How to move apps to an SD card on your Android device (2023)

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Don't you hate it when you're trying to install a new app on your Android device and you get the "Not enough storage space" warning? That means all those games, photos, and 4K videos have finally taken their toll.

If your phone has a memory card slot, the solution is simple. A microSD card is an inexpensive way to expand your phone's storage. You can move apps to an SD card to free up space instead of removing apps from your Android device.

How you do this depends on which version of Android you're using. Let's check out all the ways to move Android apps to an SD card.

Using an SD card on Android: the basics

Before you begin, there are a few points to consider.

Memory cards are slower than internal storage, so you may experience slightly poorer performance with resource-intensive applications. When you select a card, go tofastest memory cardwith the highest capacity your phone can handle. But first check your phone's specsMake sure you don't buy the wrong SD card.

Also, make sure you knowHow to spot a fake microSD cardin order not to be deceived.

It is not possible to move pre-installed apps without root and even some third-party apps may not be supported. Also, on older versions of Android, you may not be able to use widgets associated with apps you've moved to your storage card.

With that in mind, let's see how to move apps to SD card.

Use an SD card for internal storage

Android 6 (Marshmallow) introduced changes to the way Android phones can handle memory cards, and these changes continued in Android 12 and later.

You can now configure microSD cards to work as internal storage. Instead of internal and external storage existing as separate areas, Android sees the map as an extension of its built-in storage space.

Data and applications can be written as needed and everything runs smoothly. As a result, you don't have to worry about where your apps are stored.

You must first configure this. Your card will be erased in the process, so make sure you back up any necessary data:

1. Insert the card into your phone. If thenew SD cardNotification pops up, tapsettings.
2. Next you need to choose how you want your phone to use the map.
   1. Selectphone memoryno android 9 an android 12, ouUse as internal storagewith older versions.
   2. Alternatively go toSettings > Storage, select the card, tap the menu button and selectstorage settings. Touchformat as internal.
3. On the next screen, tapFormat SD card, orDelete and format🇧🇷 This will erase your card.
4. Starting with Android 9, you have the ability to move your content, including apps, to the map. It also shows you how much space you will save. Beatmove contentcomplete.

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See Also

How to move Android apps from internal storage to SD card

(Video) How to Move Apps to SD Card Android

This feature is called adaptable storage and requires you to keep your card in your phone at all times - you can't switch cards when you need them. The card is also encrypted, so you cannot insert it into another device to copy the data.

The main downside of customizable storage is that all Android phones are different, so some manufacturers choose not to offer it on their devices. If you don't have it, you need to check if your phone allows you to manually move your apps to SD.

How to move apps to SD card on Android 9 to 12

You can often still manually transfer apps to an SD card in Android 9 through Android 12 and later, even if your phone doesn't support acceptable storage. This also requires the manufacturer to implement the feature. Note that you can't do this for all apps and even for pre-installed apps:

1. Go toSettings > Apps & notifications > App info.
2. Find the app you want to move in the list and tap on it.
3. SelectSave on computer🇧🇷 If the app supports switching to a map, you will see a labeled button herechange🇧🇷 Touch here.
4. ChooseSD cardnochange memorydialog box. This opens a confirmation screen. TouchMoverbegin.

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To move the app back to internal storage, repeat the above steps but selectInternal shared storagein the final stage. You should always do this if you want to change or remove your memory card.

How to move apps to SD card on Android 8 Oreo

The process to move an app to SD card in Android 8 is basically the same as in Android 9:

1. Go toSettings > Apps & notifications > App info.
2. Scroll down to find the app you want to move to the map and tap on it.
3. SelectSave on computer🇧🇷 If the app supports switching to a map, you will see a section calledused memory🇧🇷 Press the highlighted buttonchange.
4. Select the card you want to move the app to followed byMover.

How to move apps to an SD card in Android 7 Nougat

You can move apps to a memory card in Android 7 NougatThe definition🇧🇷 However, you cannot move all apps. If they don't support it, you won't see itchangeButton in Step 3:

1. Go toSettings > Apps.
2. Find and tap the app you want to move to the microSD card.
3. Go toStorage > Changeand select your card in the command prompt that opens.
4. TouchMoverto complete the process.

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Depending on the size of the app, it may take a few moments (especially large games), so don't touch your phone until it's done. To move the app back, repeat the steps and selectInternal shared storageNa Etapa 3.

How to move apps to SD card on Android 6 Marshmallow

The SD move process is the same in Marshmallow and Nougat:

1. Go toSettings > Appsand tap on the selected application.
2. TouchStorage > Change, and then select the card when prompted.
3. BeatMoverto complete the process.

How to move apps to an SD card in Android 5 Lollipop

Lollipop has less robust memory card support than later versions of Android, but you can still move apps from within.The definition.

You are limited as to which apps you can place on your external storage; depends on the developer supporting the option. Also, not the entire app is moved to the map, just a portion of it.

You can see what apps you have on your card by swiping to the right tab on theapplicationscreen, labeledon SD card🇧🇷 This makes it easy to spot someone you want to revert to in the future.

Move apps:

1. Go toSettings > Appsand tap on the app you want to move to the SD card.
2. Next under theSave on computersection, tapMove to SD card🇧🇷 The button will be grayed out when the app moves, so don't intervene until you're done.
3. unlessMove to SD cardOption, the application cannot be moved.

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

Once done, theSave on computerThe section will update to show how much of the app is now stored on the card (and how much is left on internal storage). OMoverbutton is now displayedmove to the phoneorMove to device storage.

If you tap on it, you can remove the app from the map.

How to move apps to an SD card on Android 4.x and earlier

MicroSD card support was extremely limited in all versions of Android 4.x (including KitKat, Jelly Bean, and Ice Cream Sandwich). Stock Android didn't support the ability to move apps to an external map, as Google seemed intent on doing away with maps altogether.

However, some manufacturers have chosen to include the feature in their own versions of the operating system. If your older device supports it, the process is simple:

1. Go toSettings > Apps.
2. Then find the app you want to move to the map and tap on it.
3. SelectMove to SD card🇧🇷 If this button is not available, you cannot move the application (or your phone does not support it).

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In the unlikely event that you're still using an Android 2.x device, these steps are pretty much identical to what you'll find. Home screen widgets are not supported by these old versions - you must keep an app on your internal storage if you want to use a widget.

If you don't have the option on your phone, you'll need to look at a third-party app.

How to move apps to an SD card using Link2SD

If your phone doesn't support moving apps to the SD card, or you want to move an app that isn't supported individually, there are some third-party apps that can help you.Apps2SDis a popular option, as wellFolderMount🇧🇷 They are quite old now, but they are still available. Bothrequires a rooted Android phone.

We will look at another option, Link2SD, which has both root and non-root capabilities. You can use it to move apps to your card in bulk, "move" apps that don't normally allow it, and offload data folders to your external storage for larger apps and games.

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First launch the app and grant root permissions if your phone is rooted. Then tap the app you want to move and choose an option:

• SD card link:This requires root and moves the entire app and its data to your card.
• Move to SD card:This does not require root and only works if your phone supports moving apps to external storage. If you're root, you can also force-move apps that don't support it.
• SD card link (data and cache):Moves data files and requires root.

To move more than one app at a time, tapMenubutton in the upper right corner and selectmultiple selection🇧🇷 Now tap on all the apps you want to move and press the buttonMenupress and select againLink to SD cardorMove to SD card🇧🇷 These are the same options as described above.

Link2SD is free, with a paid upgrade. It hasn't been updated for a while, but it still works on Android 2.3 and above.

Download: Link2SD(Free) |Link2SD More($ 2)

How to move apps to SD card on Android

The best way to move apps to SD card depends on which version of Android you are using, whether your phone manufacturer has implemented all the features, and which app you want to move.

On phones that support customizable storage, this is the best choice. You lose some of the benefits of external storage, but it eliminates the need to manually manage your card. For phones that only support manually moving apps to the card, this method is the best and cleanest.

And if your phone doesn't support any of them or you have special requirements, consider rooting and using Link2SD. This is definitely a last resort for most users.

But before you dive in, don't ignore the occasional downsides of using an SD card on Android.