How To Move An App To Sd Card

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Are you running out of memory? In this guide, you'll learn how to move apps to your SD card, so that you can free up storage and get the most from your storage space.

Managing storage space has become easier with the help of cloud services, streaming, and smartphones getting more internal memory. Regardless, it's often a matter of time before you find yourself looking around for apps to delete so that you can make space for more files and apps. Many of you may own budget devices, which usually make sacrifices in the storage department. You might also enjoy games, and these apps are known to use up a significant amount of storage.

The good news is that if your device comes with expandable storage, you'll be able to move apps to an SD card. Additionally, you can turn your microSD card into internal storage. This will effectively make it possible to move apps to your SD card, as well as all other data you may have on your phone. We'll show you how to do both, so let's get to it.

Here: The best microSD cards

How to move apps to an SD card on Android

MicroSD card slot stock photo 1 - How to move apps to SD card

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

The good news is that it's effortless to move apps to SD card on Android. Just keep in mind some apps don't allow this feature. Manufacturers might also remove this capability.

How to move apps to SD card:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Access the app you want to move to the SD card.
4. Select Storage.
5. If the app supports the feature, you will see an option called Storage used. To change where the app is stored, tap the Change button right under.

Select the SD card.
Tap on Move.
The phone will transfer the files.

This process is reversible, so if you should decide you want the app back on your internal storage, you can move it again using the same process.

MicroSD card slot stock photo 3 - How to move apps to SD card

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If the previous method isn't good enough or isn't supported by your apps/manufacturer, then there's still another way to move apps to microSD on Android. It might actually be a more convenient option. You can make Android treat your SD card as internal storage. This will make everything much more convenient, as you no longer have to worry about where to put apps and files. Your internal storage and SD card will turn into one conglomerate.

Turning your microSD card into internal storage has its downsides. Once you turn an SD card into a phone's internal storage, you will only be able to use that storage unit with that specific phone (unless you format it again). Furthermore, the phone will also only work when said microSD card is inserted. Removing it will trigger a factory data reset.

Aside from turning your phone and SD card into slaves to each other, you might also have to worry about performance. SD cards can be slow. Make sure you get one that's fast enough to keep performance healthy on your Android device. Lastly, not every phone out there supports this feature, even if it has expandable storage.

Adopt SD card the easy way:

Insert the microSD card into the phone.
If the device supports it, a notification will ask you how you want to use it.
Choose to adopt external storage. This will format and encrypt the microSD card.

How to adopt SD card from the settings:

Put the microSD card in your Android phone.
Open theSettings app.
SelectStorage.
Tap on theSD card you inserted.
Hit the menu button and selectStorage settings.
ChooseFormat as internal.
HitErase and format.
HitOK.
Migrate your data (or choose to do so later).

More tips: How to free up storage space on Android