resize / expand / 2GB root

[test_root]

Hey, Im testing on old device, indeed
maybe there is a way to expand 2 GB root image or to copy /usr and make it boot from mounted SD card?

Followed lots of stackexchange talks but no sucsess same error. Eample:
resize2fs 1.42.13 (17-May-2015)
resize2fs: Invalid argument while trying to open /dev/loop2
couldn't find valid filesystem superblock.
or invalid argument
Or Bad magic number in super-block while trying to open /userdata/ubuntu.img
Couldn't find valid filesystem superblock.

Main thing I managed to ssh in to this phone, makes more sence for a second day of my new hoby but I need more space to install packages and etc. More than 2GB, there are free 7GB and mounted SD card with 30GB

Any help?

[AppLee]

Hi @test_root

My advice: Do not mess with partition size.
Theoretically you can mount the SD card and boot from there. But you have to modify the bootloader in order to do so.
I don't think it is doable or worth it.

You tackle this like a phone a standard computer, which it is not.
If I would have to guess I'd say you want do "apt install" large software like LibreOffice which is deprecated. Using apt will mess with the OS and create more problems than it can solve.

Edit: I'll throw this thread in for more information: https://forums.ubports.com/topic/9231/terminal-error

[test_root]

@AppLee LibreOffice is not needed but some packages in terminal, indeed.
Technically I was using any devices as a computer if it had terminal even without root.
Found this old S3 Neo in a storage I left long ago, technically more can be done via Termux or any simulated VM on Android because free space in root is not 2GB with free 76 MB.

From this point lots of unanswered questions my Android phone (not this one) is more usable for daily usage or a game play like with this device just because interface is more better for eyes because of daily Ubuntu usage on computers.

Still thank you, for your answer.

[AppLee]

@test_root
Depending on your use case you can remount the root partition in RW and then mount the SD card.
But you need to understand what you are doing and playing with links in order to get something to work.

Of course prior to that the SD card should be formatted properly.

But as I mentioned, booting directly from the SD might be too difficult.