Many smartphone owners regularly face a lack of memory. Installation can partly solve this problem. Then it remains only to transfer all the programs to it, after which the device will stop complaining that it does not have enough space to perform certain operations. But doing this is not as easy as it seems.
The Android operating system, as we have already written more than once, is famous for its openness. It seems to many that there are no restrictions at all. But actually it is not. The mobile operating system created by Google does not like memory cards very much. It allows you to easily place videos and photos on them. There are already some problems with music. And sometimes it is not allowed to install applications on the SD card at all. Sometimes such a strict restriction is imposed by the smartphone manufacturer, while in other cases it is not allowed by the developers of a particular program.
All these problems are caused by the fact that earlier memory cards were too slow. In comparison with the built-in memory, they lost hopelessly. And the smartphone manufacturer wants the customer to get the best experience. If applications with games open for too long, the user will blame the manufacturer, and not the previously installed memory card. No big company needs this. Fortunately, now the situation is changing, as the creators of smartphones are changing their attitude towards.
Transferring an application using built-in tools
If you are thinking about how to transfer applications to an Android memory card, then we are in a hurry to provide you with an answer to this question. Do the following:
Step 1. Go to the section " Settings».
Step 2 Select " Applications».
Step 3 Click on the program or game you want to move to the SD card. On smartphones, before this, you will have to take an intermediate step in the form of a transition to " Application Manager».
Step 4 If the button " Move to SD card» is active, then click it. If not, then it is impossible to move this application using the built-in Android tools. In some versions of the operating system, the card may be referred to as a USB drive.
Step 5. On some smartphones running on a more recent version of Android, instead of the "Move to SD card" button, there may be an item "Memory" or "Data". Click on it.
Step 6. In the window that opens, click the Change button. Then specify a new storage location. In our case, this "Memory card".
Using the AppMgr III utility
If the operating system has disappointed you or if you are going to move a large number of applications, we recommend that you try using the AppMgr III utility. In addition to everything, she can:
- Notify about the end of the installation of the application;
- Sort programs by their current location;
- Hide pre-installed applications in the menu;
- Clear the cache at the click of a button.
Also, the utility automatically determines whether a particular application supports transfer to a memory card. If this process is not supported by the program, then next to it there will be an icon “ phone only».
Moving an Android app to a storage card using AppMgr III is easy. Instructions for these purposes are not required - the utility itself will carefully tell you everything.
Moving the cache
If you want to move the game, then get ready for the fact that AppMgr III will cope with this task, but it will almost not free up space in the built-in memory. This is due to the fact that games often use a cache. It is he who takes up the most space, since it contains graphics and musical accompaniment. And the aforementioned application does not know how to move the cache. But on the other hand, the FolderMount utility is capable of this. Its main problem is that it requires root access to function. If you don't have one, you won't be able to move the cache. If you have superuser rights, then follow our instructions:
Step 1. Install and run FolderMount, then click on the " + " in the upper right corner.
Step 2 A menu will open in which you must specify the name of the application whose cache you want to transfer.
Step 3 In the column " Source» you should specify the path to the folder with the cache. Most often, the corresponding folder can be found in Android/obb/».
Step 4 In the column " Purpose» you must select a folder on the memory card, where the cache will then be moved.
Is the transfer worth it?
Many people try to install applications on a memory card without even thinking about the further consequences. But in fact, experts do not recommend doing this. It is possible that your card is slow, and this makes the functioning and opening of the program not the fastest. Therefore, you should save applications to a memory card only if your drive belongs to the standard Class 10 or, much better, UHS-I.
Also, do not forget that any card is less reliable than the built-in memory. And if it fails, it will entail the deletion of all information recorded on it. Including all applications moved to it will be deleted. Therefore, leave the most important programs in the built-in memory. For example, it should store instant messengers and utilities designed to track expenses and income.
Probably, each of us faced the problem of lack of memory or simply wanted to transfer applications to a USB flash drive, since the memory was already full, and games and applications cannot be transferred to MicroSD and the annoying notification "There is not enough memory on the device, some functions may be limited."
Even if you uninstalled a lot of applications and games, you still did not have enough memory. But how to increase the memory without losing everything? Later in this article, we will look at and learn how to solve this problem.
I want to warn you right away that neither I nor the site administration are responsible for your actions. You do everything at your own peril and risk.
P.S The article uses the most simplified words for better perception.
To continue you will need:
- MicroSD Card with a class of at least 6 (Class 10 is desirable) and a size of more than 4 GB
- (To create a second partition)
- (For transferring applications and games)
- (For transferring cached games)
To increase the memory, we will have to transfer your applications to the so-called second section of the MicroSD card (you need to transfer), and we will create it ourselves. If you already have a second section on your map, you can skip this step.
Creating a Second MicroSD Partition
1. Save all files on another medium (for example, on a computer)2. Disable the microSD card along the path "Settings / Memory / Disable memory card"
3. If you have ROOT rights, install if not -
4. After starting, double click on the "+" 
5. Select "Ext4" in Part 2. If you have an Android 2.2-2.3 device, select "Ext 3" 
6. In Part 2, select the size, how much you want to allocate memory in MB from the card for applications and games (The more the better) 
7. Look at the first white bar graph for the amount of memory left and enter those numbers in Part 1 
8. Check if you did everything right. If everything is correct, click on the menu button or on the so-called "three dots in the corner", and click on "Apply changes" 
Everything, the most difficult is already behind, you can reconnect the memory card (Settings / Memory / Connect memory card), transfer files back to the USB flash drive, but before that you may notice that the size of the memory card has decreased. It should be so, because we have created the second section.
Setting up the transfer to the second partition
We need to install the program (Google Play)
After installation, open the application. You should have a window like this. Select "Ext 4" or "Ext 3" for Android 2.2-2.3 and click on "OK".
After reboot, open the application. You should have a list of applications.
Now we will consider what can be transferred and what is better not to transfer.
Let's just say that system applications should never be transferred. Not much will happen. Therefore, it is better to transfer custom applications (Those that you installed yourself). I do not advise you to transfer those applications that you actively use (For example, Browser or WhatsApp and the like).
And in order to make it more convenient, the application has sorting. To do this, click on "Equal three stripes" and select "Custom".
You should see a list of your applications. Now you can select the applications that you want to move to the second section and send them there. Click on "Three Dots", then on "Multiple", select the applications to transfer and click on "Submit".
A few minutes of waiting and you're done! You have more memory, and you can still download games and applications and transfer them. If you dig into the Link2SD settings, you can enable auto-link. This is a feature that automatically transfers the application to the second section of the map, thereby making your life easier.
Also in the settings you can change themes, buy the Pro version and so on. But now is not about that. In general, we figured out the main problem. But, I want to tell you, Link2SD does not transfer game cache (Game cache is .obb format files along the path Android/obb/"game package name"). So what should we do? Let's talk further.
Transfer game cache and data to microSD card
Game cache can be transferred using an excellent program called. I must say right away that the cache is transferred to the flash drive itself, and not to the second partition.
Open the app, and swipe from the left edge of the screen to the right edge (Swipe) and tap on "Application Analyzer"
Applications in the Android OS are installed by default in the internal memory section. Therefore, owners of devices with 8/16 GB drives often face a lack of free space on their Android device, which can be solved by transferring applications to an SD memory card. If this is not done, then the ability to install programs on a smartphone or tablet disappears, you cannot download data from the Internet or receive a file via bluetooth / NFC / Wi-Fi. Since for these purposes, internal memory is used by default.
In order to continue to fully use a smartphone or tablet, you need to transfer massive applications to an external memory section. How to transfer applications from internal memory to sd card on android, read on.
Foreword
Applications consist of two main components - the program itself and the cache. The latter is an additional file for correct operation, not to be confused with temporary data. More often, this approach is used in games where developers put graphics or additional content, with a volume of 15-100 MB and up to 2-3 GB. Whereas in most programs, due to the small volume, it makes no sense to separate the cache into an additional file.
Early versions of Android allow you to move the cache to a memory card. At the same time, it is worth mentioning that this function must be supported by the OS, for which the manufacturer and developer are responsible, who must enable portability in the application. Otherwise, ROOT rights are indispensable.
Standard way
Devices on Android up to 4.0 and some models with version 4.2 and higher, allow you to move applications and / or cache through the settings menu. To do this, open the device settings, the "applications" item and select the desired program. After information about the amount of memory used, there is a button "move to SD card". Don't let the different name fool you.
Main advantages:
- Simplicity. ROOT rights are not required.
Main disadvantages:
- Moving apps to SD card is not available on all devices.
- You cannot migrate an application if the feature is not implemented by the developer and manufacturer.
Third Party Applications
If the standard method does not work or is not convenient, it is recommended to try third-party programs as an alternative: AppMgr III (App 2 SD), Link2SD or Folder Mount. The listed utilities allow you to identify roaming applications, view detailed information about the occupied space, etc.
AppMgr III (App2SD)
A simple and not overloaded application for transferring programs to a memory card, viewing free space, clearing temporary cache, etc. To move an application:
- Open the hidden panel by clicking on the 3 bars at the top left of the screen.
- Select Move Apps.
- On the "Roaming" tab, mark the program.
- Confirm the move in a new window.
If you give AppMgr III ROOT rights, the program's capabilities will expand, which will allow you to transfer previously inaccessible applications.
Main advantages:
- Informativeness.
- Additional features: freezing programs, quick cleaning of the temporary cache, etc.
- It is not necessary to have ROOT rights.
Main disadvantages:
- On devices where app transfer is blocked at the system level, transfer is not supported.
- Additional features are not available without ROOT rights.
- Some features are hidden in the free version of the program.
Link2SD
A more functional utility, with support for transferring applications to a MicroSD card in three different ways:
Link
The application, including system files, and all related files are transferred to a pre-created 2nd partition on the MicroSD card. At the same time, a link is created so that the system would continue to "consider" the moved application installed in the internal memory section. ROOT required.
Linking external data folders
The method is similar to the previous one, while creating an additional partition on the MicroSD card is optional. This is the best option if you want to transfer a large cache of a game or program. The instruction is simple and consists only in confirming the actions:
- You need to select an application and click on the "send" button.
- Mark what data you want to move.
- In the new window, select a section if the map is divided into two or more parts.
- Wait for the end of the procedure.
Transfer to MicroSD card (App2SD)
The method is similar to that described for AppMgr III. Allows you to transfer applications and cache. ROOT is not required.
Main advantages:
- Informativeness.
- Extensive opportunities for transferring cache and applications.
- It is not necessary to have ROOT rights for the App2SD method.
Main disadvantages:
- Move does not work on devices where the feature is disabled at the system level.
- ROOT is required for full operation.
- Most of the features are not available in the free version of the program.
Folder Mount
The utility allows you to transfer folders with application data, leaving links for the system to keep the correct work. To move you need:
- Launch Folder Mount and create a pair. To do this, click on the "+" button, from above, or in a hidden window on the left, which opens by pressing the button in the form of three bars.
- Set options. The name is to understand which application has been ported. Source is the folder that you want to move. Destination is the folder for the destination location.
- Click the checkmark icon at the top.
- In the window that appears, make a choice: "yes" - the destination folder will be created automatically, "no" - select the destination folder manually.
- Wait for the file transfer to finish.
Main advantages:
- Ease of transferring applications.
Main disadvantages:
- Requires ROOT for full operation.
How to transfer applications to a memory card using Adoptable storage
The feature is available on all devices starting with Android 6.0. The principle of operation is to create a single array of data from the internal and external storage. After activating Adoptable storage, by default, applications are installed on the internal disk, after which they are transferred in the "Standard way", described at the beginning of the article, to the external area - MicroSD. The Adoptable storage method does not require ROOT rights, but it needs to format the memory card first, which will erase all available information.
Instructions for activating Adoptable storage:
- Install a microSD card and wait for a suggestion on how to use it in the notification bar. The gear icon will allow you to customize the map.
- In the new window, select the item "Internal memory" and click "next".
- Confirm the action and click on the "clean and format" button. Please note that all data on the microSD will be deleted.
- Wait for formatting to finish.
- The system will offer to transfer part of the data to an external drive in order to free up space on the internal drive. It is not necessary to transfer files immediately.
- Then go to settings, then apps. Select the program and in the new window select "storage". The "change" button will allow you to transfer the application to the outer area of the shared disk.
Important! To use Adoptable storage, it is recommended to use a memory card with a high data exchange rate, at least class 10. Otherwise, the performance of the device will decrease.
Main advantages:
- The simplicity of the method.
- ROOT rights are not required.
Main disadvantages:
- MicroSD data is encrypted, which prevents the card from being used in other devices. If the device fails, you will not be able to extract photos from the memory card.
- Only devices with Android 6.0 and above are supported.
- For efficient operation, a microSD card with a high data transfer rate is required.
Conclusion
If there is not enough internal space, and you wondered: how to transfer applications to a memory card on an android, one of the methods described above will definitely help. The easiest is to check the movement in the settings using the App2SD method. For owners of devices with a modern version of Android, 6.0 and higher, the Adoptable storage method is available. Otherwise, you will need ROOT rights to move the entire application or just a folder with massive data, which Folder Mount and Link2SD can do.
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The current variety of games and applications that can be found on Google Play sometimes just amazing. It happens that you find a great application, start downloading it, and you realize that the system memory is enough for a maximum of 2-3 of these applications. In addition, most applications, when installed, do not have the ability to later transfer them to an SD card.
For example, the Samsung Galaxy Y S5360 device has only 190 MB of system memory, of which 110 is occupied by the Android platform itself and a number of system applications. Based on this, at your disposal is no more than 70 - 80 MB, which make you constantly sacrifice one application in favor of another, or, in general, do not allow you to download it.
After reading this article, you will get a solution to the memory problem, as you will learn how to transfer any applications (even system ones) to an external card.
Preliminary information
Before proceeding to instructions please read the text below carefully.
You can move some applications to a USB flash drive right now. To do this, go to the settings, click on "Applications" and then "Manage applications" and find the software that you want to move to a USB flash drive, open it. If it is possible to transfer it to an SD card, then the button "To SD memory card" will be active. As you will see in the picture below, the application that I have chosen does not have the ability to be transferred to a USB flash drive.
It is on the example of this application that we will demonstrate how you can move transfer-protected software.
Next stage. To use the method, which we will talk about next, you will need root rights. You can find out how to get them by clicking on the link - click.
The instruction itself
In order for this method to be implemented, we need to download a free application that is located on the PlayMarket at this link - click or go to the playmarket from your gadget and enter in the application search: Link2SD.
- Download and install software on your gadget
When you find the required application in the market, click download and wait until the download is completed. Then, wait a little more while the application is being installed. Due to the fact that the download occurs from the market, there will be no failures, and the application itself will not infect your phone with viruses.
It is worth noting that it works on devices in which systems 2.0 and higher. Install and launch the Link2SD application.
- Find the app you want to transfer
At the beginning of the article, the MarketHelper application was demonstrated, which did not want to be transferred to a USB flash drive. Now I will find it on my gadget using the Link2SD application and demonstrate how the transfer is carried out using its example.
1) Find the application:
2) Click on its name
3) What do we see?
We observe a short description of the file, which describes its name, size and location. And two buttons - "Move to SD card" and "Actions".
With the first button, I think that everything is clear and we will talk about it a little further. As for the "Actions" button, a list of several options opens here:
You can start, reinstall, or do other actions shown in the picture above.
4) We transfer to the application to an external memory card
In order for the transfer to take place, press the "Move to SD card" button, then "OK".
This is where we need super user rights. We provide them to the application by clicking "Allow" and wait for the end of the software transfer to the USB flash drive. If the software transfer is successful, you will receive the following message:
As you can see from the snapshot below, the application is now on a flash card:
WARNING
With this application, you can transfer any software to a flash card, this makes your flash drive an integral part of the device, because now it will be used as the system memory of the gadget. Therefore, the transfer of any system application is carried out at your own peril and risk, because flash drives have the ability to fail!
When you connect the device to a computer, your gadget will not detect flash drives (this is the norm), therefore, all system applications located on a flash card will disappear while using USB.
And lastly, not all applications are suitable for transferring to a USB flash drive. This rule is absolute for the software that contains widgets. When transferring an application with widgets to a flash drive, it will work, but the use of widgets becomes impossible.
The amount of built-in memory is something that many smartphone manufacturers save on. This is especially true for budget devices based on the Android operating system. In such budget models, there may be 8, 4 or 2 gigabytes of memory. And you also need to consider that part of this memory will be occupied by the files of the operating system itself. As a result, users get a device on which there is very little free space for installing applications.
But, this problem has a solution. If you have an Android operating system of version 2.2 or higher, then you can use the application transfer function. This will free up some space and allow you to install new applications. If you're interested, then you've come to the right place. In this article, we will talk about how to transfer applications to a memory card on Android.
Step #1: Open Settings and go to Applications.
First of all, you need to open the Android settings and go to the "Application Manager" section. In some firmware, this section of settings may simply be called "Applications".
Step #2: Open the desired application.
After going to the "Application Manager" section, you will see a list of all installed applications. Here you need to find the application that you want to transfer to the memory card and open it.
Step number 3. Transfer the application to the memory card.
After selecting an application from the list, you should see a page with information about this application. Here you can see how much memory this application occupies, as well as get other information.
In order to transfer the application to the memory card, you need to click on the "To SD card" button. In other firmware, this button may be called "Move to SD card" or something else. But, the meaning is only the same - the transfer of the application.
Note! In some cases, the application transfer button is missing. This means that the transfer of this application is not possible. Select another application from the list.
Step #4: Wait for the application transfer to complete.
After pressing the application transfer button, the operating system will start copying data from the device's built-in memory to the memory card. During this time, the transfer button will be unavailable.
After a while, the “Move to device memory” message will appear on the transfer button. This means that the transfer of the application is finished and you can use it.
Mass transfer of applications on Android.
This application sorts all adopted applications into three categories:
- Roaming (application that can be transferred to a memory card and vice versa);
- On the SD card (applications that were transferred to the memory card earlier);
- In the phone (applications that are in the built-in memory of the phone);
This sorting of installed applications allows you to quickly find out which applications can be transferred and which cannot. Also, from the program, you can quickly go to the application page in the "Application Manager" and actually transfer the application, as described above.