The internal memory of a mobile device based on Android OS is a real bottleneck. No matter how capacious a tablet or smartphone is, space for installing applications on any of them usually runs out quickly. It is not so easy to increase it as on a computer, and on some devices it is completely impossible, so users have to look for workarounds. One of the simplest is to transfer applications to an SD card.
Transfer applications from internal memory on the card can be done both using Android and using third party utilities. However, neither one nor the other method is a panacea.
Why can't some apps be moved to the card?
Reasons why application data cannot be transferred from internal memory to external storage, some. For example:
- The functionality of the program is guaranteed only when it is installed in the internal memory of the device.
- The transfer function is not supported by the operating system. So, on Android 4.3 and newer means The system cannot transfer a single application to the card - there is simply no button.
- Individual properties of the device. Owners note that on devices various brands The ability to transfer programs from internal memory to the card is not the same.
How to transfer a program to SD using Android OS
Owners of devices with older versions of Android (up to 4.3) are lucky in this regard - they have a “magic” transfer button built into the system itself. To use it, launch the Settings utility and in the Device section, tap the Apps button.
Next, select the program you want to transfer from the list. In its parameters there is a button “Move to memory card”. If the program supports this operation, the button will be active.
In my example, there is another button here - “Move to internal memory”, since Adobe Flash Player and so it is stored on the card. But I think it’s clear what it should look like.
As I already said, not all applications can be transferred in this way, but only those that allow it.
Transferring apps using third-party tools
Now let's figure out how to get out of the situation if there is no button. Fortunately, a lot has been created to transfer programs between internal memory and SD special utilities. Most of them are free and supported by Android systems version 2.3 and later. Here are some examples:
- Move to SDCard. Does not require superuser rights (root).
- AppMgr III. Also works without root rights.
- Apps2SD: All in One Tool. Requires root.
- FolderMount is especially effective because it allows you to transfer the cache to the SD card, rather than the application itself (apk). It is in the cache that the most heavy files, which occupy the bulk of the internal memory space. Requires root rights.
- Link2SD. It is also very effective, since it allows you to completely transfer applications to the card along with their “gibles” - libraries, dalvik cache and other service data, creating a symbolic link in the original location. Requires root rights.
Let me remind you that these utilities may not work on some devices (what is suitable for Asus may be useless for Sony Xperia, LG or Lenovo). If you can't solve a problem with one, try the others.
Example of transferring programs to SD using Link2SD
In addition to getting root, before using Link2SD you will need to create another primary partition on the SD card in which application files will be stored. To do this, you can use any disk partitioning tool - Paragon, Minitool, etc.
After preparation, reboot your device and launch Link2SD. Further.
Today we will tell you how to transfer internal memory files and applications to the SD card of your Android phone or tablet. And also how to store files and photos on a microSD card to free up space in your smartphone’s memory. All the methods are simple and will help you avoid or delay the appearance of the “Not enough space” message on your Android device.
What you need to know about micro SD cards
For many inexpensive smartphones Android has a small amount of internal memory (4 or 8 GB). 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 much as possible. more photos and video in high resolution, as well as all your favorites musical compositions. Luckily, most Android smartphones support microSD cards.
Before purchasing a card, you need to find out what the maximum memory capacity of the gadget is. Flagships usually reach 128 GB and higher, 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 new way saving for new applications, photos, videos, audio files and others; change the location where pictures are saved in the camera settings, as well as those downloaded from Google app Play Music compositions. But what about applications that are already downloaded to the internal memory of the smartphone?
How to move apps to SD card on 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 this from happening. In other words, users of smartphones with 4 and 8 GB of internal memory, who are accustomed to downloading and installing dozens of applications, even with a microSD card, may encounter 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 an SD card. But these applications will become unavailable when you remove the memory card.
In order to find out whether it is possible to transfer a particular 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 in any case.
The first tab of the application settings menu displays all downloaded applications on the smartphone. On the tab to the right are those stored on the SD card.
To move an application, go to the “Downloaded” tab and click on the application. For the example in the screenshots, we chose Clash of Clans.
There will be an item “Move to SD card”, click on it. After which the message “Move” will appear, and at the end of the process the item will change to “Move to internal memory”. Now the application has appeared on the “on SD card” tab.
It is also worth noting that many downloadable free apps available for movement. And for those who often run out of available memory, we recommend deleting applications after use.
How to Move Photos, Videos and Other Files to Android SD Card (Memory Card)
In addition, you can also quickly and easily move photos, videos, audio and other files using a computer or laptop. To do this, you just need to connect your smartphone to your PC via a USB cable.
Through a computer, you can view the contents of both internal and external memory(will appear as two different devices). To move files on Mac OS, you can use the program Android File Transfer, which displays internal memory and SD card contents in different tabs.
Here, to move files from internal memory to external memory, 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 capture system files Android operating system.
File Manager
You can also use a file manager. Many Android smartphones have this application installed by default. If it is not there, you can download it free dispatcher files from Topnet999, however, among users of Android devices ES Explorer is the most popular.
At the very top there will be a “Memory” tab - click on it to see everything available types memory on a smartphone. “sdcard0” refers to the internal memory of the smartphone, and “sdcard1” refers to the external memory. Let's start by moving photos.
First, open “sdcard0” and go to the DCIM folder, then to Camera. Pictures taken with a smartphone camera are stored here. Click on the three dots at the bottom right and select “Select multiple files.” Celebrating 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 “Insert”.
This way you can move audio and other files on your smartphone.
The green robot's "stomach" is smaller than a thimble. Especially on devices with little memory. I fed him a dozen or two super-mega-needed programs - and the place ran out. But... many of us have the opportunity to install a second “stomach” in the gadget and continue feeding.
Today we’ll talk about transferring applications from internal memory to an SD card in Android smartphones and tablets.
Which apps can be transferred and which ones can't?
Among mobile applications There are those that can be transferred between drives and those that cannot. When you transfer a program to external media, some components remain on same place– in the permanent memory of the device.
If the program is relatively autonomous and not too fussy in terms of the location of files and data, it will remain operational. 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 will stop working, but also everything that interacts with it. For this reason, you should absolutely not try to move system applications.
The ability to transfer third-party products to microSD varies. It depends on whether the program author has provided for this possibility. They don’t write about this in the characteristics - everything is learned experimentally, but such experiments do not threaten serious consequences. If after transferring the program does not work, it is enough to return it to its place or reinstall it into 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 internal storage, and the movement function is built into the firmware.
To transfer a 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.
- Tap " Storage", then " Change».
- In the window " Changing storage location» select « Memory card».
The instructions are applicable to devices of many brands and models, but adjusted for individual characteristics. Some manufacturers, for example, Samsung, instead of " Storage"You need to go to the section " Memory" Others have a button Move toSD" is located in the menu of applications that support this function. Well, others... simply didn’t bother and refused to implement the transfer function into the firmware of their devices.
The ability to transfer applications to SD cards “without intermediaries” also exists in very old versions of Android - 2.2 and lower, and everything that appeared later - up to the sixth version - needs third party tools, which will be discussed further.
Mobile software for moving applications to SD
AppMgr III
The utility is convenient in that it makes it possible to perform similar 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 tasks for maintaining a mobile gadget, supports everything 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 that it moves absolutely everything to SD cards. custom applications, even those who do not allow this. The truth is, nothing is said in the description about whether the developer guarantees their continued performance.
Other functions and features of Link2SD:
- Changing attributes of user software to system software and vice versa.
- Freezing unused software.
- Batch transfer of software to SD cards and device memory.
- Batch removal and reinstallation of programs, batch clearing of cache and data. Clear the cache of all installed software with one touch.
- Removing potentially malicious software.
- Manage device reboot.
- Create custom shortcuts.
- Sorting installed applications By various parameters, search and much more.
Link2SD is more omnivorous than AppMgr III: it runs on any version of Android, starting from 2.3, and Xiaomi devices generally supports (although, according to user experience, not all). Most operations require root rights; it does not work on some firmware without root. Free version The utility is quite good - functional and convenient, but plagued by intrusive advertising.
Files To SD Card
A simple utility designed to transfer files to a memory card different types– graphics, video, music and, of course, applications. In addition, it allows you to choose an SD card as the location for saving new files (by default, Android saves everything on the device).
Files To SD Card is used to unload memory mobile gadgets And Reserve copy data. Despite the fact that the manufacturer claims support limited number devices: Lenovo A2010 LTE, Samsung GalaxyCore, Moto G, Vodafone Smart Prime 6, Nokia One and Sony Xperia M4, the utility runs on almost any smartphone and tablet under Android control 5.0 and higher. On most firmware everything works without root.
Move to SDCard
The program with the simple name “” pleases users with its simplicity and good results. In addition to the main function, which coincides with the name, the utility can:
- Move software from the card to the device memory.
- Sort applications by name, size, installation date.
- Display information about applications: installation location, date, time, size, name executable file(apk).
- Search for software on your device and on the Internet.
The utility is compatible with most brands and models of mobile gadgets, including very Chinese and very old ones (supports Android 2.3 and higher). Some features require root privileges.
File manager
is an improved explorer, a replacement for the standard file manager on Android smartphones and tablets. Changing the installation location of applications is just one of its functions.
Other features of the File Manager include:
- Copy, paste, cut, move, delete, rename, download - everything standard operations with files and folders.
- Integration with , OneDrive and DropBox.
- Access to open resources on the local network.
- Clearing cache, junk data, duplicates.
- Sorting objects into categories.
- Transfer files over Wi-Fi to others mobile devices, computers and Smart TV.
- Analysis and graphic display storage space usage.
- Archiving and unarchiving files. Supports all major compression formats: rar, zip, 7z, 7zip, tgz, tar, gz.
- Organizing and storing documents various formats: doc, ppt, pdf and others.
The explorer is very lightweight and easy to learn, is not overloaded with redundant functions, and is undemanding in terms of hardware resources. Runs on Android 4.2 and higher. Some functions require root rights, but everything basic works just like that.
All-In-One Toolbox
– utility for comprehensive optimization and maintenance mobile system. Painless transfer of applications from internal memory to SD card and vice versa is also one of its functions.
Others useful features All-In-One Toolbox:
- Management of startup software (user and system).
- Removing unnecessary data (cleaning up garbage, caches, duplicates).
- Complete removal of programs with clearing of remaining files.
- Speeding up a device by releasing 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 by category.
All-In-One Toolbox – good tool to speed up and maintain smartphones and tablets with limited resources - small amounts of storage and RAM, not the most powerful processor, weak battery. Runs on devices of any brands and models, perhaps with a few exceptions. Some functions require root rights and depend on the Android version.
As most often happens, this is not an exhaustive list of utilities with the ability to transfer applications to an SD card and back. There are hundreds of them, but each with its own quirks and character. I hope this one short review will help you find exactly what you like, and will also be tough for your Android device.
Also on the site:
How to transfer apps from internal memory to SD card in Android updated: August 13, 2018 by: Johnny Mnemonic
IN modern phones Both tablets use excellent camera modules, which sometimes allow you to take professional pictures. However, as the quality of the images themselves increases, so does the size of the photographs, which take up a lot of space. If the device runs out free space, he should be released. This can also be done using a memory card, to which we will transfer photos and, accordingly, free up space on the device.
Moving photos from main memory to a memory card
In order to transfer images to a memory card, you will need the memory card itself, installed in your smartphone or tablet, and a file manager.
After you install the memory card in your device, you can make sure that the device “sees” it. To do this, go to the settings and select the “Memory” subsection.
Here, find the “SD card” item. As you can see, our device recognized the card.
Now you will need a file manager. As file manager you can use any application of your choice as the transfer process itself will be similar. If FM is already installed in your firmware, you can use it. If not, download from Google Play Store. We will use the ES Explorer application.
You launch the application and see two file partition. In our case, the first of them is a memory card, and the second is the device’s memory. Since the photos are located in the device’s memory, we open it.
We need to select them, to do this, click on the image and hold your finger for about one second to make it possible to select the photos. Select the ones you need or all of them (check the box), and then click on the “Cut” button (scissors).
Now you should go to the memory card.
Here you need to create a folder where the images will be transferred, or use an existing one. In our case, we will create such a folder by clicking on the corresponding button (cross).
Enter a name for the folder (preferably in Latin) and click OK.
The folder has been created. Go to the folder by tapping it once.
The folder is empty. To transfer, click on the “Insert” button.
Please, images have been moved.
Just in case, you can make sure that there are no them left in the phone’s memory by visiting the desired folder in the memory of your device.
As you can see, nothing complicated. In this way, you can transfer other files to the memory card with the exception of applications.
Built-in Android memory devices often run out quickly, so users have to store large amounts of information on microSD. But what to do if Android does not save downloaded content to the memory card - applications, photos, music, and other files?
This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 9/8/7/6: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.
Problems with the memory card
First of all, you need to make sure that the memory card is working and ready to accept files. What to do:
The memory card may be incompatible with the smartphone - for example, it exceeds the capacity allowed for specific model phone. If the flash drive is larger than a certain size of gigabytes (32, 64, 128, etc.), then it simply does not recognize it, because not programmed for such volume. In this case, the only way out is to use another microSD storage device with a smaller capacity.
If no card is identified, it makes sense to contact service center. There may be hardware problems with the phone that prevent it from working with external drives.
Wrong folder in browser
If problems with saving occur while downloading files in the browser, you should check the destination folder. It may be specified incorrectly, which is why the browser does not understand how to save photos, music, videos and other content. Let's look at the example of UC Browser:
- Open the "Downloads" section in the main menu.
- Click Settings.
- In the "Download Path" field, specify the folder on the memory card.
Increase After this short setup files in the browser will only be downloaded in specified directory on the card without filling up the internal memory.
Files cannot be transferred to a memory card
Most often this applies to built-in Android applications. In the phone they can only be stored on the internal storage, otherwise the smartphone will not work. At the same time, any application from third party developer can be moved to microSD.
- Open Android settings, go to the “Applications” section.
- Find the program you want to transfer to the memory card along with all the files.
- Click "Move to SD".
Increase If the button is inactive, then the application cannot be moved. If it says “Move to phone” instead of “Move to SD,” this means that the program files are already stored on the memory card.
The settings for transferring files to the memory card have gone wrong
IN Android settings you can manually specify which memory is used by default - internal or external. Depending on the selected value, files will be downloaded to your phone or microSD card. After updating the system, the settings may be lost, so it’s worth checking them.
Not every model or manufacturer has such a setting. Check it out for yourself.
- Open Android settings.
- Go to the "Memory" section.
- In the "Installation location" or "Default memory" field, select "SD".
Increase When there is no setting
If it is not possible to set the default location for saving files, then the applications themselves will come to the rescue. In the same Samsung browser“Internet” it is possible to set the storage location:
Increase Look in your application where you are going to save files from, whether it is possible to select a save location in the settings. If this is not the case, you will have to manually move files from the internal memory to the microSD card.
