How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (2023)

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How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (1)

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How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (2)

It happens to me all the time, I find an app that I really want, but it's several megabytes in size, and I already get a notification that I'm low on storage. These warnings are really annoying, especially since your phone probably still has space available, not just on the internal storage, but probably on the MicroSD memory card. Now there are some exceptions, there are some Android phones in the market that do not come with an external storage option.like the nexus s, but then again, this phone has 16 gigabytes of internal storage, so this tutorial is probably not necessary for users with that kind of space available. For the rest of us, there is still hope. I'll show you how easy it is to free up space on your phone's internal storage using a great feature called Move to SD Card, which became available for devices running the Froyo version of the Android operating system (version 2.2), released about a year ago. behind.

What you will need:

  • An Android phone running version 2.2 or higher.Go here for help finding which version of Android you're running.
  • A MicroSD card, which usually came with your device, so it's likely already in your phone. If you want to add even more storage to your phone, you can often get a larger capacity MicroSD card, but you need to make sure your device can handle it. for tips onchoose a MicroSD card see this article.

Start by tapping the Menu button on your device and then Settings.

How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (3)

Scroll down and tap Apps.

How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (4)

Then tap on Manage apps

How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (5)

From here, tap on the All tab at the top. This will bring up the full list of your apps. Now you can scroll down and find the ones you want to move from internal storage to MicroSD card. I tend to go for the ones larger than a megabyte, as those are the ones that make the difference.

How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (6)

For example, I'll touch on the Angry Birds application, which shows a size of 2.71 megabytes.

How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (7)

Now if you see a button that says Move to SD card, that means two things.

  • You have an SD card.
  • This app currently resides on your phone's internal storage.

If you see the button but it's grayed out, the app doesn't support the Move to SD feature.

Another option you may see besides Move to SD card isMover a USBstore. This would normally be a good indication that you don't have the option of an external SD card.

Go ahead and tap on Move to SD card and you're done! It will take a few seconds to complete and now you have downloaded this app on your SD card.

Example of an application that does not support Move to SD card.

Here's an easy trick to help keep your internal storage clean so your phone doesn't slow down or keep pestering you with low storage notifications.

Was this tip helpful? Want more easy how-to posts like this one? Please comment below on the topics you would like more information on or any other feedback.

17 comments

(Video) How to Move Apps and to SD Card Android / how to put Sd Card as internal storage

17 comments

  1. gen harris

    There are also free apps that will make this process easier. I use Apps 2 SD.

    Respondedor

    • jordan austin

      That's a good point, a lot of people like to use apps for that too. Just wanted to point out the normal manual way to do this. I may have to write an article outlining the pros and cons of apps that can do this for you.

      Respondedor

      • manufacturer

        hey jordan
        I have a Samsung Galaxy s and I followed all the advice.
        But I have a strange problem... the "move to sd" button is nowhere to be found, instead there is "move to usb".

        Despite having a blank (formatted) Samsung 32 GB microSD memory installed as an external.
        But the strange thing is that if I go to App2sd it seems that my apps have been moved to sd...
        This is strange.
        How can i fix this? Thank you
        fabulous.

        Respondedor

  2. Gilberto Medina

    Thanks Jordan, I don't think there is an easier way to do this. His way was so simple and so fast. Thanks again.

    Respondedor

    • jordan austin

      (Video) How to Move Apps to SD Card Android

      Gilberto, you are very welcome. I'm glad this was helpful to you!

      -Jordan Austin, groovyPost.com

      Respondedor

      • Carol

        Jordan,

        Thanks for all the information on this topic. This has been a very big problem for me. The answer you gave to Eric MacBeth really helps me. I have an LG Optimus V and the pre-installed apps take up all the space. I think I will try to root my phone. However, he said to see if "your carrier might be considering or releasing an update to allow you to remove them WITHOUT rooting your phone", how do you find out? Do you have to contact them? Does rooting your phone cause any damage to the phone and what you have stored on it?

        Respondedor

  3. Eric McBeth

    Hello Jordan. This information helped me a lot... But I still have a problem and need advice. I bought my first Android smartphone recently… Huawei Ascend II… When I bought it, I found several pre-installed apps like Uno and other things I don't need. I can't uninstall any of them and I can't move them to the SD card. The horror of this is that with all these apps I am left with only 150MB of internal memory... The SD is 2GB but it doesn't help much... People have told me that there might be a way around the phone ( no manufacturer support ) and clean internal memory by removing some apps and forcibly moving others to SD card... Have you heard anything about this? Or do you have any tips or methods I can use? This is my first investment in a smartphone, but I haven't paid much, so if I ruin Warrent by replacing my phone, I won't care. I would just like more internal memory for smoother operations. please help. Hahaha

    Respondedor

    • jordan austin

      Hi Eric! I heard you about Android factory installed apps, they are annoying! I have the EVO 4G from Sprint, which is an amazing phone; however, just like you, it does have some pre-installed apps. Sprint is rolling out an update that will allow them to be removed normally, and a few other carriers have started doing this as well. Many still don't allow this though, but to be sure I'd start by googling to see if your carrier has plans to allow this.

      From everything I've learned about these pre-installed or factory-installed apps, if your carrier doesn't allow you to uninstall them, the only way to do that is to root your phone.
      Rooting your phone WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY. To be clear, you should be fully aware of this before choosing to root. If you decided this was the right option for you, you can Google some quick guides to root your specific phone. Nowadays, rooting can only take a few minutes to complete. Make sure you choose a reputable site with an understandable guide. Like I said before, I really recommend googling to see if your carrier might be considering or releasing an update that allows you to remove them WITHOUT rooting your phone. So go from there.

      Sorry I don't have an awesome trick to download those annoying apps!

      -Jordan, groovyPost.com

      Respondedor

      • Eric McBeth

        Thanks Jordan.

        Respondedor

        (Video) How to set Sd Card as a default storage for Android.
  4. To do

    Ok I understand the problem of moving apps to sd card but what if you don't want the app on sd card and only on phone... how to move them to phone and move photos and music from camera to the SD card? …and it doesn't give you the option to rename a song… It could be… Please help

    Respondedor

  5. karen

    Jordan,
    I also have the Evo 4g which I love but am incredibly irritated with the stock apps. I tried googling about the "update" mentioned above ("Sprint is rolling out an update that will allow these to be removed normally"), but found nothing. Do you have more information on this?

    A million thanks!

    Respondedor

  6. david b

    What you explained is fine for gingerbread, but it doesn't work for froyo.
    Please let us know how we can move gallery content (photos and videos) to SD card in Froyo.
    The phone is LG Optimus T.
    Gracias

    Respondedor

  7. Riaz

    thanks, but how to manage the apps that can't be moved to SD card like FACEBOOK etc? please help

    (Video) How to Move Apps to SD Card on Android (How to Force Them)

    Respondedor

  8. usually

    Hi Jordan...thank you for your tips...it's helpful for me

    Respondedor

  9. jacob

    That was great ! but if it is grayed out and does not support transfer to SD card. So how to move to SD card with grey? please help

    Respondedor

  10. sharon poland

    I just bought the LGL62VL. After copying my data using an app, I found that I had 389 Mgs left. can't download anything I've already "moved" all my apps I could to the SD drive (which still has more than 11G free), but it doesn't seem to have made a difference. When I tried removing some apps, I had 650mg free. It's very frustrating to have a new phone that I can't add new apps to. Your help and comments will be appreciated.

    Respondedor

  11. jim stinson

    I can't find this on my Galaxy S20+. Is there any other way? My charging connection screams that it's wet... that's crap, but it thinks it is. It is not possible to do it wirelessly because there is no space to transfer files. 128 GB of 128 GB used.

    Respondedor

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How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card (8)

(Video) How to move apps to SD card Samsung

Related Posts:Android,Mobile

FAQs

How do I move apps to SD card completely? ›

  1. Make sure that you have an SD card inserted into your device.
  2. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
  3. Find and tap Settings → Apps.
  4. Tap the On SD card tab.
  5. Select application, then tap Move to SD card.
Sep 1, 2022

Why is my phone storage full when I have an SD card? ›

External, SD card is whole readable/writable and can hold any data, usually pictures, videos, music, games. Your internal storage may become full because some application hold too much data, and or You have installed too much apps.

How to move Android apps from internal storage to the SD card? ›

To move apps to the memory card
  1. Make sure that you have an SD card inserted in your device.
  2. Find and tap Settings > Apps & notifications > App info.
  3. Tap an app that you want to move to the memory card. Note! ...
  4. Tap Storage.
  5. If the app supports changing where it's stored, a CHANGE button appears. ...
  6. Tap SD Card > MOVE.
Jan 9, 2022

How do I force my Android to use SD card as internal storage? ›

Here's how to set an SD card as the default storage device on Android:
  1. Insert an SD card into your device. ...
  2. Open Settings > Storage Settings.
  3. Select your SD card. ...
  4. Tap the menu icon (three dots) in the upper right corner.
  5. Tap Storage settings.
  6. Tap Format as internal.
  7. Tap FORMAT SD CARD.
  8. Tap Move content.
Sep 28, 2022

Why can't I move all apps to SD card? ›

If your Android phone is running on Android Pie or above, then you can't just move every app to the SD card. But you can still transfer applications even if your phone doesn't support adoptable storage.

How do I permanently move apps to SD card Samsung? ›

How Do I move apps to the SD card on my Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+?
  1. 1 From the home screen, swipe down the screen to bring up your apps.
  2. 2 Choose Settings.
  3. 3 Choose Apps.
  4. 4 Choose the app you would like to move to your SD card.
  5. 5 Choose Storage.
  6. 6 Choose Change.
  7. 7 Choose SD card.
Nov 19, 2022

Videos

1. How to Use SD Card as Internal Storage in Android
(TechEpu)
2. How to Move Apps to SD Card in Android !
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3. How To Move All Android Apps To An SD Card
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4. How to move file from Internal Storage to SD card (Android, 2 File Manager apps)
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5. [2023] How to move all apps to SD card in one click? No root
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6. Not enough storage when moving apps to SD card on Android | Can't move apps to SD card
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