Why Can’t TWRP Access My Internal Storage?
What usually happens is that your data is automatically encrypted by default. This isn’t a a one-off case for a particular set of devices, since encrypting internal memory was mandated for devices launching with Android 6.0, or later. Here’s what may be happening: NOTE: Even if TWRP shows the internal storage as 0MB, it doesn’t necessarily mean the storage is full. This may be an indicator of the recovery not being able to properly decrypt internal storage.
How to Fix TWRP Unable to Mount Storage?
There are three separate ways of allowing your recovery (in this case, TWRP) to allow for decryption of your device’s internal storage. Note that with each of the more advanced steps, there is a risk of losing your data, so make sure that you have a backup ready in case things go south.
1) Remove Your Device’s Screen Lock
For a temporary period of time, for when you may need to use TWRP, remove your device’s screen lock. Even though TWRP supports string-based passwords and PIN codes, it’s better to get rid of any authentication methods that you may use to unlock your phone. Here’s how you can remove your device’s screen lock: NOTE: These steps were replicated on a Google Pixel. The procedure for changing the screen lock on your device may vary.
2) Factory Reset Your Device (Wipe Internal Partition)
If you need a quick, temporary solution and turning off the screen lock didn’t work, you might need to factory reset your device. This will erase all data on your phone, so proceed with caution. Also, remember that after restarting in recovery mode, your data might get encrypted again. Here’s how you can wipe your storage partition:
3) Switch to the Proprietary ROM Recovery (Manual Updates)
If you need to manually flash an update to your ROM via recovery, it’s best to use the ROM’s own proprietary recovery. Many ROMs like PixelOS, ArrowOS, and the now-deprecated Pixel Experience come with their own recovery files. While these recoveries usually don’t allow for a lot of flexibility in interacting with your device, they’re recommended for manual updates, especially if the ROM doesn’t support OTA updates.
