Most Android device owners sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal file storage space. Regular installation of applications gradually reduces the amount of free space in the gadget, which leads to slowdowns, wrong work, or even a complete failure of the system to work normally. In this case, replacing the internal memory of Android with a memory card will help. How to do this and what other ways there are to deal with such a nuisance, we will consider further.
Before digging through the settings and transferring applications to a USB flash drive all at once, you need to understand what types of memory exist on your Android device in general:
- operational - necessary for the correct operation of applications, programs and other processes that run on a phone or tablet;
- ROM - stores information about the operating system during firmware and this data cannot be transferred to third-party media;
- internal - applications are installed here automatically, as well as any user information; how much free space is left by the system when installing new software;
- expansion card - an external drive that is designed to expand internal memory device and store applications, user information.
Why can't I save apps to my SD card?
In many gadgets, it will not be possible to automatically allow the installation of new applications on a USB flash drive. This applies to phones and tablets from version 4.4.2 to 6.0.1. In this case, replacing the internal memory with an SD card is simply necessary, and this can be done in several ways (including using third-party applications). But first you need to find out the version of Android that is installed on your gadget. To do this, click successively on:
- Menu;
- Settings;
- About phone.
In the list that opens, the OS version will be indicated.
Programs for transferring applications to a memory card
The developers took care of the users and created programs to make the memory of the flash drive the main one on Android. This is especially useful for older system versions such as 2.2 or even earlier.
Convenient software that has all the necessary tools for transferring information from internal memory to an external drive. The interface is intuitive and simple. Applications available for moving are marked with icons, when clicked, all information available about them is opened, as well as possible actions(move, copy, delete).
Move2SD Enablerv
This software is of interest to users for two reasons. First - it is compatible with different versions of Android (including later ones). And the second is the ability to transfer data and applications that are marked in the system as “invalid for transfer”.
Another interesting development that simplifies the life of users of Android gadgets. Main advantages - easy installation Software (without the need to additionally download scripts and libraries) and the ability to transfer information not by complete libraries, but only by their parts.
What other methods are there?
There is another option, how to make an SD card an internal memory on Android. If the version of your gadget is from 2.2 to 4.2.2, then the instruction is extremely simple, click on:
- Settings;
- Memory;
- Disk for writing by default;
- SD card.
A checkmark or circle will appear opposite the flash drive, which indicates a change in settings. Now the installation of applications will automatically go to the flash drive.
For users of Android KitKat and above, the process will be more difficult and dreary. the main problem is that you will need to root your device. You can do this at home, but there is a risk of turning your device into a “brick”, which is either beyond repair, or it will be brought to life only in service center at extra charge.
Remember that by installing root rights yourself, you will void the warranty on your device and act at your own peril and risk. Whether it's worth it or not is up to you. Maybe it's less risky to manually transfer new applications each time?
What do you think? Tell us in the comments if you had to get root rights, whether successfully, or maybe you know other ways to switch the memory of your tablet / phone to a memory card.
ATTENTION: starting from android version 4.4 and higher, Google has disabled the built-in function to transfer data to a memory card, and only some manufacturers integrate it on their own and not all applications can be transferred - so who does not have a transfer button, you can immediately go to the third section.
All applications that we install on our smartphone on Samsung Galaxy, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Alcatel, Meizu, Asus Zenfone, Nokia, Huawei, Sony Xperia, Prestigio, Irbis tablet, and so on, go to non-removable internal memory.
Unfortunately, with the increase in the number installed applications, photos, music, videos, and programs, our device begins to suffer from a lack of free space for additional files - especially cheap models.
For this, Android has a very useful feature transfer data of individual applications to external storage- micro SD card.
If your smartphone or tablet has a slot for a memory card, then you can easily transfer most of your applications, photos, music, videos to the memory card and in this way free up space in the phone's memory.
To do this, you can use one of the three methods provided below: built-in tools, through a computer (laptop) or using a third-party program that is not included in the built-in set.
The method using the program is the most effective, since the built-in function is increasingly being removed by xiaomi, redmi, lg, zte, redmi 4x, htc, asus, huawei, samsung, meizu, lenovo, lg, samsung, fly, alcatel, redmi, sony xperia equipment manufacturers , prestigio and you will not find it on most even the best modern smartphones.
NOTE: depending on the version of android, for example, android 6.0, android 7, android 5.1, android 4.4 and so on, there are also some nuances when moving files from the phone to the sd memory card.
The first way to transfer data from android phone internal memory to sd card is built-in tools
Android has a feature that allows you to move an app to a map. Just go to "Settings" > "Application Manager".
It should immediately be noted here that, for example, in my Samsung galaxy with android 6, the “Application Manager” function was, and when it was updated to android 7.0, it disappeared. Instead, there was a good optimization.
If you have an application manager, you can see the games and programs installed on the SD memory card, as well as those that can be transferred.
Therefore, then touch the application that interests you, and then in the new window, find the item "Move to SD card" - click on the button.
After a while, the app will be moved.
The second way to transfer data from the internal memory of an android phone to an sd card is through a computer
This method works well for moving multimedia files such as photos, movies, songs, images (and more).
Using a computer, you have the ability to quickly transfer music, videos and other data to an SD card using a USB cable (set it as a USB storage device).
When browsing the contents of a smartphone, you can see two separate media: internal memory and an external sit card.
For convenience, you can use the Apowersoft Phone Manager program. If you do not have a computer, you can use the File Manager program, which you must first install yourself on your Android phone.
The third way to transfer data from the internal memory of android phone to sd card is using apps
If you want to transfer applications and games to a memory card, you can find programs in the Google Play store that will quickly do this process. I recommend using AppMgr III(known as App 2 SD).
Download it. Only not all applications installed in the smartphone's memory can be transferred to a memory card. Pre-installed in the system, they are usually not subject to movement.
After starting AppMgr III, you will see which ones can be migrated. With AppMgr III, you can quickly transfer everything to a memory card at once, and not one at a time.
To do this, press and hold your finger a little so that it appears in a red wrapper, and then select "Move All". You can also check the list of installed applications and files that you want to transfer to a memory card.
Which applications can be transferred to a memory card and which cannot or is not recommended
Is it possible to transfer all applications to a memory card? No, everything is impossible. Why can't everything be transferred? Therefore, this is not provided by the android system, the phone manufacturer or the author of the application.
You cannot transfer whatsapp (whatsapp), facebook to an SD memory card - if it was originally built-in, updates, play market, youtube, firmware and others were originally built-in.
Some smartphone owners want to transfer the cache, especially from the game - this is available using the program - "FolderMount".
You can also easily transfer maps: from Yandex navigator, Navitel (even recommended from navitel), garmin, city guide, google maps.
Sometimes people ask me how to transfer viber and the VK application to a flash sd card. It depends on the smartphone and Android version. Sometimes the system allows it, sometimes it doesn't.
A lot of information that cannot be transferred through programs and built-in smartphone tools can be transferred using a computer, for example, a folder, song, pictures, downloads, arch, various audio, SMS messages, gallery - more precisely, its contents, viber pictures and so on. Good luck.
A reader of our site asks based on our answer:
Changing the default content store in settings
“Set in the general settings of the smartphone (operating system)…..”
Where can you find it on a smartphone? General settings? I go to the settings and go sim cards, wifi, themes, screen, .... system applications, all applications, for developers, etc.
And I can’t find the OS settings anywhere to set up saving WhatsApp files to an external card
Specify the path, please. I have xiaomi redmi 2 pro. Constantly having to manually transfer files to the SD card and delete from the internal memory
And still, downloading videos from the Internet would also be automatically thrown off by default on the SD card. How to do it?
Thank you in advance
Nura
How to switch default memory usage to SD card?
Yes, indeed, that article did not show how to switch the default storage to an SD card. I was able to use the default memory card if I switched it in "Settings" > "Memory":
After that, the necessary folders for applications will be created on the memory card and all new applications and their files will be saved to the SD card. By at least I had exactly that. And also some applications will be immediately transferred to the memory card.
In addition, I met somewhere that in the settings of the applications themselves it is possible to transfer them to an SD card. Is there such an opportunity for a specific application in your case, you also need to look through the system settings> Applications> the desired application.
If there is a possibility, then there will be a button for transferring it to SD.
App to move apps to SD card!
That's so intricate, there is such a thing, yeah :)
I have not tried such an application, the article in which it is described is quite old, two years ago. Therefore, I cannot confirm the information. But according to Google play app was updated quite recently, in August 2016. Most likely it is still popular and works.
There is even a video about it:
In any case, whichever method you choose, it is recommended to backup the entire smartphone before changing any system settings, and especially those related to memory usage and applications.
The capabilities of the device can be seriously expanded by replacing the internal android memory to a memory card. This will allow you to install on a tablet or other gadget much more apps, but the main requirement to perform this update is the presence of root rights on the device. Let's look at ways to use an SD card as a system memory device and related conditions.
Risks and conditions of replacing the internal memory of the gadget with an SD card
Before repeating the steps described below, the user should consider several important points:
- The life of the SD card will be greatly reduced due to frequent read/write cycles when running applications.
- The speed of the gadget may noticeably drop if you use microSD card low class.
- If you make a mistake when editing the system file, the phone may not boot next time - you will have to reflash it.
In general, the procedure (especially for inexperienced users) is quite risky, so it makes sense to carry it out exclusively for old gadgets with a small amount of their own memory.
Using the Root Browser utility and editing the vold.fstab file
To swap memory, you will need to install Root Browser from Google Play.
We repeat that you can fully work with it only on rooted devices. After running the above application:
In Android, sdcard stands for internal memory, and extsd stands for external, i.e. SD card. By replacing these lines, we have actually swapped these types of memory. On some systems, these pieces of code may look different, for example, like this:
You need to replace them like this:
After completing the described procedure, restart the gadget. Before doing this, be sure to check for errors in the modified code so that in the future there is no need for a flashing.
The second way to increase memory using Link2SD
The application is available in Play market and only works on rooted devices. This file manager does not physically replace the internal memory of the device with an external drive, but it is able to transfer any utilities to an SD card, significantly saving gadget resources.
The peculiarity of the application in question is that the MicroSD itself will have to be broken and properly formatted. Therefore, copy everything valuable from your card to your computer and start dividing the drive into sections.
Dividing the device card into sections with custom Recovery
Each Android device has a recovery mode, but the method described below is only suitable for devices not with the standard one, but with. If you've never heard of CWM, move on to the second drive partitioning option. Next, we will tell you how to solve the task, if there is a Partition SD Card item in your device recovery mode:
Partitioning a microSD card through a computer
Connect the card to a laptop or PC. To do this, you can use a card reader or other equipment, most importantly, it should be defined as a drive, and not an MTP media device. Further:
The "stomach" of the green robot is smaller than a thimble. Especially on devices with a small amount of memory. I fed him a dozen or two super-mega-needed programs - and the place was over. But ... many of us have the opportunity to install a second "stomach" in the gadget and continue feeding further.
Today we will talk about transferring applications from internal memory to an SD card in Android smartphones and tablets.
Which apps can and can't be transferred
Among mobile applications there are those that can be transferred between drives and those that cannot. When you transfer the program to external media, some components remain in the same place - in the permanent memory of the device.
If the program is relatively autonomous and not too whimsical in terms of the location of files and data, it will still work. And if it is deeply rooted in operating system, when the work of other structures depends on it, the transfer can end in failure - not only this program, but everything that interacts with it will stop working. For this reason, you should definitely not try to move system applications.
The ability to transfer third-party products to microSD varies. It depends on whether the author of the program foresaw this possibility. They do not write about this in the characteristics - everything is known experimentally, but such experiments do not threaten with serious consequences. If the program does not work after the transfer, it is enough to return it to its place or reinstall it in the device's memory.
Moving by system means
Modern versions of Android, starting from 6.0, support transfer software on cards without additional funds. They use a micro SD card as an extension of the internal storage, and the transfer function is built into the firmware.
To transfer the program from the memory of a smartphone or tablet to a card in Android 6.0 and higher, do the following:
- Open system settings and go to " Device» – « Applications».
- Open the menu (properties section) of the desired program with a short touch.
- Touch " storage", then " Change».
- In the window " Change storage location» select « Memory card».
The instruction is applicable to devices of many brands and models, but adjusted for individual characteristics. For some manufacturers, for example, Samsung, instead of " Vaults"you need to go to the section" Memory". Others have a button Transfer toSD" is located in the very menu of applications that support this function. Well, and the third ones ... just didn’t bother and refused to introduce the transfer function into the firmware of their devices.
The ability to transfer applications to SD cards "without intermediaries" exists in very old versions of Android - 2.2 and below, and everything that appeared later - up to the sixth version, needs third-party tools, which will be discussed later.
Mobile software for moving applications to SD
AppMgr III
The utility is convenient in that it makes it possible to perform the same type of operations with several objects at once (batch management of installed software). This is not only a change in the installation location of the software, but also:
AppMgr III simplifies and speeds up many maintenance tasks for a mobile gadget, supports all android versions, starting from 4.1, however, it is officially incompatible with devices from certain manufacturers, in particular Xiaomi. Operations with some objects require root rights.
Link2SD
An exclusive feature of the utility is the transfer of absolutely all user applications to SD cards, even those that do not allow this. The truth about whether the developer guarantees their further performance, the description does not say anything.
Other functions and features of Link2SD:
- Changing the attributes of user software to system software and vice versa.
- Freeze unused software.
- Batch transfer of software to SD-cards and device memory.
- Batch uninstall and reinstall programs, batch clear cache and data. Clear the cache of all installed software with one touch.
- Removal of potentially malicious software.
- Device reboot management.
- Create custom shortcuts.
- Sort installed applications by various parameters, search and more.
Link2SD is more omnivorous than AppMgr III: it runs on any version of Android, starting from 2.3, and supports Xiaomi devices in general (although, according to user experience, not all). Most operations require root rights, on some firmware it does not work without root. Free version The utilities are pretty good - functional and convenient, but annoying with intrusive advertising.
Files To SD Card
A simple utility designed to transfer files to a memory card different type– graphics, videos, music and, of course, applications. In addition, it allows you to choose the SD card as a place to save new files (by default, Android saves everything on the device).
Files To SD Card is used to offload the memory of mobile gadgets and Reserve copy data. Despite the fact that the manufacturer claims support for a limited number of devices: Lenovo A2010 LTE, Samsung GalaxyCore, Moto G, Vodafone Smart Prime 6, Nokia One and Sony Xperia M4, the utility runs on almost any smartphones and tablets under Android control 5.0 and above. On most firmware, everything functions without root.
Move to SDCard
A program with a simple name "" pleases users with simplicity and good results. In addition to the main function that matches the name, the utility can:
- Move software from the card to the device memory.
- Sort apps by name, size, install date.
- Display information about applications: installation location, date, time, size, executable file name (apk).
- Search for software on your device and on the web.
The utility is compatible with most brands and models of mobile gadgets, including deeply Chinese and very old ones (supports Android 2.3 and higher). Some functions require root privileges.
File manager
is an advanced file explorer, a replacement for the standard file manager on Android smartphones and tablets. Changing where apps are installed is just one of its features.
Among other features of the File Manager:
- Copying, pasting, cutting, moving, deleting, renaming, loading - that is, all the standard operations with files and folders.
- Integration with , OneDrive and DropBox.
- Access to open resources in the local network.
- Cleaning cache, junk data, duplicates.
- Sorting objects into categories.
- Transfer files over Wi-Fi to others mobile devices, computers and Smart TV.
- Analysis and graphical display of drive space usage.
- Archiving and unzipping files. Support for all major compression formats: rar, zip, 7z, 7zip, tgz, tar, gz.
- Organizing and storing documents of various formats: doc, ppt, pdf and others.
Explorer is very light and easy to learn, not overloaded with redundant functions, undemanding to hardware resources. Runs on Android 4.2 and up. Some of the functions need root rights, but all the main ones work anyway.
All-In-One Toolbox
– utility for complex optimization and maintenance mobile system. The painless transfer of applications from internal memory to an SD card and vice versa is also one of its functions.
Other useful features of All-In-One Toolbox:
- Software startup management (user and system).
- Removing unnecessary data (cleaning garbage, caches, duplicates).
- Complete removal of programs with cleaning of the remaining files.
- Accelerate device by freeing random access memory from running services and programs.
- Reduced battery consumption.
- Encryption of personal data.
- Display a list of large files.
- Explorer with the function of sorting objects into categories.
All-In-One Toolbox is a good tool for speeding up and maintaining smartphones and tablets with limited resources - low storage and RAM, not the most productive processor, weak battery. Runs on devices of all brands and models, with perhaps a few exceptions. Some functions require root rights and depend on the version of Android.
As most often happens, this is not an exhaustive list of utilities with the ability to transfer applications to and from an SD card. There are hundreds of them, but each with its own quirks and character. I hope this short review will help you find exactly what you like, and it will also be "too tough" for your Android device.
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How to move apps from internal storage to SD card in Android updated: August 13, 2018 by: Johnny Mnemonic
