In this tutorial, we will show you the steps to fix the Unable to Mount Storage in TWRP Recovery. The Android ecosystem, thanks to its open-source nature, allows for a plethora of customizations. The only requirement is that you need to unlock the device’s bootloader. Once you have achieved that, you could then flash tons of custom binaries, mods, custom ROMs, and even Magisk to root your device. However, the stock recovery isn’t capable to install these files. You would need to install a custom recovery like TWRP.
Once your device is booted to this recovery, you could wipe various device partitions, carry out Nandroid backups and of course flash the aforementioned files. However, a few times you might end up with an error or two. Among them, the most common and scary ones seem to be unable to mount storage error getting displayed TWRP. In this guide, we will have a look at the various reasons for this error and then list out the potential fixes to rectify this error. Follow along.
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The Reason for Unable to Mount Storage in TWRP
The first reason seems to stem out from the fact that your device’s internal storage is encrypted. As a result, TWRP isn’t able to decrypt it on the go and hence is unable to access any files stored in your device. This is the reason why this error mostly occurs when you are about to flash a file using this recovery.
In other cases, your data partition might be corrupt due to the flashing of the wrong file or flashing the file in an incorrect partition. In all these scenarios, your TWRP might show the Internal Storage as having 0MB of occupied space. But fret not, that is not the case, and your data, as of now, might still be still intact. So with that said, here are the various methods to fix the Unable to Mount Storage in TWRP Recovery.
How to Fix Unable to Mount Storage in TWRP Recovery
We will be sharing three different methods to rectify this issue. Follow along in the exact same order as mentioned. Just make sure your device is already booted to TWRP. If that’s not the case, then you could refer to our detailed guide on How to Boot into Recovery on any Android devices [Stock and Custom].
Fix 1: Remove Lock Screen
If you are using a pattern lock on your device, then TWRP wouldn’t be able to decrypt that. It is recommended that you switch to a pin or password.
- For that, if you are booted to TWRP, then reboot your device to System.
- Once booted, go to Settings > Security and lock screen > Screen Lock.
- Select either PIN or Password from the list. Now reboot your device back to TWRP.
- The recovery will now ask you to enter the PIN/Password. Enter it and your storage would then be encrypted.
Now try flashing the desired files and see if the Unable to Mount Storage in TWRP Recovery is fixed or not.
Fix 2: Repair or Change File System
You could also try repairing and or changing the File system of your device. All this could be done right from the TWRP itself.
- So, boot your device to TWRP Recovery.
- Then go to Wipe > Advanced Wipe and tap on Wipe and tap on Advanced Wipe.
- Now select the Data partition and tap on the Repair or Change File System option. Next up, tap on Repair File System and wait for the process to complete. Check if it is able to rectify the mount issue.
- If it is still there, then again head over to the Repair or Change File System and this time, tap on Change File System.
- Select EXT 2 from the menu that appears and perform a right swipe to confirm it.
- After this, switch back to the EXT 4 and right swipe to confirm it.
- Now go to the TWRP main menu and head over to the Mount option.
- Select the Data partition and try flashing the desired files.
Check if you are still getting the Unable to Mount Storage in the TWRP Recovery error or not.
Fix 3: Format Internal Storage
If none of the above methods managed to rectify the mount issue, then you might have to go for the nuclear option. Formatting your Internal Storage seems to be the only way out. This in turn will wipe off all the data present on your device. So before proceeding ahead, if you are able to boot your device, refer to our guide on How to Backup Your Data on Android device.
On the other hand, if you’re stuck inside the TWRP Recovery itself, then head over to our guide on How to Create and Restore Nandroid Backup on any TWRP Supported device. Just make sure to create this backup on SD Card or USB OTG and not on Phone Memory as we are about to completely wipe that partition. Once you are done with the backup, proceed with the below steps.
- Boot your device to TWRP Recovery.
- Go to Wipe > Advanced Wipe and select Internal Storage.
- Finally, perform a right swipe to format this partition (this will erase all the data).
- Once that is done, the mount error will now be rectified. Do keep in mind that the Internal Storage might still be showing as 0MB. But this time, it is the real-time data (your internal storage is wiped, hence 0MB of space is consumed).
With this, we conclude the guide on how to fix the Unable to Mount Storage in TWRP Recovery error. We have shared three different methods for the same, do let us know which one did the job for you. Rounding off, here are some equally useful iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that you should check out as well.