A common issue which one faces with Android devices is that they come with limited storage. Moreover, a maximum of it is already taken by the pre-installed applications and Operating System.
Thus, when you try to load your favorite camera, gaming, or other applications, you are stopped with 'internal storage running out.'
Besides, your smartphone even works slow with low internal space. If you are having similar issues, it is time you try using an SD card.
Secure Digital card, which is chiefly known as SD card, is a tiny plastic card that works wonderfully by storing data.
It is the best and the most affordable way to expand the external storage of your device. SD cards come in three distinct sizes- normal SD card, mini SD card, and micro SD card. Therefore, before investing your money in it, check out which one is suitable for your device.
Almost all the latest smartphones and tablets allow you to insert the MicroSD card. These SD cards are available in different storage variants.
However, smartphones offer you to expand the external memory in a restricted manner. If you insert an SD card that exceeds the limitation, it would probably not work. Thus, before learning the methods of moving the Android applications to your SD cards, you first need to have a clear comprehension of its basics.
Things to consider regarding expanding external storage
SD cards are undoubtedly a great option for storing applications. However, you cannot expect every Android device to support you to install parts of a pre-installed mobile app to the SD card.
The devices that allow you to do so simply ask you to visit the app manager and take on a few steps.
But, most of the expensive Android devices do not support this mentioned feature.
To say precisely, you can do it suitably in the intermediate-range to low-end devices. Regardless to mention, even if your smartphone permits you to do that, not every app can be moved fruitfully. A few Android apps are developed in such a way that it cannot be moved.
If you try to do it forcefully, you might end up corrupting the app or your phone. However, you can rest your worries concerning the moving of the wrong apps since the apps that cannot be moved, will not have the option of moving them in the first place.
Moreover, there are a few large applications such as some gaming apps that tend to move a quarter half of their data from your device’s internal storage. Suppose if one of your gaming applications possess a total of 1.4GB, only 64MB would be moved into the SD card.
The rest will remain in the phone storage. However, still, it is a great way to save some of the internal phone storage. Now you have a fundamental knowledge concerning the external storage.
Hence, it is time for you to know about the two different methods that you can make use to move your Android apps safely into your SD cards.
Things to consider regarding expanding external storage
SD cards are undoubtedly a great option for storing applications. However, you cannot expect every Android device to support you to install parts of a pre-installed mobile app to the SD card. The devices that allow you to do so simply ask you to visit the app manager and take on a few steps.
But, most of the expensive Android devices do not support this mentioned feature. To say precisely, you can do it suitably in the intermediate-range to low-end devices.
Regardless to mention, even if your smartphone permits you to do that, not every app can be moved fruitfully. A few Android apps are developed in such a way that it cannot be moved.
If you try to do it forcefully, you might end up corrupting the app or your phone. However, you can rest your worries concerning the moving of the wrong apps since the apps that cannot be moved, will not have the option of moving them in the first place.
Moreover, there are a few large applications such as some gaming apps that tend to move a quarter half of their data from your device’s internal storage. Suppose if one of your gaming applications possess a total of 1.4GB, only 64MB would be moved into the SD card.
The rest will remain in the phone storage. However, still, it is a great way to save some of the internal phone storage. Now you have a fundamental knowledge concerning the external storage.
Hence, it is time for you to know about the two different methods that you can make use to move your Android apps safely into your SD cards.
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Method 1: The process of moving apps to SD Card through Application Manager on Android
Those who own a slightly old Android model can move the applications conveniently by following this method. Here is a step by step guide on how to undertake the task securely:
Step 1: Find the settings menu on your Android device
For commencing the task, you first need to locate the settings option on your smartphone. The option is available in your app drawer. First, open the menu screen and look for the set menu. Once you find it, click on it.
Step 2: Navigate Apps
On opening the settings menu, you will find several options. Among all, you need to find the option called 'App.' After you find it, tap on it.
Step 3: Select your Desired App
In the third step, you need to choose the app that you want to move to. If you are doing it for the first time, try moving a less important app. It is because even if you make any mistake, you will not lose any important data.
Step 4: Search for the Storage Option
When you make the selection of a particular application, you will come across several options. To name a few, you can notice storage, permissions, notifications, open by default, etc. Amidst all, you have to go for the first option, i.e., storage.
Step 5: Press on the button ‘Change’
Now, in this step, you have to notice the given option very carefully. Once you open the storage option, there will be a label called 'Change.' If you cannot navigate the locate option, that specific app will not be able to be moved.
Then go back to the app option and select a different app. If you notice a similar thing again, then probably your device does not support this feature, as mentioned earlier. On the other hand, if it does, proceed to the next steps.
Step 6: Complete the Procedure
After you hit on the change option, you will notice a small bar. There, you can see two different options- Internal storage and Transcend SD card. You just need to move the app from internal storage to the external storage by a single tap on the latter option.
Step 7: Move if you want
If you feel like moving the app back to the internal storage of your device, you can do that as well. All you need to do is tap on the change button once again. After that, change the storage button again.
How to Use SD Card as Internal Storage in Android
Method 2: Using SD card on Android as Internal Storage
This method is especially for those whose smartphone does not allow them to move the Android applications to the SD cards. The Android version Marshmallow was the pioneer of this feature, which is chiefly known as Flex Storage or Adoptable Storage.
With this advanced feature, you will be able to avail of your SD card like new internal storage by formatting it. However, there are still a few numbers of smartphones that do not enable you to do so. For instance, if you own the devices from Nvidia, Motorola, Huawei, Motorola, etc. you can do it with ease.
Nevertheless, before proceeding to enable this feature, you do need to consider a few important things. To ensure smooth and uninterrupted performance, make certain that you are using the fastest SD card. The best option is to use UHS-1 and UHS-3. However, Class 10 will also work suitably.
Moreover, you ought to be aware of the factor that if there is any existing data on your SD card, it will get erased at the time of installing it as an added internal storage of your device. If you want to use it in any other device, you need to start from the beginning by reformatting the SD card again.
Lastly, do not forget that if you move the added internal storage from your device, you can no longer access the applications that you have already installed in it.
The followings are the steps that you need to follow for using the SD card as new added internal storage to your device.
Step 1: Select the Settings Menu
Similar to the first method, you again need to select the settings menu for beginning the task. First, open the menu screen on your device and search for the settings menu. Select it carefully upon finding it.
Step 2: Navigate the Storage Option
After you open the settings menu, you will come across multiple choices. Afterwards, you need to locate the storage option. When you finally find it, click on it.
Step 3: Opt for the SD cards
At this point, you will notice two distinct choices, one reads internal phone storage, and the other one is the SD card. Between both of them, you need to tap on the second option, i.e., SD card.
Step 4: Press the Overflow Menu
After the 3rd step, the procedure becomes more and more complex. Hence, you need to follow the next step cautiously. After you select the SD card option, several choices will be highlighted before you.
You have to search for the three-dotted overflow menu. You can see it on the upper-right side of the mobile screen. Once you find it, press on it.
Note: It would be better to perform the steps instantly while reading the post. This will minimize the chances of committing errors.
Step 5: Locate the Storage Settings
When you tap on that three-dotted overflow option, you can see four different choices. The last among all is labelled as storage settings. You need to click on it.
Step 6: Format it to make it new internal storage
Upon opening the storage settings option, you will find only one choice that is phrased as 'Format as internal.' You need to tap on it. At this point, your mission of using your SD card as added internal phone storage is almost at its concluding part.
Step 7: Abolish everything to format
If your SD card is already empty, you do not need to execute this step. But, if it has several existing data, you require performing the step. You will come across an option most probably in orange color once you tap on it. All the data will be erased.
Note: You can receive an alarming note from your system if it detects your SD card to be slow. With this alert, you have to understand that there is a high chance of meeting performance degradation.
Step 8: Press on ‘Move now’
After you format the SD card, you will have to hit on the button called next. After that, you will notice two distinct options- move now and move later.
You need to select the first option, i.e., move now. The moment you tap on it, your system will begin the transfer procedure. Your device will now estimate the time that the process will take to finish. Additionally, you will also get to know the amount of storage data that will be transferred to your SD card.
Note: However, if you choose the second option, i.e., move later, you can still accomplish the task. In that case, you need to later visit the settings menu. Then, you have to search for Storage & USB. Afterwards, you require clicking on the SD card drive> menu button> Migrate data. Finally, end the task by tapping on the 'Done' option.
Step 9: Finish the task by pressing on the ‘done’ option
After the transfer process is over, you will see a button called 'done.' Once you tap on it, your device will instantly enlist the SD card as a newly added internal storage. In fact, the system will further use it to store data in the imminent feature.
Is it necessary to install all Android apps on an SD CARD?
Well, it is nothing mandatory. Mainly the Android users do it to free up the internal storage of their device. If the internal storage shows you a red alert, you ought to move or install apps on your SD card.
On the other hand, if your device comes with a substantial amount of internal storage, which is perfect for storing all your big-sized applications, you do not even need to use the external memory or SD card.
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What else can be stored on SD cards rather than Android apps?
SD cards are not only meant for storing or installing Android applications, you can use it to store videos, mp3s, images, PDF files, and other files as well. Moving these items to your SD card facilitates you in two cases.
Firstly, it frees up space. Secondly, you can further transfer those files easily to other Android smartphones and tablets.
How to set the SD card as default storage in an Android device?
If you set the SD card as default storage, the further downloaded application will automatically store in your external storage. Thus, you no longer need to move the application one by one from your internal storage to the external one. For that, you need to take on a few methods that are enlisted below-
- 1Firstly, visit the settings menu of your device
- 2Then, locate the storage option in it
- 3After opening storage, click on the option that is labelled as SD card or external storage
- 4At the final step, tap on the 'OK' option to set it by default
- 5Finally, download any app from the app store of your device to check whether the task has been successfully executed
Conclusion
Hopefully, now the two procedures of moving the Android apps to the SD card on Android devices have become clear to you. However, on paper, both steps might appear to be simple and straightforward.
But, if it is your first attempt, then probably the steps might seem to be a little intricate. Nevertheless, if you follow the steps precisely, as mentioned above, you can accomplish the task without any mess. Being careful and consistent is the key to this aspect.
