Thread: Streetpilot v2.36/v2.37 app release for Android 4.2.2 and later

Originally Posted by JulianAssa

you do not read carefully what I write
everything is already pre-set to display hidden files and folders
All set to show display hidden files
xplore also set to see hidden files.
but despite setting not see.
it is not logical, but it is really
when the phone restart the .system file shows
when you start Garmin, disappears again
only when the restart phone then again returns .system
so it is the same at the galaxy 4 and 5

I did not believe that such a thing is possible, to be set to display hidden files and hidden files that you do not see

Any file or folder with a dot in front of its name is a "hidden" file or folder for Android system by default.
For windows a file or folder with a dot in front is not a hidden file by default.

Here is the misunderstanding about this folder.
When Garmin introduced this ".System" folder in Nuvis, Garmin made this folder both "hidden" and "system protected" for windows (using the folder attributes for windows) so that normal Nuvi users don't mess with it.
There are two kinds of connections of a Νuvi to windows, as a "device" and as an "external storage" (external hard disk).
- When you connect a Nuvi to windows as "device" (factory set connection for a Nuvi) you can NEVER see this folder in windows.
Nuvis' software hide this folder from windows!!!
- When you connect a Nuvi to windows as an "external storage" (setting it in a secret Nuvi menu) you can not see this folder at first.
Windows system now hides this folder (as is already hidden and system protected "for windows").
You have to do as Caty says above to be able to see this folder in windows.

For an android phone and Streetpilot now...
Because of bad luck or bad coincidence, Garmin used the same name ".System" in Streetpilot too!!!
Now the file is hidden for Android system!!!
Galaxy s4 and s5 have (like Garmin Nuvis) two kinds of connections to windows, as a "device" and as an "external storage" (external hard disk).
- When you connect a Galaxy to windows as "device" (default connection for a Galaxy) you can NEVER see this folder in windows, no matter what changes you do in windows settings.
Android system "hides" this folder from windows, both in internal phone memory and in external micoSD card.
- You can connect a Galaxy as an "external storage" only if you root it (USB debugging mode).
Then in windows you see two external disks (internal memory and microSD card) and now the folder is not hidden anymore.
This happens because the "android" version of ".System" folder is hidden only by Android system and not by windows, and now you are connected as "external hard disk" and you don't have android system to mess with your windows!!!
The only problem now for NOT seeing this folder in windows is IF you used an "existing .System folder from a Nuvi", that its attributes are already "hidden and system protected" for windows and you have to do what Caty says above to see it.
If you created a new folder in windows using the name .System, then this folder has "normal" attributes and you can see it at once!

If your Galaxy is not rooted (like my s5) you can use Samsung's installed "My Files" app to view and work with this folder, after you've change its settings to "view hidden files".
This way, when you want to replace a file in this folder, connect you Galaxy as "device" to windows, copy your file to the microSD card, open "My Files" app on the phone, go to where your .System is on your phone, erase the file you want to replace, then go to microSD card and move your new file to .System
This way I can always see .System on my Galaxy s5.


OR

Install Streetpilot on the microSD card, eject the card from your phone, insert it in a card reader and do the changes you want in windows.
(Now you can see "android version" .System on the microSD card because is not hidden for windows system, only "Nuvis version" .System folder is hidden and protected for windows).