Android memory partitions

In this article, I will cover the main sections of AOSP memory for MTK and QCOM devices.

Unlike the OS on computers, smartphones do not have dynamic storage layout. Instead, you will find many obscure sections with obscure titles. Let's figure it out.

How to view memory partitions

Two options for viewing mounted (not all) drive partitions on your phone:

1. Install Device Info HW and see sections

   
   
   
   
   

2. Download Termux and enter the commandmount
   
   
   
   

   
   
   
   
   

To view all sections, you need either root rights or a terminal in TWRP. Also enter the command mount



in the terminal (Termux or TWRP terminal) and see the sections.

Bootloaders

The OS loader is designed to directly load that OS. You will learn about how Android starts up in my next articles.

As we know, Android has several alternative boot modes. You will learn more about them in my next article.

ABOOT (UBOOT on MTK) is the primary bootloader. This section contains low-level software for handling power and volume button presses. Each key combination corresponds to a different boot mode.

SBL — . aboot — boot.img, recovery boot, fastboot.

, : Project Treble vendor, arm64_ab (SAR, System As Root). A-only — . .

BOOT — Android.

VENDOR — , . , Project Treble .

PRODUCT — ( 2019 ), .

SYSTEM — . , -, fstab, , RRO, vendor. ( , ).

USERDATA — , — DATA ( , ), CACHE ( ) STORAGE (, , ).

, .

Android 8.1 Project Treble :

Project Treble — vendor. :

Treble — arm64_ab . recovery boot. cache ( fota), . , storage .

, Android- ! , , -. .

arm64_a . product system — system_root:

So-

MODEM (RADIO MTK) - (baseband). Wi-Fi, Bluetooth GPS ( ). — - , . , modem , .

RIL (Radio Interface Layer) — - baseband. RIL - Android AT- . AT , (BP), Android , (AP).

TZ (TrustZone) - , ARM- . , , .

RPM (Resource & Power Management), Primary / Primitive BootLoader (PBL) BootROM - , . .

DSP (Digital Signal Processor) - Qualcomm- , ( ).

HYP (HyperVisor) - . .

PERSIST — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE/CDMA/GSM Hotspot.

RECOVERY — .

OEM - , ) .

FOTA — , OTA . fota cache.

FSC - cookie .

SSD (Secure Software Download) — . .

RSADEVINFO - , :

is_unlocked
is_tampered
is_verified
charger_screen_enabled
display_panel
bootloader_version
radio_version
      
      

        
        
        
      

    
        
        
        
      
      

        
        
        
      

    
    

fastboot oem device-info



. .

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) — , (, Mi Account Xiaomi). , FRP , .

DEVCFG - TZ .

LKSECAPP - - RPM.

TZLIMITS - Qualcomm Limits Management Hardware. SBL.

SYSCFG - Qualcomm Core Power Reduction .

DIP, MDTP - . Qualcomm SafeSwitch .

CMNLIB, KEYMASTER, SEC - . , keymaster, . , .

OEMKEYSTORE - data Full Disc Encryption (FDE).

MCFG (Modem Configuration) - SIM- MBN ( ).

SPLASH - , ABOOT. «Powered by Android».

CHGLOGO is the same screen for charging a discharged phone.

MSADP, APDP, DPO - debug policy.

EFS is a section containing information about IMEI, SN and IMEI SV.