Unable to delete a file in /data/data with root permissions

Question

I own a Moto G which is in 5.0.2 with KK bootloader. An app created a folder in /data/data which sustains in the memory even after uninstallation of the app. I couldn't remove the folder in any way.

I tried with Root browser, with terminal. Root browser says Deleted successfully. while trying to remove the folder, but it remains.
When I tried to remove it from terminal, it says rm: 00160eb4bb6a2325_0: No such file or directory, but it gets listed while using ls. This fails the nandroid backup with TWRP. :( Is there something I can do? Thanks in advance! :)

Edit: ls lists the file, but ls -l fails showing an error.

Seems to be a broken directory node. The only way to fix this is formatting the storage. I had this issue as well, but with an app folder that prevented me to install that app again. — GiantTree, Apr 27 '15 at 06:32
Sadly, I even tried formatting the entire partition. The creep still remains. :( — Srikanth R, Apr 27 '15 at 06:38
Then you never formatted. What did you use to format your /data partition? Seems like CWM to me, which does not format using make_ext4fs like TWRP does. — GiantTree, Apr 27 '15 at 06:41
Yeah, I formatted with CWM. Do you reckon formatting the partition with TWRP work? — Srikanth R, Apr 27 '15 at 06:46
IIRC CWM "formats" using something like rm -rf /data/*. It obviously does not format but rather delete everything. TWRP uses a proper binary that creates a completely new partition. As I have written: I was in a similar situation and only TWRP helped me. (Other recoveries might format properly as well, but I had a first-hand experience with TWRP) — GiantTree, Apr 27 '15 at 06:50
Even TWRP failed to remove it. :( It said 'Unable to stat /path/to/folder/' and exited with error. — Srikanth R, Apr 27 '15 at 08:02
Finally, I had to repair the file system. Directory got deleted with rm -r after that. Thanks! :) I wish I could upvote your answer. — Srikanth R, Apr 27 '15 at 08:44

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 09 '17 at 12:39

1

For delete folder /data/data/ [only for rooted devices]

Install adb tool: [if already adb install than skip this step ]

Notice that in this method you will only install the platform-tools like adb or fastboot.

1.1) Download:

Download the platform-tools for your OS from https://developer.android.com/tools/sdk/tools-notes.html
Unpack it to <home-drive>\platform-tools

1.2) Mount:

The following steps are for Windows. If you need a different OS like Linux or OSX, have a look at this answer: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/42475/91312

Copy the folder path.Open the Windows Explorer by pressing + E`.
Right-click on This Computer → Properties.
Advanced System Settings → Advanced → Environment Variables.
Variable PATH → Add a ; (Semicolon) & your <home-drive>\platform-tools.
Save all & close.

Commands for delete folder

 $ adb root

 $ adb remount

 $ adb rm -rf /data/data/<folder-name>

or

  $ adb shell

  $ su

  $ mount -o remount,rw /

  $ rm -rf /data/data/<folder-name>

I hope this help you.

edited Dec 09 '17 at 12:39

xavier_fakerat

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answered Apr 27 '15 at 06:32

Bhagirathsinh Gohil

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Thanks for the reply. I've already told that I tried deleting it from terminal. It isn't working any way. – Srikanth R Apr 27 '15 at 06:37
your device is rooted ? than from adb shell it work – Bhagirathsinh Gohil Apr 27 '15 at 06:43
Yes, it is rooted. Adb shell works. But the deletion isn't. – Srikanth R Apr 27 '15 at 06:47
it work for me, i delete one package com.example.example directory – Bhagirathsinh Gohil Apr 27 '15 at 07:28
Please read the comments on the OP's question too before you answer, so that you can add something new to the discussion. However, nice answer otherwise, so +1. – Tamoghna Chowdhury Jun 22 '16 at 08:29
Is it possible to delete a folder using a single line, assuming you are in a batch file? If not, how do I do it in multiple lines? – android developer May 24 '23 at 15:46

Unable to delete a file in /data/data with root permissions

1 Answers1