The problem of lack of memory is one of the fundamental problems for both PCs and mobile devices. With a small amount of free memory, the system usually starts to slow down, freeze, work unstably and unreliably. This is especially true for Android devices, many of which initially have a rather small amount of main memory (the so-called "Internal Storage"). In such a situation, some users may have the idea to try using an external SD card as the main storage on their Android device. In this article, I will tell you how to make an SD card the main memory on Android gadgets, and what methods will help us with this.

We analyze how to make an SD card the main memory on Android

To accomplish this task, you will need a high-speed SD card (preferably class 10 or faster). Cards 6, and especially 4 and 2 classes are not suitable for such purposes, your system will significantly slow down its work due to their use, which is unlikely to please any of the users.

It is also important to understand that the validity period of such an SD card, due to the active load on it, will be significantly less than if the card was loaded in standard mode.

Method number 1. Change the contents of the Vold.fstab file

The first of the described methods involves changing the contents of the system settings file "Vold.fstab". After making these changes, the Android OS will consider your SD card as the internal memory of the device, while keeping in mind that a number of previously installed applications may stop working.

It is important to know that this method only works on rooted devices running Android OS below (!) than version 4.4.2. In Android OS versions 4.4.2 and above, most likely you simply will not find the specified file.

Also note that an error in the implementation of this method (in particular, adding extra characters to the necessary lines) can most sadly affect the performance of your device. Therefore, carefully weigh the possible risks, and if, nevertheless, you have made a decision, then proceed with its implementation.

So, to implement this method, do the following:

For example, these lines could be:

• dev_mount sdcard/storage/sdcard0 [email protected]
• dev_mount sdcard2/storage/sdcard1 auto/xxxxxx

To make the necessary changes, we need to change the path in the specified lines, that is, in other words, instead of 0, put one in the first line, and in the second, put 0 instead of 1.

After the changes, these lines will look like:

• dev_mount sdcard/storage/sdcard1 [email protected]
• dev_mount sdcard2/storage/sdcard0 auto/xxxxx
  

Save your changes and then reboot your gadget.

Another option on how to make a memory card the main one on android:

Method number 2. We use the settings of Android OS 6.0 and higher

In addition to the first method, in which I looked at how to switch the phone's memory to a memory card, there is another method that works only on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher OS settings and allows you to use the SD card as the main one for saving files and working with them . To implement it, I recommend making a copy of the data from your SD card (if any), since this card will be formatted by the system.

I’ll make a reservation right away that we are not talking about programs like link2sd. The principle is similar, but we will link not the program directories, but the data directories of these programs, for example /sdcard2/Navigon -> /sdcard/Navigon or /mnt/extSdCard/Books -> /sdcard/Books, etc.
In addition, we need a root (where would we be without it). By the way, after I found out about this program, this is another argument for root for me.

Many owners of android smartphones or tablets with a small built-in memory must have encountered the following problem: a large sd card is inserted (for example, 16, 32 or even 64 Gigabytes), but after installing several heavy programs, our device or another program with impudence declares that there is no enough space. Sometimes the program itself is small, but after installation it climbs the Internet and pulls gigabytes of data onto the smartphone.
Once again, having received the message “No space” and looking at the card, we see that it is almost empty, but the internal memory of the device is packed to capacity.
This is because internal memory is often used as the default directory for many programs. The fact is that it is mounted as /sdcard , which historically has always been an external sd card (it used to be the case on all smartphones). The external sd card is mounted in this case as /sdcard2 , /mnt/sdcard2 , /mnt/extSdCard or even /sdcard/.externalSD . I understand that this is done by manufacturers so that the device works out of the box, i.e. no sd card at all.

Many "unscrupulous" programs always want to read/write data from/to the /sdcard/NameSubstitute directory. Rarely, this can be changed in the program settings.
As a result, we have what we have, and several opportunities to improve the current situation:
The last two methods are also not a panacea, because. they require certain skills from the user, besides they are not “clean” enough, for example, there are known problems when connecting a smartphone to a computer via usb (they cannot be unmounted), etc.

The DirectoryBind program will help to correct the situation, which a good person slig from xda wrote for himself and posted on the forum for public use.

QR code

Although the audience here is technically savvy, a couple of explanations need to be made for inexperienced Habr readers. As he himself wrote (the program is not idiot-proof), i.e. unlikely to pass the fool test.

After installation, we launch the program (for the first time, of course, we permanently allow Root rights), press the menu then "Preferences" and set the default paths to the external memory "Default data path" for example / sdcard / external_sd / and internal memory "Default target path" / sdcard / . Exit the menu.

Press menu, then "Add new entry"

Now let's create a new directory link, for example, move the CamScanner folder to an external card. A long press on a folder path opens a small built-in file manager where you can create and/or select a folder. The folder on the external card must be created (and empty).

By checking the "Transfer files from target to data" checkbox, files and folders will be transferred from the /sdcard/CamScanner/ directory to the /sdcard/external_sd/CamScanner directory.

It should be noted that links are not automatically activated after creation (gray floppy disk icon, as in the screenshot below for gameloft). To complete the binding of folders, select the necessary links with the checkboxes and press the menu -> "Bind checked". Icons of active (linked) folders should turn green.

By the way, if you want to attach the entire external card, I completely recommend doing it not like /sdcard/externalSD/ , but with a dot in front of /sdcard/.externalSD/ . This will save you from troubles like double thumbnails in galleries, etc. The truth will not help for all galleries and players, because. some look for media in hidden directories as well.
Having suffered, I decided for myself to link only individual directories.

UPD. By the way, an external SD card is much slower than internal memory, so transferring program data to an external SD naturally slows down the work of this program. This should be especially remembered by those who decide to completely change the mount points of internal and external memory, because. chances are your entire device will run slower than before.

I hope this program will complement your collection of useful utilities for android devices.

If you still decide to swap the internal and external memory, i.e. remap the external sd card to / sdcard and there is no such option in the device settings - having root, this can be easily done by performing the following operation:
In Root-Explorer, mount "/etc" as R/W (if R/O), find the file "/etc/vold.fstab", save a copy and open (long click) it in the Text Editor.
In the next two lines, we change the name of the mount points in places: dev_mount sdcard / mnt / sdcard [email protected]/devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.0 ... dev_mount sdcard /mnt/external_sd auto /devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.1 ... to dev_mount sdcard /mnt/external_sd [email protected]/devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.0 ... dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto /devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.1 ...
You can read more. They also offer, as an alternative, to use another interesting program Root External 2 Internal SD.
I will add that in both cases, before switching, you need to copy the entire contents of the /sdcard folder to an external sd card.
Keep in mind that after the switch, your entire system may work better than before.
be careful- you need to understand that everything you do under root, you do at your own peril and risk, and for example, saving the wrong “vold.fstab” may lead to the inability to boot the device and for treatment you will need to boot into recovery and edit “vold.fstab” already there.

This method can be used in conjunction with DirectoryBind, only now the opposite is "Default target path" (/sdcard) and all links created in DirectoryBind will point to an external card.

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, improper operation, 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 the internal memory of the 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:

1. Menu;
2. Settings;
3. 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 available information about them is opened, as well as possible actions (transfer, 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. The main advantages are simple software installation (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:

1. Settings;
2. Memory;
3. Disk for writing by default;
4. 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 at a service center for an additional fee.

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.

If your device does not have enough internal memory, Can use SD card as internal storage for your android phone. This feature, called Adoptable Storage, allows the Android OS to format an external storage medium as persistent internal storage. The information on the installed SD-card is encrypted and cannot be further used on another device.

An SD Card is a very convenient option for storing photos, songs, and videos. Even if you have a large amount of internal storage on your Android smartphone, you can always need a large chunk of storage to store long videos taken with your phone's high-definition camera.

It's important to know

There is one drawback, the SD chip may lag behind when recording high-definition video.

Android by default in the internal memory and only occasionally uploads data to the SD card. Thus, you are deprived of installing any additional applications if your phone lacks internal storage, for example, in the case of budget Android One devices.

What is storage storage?

Storage storage is the main memory of your smartphone, but if necessary, it can be expanded using an SD card. This on Android it's called Adoptable Storage. This will allow you to use the removable microSD card installed on your Android phone as your primary storage. Thus, you can easily solve the problem of how to make the SD card the main memory on Android and overcome the lack of space if the phone has a small internal volume.

Features of using the card as the main storage

There are a number of some important features that should be considered in this procedure.

Will be useful

When using a drive, be it an SD flash drive or a USB drive, it is important to remember what format this device is in and whether the Android operating system supports it, and there are four types of main file formats: FAT32 or exFAT, ext4 or f2fs.

How to change phone memory to android memory card? The question is not entirely correct, it is impossible to completely replace, you can only "increase" additional volume, as it were.

Using your SD-card as your main storage can be a great solution for music lovers and those who like to watch TV series on the way to work or on a long trip. But, as is often the case, memory expansion always rests on the cost of the required device, because they differ both in speed and volume, as well as in the adaptable function of storing information. Here are some nuances that can be considered from different angles - both in a negative direction and in a positive one:

How to use SD card as internal storage on Android?

Do you have enough internal storage to store all your data?

How to replace internal phone memory with external sd card on android? Configuring your SD card to work as internal storage on Android is actually a fairly simple process. There is nothing complicated about this and you will see for yourself further.

It is possible that the Adoptable Storage function is not supported by your device, even if the smartphone is running Android 6.0 or higher (this happens, it all depends on the model and brand of the smartphone). The device manufacturer may have disabled this feature. However, there are command line methods that allow you to force the use of a flash drive for data storage.

The basic formatting steps are listed below.

On the next screen, you have one last chance to decide for yourself if you want to change your mind.

It's important to know

Do not forget to make a backup copy of the data, after formatting the information will disappear without a trace!

Once the formatting process is complete, you can use the removable SD card as a "temporary" or "removable" permanent location. But keep in mind that hot-swapping and ejecting will no longer be available, as you may have done before. That's why do not eject the flash drive without using the Eject option. In addition, you can practically delete the place accepted by the operating system, which, accordingly, is not recommended, since this can cause certain errors in the device. Now you know how to make a memory card the main memory on Android.

Android: An easy way to link external sd card and internal memory to free up space

I’ll make a reservation right away that we are not talking about programs like link2sd. The principle is similar, but we will link not the program directories, but the data directories of these programs, for example /sdcard2/Navigon -> /sdcard/Navigon or /mnt/extSdCard/Books -> /sdcard/Books, etc.
In addition, we need a root (where would we be without it). By the way, after I found out about this program, this is another argument for root for me.

Many owners of android smartphones or tablets with a small built-in memory must have encountered the following problem: a large sd card is inserted (for example, 16, 32 or even 64 Gigabytes), but after installing several heavy programs, our device or another program with impudence declares that there is no enough space. Sometimes the program itself is small, but after installation it climbs the Internet and pulls gigabytes of data onto the smartphone.
Once again, having received the message “No space” and looking at the card, we see that it is almost empty, but the internal memory of the device is packed to capacity.
This is because internal memory is often used as the default directory for many programs. The fact is that it is mounted as /sdcard , which historically has always been an external sd card (it used to be the case on all smartphones). The external sd card is mounted in this case as /sdcard2 , /mnt/sdcard2 , /mnt/extSdCard or even /sdcard/.externalSD . I understand that this is done by manufacturers so that the device works out of the box, i.e. no sd card at all.

Many "unscrupulous" programs always want to read/write data from/to the /sdcard/NameSubstitute directory. Rarely, this can be changed in the program settings.
As a result, we have what we have, and several opportunities to improve the current situation:
The last two methods are also not a panacea, because. they require certain skills from the user, besides they are not “clean” enough, for example, there are known problems when connecting a smartphone to a computer via usb (they cannot be unmounted), etc.

The DirectoryBind program will help to correct the situation, which a good person slig from xda wrote for himself and posted on the forum for public use.

QR code

Although the audience here is technically savvy, a couple of explanations need to be made for inexperienced Habr readers. As he himself wrote (the program is not idiot-proof), i.e. unlikely to pass the fool test.

After installation, we launch the program (for the first time, of course, we permanently allow Root rights), press the menu then "Preferences" and set the default paths to the external memory "Default data path" for example / sdcard / external_sd / and internal memory "Default target path" / sdcard / . Exit the menu.

Press menu, then "Add new entry"

Now let's create a new directory link, for example, move the CamScanner folder to an external card. A long press on a folder path opens a small built-in file manager where you can create and/or select a folder. The folder on the external card must be created (and empty).

By checking the "Transfer files from target to data" checkbox, files and folders will be transferred from the /sdcard/CamScanner/ directory to the /sdcard/external_sd/CamScanner directory.

It should be noted that links are not automatically activated after creation (gray floppy disk icon, as in the screenshot below for gameloft). To complete the binding of folders, select the necessary links with the checkboxes and press the menu -> "Bind checked". Icons of active (linked) folders should turn green.

By the way, if you want to attach the entire external card, I completely recommend doing it not like /sdcard/externalSD/ , but with a dot in front of /sdcard/.externalSD/ . This will save you from troubles like double thumbnails in galleries, etc. The truth will not help for all galleries and players, because. some look for media in hidden directories as well.
Having suffered, I decided for myself to link only individual directories.

UPD. By the way, an external SD card is much slower than internal memory, so transferring program data to an external SD naturally slows down the work of this program. This should be especially remembered by those who decide to completely change the mount points of internal and external memory, because. chances are your entire device will run slower than before.

I hope this program will complement your collection of useful utilities for android devices.

If you still decide to swap the internal and external memory, i.e. remap the external sd card to / sdcard and there is no such option in the device settings - having root, this can be easily done by performing the following operation:
In Root-Explorer, mount "/etc" as R/W (if R/O), find the file "/etc/vold.fstab", save a copy and open (long click) it in the Text Editor.
In the next two lines, change the name of the mount points in places: dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard /devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.0 ... dev_mount sdcard /mnt/external_sd auto /devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.1 ... to dev_mount sdcard /mnt /external_sd /devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.0 ... dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto /devices/platform/goldfish_mmc.1 ...
You can read more

A small amount of internal memory on cheap Android smartphones and tablets, the main problem is the inability to install applications in such cases, replacing the internal Android memory with a memory card can help.

For those who do not understand from the title what this article is about: suppose you have 400 MB of Android internal memory, which is very small (about 12-20 installed applications), then you might think to take and replace the main memory with a memory card.

Risks and what you need to know

Replacing the internal memory of Android with a memory card occurs only with installed root rights (no root, method does not work)! For those who do not know what Root is and how to get it:

In addition to this, you obliged know the Android filesystem structure.

Memory substitution is possible only if your Android device has a system file vold.fstab along the way /system/etc , if you do not have one, then this method unfortunately not for you! Use alternative methods (link 1, link 2, link 3). Also if Android does not have its own memory, then this article also not for you. The article is more for devices with a Mediatek (MTK) or Rockchip processor.

Since the system file will be edited there is a risk that you can make a mistake and device won't boot, in order to fix this, you need to reflash the device, and the memory card may fail and you will encounter the same problem, the firmware will also help.

With the replacement of internal memory on a memory card, the latter has a very short service life (due to frequent reading / writing), and the speed of Android may also drop if the class is very low microSD cards.

Instructions for replacing the internal memory of Android

to a memory card

1. Install the Root Browser file manager (if you choose another one, then do not write “smart” questions “I don’t see” “I don’t edit” in the comments)

2. Run the file manager Root Broswser and go along the path:

/system/etc/

3. Looking for a file vold.fstab and open it (click on the file and select Edit)

4. In file vold.fstab see about such a picture:

# Regular device mount

Format: dev_mount
label – Label for the volume
mount_point – Where the volume will be mounted
part - Partition # (1 based), or 'auto' for first usable partition.
– List of sysfs paths to source devices
#

# Mounts the first usable partition of the specified device
#/devices/platform/awsmc.3/mmc_host for sdio
dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto /devices/virtual/block/XXXXXX
dev_mount extsd /mnt/extsd auto /devices/platform/XXXXXX/XXXXXXX
/devices/platform/sunxi-mmc.0/mmc_host
dev_mount usbhost1 /mnt/usbhost1 auto /devices/platform/sw-ehci.1 /devices/platform/sw_hcd_host0 /devices/platform/sw-ehci.2 /devices/platform/sw- ohci.1 /devices/platform/sw- ohci.2

In this example, pay attention to two lines highlighted, if you carefully read the structure of the Android file system before these, then you already know that /sdcard or /sdcard0 is the internal memory /extsd or /external_sdcard, /sdcrad1, /sdcrad2, /external_sd this is external memory, that is, microSD.

All you have to do is replace these two lines:

dev_mount extsd /mnt/extsd auto /devices/virtual/block/XXXXXX
dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto /devices/platform/XXXXXX/XXXXXXX

Often you have to face the situation that the internal memory is not enough to install all the desired applications. You can, of course, clean the device and remove outdated applications, but it is not always possible to do this. In such a case, you can try to replace the main internal memory of Android with a memory card.

Let's try to analyze in detail what it is. First, make sure that you have root rights, allowing you to make changes to the Android system settings. In addition, before making such changes, it is recommended to study the structure of building the Android file system.

The method of replacing memory described below is possible only if there is a system file vold.fstab located in the /system/etc folder.

It should be cautioned that when performing a memory replacement, there is a risk of making an error, since there will be direct editing of system files. You also need to be prepared for the fact that the life of the memory card will be greatly reduced, and the speed of Android may also drop significantly. To fix the above problems, flashing the device will help. So we advise you to weigh the pros and cons before making systemic adjustments.

Algorithm for replacing Android internal memory with a memory card

Usually, for these purposes, the Root Browser file manager is used, at the start of which we go to the / System / etc / folder. Next, find the vold.fstab file and open it. To do this, use a long hold, and then press Edit.

After that, the internal file system of Android opens, which we have already studied. In the structure that opens, we find the lines in which the definition of the main memory is written. Strings can vary significantly on different devices.

Let's give an example for a general understanding of what you should pay attention to. As you know, the internal memory of Android is usually called sdcard or sdcard0, while the external memory can be called extsd, external_sdcard, sdcrad1, sdcrad2.

Replacing names in internal system files will automatically replace the default memory. Therefore, we are looking for lines that mention the above designations and swap them, but before that, carefully study again how the memory is designated directly in your device.

After replacing and saving the results, a system reboot is required, after which you can start working with the increased memory size.

Most owners of Android devices sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal space for storing files. Regular installation of applications gradually reduces the amount of free space in the gadget, which leads to slowdowns, improper operation, 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 - external storage, which is designed to expand the internal memory of the 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:

1. Menu;
2. Settings;
3. 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 available information about them is opened, as well as possible actions (transfer, 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. The main advantages are simple software installation (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:

1. Settings;
2. Memory;
3. Disk for writing by default;
4. 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 at a service center for an additional fee.

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.