DISCLAIMER: This thread is unofficial and may contains errors. This information comes from personal knowledge and research from other threads. I am not responsible for what you do with your device.
Context
This thread is intended to provide an explanation of the function and importance of each partition on the Motorola Moto G. Some partitions are very ambigious, but I will attempt to describe what these partitions store, and whether they are unique/permanent/temporary etc. Again, I am not a developer, but I hope that this will explain the structure of the partitions to new users. Also, feel free to leave more information about these partitions in the comments, and I will try to update the OP with that information.
The following partition layout can be found with root access using various commands such as
List of partitions
Partition explanations
Terminology
- Unique: This means this data is specific to only that device, e.g. serials numbers, IMEIs, etc. This data cannot be found on the internet and so one should be careful not to modify or lose it.
- Flashing: Writing data to a disk or partition, replacing what was already there.
Common Partitions
boot: This partition contains the kernel and other low level features. This partition is usually flashed when installing custom or stock ROMs, and can be found within stock firmware. This partition does not contain the bootloader.
system: This partition contains all of the read only files that make the device run. This is basically what makes a ‘ROM’ On stock devices, this partition is usually only ever modified during upgrades, but this is the partition that is modified or replaced when rooting or installing ROMs.
recovery: This partitions hold the files that allow one to enter ‘recovery mode’. This partition will either hold the stock recovery, or a custom recovery. Custom recoveries can be flashed and allow the user to backup, restore, install to and wipe other partitions, among other features. This partition can be safely modified but ensure to always have a recovery flashed.
userdata: Also known as the Data partition, this is where every user file is stored, e.g. photos, settings, app settings, messages, and everything created directly or indirectly by the user. This partition is empty (I believe?..) on a new device. This partition should always be backed up before modifying the phone as it contains essentially everything personal on the phone.
cache: Another common partition; this contains temporary data that allows the system to run more efficiently. Nothing important is stored here, and so it can, and often should, be wiped when necessary.
Other Partitions
Bootloader related partitions
aboot: This partitions seems to contain bootloader files. This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
abootBackup: This likely stores a backup of the aboot partition.
tz: This partition also seems to be related to the bootloader, specifically the 'Trust Zone' . This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
tzBackup: Again, this likely stores a backup of the 'tz' partition.
rpm: Another bootloader related partition. This partition could possibly be the 'Resource and Power Manager' manager partition. This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
rpmBackup: hopefully you get the general idea by now...
sdi: I have no idea, but it is flashed as part of motoboot.img, therefore it must be bootloader related.
sdiBackup: A backup of the above.
sdb1: Bootloader related. Interestingly, after looking around, I found that this appears to contains files relating to a 'Secondary BootLoader'. This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
Network related partitions
modemst1 and modemst2: These partions appear to contain non-essentials/temporary network related data. Interestingly, they are erased when flashing a stock rom, meaning they are probably not crucial, possibly some kind of ‘baseband cache’?
fsg: This partition contains files related to the modem firmware/baseband. These files store store settings for network frequencies and which allow the phone to communicate will cell towers. This partitions are region, not device, specific. This partition is flashed as part of the stock firmware flash procedure, so it likely contains non-unique data.
modem: Similar to the ‘fsg’ partition, the modem partition contains modem/baseband related files. These files store store settings for network frequencies and which allow the phone to communicate will cell towers. This partitions are region, not device, specific. This partition is flashed as part of the stock firmware flash procedure, so it also is likely not unique. Also, maybe ‘fsg’ and ‘modem’ are related to the modemst1 and modemst2 partitions.
pds: This partition likely contains important device specific data like the IMEI, Serial Number, etc. It is important to backup this partition when you get the chance, as people in other threads attribute the loss of the IMEI to this partition. This is not included in stock firmware, reinforcing the importance of backing up this partition.
Extra
ssd: This partition appears to contains files related to something called the ‘Secure Software Download’ feature. These files are not included in factory fimare so should be left alone.
logo: I assume this partition contains the boot ‘logo’ animation files. Nevertheless, this partition is flashed with stock firmware and so likely unimportant.
cid: This partition appears to contain authentication/digital signature files for the bootloader. This partition is usually never interfered with, and there is no stock firmware for it, so it is best left alone.
misc: Apparently a standard Android partition, this is supposed to contain ‘miscellaneous system settings’(Sources below). This partition is best left aloe as it is apparently very important, and not included in stock firmware.
Unknown
DDR
clogo
dhob
fsc
hob
kpan
logs
padA
padB
persist
sp
utags
utagsBackup
I could not find any information about the function of the above partitions. Although, none of these partitions are included in factory firmware, so they are best left alone. Anyone is welcome to share they own opinion on what these partitions are for in the comments.
Sources/Interesting information:
Moto G Partition Layout.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2540799
Bootloader Related Partitions (motoboot.img - tz, rpm, sdi, aboot, and sbl1).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...2644703&page=2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto...5#post66336145
Great reading about partitions on Samsung phones, although it appears alot of this information is relevant to the Moto G. Specifically, this thread gives some hints about the function of motoboot.img, baseband partitions and the 'ssd' partition.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1959445
Possible explanation of modemst1, modemst2 and fsg partitions. (About Samsung partitions but still relevant).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1#post49587431
Instructions on flashing factory fimware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2542219
CID and Trust Zone Information.
http://blog.azimuthsecurity.com/2013...ootloader.html
Possible /misc explanation, also some simpel explanation of common partitions for new users.
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/...ta-cache-misc/
Context
This thread is intended to provide an explanation of the function and importance of each partition on the Motorola Moto G. Some partitions are very ambigious, but I will attempt to describe what these partitions store, and whether they are unique/permanent/temporary etc. Again, I am not a developer, but I hope that this will explain the structure of the partitions to new users. Also, feel free to leave more information about these partitions in the comments, and I will try to update the OP with that information.
The following partition layout can be found with root access using various commands such as
Code:
ls /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-namePartition explanations
Terminology
- Unique: This means this data is specific to only that device, e.g. serials numbers, IMEIs, etc. This data cannot be found on the internet and so one should be careful not to modify or lose it.
- Flashing: Writing data to a disk or partition, replacing what was already there.
Common Partitions
boot: This partition contains the kernel and other low level features. This partition is usually flashed when installing custom or stock ROMs, and can be found within stock firmware. This partition does not contain the bootloader.
system: This partition contains all of the read only files that make the device run. This is basically what makes a ‘ROM’ On stock devices, this partition is usually only ever modified during upgrades, but this is the partition that is modified or replaced when rooting or installing ROMs.
recovery: This partitions hold the files that allow one to enter ‘recovery mode’. This partition will either hold the stock recovery, or a custom recovery. Custom recoveries can be flashed and allow the user to backup, restore, install to and wipe other partitions, among other features. This partition can be safely modified but ensure to always have a recovery flashed.
userdata: Also known as the Data partition, this is where every user file is stored, e.g. photos, settings, app settings, messages, and everything created directly or indirectly by the user. This partition is empty (I believe?..) on a new device. This partition should always be backed up before modifying the phone as it contains essentially everything personal on the phone.
cache: Another common partition; this contains temporary data that allows the system to run more efficiently. Nothing important is stored here, and so it can, and often should, be wiped when necessary.
Other Partitions
Bootloader related partitions
aboot: This partitions seems to contain bootloader files. This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
abootBackup: This likely stores a backup of the aboot partition.
tz: This partition also seems to be related to the bootloader, specifically the 'Trust Zone' . This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
tzBackup: Again, this likely stores a backup of the 'tz' partition.
rpm: Another bootloader related partition. This partition could possibly be the 'Resource and Power Manager' manager partition. This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
rpmBackup: hopefully you get the general idea by now...
sdi: I have no idea, but it is flashed as part of motoboot.img, therefore it must be bootloader related.
sdiBackup: A backup of the above.
sdb1: Bootloader related. Interestingly, after looking around, I found that this appears to contains files relating to a 'Secondary BootLoader'. This partition is flashed as part of motoboot.img (source below) and so can be restored with stock firmware.
Network related partitions
modemst1 and modemst2: These partions appear to contain non-essentials/temporary network related data. Interestingly, they are erased when flashing a stock rom, meaning they are probably not crucial, possibly some kind of ‘baseband cache’?
fsg: This partition contains files related to the modem firmware/baseband. These files store store settings for network frequencies and which allow the phone to communicate will cell towers. This partitions are region, not device, specific. This partition is flashed as part of the stock firmware flash procedure, so it likely contains non-unique data.
modem: Similar to the ‘fsg’ partition, the modem partition contains modem/baseband related files. These files store store settings for network frequencies and which allow the phone to communicate will cell towers. This partitions are region, not device, specific. This partition is flashed as part of the stock firmware flash procedure, so it also is likely not unique. Also, maybe ‘fsg’ and ‘modem’ are related to the modemst1 and modemst2 partitions.
pds: This partition likely contains important device specific data like the IMEI, Serial Number, etc. It is important to backup this partition when you get the chance, as people in other threads attribute the loss of the IMEI to this partition. This is not included in stock firmware, reinforcing the importance of backing up this partition.
Extra
ssd: This partition appears to contains files related to something called the ‘Secure Software Download’ feature. These files are not included in factory fimare so should be left alone.
logo: I assume this partition contains the boot ‘logo’ animation files. Nevertheless, this partition is flashed with stock firmware and so likely unimportant.
cid: This partition appears to contain authentication/digital signature files for the bootloader. This partition is usually never interfered with, and there is no stock firmware for it, so it is best left alone.
misc: Apparently a standard Android partition, this is supposed to contain ‘miscellaneous system settings’(Sources below). This partition is best left aloe as it is apparently very important, and not included in stock firmware.
Unknown
DDR
clogo
dhob
fsc
hob
kpan
logs
padA
padB
persist
sp
utags
utagsBackup
I could not find any information about the function of the above partitions. Although, none of these partitions are included in factory firmware, so they are best left alone. Anyone is welcome to share they own opinion on what these partitions are for in the comments.
Sources/Interesting information:
Moto G Partition Layout.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2540799
Bootloader Related Partitions (motoboot.img - tz, rpm, sdi, aboot, and sbl1).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...2644703&page=2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto...5#post66336145
Great reading about partitions on Samsung phones, although it appears alot of this information is relevant to the Moto G. Specifically, this thread gives some hints about the function of motoboot.img, baseband partitions and the 'ssd' partition.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1959445
Possible explanation of modemst1, modemst2 and fsg partitions. (About Samsung partitions but still relevant).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1#post49587431
Instructions on flashing factory fimware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2542219
CID and Trust Zone Information.
http://blog.azimuthsecurity.com/2013...ootloader.html
Possible /misc explanation, also some simpel explanation of common partitions for new users.
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/...ta-cache-misc/
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