How to replace internal Android memory with a memory card. "Android": installing applications on the memory card. How to install an Android application on an SD memory card

ATTENTION: starting with 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 - therefore, those who do not have a transfer button can immediately proceed to the third section.

All applications that we install on our smartphone (Samsung Galaxy, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Alcatel, Meizu, Asus Zenfon, Nokia, Huawei, Sony Xperia, Prestige, Irbis tablet and so on) go to non-removable internal memory.

Unfortunately, with an increase in the number of installed applications, photos, music, videos, and programs, our device begins to suffer from a lack of free space for additional files - especially cheap models.

To do this, Android has a very useful function to transfer data from individual applications to external storage - a micro SD card.

If your smartphone or tablet has a memory card slot, then you can easily transfer most of your applications, photos, music, videos to a 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 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 equipment manufacturers xiaomi, redmi, lg, zte, redmi 4x, htc, asus, huawei, samsung, meizu, lenovo, lg, samsung, fly, alcatel, redmi, sony xperia , prestigio and you won’t find it on most of 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 the internal memory of an Android phone to an SD card is the built-in tools

Android has a feature that allows you to move an application to a map. Just go to Settings > Application Manager.

Here it should immediately be noted that, for example, in my Samsung Galaxy with Android 6 there was an “Application Manager” function, but when it was updated to Android 7.0, it disappeared. Instead, a good optimization appeared.

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 tap the application that interests you, and then in the new window find the item “Move to SD card” - click on the button.

After some time the application 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 drive).

For convenience, you can use the Apowersoft Phone Manager program. If you don’t 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 an Android phone to an SD card is using applications

If you want to transfer applications and games to a memory card, you can find programs in the Google Play store that will quickly complete this process. I recommend using AppMgr III (known as App 2 SD).

Download it. But not all applications installed in the smartphone’s memory can be transferred to a memory card. Those preinstalled in the system usually cannot be moved.

After launching AppMgr III you will see which can be transferred. With AppMgr III you can quickly transfer everything to a memory card at once, rather than 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 the memory card.

Which applications can be transferred to a memory card and which cannot or are not recommended

Is it possible to transfer all applications to a memory card? No, everything is impossible. Why can't everything be transferred? Because this is not provided by the Android system, the phone manufacturer or the author of the application.

You cannot transfer whatsapp (whatsapp), facebook - if it was built-in initially, updates, play market, youtube, firmware and others that were originally built-in to an SD memory card.

Some smartphone owners want to transfer cache, especially from games - this is available using the program - “FolderMount”.

Sometimes people ask me how to transfer viber and the VK application to a flash SD card. It depends on the smartphone and the Android version. Sometimes the system allows it, sometimes it doesn't.

Much information that cannot be transferred through programs and the built-in tools of a smartphone can be moved using a computer, for example, a folder, a song, pictures, downloads, arch, various audio, SMS messages, a gallery - or rather its contents, Viber photos and so on. Good luck.

The built-in memory of Android devices often runs 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 may exceed the capacity allowed for a particular phone model. 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 detected, it makes sense to contact the 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:

1. Open the "Downloads" section in the main menu.
2. Click Settings.
3. In the "Download Path" field, specify the folder on the memory card.

After such a short setup, files in the browser will be downloaded only to the specified directory on the card, without filling up the internal memory.

Files cannot be transferred to a memory card

This most often 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 a third-party developer can be moved to the microSD.

1. Open Android settings, go to the “Applications” section.
2. Find the program you want to transfer to the memory card along with all the files.
3. Click "Move to SD".

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.

1. Open Android settings.
2. Go to the "Memory" section.
3. In the "Installation location" or "Default memory" field, select "SD".

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 Internet browser, it is possible to set the storage location:

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.

Almost every application on Android is installed in the internal memory of the device. But it’s not rubber, so it tends to fill up. So any user can face this situation. An SD card will come to the rescue, the volume of which can reach tens or even hundreds of GB. Now we will tell you in detail how to transfer the application and cache to an SD card.

It is also worth noting that not every card is suitable for replacing internal memory with external memory. It's all about the speed classes of SD cards, which vary from slow (C2 and C4) to fast (C10 and C16). If the procedures discussed below are performed on slow SD, then the data transfer will affect the overall performance of the device, therefore it is recommended to use only fast flash drives.

There are not so many ways to replace internal memory with external memory, so we will focus only on the most effective ones, and they will be described sequentially: from simple to more complex.

Cache transfer for Android versions 4.0+

It is worth noting that this method does not require ROOT rights, but is not suitable for all applications. So, if the application description does not contain the necessary buttons, you should not be upset, because this was the easiest way. For even greater ease, you can use a utility or similar, where all applications are conveniently structured, which speeds up the search for the ones you need.

ATTENTION! The methods presented below can only be used on devices with RUT rights. All further operations are done at your own peril and risk; no one gives a 100% guarantee that in case of failure you will not receive a brick. We also do not accept any responsibility for the loss of personal data.

Transfer using third-party programs

If the application does not support standard data transfer, then you can do it forcibly using third-party utilities, such as:

The principle of operation of these programs is very similar, so let’s consider the method using Link2SD as an example.

This method, unlike the next one, does not require special knowledge from the user, except for basic concepts about Root rights.

Complete transfer of Android applications to SD memory card

An attentive user was able to notice that Link2SD and other similar utilities have an interesting “Send” function. With its help, not individual parts of the program are transferred, as in the previous paragraphs, but absolutely all data. In this case, the program will consider that it is working in the internal memory of the device, which for some of them is an important condition for normal operation.

To implement this method, the SD card must be “split” into two sections, after which all data will be deleted from it, so be careful and make a backup copy of important information.

Partitions on a memory card can be made as on a computer, using programs such as Paragon Hard Disk Manager 12 Server or MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition. But this is a rather labor-intensive process, and therefore we will do everything right on the smartphone, using.

1. Download and install the utility.
2. In the device settings we find the “Memory” section, where we click “Eject SD”.

   

3. We go directly to AParted and in the first tab Create, click ADD twice.

   

4. In Part 1 we leave Fat32, and in Part 2 we select ext2 or any other format, if you know what they are needed for.
5. Make sure that the Format field is checked and select the required memory size for each partition. In this case, Part 1 will remain our standard “flash drive”, but Part 2 will be referenced by applications.
6. Click APPLY and confirm the action.

   

7. We patiently wait for the process to complete.

   

Now applications and games can be safely linked to the second section of the memory card using the corresponding Link2SD function or its equivalent.

Transferring cache to a flash drive

This method is useful for users who like games with a large cache. Now many large projects (for example, a series of games) occupy several gigabytes. The same goes for navigation maps. Not all devices can boast this amount of built-in memory, so FolderMount comes to the rescue. It allows you to create virtual folders so that the system still thinks that the application data is in the internal memory, although in fact all the files are located on the flash drive.

1. We install.
2. Launch and grant Superuser rights.
3. Open the pull-out menu on the left side of the screen.

   

4. Go to the “Application Analyzer”, look for the desired game and click on it.

   

5. In the window that opens, we see the volume that the application data and its cache occupy separately.
6. Click the “Create pair” button next to the cache size.

   

7. Answer the question “Yes” and click the checkmark at the top of the screen, after which you must answer “Yes” again.

   

8. You will be able to see the process of file transfer in the notification bar.
9. As soon as the transfer is complete (reaches 100%), open the pull-out menu again and select “List of pairs.”
10. All that remains is to press the switch next to the name of the game you transferred.

    

Replacing internal memory with external memory

This method allows you to deceive the system, i.e. Android will consider the SD card to be the device’s memory. One of the main advantages is the fact that all applications will be automatically installed on the flash drive. Ideal for devices with very little internal memory. To implement this, you will need a file manager; it is best to use Total Commander. The point of the method is to swap the paths to the device memory and the flash drive.

1. Install
2. Click on the file, then “Edit”.

   

3. The file contains many lines that begin with # (the hash character). But we need a line that starts with the words “dev_mount” and without (!!!) a hash at the beginning.
   There should be 2 such lines: the first indicates internal memory, the second - external.

   For example, if your lines are:
   dev_mount sdcard/mnt/sdcard
   dev_mount extsd/mnt/extsd

   Then they should become:
   dev_mount sdcard/mnt/extsd
   dev_mount extsd/mnt/sdcard

   That is, the most important thing is to swap the words after /mnt/.

   

4. You don’t need to change anything else, click the “Save” button (floppy disk icon).
5. Reboot the device.

Technologies for the production of gadgets are developing rapidly, but in the mid-price segment, little attention is paid to internal storage, the size of which usually varies from 8 to 16 GB. Considering that most of the volume is occupied by built-in programs, there is almost no space left for games and additional information and it becomes necessary to install applications on the Android SD card directly.

When purchasing a phone or tablet, you must immediately purchase a memory card. By default, all information is downloaded directly to the internal drive, but through the settings you can easily arrange for automatic saving of photos, videos and music to an external card, the permissible volume of which largely depends on the resolution of the operating programs of the gadget itself.

Not all devices are designed to accommodate storage larger than 128 GB, so you should carefully read the phone's instructions before making a purchase. In this case, the internal storage will be open for applications, but its volume may not be enough for a large number of desirable games that become “heavier” as manufacturers improve them, and necessary utilities that make work and life easier.

Much depends on the modification of the gadget; sometimes such a simple method is available on highly equipped devices. First of all, you need to check whether you can get by with simple steps:

In new versions of the operating system, it is impossible to install the application on the Android SD card by default. To do this, you need to know some tricks and download special programs.

Actions for Android versions 5.0 inclusive

In older versions of the system, it is quite easy to understand the sequence of actions and free up internal memory, improving the speed of the gadget. To do this, just enter the main settings and go to the application tab, and then select the “transfer to SD storage” option. The program itself will transfer the information.

Additional data storage, such as “gallery”, “music” and applications for reading e-books, after saving to external media, will automatically upload information to the SD card without additional settings. Thus, the internal storage will be freer, which will improve the speed of the device as a whole.

It is worth considering that the features of certain games and programs sometimes make it impossible to transfer them to an external drive. That's why the manufacturer's built-in programs are not installed on the SD, and their forced transfer can disrupt the processes inside the gadget. The operating system always warns about this possibility, so you should not be afraid of making a mistake.

Saving applications to an Android memory card from 4.2 to 5 inclusive is quite simple if you follow the following algorithm:

1. Go to the “applications” tab and select the “downloads” section, where all previously installed software is located.
2. Select the program to transfer from the list and click on it.
3. Check data access and required amount of memory.
4. Click the “record to SD” section, if provided.

The further process will take place independently. Active gamers should not forget that any game in which speed of interaction is important will work better when located in the internal memory.

Combining external and internal

Installing an application on an Android memory card from the fifth version and higher will require additional steps, since the system itself is designed differently than in older versions, but there is a new utility - Adoptable Storage, which allows you to combine internal and external drives into a single database.

When this function is activated, the gadget system itself will calculate the total amount of memory based on the storage parameters and display it on the display. In order to use the utility, you need to do the following:

After such formatting, the external drive cannot be removed and placed in another gadget; this may damage access to the recorded information and it will no longer be possible to configure it again.

Sometimes you urgently need to free up RAM and reset all applications, videos, music, photos to a removable disk. This is done in a few simple steps:

This method is not suitable for transferring pre-installed software.

Reliable outside helpers

If the above options cannot be implemented, then the device itself does not have enough functions. However, there are two ways to bypass these restrictions and download additional software and install games on an Android SD card of any modification without any problems:

• using a computer;
• downloading third-party programs.

The long way - computer

If you use a laptop computer, you will have to be patient, but this process will take place without the risk that always accompanies obtaining Root rights. First of all, you need to go to the Play market website via your PC, find the application to download and copy the link to it from the browser line. Then do the following step by step:

Sometimes you can do this using a flash drive. If difficulties arise, you will have to use synchronization software, for example, the well-proven Phone Explorer program. You can download it from the Play Store or from the website of the same name and install it first on your tablet or phone, and then on your PC. To transfer data you will need:

• open the application on your computer and gadget simultaneously;
• select the type of connection, for example, Wi-Fi or bluetooth;
• find the downloaded application in the PC memory;
• transfer it to the gadget’s external storage device.

Proven utilities

Despite the fact that many users go through the procedure of obtaining root rights without any problems, there are many difficulties if the attempt is unsuccessful. It is not recommended to do this on a newly purchased phone whose warranty period has not expired, since after installing root rights the warranty will not be valid and any breakdown or stress in operation will be corrected at the expense of the owner.

Manufacturers know that very often when you try to install root access yourself, the device starts to slow down or loses many functions, and therefore they limit the warranty against such cases. It’s better not to take risks and use proven software, with which you can either get what you want without such access, or be sure that even root rights in combination with it will not harm:

Forced expansion

This method can be used by a person familiar with the basics of programming, since when changing the default location for installing software, you will have to make changes to the phone via a computer. You need to download the Android Debug Bridge (ADB Run) program on your PC and check for a USB connection on your smartphone. Pre-obtained root rights will make it easier to carry out the following actions.

If your phone or tablet running Android 6.0 or 7 Nougat has a memory card slot, then you can use a MicroSD memory card as the internal memory of your device, this feature first appeared in Android 6.0 Marshm.

Using an SD memory card as internal memory

Before you start setting up, transfer all important data from your memory card somewhere: it will be completely formatted during the process.

Further actions will look like this (instead of the first two points, you can click on “ Tune" in the notification that a new SD card has been detected if you have just installed it and such a notification is displayed):

1. Go to Settings - Storage and USB drives and click on the item " SD card"(On some devices, the storage settings item may be located in the " Additionally", for example, on ZTE).

2. In the menu (button at the top right) select " Tune" If the menu contains the item “ Internal memory", immediately click on it and skip step 3.

3. Click " Internal memory».

4. Read the warning that all data on the card will be erased before it can be used as internal storage, tap " Clear and Format».

5. Wait until the formatting process is completed.

6. If at the end of the process you see the message “ SD card is slow", this indicates that you are using a Class 4, 6 or similar memory card - i.e. really slow. It can be used as internal memory, but this will affect the speed of your Android phone or tablet (such memory cards can work up to 10 times slower than regular internal memory). We recommend using UHS Speed ​​Class 3 (U3) memory cards.

7. After formatting, you will be prompted to transfer data to a new device, select " Transfer now"(until the transfer, the process is not considered completed).

8. Click " Ready».

9. It is recommended that immediately after formatting the card as internal memory, reboot your phone or tablet - press and hold the power button, then select " Reboot", and if there is none - " Power off" or " Turn off", and after turning it off, turn the device on again.

This completes the process: if you go to the parameters “ Storage and USB drives", then you will see that the space occupied in the internal memory has decreased, on the memory card it has increased, and the total amount of memory has also increased.

However, there are some features in the function of using an SD card as internal memory in Android 6 and 7 that may make using this feature impractical.

Features of the memory card working as internal Android memory

It can be assumed that when a memory card size M is added to Android's internal memory of N, the total available internal memory should become N+M. Moreover, approximately this is also displayed in the device storage information, but in fact everything works somewhat differently:

• Everything that is possible (with the exception of some applications, system updates) will be placed on the internal memory located on the SD card, without providing a choice.
• When connecting an Android device to a computer, in this case you will “ see" and only have access to the internal memory on the card. It's the same in file managers on the device itself.

As a result, after the moment when the SD memory card began to be used as internal memory, the user does not have access to the “real” internal memory, and if we assume that the device’s own internal memory was larger than MicroSD memory, then the amount of available internal memory after of the described actions will not increase, but decrease.

Formatting a memory card for use as internal storage in ADB

For Android devices where the function is not available, for example, on the Samsung Galaxy S7, it is possible to format the SD card as internal memory using ADB Shell.

Since this method can potentially lead to problems with the phone (and may not work on any device), I will skip the details on installing, enabling USB debugging and running in the adb folder (If you don’t know how to do this, then perhaps It’s better not to take it. And if you take it, it’s at your own peril and risk).

The necessary commands themselves will look like this (the memory card must be connected):

• adb shell
• sm list-disks ( As a result of executing this command, pay attention to the issued disk identifier of the form disk:NNN,NN - it will be required in the next command)
• sm partition disk:NNN,NN private

Once formatting is complete, exit the adb shell, and on your phone, in the storage options, open the item “ SD card", click on the menu button at the top right and click " Transfer data"(this is required, otherwise the phone's internal memory will continue to be used). Once the transfer is complete, the process can be considered complete.

How to restore normal functioning of a memory card

If you decide to disconnect the memory card from the internal memory, this is easy to do - transfer all important data from it, then go to the SD card settings, just like in the first method.

Select " Portable media» and follow the instructions to format the memory card.