From ee3f32d31e8a5f79d54c716bd108e35634e9fe7d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: ian <lutfiandwica@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 03:38:06 +0700
Subject: [PATCH] feat: default storage for new installs, with USB/SDCARD/SSD
 detection (#1520)

* feat: choose default storage for new store installs

Store installs and the Epic Games Launcher can use internal storage, external storage, a folder picked through Choose folder..., or ask every time. The choice is stored in SessionPrefs and used by StoreInstallRoot; Storage > Default storage exposes it.

* fix: allow choosing any folder for default storage

The default storage choice can now hold an arbitrary folder path, not just internal or app-specific external storage. StoreInstallRoot resolves and validates picked folders, keeps a disconnected choice instead of silently falling back, and the folder picker stays available from Storage.

* fix: keep the Epic install folder when external storage is away

* test: use a unique missing folder for the Epic storage check

* fix: detect USB SSDs that the storage manager hides

List storage volumes that have no UUID instead of dropping them, keep volumes that are present but not yet mounted, and fall back to parsing /proc/mounts so USB OTG drives appear even when Android does not expose them as storage volumes or app directories. Prefer the system's volume description for removable drives. (Raw removable drives as move targets, the folder-picker fallback, and the unreadable-drive guidance follow with the move stack.)

* fix: compare mount paths as strings in StorageRootsTest

* fix: never drop a present storage volume from the drive list

Key volumes by description or index when they report no UUID and no directory, keep nofs/unmountable states so a plugged-in drive stays visible with guidance, only attach app directories on strict UUID matches, and accept any fstype under vold-managed locations plus usb-ish mounts directly under /mnt.

* fix: probe folder writes with a fresh temp file and keep Epic's folder unset while external storage is away

---------

Co-authored-by: Kurt Himebauch <136133082+xXJSONDeruloXx@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .../droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRoots.kt  |  87 +++++++++++--
 .../droiddeck/launcher/session/GameStorage.kt |   7 +-
 .../launcher/session/SessionPrefs.kt          |  28 +++++
 .../launcher/stores/StoreInstallRoot.kt       |  76 ++++++++++--
 .../droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoresState.kt  |  18 ++-
 .../launcher/stores/epic/EpicClient.kt        |  16 ++-
 .../com/droiddeck/launcher/ui/StoragePage.kt  | 117 ++++++++++++++++++
 app/src/main/res/values-in/strings.xml        |  15 +++
 app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml           |  15 +++
 .../launcher/files/StorageRootsTest.kt        |  71 +++++++++++
 .../launcher/stores/StoreInstallRootTest.kt   |  75 +++++++++++
 .../launcher/stores/epic/EpicClientTest.kt    |  22 ++++
 docs/development/stores.md                    |   8 +-
 13 files changed, 526 insertions(+), 29 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRootsTest.kt

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRoots.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRoots.kt
index 99e940157..273917b00 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRoots.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRoots.kt
@@ -29,6 +29,50 @@ object StorageRoots {
         val seeds = LinkedHashSet<File>()
     }
 
+    private val EXTERNAL_MOUNT_TYPES = setOf(
+        "vfat", "exfat", "texfat", "ntfs", "ntfs3", "fuseblk", "fuse", "sdcardfs",
+    )
+
+    internal data class MountPoint(val target: File, val type: String)
+
+    internal fun parseMountPoints(mounts: String): List<MountPoint> {
+        val out = ArrayList<MountPoint>()
+        for (line in mounts.lineSequence()) {
+            val parts = line.split(' ')
+            if (parts.size < 3) continue
+            out.add(MountPoint(File(parts[1].replace("\\040", " ")), parts[2].lowercase()))
+        }
+        return out.distinct()
+    }
+
+    internal fun isExternalMount(mount: MountPoint): Boolean {
+        val path = mount.target.path
+        val name = when {
+            path.startsWith("/storage/") -> path.removePrefix("/storage/")
+            path.startsWith("/mnt/media_rw/") -> path.removePrefix("/mnt/media_rw/")
+            path.startsWith("/mnt/") -> path.removePrefix("/mnt/")
+            else -> return false
+        }
+        if ('/' in name || name.isEmpty() || name == "emulated" || name == "self") return false
+        if (mount.type in EXTERNAL_MOUNT_TYPES) {
+            if (path.startsWith("/mnt/") && !path.startsWith("/mnt/media_rw/")) {
+                val lower = name.lowercase()
+                if (!lower.contains("usb") && !lower.contains("otg") &&
+                    !lower.contains("udisk") && !lower.contains("disk")
+                ) return false
+            }
+            return true
+        }
+        // vold-managed locations only hold removable volumes, whatever the fstype is.
+        return path.startsWith("/storage/") || path.startsWith("/mnt/media_rw/")
+    }
+
+    internal fun parseExternalMounts(mounts: String): List<File> =
+        parseMountPoints(mounts).filter(::isExternalMount).map { it.target }
+
+    fun externalMounts(): List<File> =
+        runCatching { parseExternalMounts(File("/proc/mounts").readText()) }.getOrDefault(emptyList())
+
     fun list(context: Context): List<StorageRoot> {
         val volumes = LinkedHashMap<String, Volume>()
 
@@ -44,21 +88,31 @@ object StorageRoots {
         val storageManager = context.getSystemService(StorageManager::class.java)
 
         storageManager?.storageVolumes.orEmpty()
-            .filter { isMounted(it.state) }
-            .forEach { volume ->
+            .filter { present(it.state) }
+            .forEachIndexed { index, volume ->
                 val uuid = volume.uuid?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
-                val entry = volumeOf(if (volume.isPrimary) PRIMARY_KEY else uuid ?: return@forEach)
+                val dirName = volume.directory?.name?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }
+                // Unmounted volumes often report neither uuid nor directory; never drop the
+                // volume or a plugged-in drive stays invisible with no explanation.
+                val descSlug = volume.getDescription(context)?.trim()
+                    ?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() && !it.equals("android", ignoreCase = true) }
+                    ?.replace(Regex("[^A-Za-z0-9._-]+"), "-")
+                val entry = volumeOf(if (volume.isPrimary) PRIMARY_KEY else uuid ?: dirName ?: descSlug ?: "volume-$index")
                 entry.removable = !volume.isPrimary && volume.isRemovable
-                if (entry.label == null) entry.label = labelFor(context, volume, uuid)
+                if (entry.label == null) entry.label = labelFor(context, volume, uuid ?: dirName ?: descSlug)
 
                 if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
                     volume.directory?.let { entry.candidates += it }
                 }
-                if (uuid != null) {
-                    entry.candidates += File("/storage/$uuid")
-                    entry.candidates += File("/mnt/media_rw/$uuid")
+                val name = uuid ?: dirName
+                if (name != null) {
+                    entry.candidates += File("/storage/$name")
+                    entry.candidates += File("/mnt/media_rw/$name")
+                    // Only strict uuid matches own an app directory; a loose match would
+                    // attach another volume's folder to this entry.
+                    if (uuid != null) appDirs.filter { belongsTo(storageManager!!, it, volume) }
+                        .forEach { entry.seeds += it }
                 }
-                appDirs.filter { belongsTo(storageManager!!, it, volume) }.forEach { entry.seeds += it }
             }
 
         File("/storage").listFiles().orEmpty().forEach { child ->
@@ -68,6 +122,13 @@ object StorageRoots {
         File("/mnt/media_rw").listFiles().orEmpty().forEach { child ->
             if (child.isDirectory) volumeOf(child.name).candidates += child
         }
+        // USB OTG drives do not always appear as storage volumes or under /storage for
+        // third-party apps, but their kernel mounts are still visible in /proc/mounts.
+        for (mount in externalMounts()) {
+            val entry = volumeOf(mount.name)
+            if (entry.label == null) entry.label = mount.name
+            entry.candidates += mount
+        }
 
         appDirs.forEach { dir ->
             val root = volumeRootOf(dir) ?: return@forEach
@@ -141,15 +202,19 @@ object StorageRoots {
 
     private fun labelFor(context: Context, volume: StorageVolume, uuid: String?): String {
         if (volume.isPrimary) return context.getString(R.string.fm_drive_internal)
-        if (volume.isRemovable) return context.getString(R.string.fm_drive_sd)
         val description = volume.getDescription(context)?.trim()
-        return description?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() && !it.equals("android", ignoreCase = true) }
-            ?: uuid
+        if (!description.isNullOrBlank() && !description.equals("android", ignoreCase = true)) return description
+        if (volume.isRemovable) return context.getString(R.string.fm_drive_sd)
+        return uuid
             ?: context.getString(R.string.fm_drive_storage)
     }
 
     private fun isEmulated(dir: File): Boolean = dir.absolutePath.startsWith(EMULATED_PREFIX)
 
+    private fun present(state: String?): Boolean =
+        isMounted(state) || state == Environment.MEDIA_UNMOUNTED || state == Environment.MEDIA_CHECKING ||
+            state == Environment.MEDIA_NOFS || state == Environment.MEDIA_UNMOUNTABLE
+
     private fun isMounted(state: String?): Boolean =
         state == Environment.MEDIA_MOUNTED || state == Environment.MEDIA_MOUNTED_READ_ONLY
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/GameStorage.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/GameStorage.kt
index 90feec16e..447fb254c 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/GameStorage.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/GameStorage.kt
@@ -14,9 +14,12 @@ object GameStorage {
 
     fun options(context: Context): List<Option> {
         val sm = context.getSystemService(StorageManager::class.java)
+        val primary = context.getExternalFilesDir(null)?.absolutePath
+        val primaryStorage = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory()?.absolutePath
         return context.getExternalFilesDirs(null).orEmpty().filterNotNull().mapNotNull { dir ->
-            val removable = try { Environment.isExternalStorageRemovable(dir) } catch (e: Exception) { false }
-            if (!removable) return@mapNotNull null
+            // Non-primary app dirs are usable even when Android reports the volume as non-removable (USB SSDs often do).
+            if (primary != null && dir.absolutePath == primary) return@mapNotNull null
+            if (!primaryStorage.isNullOrBlank() && dir.absolutePath.startsWith("$primaryStorage/")) return@mapNotNull null
             val volume = try { sm?.getStorageVolume(dir) } catch (e: Exception) { null }
             val name = volume?.getDescription(context)?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() && !it.equals("android", true) } ?: context.getString(R.string.gstore_sd_card)
             Option(context.getString(R.string.gstore_volume_free, name, free(dir)), File(dir, "steam").absolutePath, name)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/SessionPrefs.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/SessionPrefs.kt
index 975ca4590..ec502a279 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/SessionPrefs.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/session/SessionPrefs.kt
@@ -141,6 +141,34 @@ object SessionPrefs {
         prefs(context).edit().putString("storesInstallLanguage", code).apply()
     }
 
+    const val DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK = "ask"
+    const val DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL = "internal"
+    const val DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL = "external"
+    private val DEFAULT_STORAGE_VALUES = setOf(DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK, DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL, DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+
+    fun defaultStorage(context: Context): String =
+        prefs(context).getString("defaultStorage", DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK)
+            ?.takeIf { it in DEFAULT_STORAGE_VALUES } ?: DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK
+
+    fun setDefaultStorage(context: Context, value: String) {
+        prefs(context).edit().putString("defaultStorage", value.takeIf { it in DEFAULT_STORAGE_VALUES } ?: DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK).apply()
+    }
+
+    fun defaultStorageFolder(context: Context): String = prefs(context).getString("defaultStorageFolder", "") ?: ""
+
+    fun defaultStorageFolderLabel(context: Context): String = prefs(context).getString("defaultStorageFolderLabel", "") ?: ""
+
+    fun setDefaultStorageFolder(context: Context, path: String, label: String) {
+        prefs(context).edit()
+            .putString("defaultStorageFolder", path)
+            .putString("defaultStorageFolderLabel", label)
+            .apply()
+    }
+
+    fun clearDefaultStorageFolder(context: Context) {
+        prefs(context).edit().remove("defaultStorageFolder").remove("defaultStorageFolderLabel").apply()
+    }
+
     fun gameStoresParallel(context: Context): Int = prefs(context).getInt("gameStoresParallel", 1).coerceIn(1, 3)
 
     fun setGameStoresParallel(context: Context, count: Int) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRoot.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRoot.kt
index 7b13428d7..c4faac54e 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRoot.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRoot.kt
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import android.os.StatFs
 import android.os.storage.StorageManager
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.runtime.LinuxRuntime
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.session.GameStorage
+import com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs
 import java.io.File
 import java.util.zip.CRC32
 
@@ -76,34 +77,93 @@ object StoreInstallRoot {
 
     fun targets(context: Context): List<Target> {
         val internal = Target(internalRoot(context), context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.games_internal), removable = false)
+        val custom = customTarget(context)
         val cards = GameStorage.options(context).map { Target(File(it.path, ON_VOLUME), it.name, removable = true) }
         val library = GameStorage.effective(context)?.let { lib ->
             val root = File(lib.path, ON_VOLUME)
             if (cards.any { it.root.absolutePath == root.absolutePath }) return@let null
-            val volume = runCatching { context.getSystemService(StorageManager::class.java)?.getStorageVolume(File(lib.path)) }.getOrNull()
-            val name = File(lib.path).name.ifBlank { lib.label }
-            val where = volume?.takeUnless { it.isPrimary }?.getDescription(context)
-            val label = if (where.isNullOrBlank()) name else context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.gstore_folder_on_volume, name, where)
-            Target(root, label, removable = true, folder = true)
+            Target(root, folderLabel(context, File(lib.path)), removable = true, folder = true)
         }
-        return listOf(internal) + cards + listOfNotNull(library)
+        return (listOf(internal) + listOfNotNull(custom) + cards + listOfNotNull(library))
+            .distinctBy { it.root.absolutePath }
+    }
+
+    fun defaultStorageFolder(context: Context): File? =
+        SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolder(context).takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }?.let(::File)
+
+    fun customTarget(context: Context): Target? {
+        val folder = defaultStorageFolder(context) ?: return null
+        // Writes are probed when the folder is chosen; File.canWrite() is unreliable on FUSE volumes.
+        if (!folder.isDirectory) return null
+        val label = SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolderLabel(context).ifBlank { folderLabel(context, folder) }
+        return Target(File(folder, ON_VOLUME), label, removable = true, folder = true)
+    }
+
+    fun detectedExternalTarget(context: Context): Target? {
+        val custom = defaultStorageFolder(context)?.let { File(it, ON_VOLUME) }?.absolutePath
+        return externalTarget(targets(context).filter { it.root.absolutePath != custom }, internalRoot(context))
     }
 
     fun installRoot(context: Context): File = internalRoot(context)
 
+    fun externalTarget(context: Context): Target? =
+        if (SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolder(context).isNotBlank()) customTarget(context)
+        else detectedExternalTarget(context)
+
+    internal fun externalTarget(targets: List<Target>, internalRoot: File): Target? =
+        targets.firstOrNull { it.folder && it.root.absolutePath != internalRoot.absolutePath }
+            ?: targets.firstOrNull { it.removable && it.root.absolutePath != internalRoot.absolutePath }
+
+    fun defaultTarget(context: Context): Target? = when (SessionPrefs.defaultStorage(context)) {
+        SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL -> Target(internalRoot(context), context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.games_internal), removable = false)
+        SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL -> externalTarget(context)
+        else -> null
+    }
+
     fun libraryRoot(context: Context): File? = GameStorage.effective(context)?.let { File(it.path, ON_VOLUME) }
 
     fun roots(context: Context): List<File> {
         val cards = GameStorage.options(context).map { File(it.path, ON_VOLUME) }
+        val custom = defaultStorageFolder(context)?.takeIf { it.isDirectory }?.let { File(it, ON_VOLUME) }
         val library = GameStorage.effective(context)?.let { File(it.path, ON_VOLUME) }
-        return (listOf(internalRoot(context)) + cards + listOfNotNull(library)).distinctBy { it.absolutePath }
+        return (listOf(internalRoot(context)) + cards + listOfNotNull(custom) + listOfNotNull(library))
+            .distinctBy { it.absolutePath }
     }
 
     fun externalRoots(context: Context): List<Pair<File, String>> {
         val library = GameStorage.effective(context)?.path
+        val used = mutableSetOf<String>()
         return roots(context)
             .filter { !isInternal(context, it) && (library == null || !it.absolutePath.startsWith("$library/")) }
-            .map { it to guestFor(context, it) }
+            .map { root ->
+                val base = guestFor(context, root)
+                val guest = if (used.add(base)) base else {
+                    val suffix = "%08x".format(CRC32().apply { update(root.absolutePath.toByteArray()) }.value)
+                    "$base-$suffix".also { used.add(it) }
+                }
+                root to guest
+            }
+    }
+
+    fun folderLabel(context: Context, folder: File): String {
+        val name = folder.name.ifBlank { context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.gstore_folder) }
+        val volume = runCatching {
+            context.getSystemService(StorageManager::class.java)?.getStorageVolume(folder)?.getDescription(context)
+        }.getOrNull()
+        return if (volume.isNullOrBlank() || volume.equals("android", true) || volume.equals(name, true)) name
+        else context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.gstore_folder_on_volume, name, volume)
+    }
+
+    fun prepareDefaultFolder(context: Context, folder: File): String? {
+        if (!folder.isDirectory) return context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.gstore_cannot_create, folder.path)
+        val root = File(folder, ON_VOLUME)
+        if (!root.isDirectory && !root.mkdirs()) return context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.gstore_cannot_create, folder.path)
+        return try {
+            File.createTempFile(".droiddeck-write-probe", null, root).delete()
+            null
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            context.getString(com.droiddeck.launcher.R.string.gstore_cannot_write_detail, root.path, e.message)
+        }
     }
 
     /** Xodus has its own PRoot mount table and cannot see the selected Steam library's SD bind. */
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoresState.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoresState.kt
index f09712b78..e15f19dd4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoresState.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoresState.kt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateListOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateMapOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
+import com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.stores.download.DownloadEntry
 
 object StoresState {
@@ -220,17 +221,26 @@ object StoresState {
         if (item.store == Store.ITCH && item.extra["uploadId"].isNullOrEmpty()) { itchPicking = item; return }
         if (isUnfinished(item)) { install(context, item); return }
         val targets = StoreInstallRoot.targets(context)
-        if (targets.size > 1 || StoreLanguage.selectable(item.store)) pendingInstall = item
-        else install(context, item, targets.first().root)
+        val preferred = StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(context)
+        val wantedExternal = SessionPrefs.defaultStorage(context) == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL
+        if (preferred != null) SessionPrefs.setStoresInstallTarget(context, preferred.root.absolutePath)
+        when {
+            preferred != null && !StoreLanguage.selectable(item.store) -> {
+                install(context, item, preferred.root)
+            }
+            targets.size > 1 || wantedExternal || StoreLanguage.selectable(item.store) -> pendingInstall = item
+            else -> install(context, item, targets.first().root)
+        }
     }
 
     fun install(context: Context, item: CatalogItem, root: java.io.File? = null, language: String? = null) {
         val app = context.applicationContext
+        val targetRoot = root ?: StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app)?.root ?: StoreInstallRoot.installRoot(app)
         if (item.store == Store.BATTLENET) {
-            backends[item.store]?.install(app, item, root ?: StoreInstallRoot.installRoot(app))
+            backends[item.store]?.install(app, item, targetRoot)
             return
         }
-        val folder = StoreInstallRoot.folderFor(app, item.store, item.id, item.title, root ?: StoreInstallRoot.installRoot(app))
+        val folder = StoreInstallRoot.folderFor(app, item.store, item.id, item.title, targetRoot)
         val target = folder.parentFile!!.parentFile!!
         val code = language?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() } ?: StoreLanguage.preferredCode(app)
         val tagged = if (StoreLanguage.selectable(item.store)) item.copy(extra = item.extra + (StoreLanguage.EXTRA to code)) else item
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClient.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClient.kt
index 8da3a96ad..454d94826 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClient.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClient.kt
@@ -292,10 +292,24 @@ object EpicClient {
             AddedGames.guestPath(app, folder)?.let { t.root.absolutePath to (folder to it) }
         }.toMap()
         if (dirs.isEmpty()) return null
-        val chosen = dirs[SessionPrefs.storesInstallTarget(app)] ?: dirs[StoreInstallRoot.internalRoot(app).absolutePath] ?: dirs.values.first()
+        val preferred = StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app)?.root?.absolutePath
+        val chosen = preferred?.let { dirs[it] }
+            ?: dirs[SessionPrefs.storesInstallTarget(app)]
+            ?: dirs[StoreInstallRoot.internalRoot(app).absolutePath]
+            ?: dirs.values.first()
         val file = File(dataDir(app), SETTINGS)
         val settings = runCatching { JSONObject(file.readText()) }.getOrNull() ?: JSONObject()
         val current = settings.optString("defaultInstallDir").trimEnd('/')
+        val externalMissing = SessionPrefs.defaultStorage(app) == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL && preferred == null
+        if (externalMissing && current.isNotEmpty() &&
+            (current.startsWith("/mnt/droiddeck-") || current.startsWith("/root/Storage/"))) {
+            Log.w(TAG, "the configured external storage is disconnected; keeping $current")
+            return current
+        }
+        if (externalMissing && current.isEmpty()) {
+            Log.w(TAG, "the configured external storage is disconnected; not choosing an install folder")
+            return null
+        }
         if (current.isNotEmpty() && current != STOCK_INSTALL_DIR && dirs.values.none { it.second == current } && !(current.endsWith("/${Store.EPIC.shortLabel}") && (current.startsWith("/mnt/droiddeck-") || current.startsWith("/root/Storage/")))) return current
         if (!chosen.first.isDirectory && !chosen.first.mkdirs()) return null
         if (current == chosen.second) return current
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/ui/StoragePage.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/ui/StoragePage.kt
index 8b1ec5340..e820ed8ee 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/ui/StoragePage.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/ui/StoragePage.kt
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 package com.droiddeck.launcher.ui
 
+import android.app.Activity
+import android.widget.Toast
+import androidx.activity.compose.rememberLauncherForActivityResult
+import androidx.activity.result.contract.ActivityResultContracts
 import androidx.compose.animation.core.Spring
 import androidx.compose.animation.core.animateFloatAsState
 import androidx.compose.foundation.LocalIndication
@@ -51,6 +55,7 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableIntStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.saveable.rememberSaveable
@@ -65,6 +70,7 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.graphicsLayer
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.vector.ImageVector
 import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.testTag
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.pluralStringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.Role
@@ -74,6 +80,7 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.sp
 import coil.compose.AsyncImage
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.R
+import com.droiddeck.launcher.files.InAppFilePicker
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.storage.Bucket
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.storage.CleanItem
@@ -84,6 +91,8 @@ import com.droiddeck.launcher.storage.StorageState
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.storage.ToolReason
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.storage.ToolState
 import com.droiddeck.launcher.storage.ToolUsage
+import com.droiddeck.launcher.stores.StoreInstallRoot
+import java.io.File
 import java.text.DateFormat
 import java.util.Date
 
@@ -144,6 +153,113 @@ internal fun StoragePanel(s: FrontEndState, a: FrontEndActions) {
     }
 }
 
+@Composable
+private fun DefaultStorageGroup() {
+    val ctx = LocalContext.current
+    var value by remember { mutableStateOf(SessionPrefs.defaultStorage(ctx)) }
+    var open by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    var revision by remember { mutableIntStateOf(0) }
+    val customPath = SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolder(ctx)
+    val customTarget = remember(customPath, revision) { StoreInstallRoot.customTarget(ctx) }
+    val detected = remember(customPath, revision) { StoreInstallRoot.detectedExternalTarget(ctx) }
+    val customLabel = SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolderLabel(ctx).ifBlank {
+        customPath.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }?.let { File(it).name }.orEmpty()
+    }
+    val pickFolder = rememberLauncherForActivityResult(ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result ->
+        if (result.resultCode != Activity.RESULT_OK) return@rememberLauncherForActivityResult
+        val path = InAppFilePicker.pickedPath(result.data) ?: return@rememberLauncherForActivityResult
+        val problem = StoreInstallRoot.prepareDefaultFolder(ctx, File(path))
+        if (problem != null) {
+            Toast.makeText(ctx, ctx.getString(R.string.main_storage_not_usable, problem), Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show()
+            return@rememberLauncherForActivityResult
+        }
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(ctx, path, StoreInstallRoot.folderLabel(ctx, File(path)))
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(ctx, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+        value = SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL
+        revision++
+        open = false
+    }
+    fun chooseFolder() {
+        open = false
+        val initial = customPath.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() && File(it).isDirectory }
+            ?: detected?.root?.parentFile?.takeIf { it.isDirectory }?.absolutePath
+        pickFolder.launch(InAppFilePicker.buildDirIntent(ctx, ctx.getString(R.string.storage_default_choose_folder), initial))
+    }
+    val title = stringResource(R.string.storage_default_title)
+    val chip = when (value) {
+        SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL -> stringResource(R.string.storage_default_internal)
+        SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL -> when {
+            customPath.isNotBlank() -> customTarget?.label
+                ?: "$customLabel · ${stringResource(R.string.storage_default_folder_missing)}"
+            detected != null -> detected.label
+            else -> stringResource(R.string.storage_default_external)
+        }
+        else -> stringResource(R.string.storage_default_ask)
+    }
+    fun pick(next: String) {
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(ctx, next)
+        value = next
+        open = false
+    }
+    SettingsGroup(stringResource(R.string.storage_default_group)) {
+        SettingsRow(label = title, hint = stringResource(R.string.storage_default_hint)) {
+            Box {
+                ValueChip(chip, open, modifier = Modifier.testTag("setting-default-storage")) { open = !open }
+                AnchoredMenu(
+                    open, onDismiss = { open = false }, title = title,
+                    note = stringResource(R.string.storage_default_note),
+                ) { firstItemFocus ->
+                    MenuItem(
+                        stringResource(R.string.storage_default_ask), value == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK,
+                        detail = stringResource(R.string.storage_default_ask_detail),
+                        focusRequester = firstItemFocus,
+                    ) { pick(SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK) }
+                    MenuItem(
+                        stringResource(R.string.storage_default_internal), value == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL,
+                    ) { pick(SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL) }
+                    if (detected == null && customPath.isBlank()) {
+                        MenuItem(
+                            stringResource(R.string.storage_default_external), value == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL,
+                            detail = stringResource(R.string.storage_default_choose_folder_detail),
+                        ) { chooseFolder() }
+                    } else {
+                        if (detected != null) {
+                            MenuItem(
+                                stringResource(R.string.storage_default_external),
+                                value == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL && customPath.isBlank(),
+                                detail = detected.let { target ->
+                                    val free = target.freeBytes
+                                    if (free >= 0) stringResource(R.string.storage_default_external_detail, target.label, gb(free))
+                                    else target.label
+                                },
+                            ) {
+                                SessionPrefs.clearDefaultStorageFolder(ctx)
+                                pick(SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+                                revision++
+                            }
+                        }
+                        if (customPath.isNotBlank()) {
+                            MenuItem(
+                                stringResource(R.string.storage_default_folder, customLabel),
+                                value == SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL,
+                                detail = customTarget?.let { target ->
+                                    val free = target.freeBytes
+                                    if (free >= 0) stringResource(R.string.storage_default_folder_free, gb(free))
+                                    else stringResource(R.string.storage_default_folder_missing)
+                                } ?: stringResource(R.string.storage_default_folder_missing),
+                            ) { if (customTarget != null) pick(SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL) else chooseFolder() }
+                        }
+                        MenuItem(
+                            stringResource(R.string.storage_default_choose_folder), checked = false,
+                            detail = stringResource(R.string.storage_default_choose_folder_detail),
+                        ) { chooseFolder() }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 @OptIn(ExperimentalLayoutApi::class)
 @Composable
 private fun Overview(report: StorageReport, sessionRunning: Boolean, onCleanUp: () -> Unit, onOpen: (String) -> Unit) {
@@ -189,6 +305,7 @@ private fun Overview(report: StorageReport, sessionRunning: Boolean, onCleanUp:
         Spacer(Modifier.height(8.dp))
         Note(stringResource(R.string.storage_session_running))
     }
+    DefaultStorageGroup()
     SectionTitle(stringResource(R.string.storage_where), null)
     val unused = report.unusedTools.sumOf { it.bytes }
     val tiles = listOf<@Composable (Modifier) -> Unit>(
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-in/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-in/strings.xml
index dbc2d16c3..6fe298c0d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values-in/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values-in/strings.xml
@@ -2562,6 +2562,21 @@
     <string name="storage_safe_hint">Runtime yang tidak dipakai, sisa, log lama</string>
     <string name="storage_clean_up">Membersihkan…</string>
     <string name="storage_session_running">Hentikan sesi untuk membersihkan atau menghapus apa pun. Ukuran tetap terlihat.</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_group">Lokasi instalasi</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_title">Penyimpanan default</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_hint">Instalasi toko baru akan disimpan di lokasi yang dipilih. Game yang sudah ada tetap di lokasinya. Library Steam memakai pengaturannya sendiri.</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_ask">Tanyakan setiap kali</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_ask_detail">Pilih target untuk setiap instalasi</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_internal">Penyimpanan internal</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_external">Penyimpanan eksternal</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_external_detail">%1$s · %2$s tersedia</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_external_missing">Tidak terhubung</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_folder">Folder · %1$s</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_folder_free">%1$s tersedia</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_folder_missing">Tidak terhubung</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_choose_folder">Pilih folder…</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_choose_folder_detail">Gunakan folder apa pun di kartu SD atau drive USB</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_note">Game akan disimpan di folder Games di dalam lokasi yang dipilih. Game yang sudah terpasang tidak dipindahkan.</string>
     <string name="storage_where">Ke mana perginya</string>
     <string name="storage_games">Gim Steam</string>
     <string name="storage_game_data">Data gim</string>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index a0d9672c4..7f242f687 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -2731,6 +2731,21 @@
     <string name="storage_safe_hint">Unused runtimes, leftovers, old logs</string>
     <string name="storage_clean_up">Clean up…</string>
     <string name="storage_session_running">Stop the session to clean up or remove anything. Sizes are still shown.</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_group">Install location</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_title">Default storage</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_hint">New store installs go to the selected location. Existing games stay where they are. Steam libraries keep their own setting.</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_ask">Ask every time</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_ask_detail">Choose a target for each install</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_internal">Internal storage</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_external">External storage</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_external_detail">%1$s · %2$s free</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_external_missing">Not connected</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_folder">Folder · %1$s</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_folder_free">%1$s free</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_folder_missing">Not connected</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_choose_folder">Choose folder…</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_choose_folder_detail">Use any folder on an SD card or USB drive</string>
+    <string name="storage_default_note">Games go into a Games folder inside the selected location. Existing games are not moved.</string>
     <string name="storage_where">Where it goes</string>
     <string name="storage_games">Steam games</string>
     <string name="storage_game_data">Game data</string>
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRootsTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRootsTest.kt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..279c69b2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/files/StorageRootsTest.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+package com.droiddeck.launcher.files
+
+import org.junit.Assert.assertEquals
+import org.junit.Assert.assertTrue
+import org.junit.Test
+
+class StorageRootsTest {
+    @Test fun usbAndSdMountsAreFound() {
+        val mounts = """
+            /dev/fuse /mnt/user/0/emulated fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+            /dev/block/vold/public:8,1 /mnt/media_rw/A1B2-C3D4 vfat rw,dirsync 0 0
+            /mnt/media_rw/A1B2-C3D4 /storage/A1B2-C3D4 fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+            /dev/block/vold/public:179,65 /mnt/media_rw/9C33-1A2B exfat rw,dirsync 0 0
+            /mnt/media_rw/9C33-1A2B /storage/9C33-1A2B fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+            /dev/block/dm-5 /data ext4 rw,seclabel 0 0
+        """.trimIndent()
+
+        val points = StorageRoots.parseExternalMounts(mounts).map { it.path }
+
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/storage/A1B2-C3D4"))
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/storage/9C33-1A2B"))
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/mnt/media_rw/A1B2-C3D4"))
+    }
+
+    @Test fun voldLocationsCountWhateverTheFstypeIs() {
+        val mounts = """
+            /dev/block/sda1 /storage/0D19-CC0A fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+            /dev/block/sda1 /mnt/media_rw/0D19-CC0A exfat rw,dirsync 0 0
+        """.trimIndent()
+
+        val points = StorageRoots.parseExternalMounts(mounts).map { it.path }
+
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/storage/0D19-CC0A"))
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/mnt/media_rw/0D19-CC0A"))
+    }
+
+    @Test fun usbMountsDirectlyUnderMntAreFound() {
+        val mounts = """
+            /dev/block/sda1 /mnt/usb_storage exfat rw,dirsync 0 0
+            tmpfs /mnt/media_rw tmpfs rw,seclabel 0 0
+            /dev/fuse /mnt/user/0/emulated fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+        """.trimIndent()
+
+        val points = StorageRoots.parseExternalMounts(mounts).map { it.path }
+
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/mnt/usb_storage"))
+        assertEquals(1, points.size)
+    }
+
+    @Test fun emulatedAndSystemMountsAreIgnored() {
+        val mounts = """
+            /dev/fuse /mnt/user/0/emulated fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+            /mnt/media_rw/emulated /storage/emulated sdcardfs rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
+            tmpfs /storage/self tmpfs rw,seclabel 0 0
+            overlay /system ext4 ro,seclabel 0 0
+            /dev/block/sda1 /data ext4 rw,seclabel 0 0
+        """.trimIndent()
+
+        assertEquals(emptyList<String>(), StorageRoots.parseExternalMounts(mounts).map { it.path })
+    }
+
+    @Test fun escapedSpacesAndNtfsAreHandled() {
+        val mounts = "/dev/block/vold/public:8,1 /mnt/media_rw/My\\040USB ntfs rw,dirsync 0 0\n" +
+            "/mnt/media_rw/My\\040USB /storage/My\\040USB fuse rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0\n"
+
+        val points = StorageRoots.parseExternalMounts(mounts).map { it.path }
+
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/mnt/media_rw/My USB"))
+        assertTrue(points.contains("/storage/My USB"))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRootTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRootTest.kt
index 78e9bbc0d..126001797 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRootTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/StoreInstallRootTest.kt
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@ import com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs
 import java.io.File
 import org.junit.Assert.assertEquals
 import org.junit.Assert.assertFalse
+import org.junit.Assert.assertNotNull
+import org.junit.Assert.assertNull
 import org.junit.Assert.assertTrue
+import org.junit.Before
 import org.junit.Test
 import org.junit.runner.RunWith
 import org.robolectric.RobolectricTestRunner
@@ -18,6 +21,12 @@ import org.robolectric.shadows.ShadowStatFs
 class StoreInstallRootTest {
     private val app get() = RuntimeEnvironment.getApplication()
 
+    @Before fun resetStoragePreferences() {
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(app, "", "")
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK)
+        SessionPrefs.setGameStorage(app, SessionPrefs.GAME_STORAGE_OFF, "")
+    }
+
     @Test fun theDefaultRootIsInternalWhateverTheSteamLibrarySettingSays() {
         val card = File(app.filesDir, "fake-card/steam").apply { mkdirs() }
         SessionPrefs.setGameStorage(app, card.path, "Card")
@@ -26,6 +35,72 @@ class StoreInstallRootTest {
         assertFalse(StoreInstallRoot.targets(app).first().removable)
     }
 
+    @Test fun defaultStoragePicksTheInternalOrTheConfiguredExternalTarget() {
+        val library = File(app.filesDir, "default-card/steam").apply { mkdirs() }
+        SessionPrefs.setGameStorage(app, library.path, "Card")
+        val external = File(library, "Games")
+
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_INTERNAL)
+        assertEquals(StoreInstallRoot.internalRoot(app).absolutePath, StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app)?.root?.absolutePath)
+
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+        assertEquals(external.absolutePath, StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app)?.root?.absolutePath)
+
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK)
+        assertNull(StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app))
+
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, "bogus")
+        assertEquals(SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_ASK, SessionPrefs.defaultStorage(app))
+    }
+
+    @Test fun defaultExternalStorageFallsBackToTheInstallDialogWhenNoCardIsPresent() {
+        SessionPrefs.setGameStorage(app, SessionPrefs.GAME_STORAGE_OFF, "")
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+        assertNull(StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app))
+    }
+
+    @Test fun aChosenFolderIsUsedForDefaultExternalStorage() {
+        val folder = File(app.filesDir, "usb/SSD").apply { mkdirs() }
+        assertNull(StoreInstallRoot.prepareDefaultFolder(app, folder))
+        val root = File(folder, "Games")
+        assertTrue(root.isDirectory)
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(app, folder.path, "SSD")
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+
+        assertEquals(root.absolutePath, StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app)?.root?.absolutePath)
+        assertTrue(StoreInstallRoot.targets(app).any { it.root.absolutePath == root.absolutePath && it.folder })
+        assertTrue(StoreInstallRoot.roots(app).any { it.absolutePath == root.absolutePath })
+        assertTrue(StoreInstallRoot.externalRoots(app).any { it.first.absolutePath == root.absolutePath })
+        assertFalse(File(root, ".droiddeck-write-probe").exists())
+    }
+
+    @Test fun aDisconnectedChosenFolderDoesNotFallBackToAnotherTarget() {
+        val card = File(app.filesDir, "card/steam").apply { mkdirs() }
+        SessionPrefs.setGameStorage(app, card.path, "Card")
+        val folder = File(app.filesDir, "usb/SSD").apply { mkdirs() }
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(app, folder.path, "SSD")
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(app, SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+        assertNotNull(StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app))
+
+        assertTrue(folder.delete())
+        assertNull(StoreInstallRoot.defaultTarget(app))
+        assertEquals(File(card, "Games").absolutePath, StoreInstallRoot.detectedExternalTarget(app)?.root?.absolutePath)
+    }
+
+    @Test fun filesOnAChosenFolderAreMappedIntoTheGuest() {
+        val folder = File(app.filesDir, "usb/SSD").apply { mkdirs() }
+        SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(app, folder.path, "SSD")
+        val game = File(folder, "Games/GOG/Test/game.exe").apply {
+            parentFile?.mkdirs()
+            writeText("MZ")
+        }
+
+        val guest = StoreInstallRoot.externalGuestPath(app, game)
+        assertNotNull(guest)
+        assertTrue(guest!!.startsWith(StoreInstallRoot.GUEST_EXTERNAL + "/"))
+        assertTrue(guest.endsWith("/GOG/Test/game.exe"))
+    }
+
     @Test fun theSteamLibraryFolderIsOfferedAsAnInstallTarget() {
         val library = File(app.filesDir, "Documents/Games").apply { mkdirs() }
         SessionPrefs.setGameStorage(app, library.path, "Games")
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClientTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClientTest.kt
index f5ba46384..60df152e0 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClientTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/droiddeck/launcher/stores/epic/EpicClientTest.kt
@@ -456,4 +456,26 @@ class EpicClientTest {
         settings.writeText("""{"defaultInstallDir":"/mnt/droiddeck-sd/Stores/Epic"}""")
         assertEquals("/root/Games/Stores/Epic", EpicClient.prepareInstallDir(context))
     }
+
+    @Test fun aDisconnectedDefaultFolderKeepsTheLauncherInstallDir() {
+        val context = org.robolectric.RuntimeEnvironment.getApplication()
+        val previousStorage = com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.defaultStorage(context)
+        val previousFolder = com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolder(context)
+        val previousLabel = com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.defaultStorageFolderLabel(context)
+        val settings = File(EpicClient.dataDir(context), "settings/app-settings.json").apply { parentFile!!.mkdirs() }
+        val current = "/mnt/droiddeck-stores/1234/Epic"
+        settings.writeText("""{"defaultInstallDir":"$current"}""")
+        com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(
+            context, com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.DEFAULT_STORAGE_EXTERNAL)
+        com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(
+            context, File(context.filesDir, "missing-${System.nanoTime()}").path, "SSD")
+        try {
+            assertEquals(current, EpicClient.prepareInstallDir(context))
+            assertEquals(current, org.json.JSONObject(settings.readText()).getString("defaultInstallDir"))
+        } finally {
+            com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorage(context, previousStorage)
+            if (previousFolder.isBlank()) com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.clearDefaultStorageFolder(context)
+            else com.droiddeck.launcher.session.SessionPrefs.setDefaultStorageFolder(context, previousFolder, previousLabel)
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/docs/development/stores.md b/docs/development/stores.md
index cac5f58d8..1209b7c47 100644
--- a/docs/development/stores.md
+++ b/docs/development/stores.md
@@ -29,9 +29,11 @@ Library pages are `app:<appId>` for an installed game and `app:<store>:<id>` for
 ```
 
 The default root is the app's internal storage - the runtime's tree, `/root/Games/Stores`, no bind
-needed - whatever the session's Game storage setting says. When a card the app may write is in the
-device (`GameStorage.options`), Install asks "Install to" (internal / the card, free space shown;
-the last pick is only the dialog's default). A card's root is `<card app folder>/Games`; when the
+needed - whatever the session's Game storage setting says. **Setup > Storage > Default storage**
+can send new installs straight to internal storage or the first external target; with **Ask every
+time**, Install asks "Install to" when more than one target exists (internal / the card, free space
+shown; the last pick is only the dialog's default). An existing install is always resumed in place,
+and changing the default does not move it. A card's root is `<card app folder>/Games`; when the
 card is the Steam library the library's bind (`/mnt/droiddeck-sd`) already covers it, otherwise
 `SessionService` binds the root at `/mnt/droiddeck-stores/<volume uuid>`, so a shortcut's guest
 path - and its appid - is the same from one session to the next. Every root is