How can I access /sdcard/ when I connect to PC (MTP)

Question

I'm running a Nexus 5 (Android 6.0.1)

Today I have created a WhatsApp backup file and wanted to copy it to a new device. I can confirm the file existence in ES File Explorer.

_{(Click image to enlarge)}

However, I cannot find the file when I connect my Nexus 5 with a USB (MTP).

After further checking I found the file is stored in /sdcard/WhatsApp, while my PC is connecting to /Internal Storage/WhatsApp

_{(Click image to enlarge)}

But I cannot find /sdcard/ in my PC...

To make things more complicated, when I reboot the N5, the file appears again /Internal Storage/WhatsApp/

I've been a long time Android user since Motorola Milestone. I'm not a dev but luckily I have the experience in tackling such issue. But for a normal user without in-depth computer knowledge, this inconsistent behavior is just weird. There's a long way for Android to catch up with iOS in terms of user friendliness.

In your case /sdcard/ (Android's way of naming it) and /Internal storage/` (Windows way of naming it) are same directory. As for why the file appears after reboot is because of a bug in MTP mode which misses to list files sometimes and a reboot solves that. Further read 1- SDCard same as Internal Storage and Further read 2 -MTP issue — Manu, Dec 21 '15 at 08:48
Thanks for the information. Now I understand the issue was reported in 2012 but still not fixed in 2015. That's insane. — Solo, Dec 23 '15 at 13:40
Issue 195362: Android not showing files in MTP until device reboot — Manu, Dec 24 '15 at 05:49

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 24 '15 at 05:24

/sdcard and /Internal storage are same directory.

As for why the file does not appear instantly is because of a bug in MTP mode as MTP cache is outdated until a phone reboot. If you do not wish to reboot the phone,

Possible Workaround:

Settings → Application Manager → All Apps tab → Media Storage → Clear Data
Install SD Scanner app → Open App → Click on Start Rescan

^{Tested and Works on Android 5.0 Lollipop}

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:18

You can Install Sarkie's MTPFix App for a permanent solution which fixes the issue.
This Automates the 2 step process mentioned in the other answer.

It monitors all the folders for new files and then adds them to MediaScanner. When Connected to a Computer, I copied a file to /sdcard from /ExternalSDCard using File Manager on phone and could see the file instantly show up on my Computer's Internal Storage listing.

Install the MTPFix App and Click on Start MTPFix Service

Source

How can I access /sdcard/ when I connect to PC (MTP)

2 Answers2