The internal memory on smartphones is not endless, and photos, videos, documents and applications take up quite a lot of space. This is why most devices have an SD card slot - this allows you to significantly expand your memory reserves.
And yet, users are faced with the following problem: the phone has an external drive installed, but all applications are automatically downloaded to internal memory. Because of this, a notification constantly appears that there is not enough space. On Android, this problem can be solved in several ways.
How to download games and applications to an SD memory card
There are several ways to use an external card to download applications and games to it. So, you can set the SD card as the default memory, move applications using standard settings or memory consolidation.
Setting the default external SD drive
You can set the SD card as the default memory, and then the smartphone will determine it as a priority for storing data.
For this:
Some applications will still be saved in the internal memory, this is determined by their settings.
Using Settings to Move Apps
Unfortunately, there is no option to select in the settings automatic installation applications to external media. But you can manually move some of them (not all applications support such a transfer).
For this:
There is another option: you can transfer applications not separately, but all together. For this:
Combining internal and external memory
This method is available for smartphones with Android version 6.0 and higher installed.
Video: how to set up downloading games and applications to an SD card
Video: Moving games to an external drive using Apps2SD
Using an SD card and the methods described will help significantly relieve the internal memory of your smartphone. They are quite simple, so any user can handle them, even if he is not very well versed in technology.
The green robot's "stomach" is smaller than a thimble. Especially on devices with little memory. I fed him a dozen or two super-mega-needed programs - and the place ran out. But... many of us have the opportunity to install a second “stomach” in the gadget and continue feeding.
Today we’ll talk about transferring applications from internal memory to an SD card in Android smartphones and tablets.
Which apps can be transferred and which ones can't?
Among mobile applications There are those that can be transferred between drives and those that cannot. When you transfer a program to external media, some components remain in the same place - in the permanent memory of the device.
If the program is relatively autonomous and not too fussy in terms of the location of files and data, it will remain functional. And if it is deeply rooted in the operating system, when the work of other structures depends on it, the transfer can end disastrously - not only this program will stop working, but also everything that interacts with it. For this reason, you should absolutely not try to move system applications.
The ability to transfer third-party products to microSD varies. It depends on whether the program author has provided for this possibility. They don’t write about this in the characteristics - everything is learned experimentally, but such experiments do not threaten serious consequences. If after transferring the program does not work, it is enough to return it to its place or reinstall it into the device’s memory.
Moving by system means
Modern versions of Android, starting from 6.0, support transfer software to cards without additional funds. They use a micro SD card as an extension of the internal storage, and the movement function is built into the firmware.
To transfer a program from the memory of a smartphone or tablet to a card in Android 6.0 and higher, do the following:
- Open system settings and go to " Device» – « Applications».
- Open the menu (properties section) of the desired program with a short touch.
- Tap " Storage", then " Change».
- In the window " Changing storage location» select « Memory card».
The instructions are applicable to devices of many brands and models, but adjusted for individual characteristics. Some manufacturers, for example, Samsung, instead of " Storage"You need to go to the section " Memory" Others have a button Move toSD" is located in the menu of applications that support this function. Well, others... simply didn’t bother and refused to implement the transfer function into the firmware of their devices.
The ability to transfer applications to SD cards “without intermediaries” also exists in very old versions of Android - 2.2 and lower, and everything that appeared later - up to the sixth version - requires third-party tools, which will be discussed further.
Mobile software for moving applications to SD
AppMgr III
Utility AppMgr III (App 2 SD) it is convenient in that it makes it possible to perform similar operations with several objects at once (batch management of installed software). This is not only a change in the installation location of the software, but also:
AppMgr III simplifies and speeds up many tasks for maintaining a mobile gadget, supports everything Android versions, starting from 4.1, however, it is officially incompatible with devices from certain manufacturers, in particular Xiaomi. Operations with some objects require root rights.
Link2SD
Exclusive feature of the utility Link2SD– moving absolutely all user applications to SD cards, even those that do not allow this. The truth is, nothing is said in the description about whether the developer guarantees their continued performance.
Other functions and features of Link2SD:
- Changing attributes of user software to system software and vice versa.
- Freezing unused software.
- Batch transfer of software to SD cards and device memory.
- Batch removal and reinstallation of programs, batch clearing of cache and data. Clear the cache of all installed software with one touch.
- Removing potentially malicious software.
- Manage device reboot.
- Create custom shortcuts.
- Sorting installed applications by various parameters, search and much more.
Link2SD is more omnivorous than AppMgr III: it runs on any version of Android, starting from 2.3, and Xiaomi devices generally supports (although, according to user experience, not all). Most operations require root rights; it does not work on some firmware without root. Free version The utility is quite good - functional and convenient, but plagued by intrusive advertising.
Files To SD Card
A simple utility FilesToSDCard designed for transferring files to a memory card different types– graphics, video, music and, of course, applications. In addition, it allows you to choose an SD card as the location for saving new files (by default, Android saves everything on the device).
Files To SD Card is used to unload the memory of mobile gadgets and Reserve copy data. Despite the fact that the manufacturer claims support for a limited number of devices: Lenovo A2010 LTE, Samsung GalaxyCore, Moto G, Vodafone Smart Prime 6, Nokia One and Sony Xperia M4, the utility runs on almost any smartphone and tablet running Android 5.0 and higher. On most firmware everything works without root.
Move to SDCard
A program with a simple name " Move to SDCard» pleases users with its simplicity and good results. In addition to the main function, which coincides with the name, the utility can:
- Move software from the card to the device memory.
- Sort applications by name, size, installation date.
- Display information about applications: installation location, date, time, size, name of the executable file (apk).
- Search for software on your device and on the Internet.
The utility is compatible with most brands and models of mobile gadgets, including very Chinese and very old ones (supports Android 2.3 and higher). Some features require root privileges.
File manager
File manager from the developer Best App is an improved explorer, a replacement for the standard file manager on Android smartphones and tablets. Changing the installation location of applications is just one of its functions.
Other features of the File Manager include:
- Copying, pasting, cutting, moving, deleting, renaming, downloading - that is, all standard operations with files and folders.
- Integration with , OneDrive and DropBox.
- Access to open resources on the local network.
- Clearing cache, junk data, duplicates.
- Sorting objects into categories.
- Transfer files over Wi-Fi to others mobile devices, computers and Smart TV.
- Analyze and graphically display storage space usage.
- Archiving and unarchiving files. Supports all major compression formats: rar, zip, 7z, 7zip, tgz, tar, gz.
- Organizing and storing documents of various formats: doc, ppt, pdf and others.
The explorer is very lightweight and easy to learn, is not overloaded with redundant functions, and is undemanding in terms of hardware resources. Runs on Android 4.2 and higher. Some functions require root rights, but everything basic works just like that.
All-In-One Toolbox
All-In-One Toolbox– utility for comprehensive optimization and maintenance mobile system. Painless transfer of applications from internal memory to SD card and vice versa is also one of its functions.
Other useful features of All-In-One Toolbox:
- Management of startup software (user and system).
- Removing unnecessary data (cleaning up garbage, caches, duplicates).
- Complete removal of programs with clearing of remaining files.
- Speeding up a device by releasing random access memory from running services and programs.
- Reduced battery consumption.
- Encryption of personal data.
- Display a list of large files.
- Explorer with the function of sorting objects by category.
All-In-One Toolbox – good tool to speed up and maintain smartphones and tablets with limited resources - small amounts of storage and RAM, not the most productive processor, weak battery. Runs on devices of any brands and models, perhaps with a few exceptions. Some functions require root rights and depend on the Android version.
As most often happens, this is not an exhaustive list of utilities with the ability to transfer applications to an SD card and back. There are hundreds of them, but each with its own quirks and character. I hope this one short review will help you find exactly what you like, and will also be tough for your Android device.
How to install programs for Android from a computer? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by newbies. We publish the most detailed instructions especially for them.
So, in order to install the program on a smartphone running Android, some preparation will be required. You can simply download and install an application or theme on Android devices only through the Android Market. In order to be able to install programs from a memory card on your smartphone, you need an additional application, for example, the ASTRO file manager. We will install it from the Market.
A detailed article has already been written about installing applications from the Market. But let’s repeat it again using a specific installation example. file manager ASTRO, and only then use it to install the application from the memory card.
Step 1.
So, at the stage of installing the file manager, our smartphone must be connected to the Internet, since we will install this application from the Market. We look for the “Market” () shortcut and launch it.
Step 2.
After launching the Market, we see this picture. On the right top corner search icon.
Step 3.
We enter the name of the program we are interested in - .
Step 4.
In the list of results, we are interested in the top application - ASTRO File Manager. This free application, free of charge is compensated by the advertising shown. For those interested there is a paid version.
Step 5.
Select ASTRO File Manager and confirm your choice in the next window. The application will begin to install.
Step 6.
The ASTRO file manager is installed, we accept the license and you can start managing files.
Step 7
Now you are ready to install applications from the memory card. As an example of an application that we will install, we will select the Bogr program, designed for reading the popular quote book bash.org.ru in RuNet. You can download the program in the section downloads. Applications intended for installation on Android are usually files with the extension apk.
So, download the program on your computer, then transfer the file to the smartphone’s memory card. There are several ways to do this, the easiest way is to use USB cable. After copying the file, disconnect the cable.
Step 8
Now we launch it on a smartphone ASTRO and select the file that we downloaded to the smartphone. Short press on the file.
Step 9
In the dialog that appears, select open the application manager – Open App Manager.
Over time Android device a large number of applications and games accumulate. By default, they are all stored in the internal memory of your phone, smartphone or tablet. And if you don't save these apps to the memory card, you may run out of space in the internal memory, and you won't be able to install new apps until you free it up. In this short article we will talk about how to save applications to a memory card on Android smartphone or tablet and free up internal memory for new applications and games.
Saving applications to the smartphone's memory card through Android settings
The easiest option to save applications to a memory card on an Android phone is to use the tool available in the settings. To do this, open the Android settings and go to the " Application Manager"(in some cases, this settings section may simply be called " Applications»).
After this, you will see a list of all installed applications. In this list you need to find the application that you would like to save to the memory card and open it. If your target is the device, then simply select the application that takes up the most memory.
After you select an application from the list, a screen with information about this application will appear in front of you. There will also be several buttons available on this screen. In order to save the application on the memory card of your Android phone, click on the " To SD memory card».
After that operating system Android itself will transfer the application from internal memory to the SD memory card and save it there. If you want to return the application to the internal memory, you can do this using the same button.
It should be noted, that not all applications can be saved to a memory card. For some applications this function will be unavailable. This is due to the features of the application and cannot be influenced.
Saving applications to a memory card using third-party solutions
To simplify the process of saving applications to a memory card, you can use special applications. For example, you can use the . This application allows you to significantly speed up the process. In addition, AppMgr III (App 2 SD) allows you to hide and freeze applications.
The AppMgr III (App 2 SD) application displays all applications installed on the phone. They are sorted into three categories: relocatable(applications that you can save to the memory card), on SD card(applications that have already been saved previously), and applications on the phone(applications that are currently in the internal memory). Thanks to this division, it is immediately clear which applications can be transferred to the memory card, which significantly saves time if your goal is to free up maximum space in the internal memory of the phone.
Details under the cut.
Attention! I personally tested this method on Android 2.3. You can find out about the possibility of this method working on Google.
First you need to install Android SDK Tools (link for Windows). After installation, you need to download the packages. You will see how to do this in the screenshot below:
Now go to your phone settings and go here:
Applications>Development>USB Debugging (check the box).
Now connect the device to your computer via USB. Go to the folder where you installed SDK Tools. Select the platform-tools folder with the right mouse and click “Run” command line Here".
In the command line window that opens, type (all without quotes):
After the "$" icon appears, print the following (case is important):
“pm getInstallLocation” and press Enter. You should see the following on your screen:
This means that the system itself will determine which applications to install where. This doesn’t suit us, so we write:
"pm setInstallLocation 2"
This is how we communicate that we want applications to be installed on the memory card. Let's check the result:
"pm getInstallLocation"
The answer should be:
Now close the command prompt window and disconnect your phone from the computer. Reboot it. Now all applications will be installed on the memory card.
It is worth noting that when downloading from Play Store and temporary information will still be recorded in the phone’s internal memory. There is no way to cure this without root, but if you install programs not from the Play Store (from a pre-downloaded APK), you can install the program without recording temporary information. You can do this as follows.
Install the APK Leecher program on your computer (in principle, you don’t even need to install it, just unpack it; attached to the topic), download it from Google Play to the phone the Device ID program (only 13 kB) and find out the unique ID of your phone.
Then, by launching the APK Leecher program on the computer, we enter our account information, ID and make some settings (download folder, language) and now we can search for applications and download them directly on the computer from Google Play. There is no need to worry about your data - it does not leak anywhere, but is only used for authorization. Program settings:
Now you can download programs to your computer and, after transferring the downloaded APK files on a memory card, install them on your phone.
Example of the program: 
Best regards, timblaer.
