This post has been Last Updated 1 month ago by Kunal
When you are feeling the pinch of limited storage on your phone or tablet? Moving some apps to your SD card can be a quick and easy way to free up valuable space and extend the lifespan of your device. But before you start shuffling things around, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Quick Summary
- Not all devices and apps support app movement to an SD card.
- Check your device compatibility and format your SD card for best results.
- Use built-in settings or third-party app managers to move apps.
- Not all apps can be moved, and some features might not work perfectly on an SD card.
- Ensure secure SD card insertion, restart your device after moving apps, and troubleshoot any issues.
Compatibility and Preparation
First, let’s make sure your device is on board. Check your user manual or manufacturer’s website to see if it supports app migration to an SD card. Not all devices do, especially older models.
Next, you’ll need an SD card. Choose a type suitable for your device (microSD, SDHC, etc.) and with enough capacity to hold the apps you want to move. Remember, some apps can be quite large, so don’t go too skimpy!
Before diving in, consider formatting your SD card for optimal performance. Formatting does erase all data, so back up anything important before proceeding. This step can improve app launch speed and overall stability.
Moving Apps Made Easy
Now, the fun part – moving those apps! Most devices offer a built-in method within the Settings app. Here’s the general process:
- Go to Settings > Apps (or similar, depending on your device).
- Select the app you want to move.
- Look for Storage or App info options.
- Check for Change storage or Move to SD card (not all apps will have this).
- Choose your SD card and confirm the move.
- Repeat for other desired apps.
Alternatively, you can use third-party app managers for more options and control. However, stick to reputable sources and read reviews before downloading any app.
So, moving apps on the Samsung is also the same thing, so I want a Samsung phone in which to move my apps to the SD card. I can do the above things by going into mobile settings and selecting particular apps to move to the SD card. However, it’s not possible to move all the apps, and here is why: you can’t move apps, and everybody can read this thing out.
But if you want to move all the apps at once or all the compatible movie apps to the SD card at once to free up some internal storage, this is the way you can go for it. Simply open your mobile settings, go to the storage section, and in the storage section on the top right-hand side, you will find three dots. Simply tap on this, and you will see ‘Storage Booster.’
In this section, you will find another menu that says ‘Move apps to SD card,’ which basically means freeing up storage space on your phone by moving apps to your SD card. There’s a dedicated option, so if you turn this option on, whenever you install apps, they will be added to the phone and installed on the SD card.
Right below that, there is another section with all apps. In the perspective of selecting which apps to move to the SD card, when you hit ‘All Apps,’ all apps will start moving to the SD card, saving a lot of solid internal storage. It’s a great way to manage your storage efficiently.
Alternative Methods
While built-in settings offer a straightforward approach, you might prefer the flexibility and additional features of third-party app managers. These tools can provide:
- Batch app movement: Move multiple apps simultaneously instead of one by one.
- Advanced filtering: Find apps based on size, storage location, or other criteria.
- Performance monitoring: Track how apps perform after being moved to SD card.
Choosing a Reliable App Manager
With so many options available, choosing the right app manager is crucial. Look for apps with good reviews, a clean interface, and a focus on security and privacy. Some popular and trusted options include:
- AppMgr III (FREE): Offers batch move, app freezing, and advanced filtering.
- Link to SD (FREE): Simple and lightweight app for basic app movement.
- Move to SD Card – App Mover (FREE): Easy-to-use interface with batch moving capabilities.
Important Notes:
- Always download app managers from trusted sources like Google Play Store.
- Be cautious about granting excessive permissions to any app.
- Read reviews and research before installing any app manager.
Using an App Manager
The exact process will vary depending on the app you choose, but the general steps are similar:
- Download and install the app manager.
- Launch the app and grant the necessary permissions.
- Browse through your installed apps.
- Select the apps you want to move to the SD card.
- Choose the “Move” or “Transfer” option.
- Follow any on-screen prompts or instructions.
Advanced Methods
For tech-savvy users, there are even more advanced methods for managing app storage. These methods, however, come with potential risks and require greater technical knowledge.
- Newer Android versions like 6.0 Marshmallow introduce “Adoptable Storage,” allowing your device to essentially combine internal storage with external SD card space into one larger pooled capacity. While this sounds incredibly useful on paper, understand that formatting an SD card in this way erases its entire contents permanently. So before enabling Adoptable Storage, I’d back up any files on your card you want to keep. The process cannot be easily reversed once completed.
- As you can see, more advanced management of app storage through methods like rooting and Adoptable Storage gives you much more control, but also requires deeper technical skills and comes with greater device risk. Make sure you fully grasp what you’re getting into if attempting either on your device. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions!
Remember: Advanced methods carry risks and should only be attempted by experienced users. If you’re unsure, stick to the built-in settings or a reliable app manager.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Here are some additional tips and troubleshooting advice for moving apps to SD card:
- In my experience, not all apps can be moved to an SD card. Apps like system apps which are essential for your device’s operation are often not compatible with moving to external storage. When trying to move an app, I check its permissions to see if it has access to external storage first.
- I’ve found that some features of apps might not work properly after being moved to an SD card. Things like widgets, live wallpapers and other features relying on internal storage can have issues in my testing. So I’m careful about noting if any features break when I move an app.
- Apps moved to my SD card definitely take longer to launch in my case. Since SD cards are slower than internal storage, I notice more lag time when opening apps stored externally. It’s a trade-off for that extra storage space.
- I make sure to insert my SD card securely into my device anytime I’m moving apps over. An improperly inserted card has caused crashes and data corruption for me before. Taking the extra minute to ensure it’s seated well avoids bigger problems.
- Finally, I recommend restarting your device after moving apps to an SD card. I’ve found issues clear up if I reboot my phone, allowing all the changes to take full effect. It takes little time and helps prevent bugs.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues moving apps to SD card, here are a few things to try:
- Check your device compatibility and make sure your SD card is formatted correctly.
- Restart your device.
- Try moving the app again.
- If you’re using a third-party app manager, try a different app.
If you’re still having problems, contact your device manufacturer or app developer for assistance.
Conclusion
Moving apps to SD cards can be a great way to free up space on your device and improve performance. By following these tips and troubleshooting advice, you can ensure a smooth and successful experience.
That’s it for the blog post today, previously when we had covered why you can’t move the apps to an SD card, there’s something left, here I have completely how you can do it.