• Download the vold fstab file to change memory. How to make an SD card the main memory on Android

    The capabilities of the device can be seriously expanded if you replace the internal Android memory with a memory card. This will allow you to install on a tablet or other gadget much more more applications, but the main requirement to perform this update is to have root rights on the device. Let's look at ways to use an SD card as system memory device, as well as related conditions.

    Risks and conditions for replacing the gadget’s internal memory with an SD card

    Before repeating the steps below, the user should consider several important points:

    1. The lifespan of the SD card will be greatly reduced due to frequent read/write cycles when running applications.
    2. The speed of the gadget may drop noticeably if you use a low-end MicroSD card.
    3. If you make a mistake when editing a system file, the phone may not boot next time - you will have to reflash it.

    In general, the procedure (especially for inexperienced users) is quite risky, so it makes sense to carry it out exclusively for old gadgets with a small amount of their own memory.

    Using the Root Browser utility and editing the vold.fstab file

    To swap memory, from Google Play You will need to install Root Browser.

    Let us repeat that you can only fully work with it on rooted devices. After running the above application:


    IN Android sdcard stands for internal memory and extsd stands for external memory, i.e. SD card. By replacing these lines, we actually swapped these types of memory. On some systems these pieces of code may look different, for example like this:

    They need to be replaced as follows:

    After completing the described procedure, reboot the gadget. Before doing this, be sure to check that there are no errors in the modified code, so that there is no need for reflashing in the future.

    The second way to increase memory using Link2SD

    The application is available in Play Market and only works on devices with root rights. This file manager does not physically replace the device’s internal memory with an external drive, but it is capable of transferring any utilities to an SD card, significantly saving the gadget’s resources.

    The peculiarity of the application in question is that the MicroSD itself will have to be split and properly formatted. Therefore, copy everything valuable from your card to your computer and start dividing the drive into sections.

    Dividing the device card into sections if there is a custom Recovery

    Every Android device has a recovery mode, but the method described below is only suitable for devices with . If you've never heard of CWM, move on to the second drive partitioning option. Next, we’ll tell you how to solve the problem if your device recovery mode has the Partition SD Card item:

    Partitioning a MicroSD card via a computer

    Connect the card to your laptop or PC. To do this, you can use a card reader or other equipment, the main thing is that it should be defined as a drive and not an MTP media device. Next:


    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 external media data as permanent internal storage. The information on the installed SD card is encrypted and cannot be subsequently used on another device.

    SD Card is very convenient option for storing photos, songs and videos. Even if you have a large amount of internal memory on your Android smartphone, you may always need a large chunk of memory to store long videos. filmed by camera high resolution your phone.

    Important to know

    There is one drawback, the SD chip can lag 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 there is a noticeable lack of volume on your phone internal storage, for example, in the case budget devices on Android One.

    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 is called Adoptable Storage. This will allow you to use a removable microSD card installed on Android phone,as the main storage. This way, you can easily solve the problem of how to make an 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 important features that should be taken into account during this procedure.

    Will be useful

    When using a storage device, be it an SD flash drive or a USB drive, it is important to remember what format the device is in and whether the operating system supports it Android system, and the main file formats There are four types: 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 it, you can only “increase” additional volume.

    Using your SD card as your main storage can be a great solution for music lovers and those who like to watch TV shows on the way to work or on a long trip. But, as often happens, memory expansion always depends on the cost of the required device, after all, they differ both in speed and in volume, as well as in the adaptable information storage function. Here are some nuances that you can consider with different sides– both negatively and positively:

    How to use SD card as internal memory on Android?

    Is it enough for you? internal storage to store all your data?

    How to replace the phone's internal memory with an external SD card on Android? Configuring your SD card to act as internal storage on Android is essentially a fairly simple process. There is nothing complicated about this and you will see for yourself later.

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

    Below are the basic formatting steps.


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

    Important to know

    Don't forget to back up your 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 previously done. That's why Do not remove the flash drive without using the Eject parameter. 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 operation of the device. Now you know how to make a memory card the main memory on Android.

    How to swap memory on Android and why is it even needed? Should we engage in such manipulations at all and are they capable of causing irreparable harm to our device? Such questions are often of interest to people who are in control of a device with a small amount of built-in memory. If your smartphone has a corresponding capacity of, for example, four gigabytes, then you know that using such a device is nothing short of a pain. Because loading a sufficient number of multimedia files onto it is very, very problematic. So how can you swap memory from internal to external on Android?

    Introduction to the problem

    By the way, you should not think that only the Android operating system suffers from such a problem as a small amount of built-in memory. It is also available on iOS. These two systems constantly compete with each other. From time to time, “Windows Fawn” also intervenes in the combat, but it soon finds itself thrown out behind the tatami. What is affected? iOS theme? There are facts that invariably prove the “exposure” of this operating system to users. Initially, its code was a mystery. Nevertheless, a similar trend does occur. But the Android operating system, developed by Google specialists, is currently becoming more and more closed to potential developers with each update. This is precisely what bothers people who are so accustomed to this operating system.

    Why do you need to know the answer to the question of how to swap memory on Android?

    Currently, the OS we are talking about no longer gives users the opportunity to install applications with the appropriate software - the so-called cache - on external storage memory. In our case, let it be a MicroSD memory card. Probably, owners of devices with a capacity of 32 gigabytes and above will grin, but what should people do who have at their disposal from 4 to 8 GB, part of which (note this!) is spent on maintaining the operating system? The only way out of this situation is to perform certain manipulations. And here it is more important than ever to know the answer to the question of how to swap memory on Android. Actually, this is not difficult to do. However, extreme attention and, by the way, straight hands are required. If you have these parameters, then we will move on to consider the meaning of the operation in order to understand what will be performed and why.

    How to swap memory on Android 5? What to do with other versions?

    There is a way out of the current situation, when we have only a couple of gigabytes at our disposal to host a multimedia contingent. It consists, firstly, in acquiring an external one and secondly, in software replacement of a certain code that can convince our device that the internal one is external. Well, and, of course, vice versa. Thus, the smartphone will treat the MicroSD card as an internal board. I would like to note that the question of how to swap memory cards on Android sounds completely incorrect, since several external drives cannot take part in this process.

    What is needed for replacement?

    Regardless of what version of the operating system you have installed and what manufacturer’s device you have, we will need the same set of utilities. These are programs called and Total Commander(which a huge number of users know). Additionally, you will need to obtain one for the device.

    Replacement process

    In order to begin the operation, open the program Root Explorer. We move to the address /system/etc. There you need to find a file called vold.fstab. In it you should find lines and parameters that are responsible for the mount points of external and internal memory. They are called, respectively, like this: SDcard and extsd. After this, you will need to swap the parameters. This will complete the active phase of the operation. Don't forget to do backups files, and remember that such operations are performed by the user at his own peril and risk.

    Modern users cannot imagine their life without a smartphone in their pocket, because for many it is not just a device that helps contact the desired subscriber, but also a kind of window to the world. The presence of a good amount of memory in the device is highly valued by active users; many store not only entertainment items on the device, but also many other things. useful information, including documentary information.

    Agree, it’s not very pleasant when downloading important file will be faced with the impossibility of saving it due to lack of memory. Faced with the problem of lack of memory, many people think about how to replace the internal memory of the phone with a memory card. It should be noted that this problem is faced mainly by owners Chinese phones and tablets.

    Let's try to understand this problem in more detail. To change the application save path, you need to have specific program on your device. You should remember possible risks and related problems. If the memory is replaced incorrectly, an internal program failure may occur which will lead to complete flashing phone. An external storage device – a memory card – may also fail; to restore it, you will also have to use flashing the phone.

    Editing the system file

    So, in order to change the internal memory to external and install any applications directly onto the card, you need to find or install in your phone Root program Broswser or ES Explorer, you also need to be present in root system rights, how to get them quickly read in.

    Replacing memory occurs as follows: you need to select the Root Broswser or Explorer program and launch it, then look for the vold.fstab file in the system, it is located at device/system/etc/, open and carefully read the file, we will need to edit a couple of lines.

    To read this you will need to be familiar with the file structure. If you carefully examine the file, you will easily find the corresponding lines responsible for replacing internal memory with external memory. After finding the corresponding lines, you need to perform a small manipulation and change the internal memory to external memory, in other words, swap the lines so that everything looks like the image below.

    IN in this case line dev_mount sdcard…. is responsible for standard file safety, and dev_mount sdcard2…. for an external one (SD card). In order for our built-in memory to exactly change to the external memory we need, for this we just need to change some lines. But not all and not completely, but only additional and final inscriptions that follow dev_mount sdcard/storage/sdcard0 and dev_mount sdcard2/storage/sdcard1. As soon as we do it in the image, we need to save it.


    After replacing the internal memory with a memory card, you should restart the phone. After you reboot your device, you will be able to enjoy the availability of memory and the installation of all subsequent games will be performed on the SD card. Do not lose sight of the fact that you carried out all the manipulations manually and if there is something missing, you will have to send the phone for flashing.

    There is no less effective way replacing memory without using the Root Broswser program. To do this, you only need to perform a few manipulations with your phone using a computer, literally three clicks. First of all, you will need to run the HTC Driver Installer file and install it on your computer so that all necessary utilities for further work.

    The second manipulation will be to install the driver on the system media C:\\android-sdk-windows, then you should run the SDK Manager program to check the files and their readiness for installation. After this, you should connect the phone to the computer and confirm the command: transfer everything to the SD card, read on how to do this.

    We use ADB

    Connect your phone with USB debugging enabled in the settings.
    Go to the folder with the program and run the adb.exe file using the command line cmd lines, with a clamped shift button right click on the file and select open command windiws here

    Will open command line in which we write adb devices

    Now run the following command, which will swap the memory, just type it and press Enter.

    After these manipulations, you should disconnect the phone from the computer and reboot the phone. After the reboot, you can verify that the button is working: transfer everything to the SD card and voila, you can safely use your phone. Now all applications and important documents and downloaded files will be saved on the external drive.

    It should be remembered that when you remove the memory card from the phone, the installed applications will disappear, this is probably the only negative this method. It is also recommended to use external drives of at least class 10, as small drives will not bring the desired result.

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

    Let me make a reservation right away that we are not talking about programs like link2sd. The principle is similar, but we will link not 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 root (where would we be without it). By the way, after I found out about this program, this is another argument for me for root.

    Many owners of Android smartphones or tablets with small built-in memory have probably encountered the following problem: a large SD card is inserted (for example, 16, 32 or even 64 GB), but after installing several heavyweight programs, our device or another program boldly declares that there is no memory on the card. enough space. Sometimes the program itself is small, but after installation it goes online and pulls gigabytes of data onto your 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 filled 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. As I understand it, this is done by the 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/NameInsert directory. Rarely can this 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... require certain skills from the user, in addition, they are not “clean” enough, for example, problems are known when connecting a smartphone to a computer via USB (cannot be unmounted), etc.

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

    QR code


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

    After installation, run the program (the first time, naturally, we permanently allow Root rights), click the menu, then “Preferences” and set the default paths to the external memory “Default data path” for example /sdcard/external_sd/ and the internal memory “Default target path” /sdcard/ . We exit the menu.

    Click menu, then “Add new entry”

    Now let's create new connection directories, for example, move the CamScanner folder to an external card. Long pressing on the folder path opens a small built-in file manager where you can create and/or select a folder. The folder on the external card should 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 connections are not automatically activated after creation (gray floppy disk icon, as in the screenshot below for gameloft). To complete linking folders, select the checkboxes necessary connections and click menu -> “Bind checked”. The active (linked) folder icons should turn green.

    By the way, if you want to attach the entire external card, I fully recommend doing it not with /sdcard/externalSD/, but with a dot in front /sdcard/.externalSD/. This will save you from such troubles as double thumbnails in galleries, etc. True, it will not help for all galleries and players, because... some also search for media in hidden directories.
    After suffering, I decided for myself to link only individual directories.

    UPD. By the way, an external SD card is much slower than the internal memory, so transferring program data to an external SD naturally slows down the operation 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 piggy bank. useful utilities for android devices.

    If you decide to swap internal and external memory, i.e. reassign the external sd card to /sdcard and there is no such option in the device settings - if you have root, this can be easily done by performing the following operation:
    In Root-Explorer we 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 swap the names of the mount points: 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

    The 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 you.

    For those who don’t understand from the title what this article is about: let’s assume you have 400 MB internal Android memory, which is very small (about 12-20 installed applications), then you can think about taking and replacing the main memory with a memory card.

    Risks and what you need to know

    Replacing Android internal memory with a memory card only occurs if you have root rights installed (no root, method doesn't work)! For those who don’t know what Root is and how to get it:

    Besides this you obliged know the Android file system structure.

    Changing memory is only possible if your Android device has a system file vold.fstab on the way /system/etc , if you don’t have one, then this method Unfortunately not for you! Take advantage alternative ways(link 1, link 2, link 3). Also if Android does not have its own memory, then this article also not for you. Article in to a greater extent for devices with Mediatek (MTK) or Rockchip processor.

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

    If you replace the internal memory with a memory card, the latter will have a very short service life (due to frequent reading/writing), and the speed may also drop Android work if very low class microSD cards.

    Instructions for replacing internal Android memory

    to a memory card

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

    2. Launch the Root Broswser file manager and follow the path:

    /system/etc/

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

    4. On file vold.fstab we see approximately this 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

    On in this example Please note that two lines are highlighted, if you carefully read the structure of the Android file system before these, then you already know that /sdcard or /sdcard0 this is internal memory, and /extsd or /external_sdcard, /sdcrad1, /sdcrad2, /external_sd This external memory, that is, MicroSD.

    All you need to do is swap 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 deal with the situation that the internal memory is not enough to install all the desired applications. You can, of course, clean your device and remove outdated applications, but it is not always possible to do this. In this case, you can try replacing the main internal Android memory with a memory card.

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

    The memory replacement method described below is only possible if you have the vold.fstab system file 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 system files will be directly edited. 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. Reflashing the device will help resolve the above problems. 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, we use the Root Browser file manager, when opening it 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 click Edit.

    After this, the internal Android file system opens, which we have already studied. In the structure that opens, we find the lines that contain the definition of main memory. The strings may 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 result in automatic replacement default memory. Therefore, we look for lines that mention the above designations and swap them, but before that, carefully study again how memory is designated directly in your device.

    After replacing and saving the results, you need to reboot the system, 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 number free space in the gadget, which leads to slowdowns, malfunction, or even a complete failure of the system to work normally. In this case, replacing the internal Android memory 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 delving into the settings and transferring all applications to a flash drive at once, you need to understand what types of memory generally exist on your Android device:

    • operational - necessary for correct operation applications, programs and other processes that run on your 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 automatic mode, as well as any user information; the system reports how much free space is left when installing new software;
    • expansion card - external drive, which is designed to expand the internal memory of the device and store applications and user information.

    Why can't I save apps to my SD card?

    In many gadgets, it is not possible to automatically allow the installation of new applications on a 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 sequentially on:

    1. Menu;
    2. Settings;
    3. About the phone.


    The OS version will be indicated in the list that opens.

    Programs for transferring applications to a memory card

    The developers took care of the users and created programs to make the flash drive memory the main one on Android. This is especially useful for older versions of the system, such as 2.2 or even earlier.


    Convenient software that contains 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, which, when clicked, opens all available information about them, as well as possible actions(move, copy, delete).

    Move2SD Enablerv

    This software is interesting to users for two reasons. The first is that 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 “unacceptable for transfer.”

    Another interesting development that makes life easier Android users-gadgets. The main advantages are simple software installation (without the need to additionally download scripts and libraries) and the ability to transfer information not as complete libraries, but only as parts of them.

    What other methods are there?

    There is another option like internal memory Make an SD card on Android. If the version of your gadget is from 2.2 to 4.2.2, then the instructions are extremely simple, click on:

    1. Settings;
    2. Memory;
    3. Default recording disk;
    4. SD card.

    A checkmark or circle will appear opposite the flash drive, indicating that the settings have changed. Now installation of applications will automatically go to the flash drive.

    For users of Android KitKat and higher, the process will be more complicated and tedious. 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” that either cannot be repaired or will only be brought to life in service center for an additional fee.

    Remember that by installing root rights yourself, you void your device’s warranty and act at your own peril and risk. Whether it's worth it or not is up to you to decide. Maybe it's less risky to manually migrate new applications each time?

    What do you think? Tell us in the comments if you had to get root rights, whether it was successful, or maybe you know other ways to switch the memory of a tablet/phone to a memory card.

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