Android folders not accessible via USB drive

[JimS]

I access my phone from my laptop via a USB cable.

When trying to add folders to Mp3tag my Android phone (Andromeda) only sporadically shows up in name only with no subdirectories. This behavior is inconsistent with Windows 10 Explorer which provides full access to my phone.

When the phone does show up, there are no folders shown.

My goal is to modify my mp3 tags directly on my phone rather than upload them to my laptop, modify them, and then download them.

Here are the images of Windows Explorer and Mp3tag file manager showing the differences.

Windows Explorer

MP3Tag

I have tried refreshing the folder and rebooting the phone to no avail. Searching this site showed no information on accessing files in this manner. About six or so related issues that popped up did not address my specific problem. Although one answer claimed that Android may not allow applying tags to MP3 files.

I am using Windows 10 and my phone is a Galaxy s10+

Regards,
Jim

[ohrenkino]

See here:

Sony Android Walkman

Not that I said On some devices you can set the USB mode to "USB" (not FTP, USB Tethering, MIDI, PTP). In newer OS versions that mode has been disabled for security reasons. So if you don't find it you have to transfer the files with the dedicated program first to a PC, modify them there and then transfer them back again.

Perhaps you get better access to your phone with a different mobile app e.g. CX file explorer

[JimS]

But it works fine with Windows Explorer without making any such adjustment? The issue only shows up when using MP3tag and trying to add a directory. And how would I use say CX file explorer via MP3tag? Can one configure MP3Tag to use any file manager?

[ohrenkino]

No, the extra app is there to transfer the files.
To cut it short: you have to see your phone with a drive letter in the windows explorer, then you can access files on the phone.
If there is no drive letter, then there is no way for MP3tag to access the phone file system.

It boils down to this:

Browsing MP3 files on my smartphone (Androïd)

This looks like Android uses MTP mode to connect to the PC. But that's not supported by Mp3tag. Only normal usb mode.

[JimS]

Ok. There is no drive letter shown in Windows Explorer. So I guess that is the answer. Thanks!

[LyricsLover]

@JimS

Galaxy s10+

Maybe this KB article can help you, especially the point #2 with

2. If prompted to allow access to your data, tap
   Allow
   If necessary, touch and hold the Status bar
   (at the top) then drag to the bottom.
   The image below is an example.
   

Or maybe this tool
https://www.mtpdrive.com/index.html
can create a drive letter for your android drive.
(It's not free, but you can try it with up to 30 files to see if it would work for you)

[Doug_Mackie]

@JimS

My goal is to modify my mp3 tags directly on my phone rather than upload them to my laptop, modify them, and then download them.

I prefer to keep my source tagged files on my hard disk. That way I have a backup if the phone dies or is lost or stolen. Otherwise you risk losing your tagging work.

For transfers to and from my Android phone I use a freeware app called MyPhoneExplorer.. They have a support forum for both German and English users.