Aspects of the disclosure provide a data storage apparatus that includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a controller. The NVM includes a first NVM portion and a second NVM portion. The first NVM portion includes a plurality of first cell types. The first NVM portion includes a first sub-portion that is allocated to store file management data. The second NVM portion includes a plurality of second cell types. The controller is coupled to the NVM. The controller is configured to receive a plurality of payload data and a plurality of file management data; store the plurality of file management data at the first sub-portion of the first NVM portion; and store the plurality of payload data at the NVM.