. A situation like this usually occurs if the phone’s SD card slot is defective. Since you’ve already tried using at least 2 SD cards, it’s most likely an issue with the phone more than the SD cards. Since you’ve already tried a factory reset before contacting, this is definitely not a software issue. Unfortunately, there’s really nothing much that you can do about this issue at your end. We suggest that you send the phone in so your phone can be repaired or replaced.

Problem 4: How to configure Adoptable Storage on Galaxy S7

Just got the S7 from Boostmobile. Put in a 200GB SD card, hooked it up To computer, tried the ADB shell to set up card 50/50 for storage. it did not Give a number for the card had a list like smprivate mount true/false. Went to Youtube, watched a video on how to do it. The guy, after plugging in the S7, clicked the drop down, choose SD card message, then clicked install software. I did the same thing but have no install software option. Help please. hope you reply and have a way to do this. thanks. — Terry

Solution: Hi Terry. Are you trying to format your SD card to become an internal storage, also known as adoptable storage? If you are, we recommend that you visit other sites that provide validated guides on how to do it. Try to use Google to find videos and sites. Alternatively, you can follow PaulOBrien’s guide and see if the steps are still working at this time. We were able to do the steps he provided in our review Galaxy S7 a year ago but can’t confirm if they are still working at this time.

Problem 5: How to recover missing photos from Galaxy S7

All my photos have disappeared from my phone a couple days back. I have tried almost everything i could do manually but i still haven’t found them. This happened before i backed up my photos. What should i do? — Emilia

Solution: Hi Emilia. First of all, if those files were accidentally deleted before you created your back up, there’s a slim chance you’ll be able to recover them.

Secondly, if those missing files were simply moved to a different location or folder, you may be to get them back by manually checking each and every folder there is. To allow you to do that more efficiently, consider backing up everything in a computer via Smart Switch. Once you’ve copied everything to Smart Switch, use your computer to browse every folder under your backup file.

As a last resort, you can try to tapping the expertise of third party companies that offer data recovery services. If you think those missing files are worth a few hundred bucks, you can send your phone to a third party company to allow them to scan your phone to recover whatever file traces they can detect. There’s no guarantee though that they can recover everything so it’s a gamble. If money is not an issue, use Google to search for reputable companies that handle this kind of job.