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How to transfer applications to an external memory card in android. Effective ways to transfer apps to memory card in android phone

Today we will tell you how to transfer files of internal memory, applications to the SD-card of a phone on an Android or tablet. And also how to store files and photos on a microSD card to free up space on your smartphone's memory. All methods are simple and will help to avoid or postpone the moment the message “Not enough space” appears on your Android device.

What you need to know about micro SD cards

Many low-cost Android smartphones have a small amount of internal storage (4GB or 8GB). At the same time, 16 GB is not always enough, because few people limit themselves to a couple of movies and applications. Many users want their gadget to fit as many high-resolution photos and videos as possible, as well as all their favorite music compositions. Fortunately, most Android smartphones support microSD cards.

Before buying a card, you need to find out what is the maximum memory capacity of the gadget. Flagships usually go up to 128 GB and above, but many Android smartphones are limited to 32 GB. Frankly speaking, this amount of memory is enough for most users.

After inserting a microSD card, you can set a new save path for new applications, photos, videos, audio files and others; change the location of saving pictures in the camera settings, as well as songs downloaded from the Google Play Music application. But what about applications that are already loaded on the internal memory of the smartphone?

How to move apps to SD card in Android

Let's make a reservation right away: not all applications can be moved to a microSD card: some applications have protection that will prevent you from doing this. In other words, users of smartphones with 4 and 8 GB of internal memory, who are used to downloading and installing dozens of applications, even with a microSD card, may face the problem of lack of memory.

The ability to move an application to a memory card is usually determined by the application developer and sometimes by the device manufacturer.

For example, one of the smartphones on which you can move applications to the SD card. However, these applications will become unavailable when the memory card is removed.

In order to find out whether it is possible to transfer an application to a microSD card, go to "Settings", then to "Applications" and select the one you need. On some Android smartphones, the settings menu may have a different name and look, but the application settings should be there anyway.

The first tab of the application settings menu displays all downloaded applications on the smartphone. On the tab to the right - those stored on the SD card.

To move the application, go to the Downloaded tab and click on the application. For the example in the screenshots, we have chosen Clash of Clans.

There will be an item "Move to SD-card", click on it. After that, the inscription "Move" will appear, and at the end of the process the item will change to "Move to internal memory". Now the app has appeared in the "on SD card" tab.

It is also worth noting that many downloadable free applications are available for moving. And for those who often do not have enough available memory, we recommend uninstalling applications after use.

How to Move Photos, Videos and Other Files to Android SD Card (Memory Card)

In addition, using a computer or laptop, you can also quickly and easily move photos, videos, audio and other files. To do this, you just need to connect your smartphone to a PC via a USB cable.

Through the computer, you can view the contents of both internal and external memory (will be displayed as two different devices). You can use Android File Transfer to transfer files to Mac OS, which displays the internal storage and the contents of the SD card in separate tabs.

Here, to move files from internal memory to external, you just need to drag them with the mouse to any convenient place, including the memory of the computer itself. The main thing is not to accidentally hijack the system files of the Android operating system.

File Manager

You can also resort to using the file manager. Many Android smartphones have this application installed by default. If you don't have one, you can download the free file manager from Topnet999, but Explorer is the most popular among Android users of ES devices.

At the very top there will be a "Memory" tab - click on it to see all the available types of memory on your smartphone. "Sdcard0" refers to the internal memory of the smartphone, and "sdcard1" refers to the external memory. Let's start by moving the photos.

First open "sdcard0" and go to the DCIM folder, then to Camera. Pictures taken with the smartphone camera are stored here. Click on the three dots at the bottom right and select "Select multiple files". We mark the necessary photos that we want to transfer to the memory card. After that, select "Move", go to the desired folder on the microSD card and click on "Paste".

In this way, you can move audio and other files on your smartphone.


By default, all applications are installed on the internal memory of the Android device. It is also used to store their cache. But even the memory of modern smartphones is sometimes not enough to load all the necessary software. It's good that there are memory cards with enough capacity for this. How to use them to offload the main memory, we will consider further.

How to switch the memory of an Android phone to a memory card

Let's clarify that in this case we are considering a situation when the user needs to make sure that the downloaded files and programs are saved on the microSD. The default Android settings are set to auto-boot to internal memory. Therefore, we will try to change that.

First, we will consider the options for transferring already installed programs, and then - ways to change the internal memory to the memory of a flash drive.

On a note: the flash drive itself must have not only a large amount of memory, but also a sufficient speed class, because the quality of the games and applications located on it will depend on it.

Method 1: Link2SD

This is one of the best options among such programs. Link2SD allows you to do the same thing that can be done manually, but a little faster. In addition, you can forcefully move games and applications that do not move in a standard way.

Download Link2SD you can

The instructions for working with Link2SD are as follows:

  1. The main window will list all applications. Select the one you want.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the app information and tap " Transfer to SD card».

Please note that those applications that are not transferred in the standard way may reduce their functionality. For example, widgets will stop working.

Method 2: memory setup

Let's go back to system tools again. On Android, you can specify the SD card as the default installation location for applications. Again, this does not always work.

Try the following anyway:

1. While in the settings, open the section " Memory».

2. Click on " Preferred installation location"And select" SD card».

3. You can also assign storage to save other files by designating the SD card as “ Default memory».

The arrangement of elements on your device may differ from the examples shown.

Method 3: Replacing internal memory with external

And this method allows you to trick Android into treating the memory card as system memory. You will need any file manager from the toolkit. The example will use Root Explorer.

Attention! You do the procedure described below at your own peril and risk. There is always a chance that this will cause problems with Android, which can only be fixed by flashing.

The procedure is as follows:

1. At the root of the system, open the folder "etc". To do this, open your file manager.

2. Find the file “ vold.fstab»And open it with a text editor.

3. Wednesday and all the text, find 2 lines starting with " dev_mount»Without a lattice at the beginning. They should be followed by the following values:

  • « sdcard / mnt / sdcard»;
  • « extsd / mnt / extsd».

4. You need to swap the words after “ mnt /"To become like this:

  • « sdcard / mnt / extsd»;
  • « extsd / mnt / sdcard».

5. Different devices may have different designations after " mnt /»: « sdcard», « sdcard0», « sdcard1», « sdcard2". The main thing is to swap them.

6. Save changes and restart your smartphone.

As for the file manager, it should be said that not all such programs allow you to see the aforementioned files. We recommend using ES Explorer.

Method 4: Transfer applications in the standard way

Starting from Android 4.0, it is possible to transfer some applications from the internal memory to the SD card without using third-party tools.

To do this, you need to do the following:

1. Open " Settings».

2. Go to the section "Applications».

3. Tap (touch with your finger) on the desired program.

4. Click the " Move to SD card».


The disadvantage of this method is that it does not work for all applications.

In these ways, you can use the SD card memory for games and applications.



Memory has one property: it is always in short supply. The newly purchased smartphone delighted you with immeasurable gigabytes inside: and now it is crowded there, like in a trolleybus at rush hour.
And on the outside sticks out, all so restless, a Micro SD card that you just can't fill!
The tempting idea is to transfer applications from internal memory to a card! True, its implementation sometimes requires a subtle approach. This is what we will consider.

Transferring applications to a memory card using standard methods

Let's note right away: this feature is not present in all versions of Android. It first appeared in version 2.2 of Froyo. And in 4.4 KitKat, the developers blocked the installation of applications on the memory card at all. Therefore, everything written in this section is useful only to owners of smartphones with Android 2.2 and 4.3.

Can any program or game be transferred to a Micro SD card? No, it all depends on whether the developer has foreseen such an opportunity. To transfer the application to the card, first of all, make sure that there is enough free space on it.

Go to the "Settings" menu, open the "Applications" section. Tap on the app you would like to transfer. The settings will show in which section it is installed. If it is installed in the main memory and, you can transfer it with one tap.

This method works well. But looking at each app separately is quite tedious.

Convenient means of transferring applications to a memory card

Fortunately, there are alternative means of transfer. Let's consider the most relevant now - the FolderMount program. With its help, you can transfer to the card even applications that cannot be transferred in a regular way.

  • Make sure your smartphone is rooted. Instructions.
  • Install FolderMount and give it root access when it asks for it.
  • Check the Application Analyzer for a list of all applications that can be migrated.
  • When FolderMount prompts you to create a pair (the folder on the memory card corresponding to the folder in the main memory), agree.
  • Proceed with the transfer, which may take a long time depending on the size of the folder.
  • When the transfer is finished, click on the needle icon next to the transferred folder. Wait for it to turn green. That's it, the folder on the memory card is mounted to the main disk.

The strength of this app is that it works on Android versions up to 5.0, where native porting is no longer provided.
However, to fully use the program, you will have to use the paid version, which costs the equivalent of $ 1.
On the other hand, is it expensive to fully expand the memory of your smartphone?

Some Tricks for Freeing Main Memory

  • The phone constantly strives to transfer applications to an internal card of a limited size, ignoring an external one, of a much larger volume? In most cases, the internal memory can be repartitioned. Then almost all the memory of the drive will be reserved for the system partition, the rest of the internal card can be hidden, and the system will have no choice: applications will be installed on an external Micro SD. To repartition memory, there are special utilities that must be selected based on the smartphone model and chipset. Their review is a topic for a separate article.
  • Games weigh many hundreds of megabytes, or even gigabytes? Fortunately, it is customary to place media data in a so-called cache, which can often be downloaded separately and placed in the Android folder on the map. The main application file will still have to be installed in the main memory. But it doesn't matter: the cache from the card is perfectly readable.
  • Purchase cards of at least grade 10. Yes, they are noticeably more expensive than the budget class 4, but the data reading speed is incomparably higher. So you will not swear at your phone because of unbearable braking.
  • Don't want to mess with all of the above? Then get a phone without a memory card at all. These are, in particular, all Nexus models, some popular flagships Samsung and LG, Xiaomi and Meizu. However, in order to expand the memory, you will have to buy an OTG flash drive with a Micro USB plug. It can only be used to work with video, music and other data, but not with applications. And it will cost more than an SD card of the same size. But all your programs and games will fit in the main section.

Sooner or later, every user of Android devices is faced with a situation when the internal memory of the device is about to run out. When you try to update existing or install new applications, a notification pops up in the Play Market that there is not enough free space; to complete the operation, you need to delete media files or some applications.

We transfer Android applications to a memory card

Most applications are installed to internal memory by default. But it all depends on what place the program developer has prescribed for the installation. It also determines whether it will be possible to transfer application data to an external memory card in the future or not.

Not all applications can be transferred to a memory card. Those that were preinstalled and are system applications cannot be moved, at least in the absence of root rights. But most downloaded applications tolerate moving well.

Before starting the transfer, make sure there is enough free space on the memory card. If you remove the memory card, then the applications that were transferred to it will not work. Also, do not expect applications to work on another device, even if you insert the same memory card into it.

It is worth remembering that programs are not completely transferred to the memory card, some of them remain in the internal memory. But the bulk is moved, freeing up the required megabytes. The size of the portable part of the application is different in each case.

Method 1: AppMgr III

The free AppMgr III (App 2 SD) application has established itself as the best tool for moving and uninstalling programs. The application itself can also be moved to the map. It is very easy to master it. There are only three tabs displayed on the screen: “ Relocatable», « On SD card», « In phone».

After downloading, do the following:

1. Start the program. It will automatically prepare a list of applications.

2. In the “ Relocatable»Choose the application to transfer.

3. In the menu, select " Move application».

4. A screen appears that describes which functions may not work after the operation. If you want to continue, click the appropriate button. Then choose “ Move to SD card».

5. In order to transfer all applications at once, you must select the item with the same name by clicking on the icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

Another useful feature is the automatic clearing of the application cache. This technique also helps free up space.

Method 2: FolderMount

FolderMount is a program created for the complete transfer of applications along with the cache. To work with it you need ROOT rights. If you have them, you can even work with system applications, so you need to be very careful when choosing folders.

To use the application, follow these instructions:

1.After launching, the program will first check for root rights.

2. Click the " + "In the upper corner of the screen.

3. In the field " Name»Write down the name of the application that you want to transfer.

4. In the line “ A source»Enter the address of the folder with the application cache. As a rule, it is located at:

SD / Android / obb /

5. " Appointment"- the folder where you want to move the cache. Set this value.

6. After all the parameters are specified, click the check mark at the top of the screen.

Method 3: Move to SDCard

The easiest way is to use the Move to SDCard program. It is very easy to use and only takes up 2.68 MB. The application icon on your phone may be named “ Delete».

Using the program looks like this:

1. Open the menu on the left and select " Move to map».

2. Check the box next to the application and start the process by clicking “ Move"At the bottom of the screen.

3. An information window will open showing the progress of the move.

4. You can carry out the reverse procedure by selecting the item " Move to internal memory».

Method 4: Standard funds

In addition to all of the above, try to carry out the transfer with the built-in means of the operating system. This option is only available for devices with Android 2.2 or higher installed. In this case, you need to do the following:

1. Go to " Settings", Select the section" Applications" or " Application Manager».

2. By clicking on the corresponding application, you can see if the button " Transfer to SD card».

3. After clicking on it, the moving process begins. If the button is inactive, then this function is not available for this application.

But what if the Android version is lower than 2.2 or the developer did not provide for the ability to move? In such cases, third-party software, which we talked about earlier, can help.

Using the instructions in this article, you can easily move applications to and from your memory card. And the presence of ROOT rights provides even more opportunities.

The amount of built-in memory is what many smartphone manufacturers save on. This is especially true for budget devices based on the Android operating system. These budget models can have 8, 4 or 2 gigabytes of memory. And you also need to take into account that part of this memory will be occupied by the files of the operating system itself. As a result, users get a device with very little free space to install applications.

But, this problem has a solution. If your operating system is Android 2.2 or higher, you can use the application transfer function. This will free up some space and allow new applications to be installed. If you are interested, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will tell you how to transfer applications to a memory card on Android.

Step # 1. Open the settings and go to the "Applications" section.

First of all, you need to open the Android settings and go to the "Application Manager" section. In some firmwares, this section of settings may simply be called "Applications".

Step # 2. Open the desired application.

After going to the "Application Manager" section, you will see a list of all installed applications. Here you need to find the application that you want to transfer to the memory card and open it.

Step # 3. Transfer the application to the memory card.

After selecting an application from the list, you should see a page with information about this application. Here you can see how much memory this application takes, as well as get other information.

In order to transfer the application to the memory card, you need to click on the "To SD memory card" button. In other firmwares, this button may be called "Move to SD-card" or something else. But, the meaning is just the same - the transfer of the application.

Note! In some cases, the application transfer button is missing. This means that the transfer of this application is not possible. Select another application from the list.

Step # 4. Wait for the application migration to complete.

After clicking on the transfer button of the application, the operating system will start copying data from the built-in memory of the device to the memory card. At this time, the transfer button will not be available.

After a while, the transfer button will display the words "Move to device memory". This means that the transfer of the application is complete and you can use it.

Mass transfer of applications on Android.

This app sorts all adopted apps into three categories:

  • Relocatable (an application that can be transferred to a memory card and vice versa);
  • On an SD card (applications that were previously transferred to the memory card);
  • In the phone (applications that are in the built-in memory of the phone);

This sorting of installed applications allows you to quickly find out which applications can be transferred and which cannot. Also, from the program, you can quickly go to the application page in the "Application Manager" and actually transfer the application, as described above.

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