The green robot has a smaller thimble "stomach". Especially on devices with little memory. I fed him a dozen or two super-mega-necessary programs - and the place ran out. But ... many of us have the opportunity to install a second "stomach" in the gadget and continue feeding further.
Today we'll talk about transferring applications from internal memory to SD card in Android smartphones and tablets.
Which applications can and cannot be transferred
Among mobile applications there are those that can be transferred between drives and those that cannot. When you transfer a program to an external medium, some components remain in the same place - in the permanent memory of the device.
If the program is relatively autonomous and not too whimsical 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 may end in failure - not only this program will stop working, but everything that interacts with it. For this reason, it is absolutely not worth trying to move system applications.
Portability of third-party products to microSD varies. It depends on whether the author of the program has provided this opportunity. They don't write about this in the characteristics - everything is learned experimentally, but such experiments do not threaten with serious consequences. If after the transfer the program does not work, it is enough to return it to its place or reinstall it in the device's memory.
Moving by system means
Modern versions of Android starting from 6.0 support porting software on cards without additional funds... In them, the micro SD-scale is used as an extension of the internal storage, and the move function is built into the firmware.
To transfer the program from the memory of a smartphone or tablet to a card in Android 6.0 and higher, do the following:
- Open the system settings and go to the " Device» – « Applications».
- Open the menu (properties section) of the required program with a short touch.
- Tap " Storage", then " Change».
- In the window " Changing storage location»Select« Memory card».
The instruction is applicable to devices of many brands and models, but adjusted for individual characteristics. Some manufacturers, for example, Samsung, instead of “ Vaults"You need to go to the section" Memory". Others have a button " Transfer toSD»Is located in the menu itself for applications that support this function. Well, the third ... just did not bother and refused to implement the transfer function in the firmware of their devices.
The ability to transfer applications to SD-cards "without intermediaries" exists in very old versions of Android - 2.2 and below, and everything that appeared later - up to the sixth version, needs third-party tools, which will be discussed later.
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 the same type of operations with several objects at once (batch control of the installed software). This is not only a change in the location of the software installation, but also:
AppMgr III simplifies and speeds up many maintenance tasks for a mobile gadget, supports all Android version, starting from 4.1, however, it is officially incompatible with devices of certain manufacturers, in particular Xiaomi. Operations with some objects require root rights.
Link2SD
Exclusive utility feature Link2SD- moving absolutely all user applications to SD cards, even those that do not allow it. The truth about whether the developer guarantees their further performance is not said in the description.
Other functions and capabilities of Link2SD:
- Changing the attributes of user software to system software and vice versa.
- Freeze unused software.
- Batch transfer of software to SD cards and device memory.
- Batch uninstall and reinstall programs, batch clear cache and data. Clearing the cache of all installed software with one touch.
- Removal of potentially malicious software.
- Device reboot control.
- 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 are generally supported (although, according to user experience, not all). Most operations require root rights, it does not work on some firmware without root. Free version The utilities are pretty good - functional and convenient, but annoying with ads.
Files To SD Card
A simple utility FilesToSDCard designed to transfer files to a memory card different types- graphics, videos, music and, of course, applications. In addition, it allows you to select the SD card where new files are saved (by default, Android saves everything on the device).
Files To SD Card is used to offload the memory of mobile gadgets and Reserve copy data. Despite the fact that the manufacturer claims to support 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 smartphones and tablets under Android 5.0 and up. On most firmwares, everything works without root.
Move to SDCard
A program with an uncomplicated name " Move to SDCard»Pleases users with simplicity and good results. In addition to the main function, which coincides with the name, the utility is able to:
- Move software from card to device memory.
- Sort apps 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 deeply Chinese and very old ones (supports Android 2.3 and higher). Some functions require root privileges.
File manager
File manager from Best App developer Is an improved explorer, replacing the standard file manager on smartphones and tablets for Android. Changing the installation location of applications is just one of its functions.
Among other features of the File Manager:
- Copy, paste, cut, move, delete, rename, load - that is, all the 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 by categories.
- Transfer files over Wi-Fi to other mobile devices, computers and Smart TVs.
- Analysis and graphical display of storage space utilization.
- Archiving and unzipping files. Support for all major compression formats: rar, zip, 7z, 7zip, tgz, tar, gz.
- Organizing and storing documents of various formats: doc, ppt, pdf and others.
Explorer is very lightweight and easy to learn, not overloaded with redundant functions, undemanding to hardware resources. Runs on Android 4.2 and higher. Some functions need root rights, but everything basic works like that.
All-In-One Toolbox
All-In-One Toolbox- utility for complex 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 software startup (user and system).
- Removing unnecessary data (cleaning garbage, caches, duplicates).
- Complete removal of programs with cleaning of the remaining files.
- Accelerating the device by releasing random access memory from running services and programs.
- Reduced battery consumption.
- Encryption of personal data.
- Displays a list of large files.
- Explorer with the function of sorting objects into categories.
All-In-One Toolbox is a good tool for speeding up and keeping smartphones and tablets running. limited resources- small amount of storage and RAM, not the most productive processor, weak battery. Runs on devices of all brands and models, with perhaps a few exceptions. Some functions require root rights and depend on the version of Android.
As most often happens, this is not an exhaustive list of utilities with the ability to transfer applications to an SD card and vice versa. There are hundreds of them, but each with its own quirks and character. I hope this small review will help you find exactly what you like, and will also be "tough" for your Android device.
01.10.2017 14:00:00
What you need to know when installing applications on a memory card
It is easy to see that practically all Android applications are installed into the smartphone's memory after downloading. This is explained by the fact that a memory card is a very unreliable place to install and save programs on it. And that's why:
- Data on the memory card is stored without encryption
- A poor-quality card can disrupt work not only separate application, but the whole system
- Removing a memory card can result in losing all applications installed on it.
- A breakdown of the memory card also leads to the fact that the user will lose data.
Features of older versions of Android when using an SD card
Throughout the history of the Android operating system, three large periods of deciding how to install applications on an Android memory card can be traced:
- Android 1.1 - Android 2.2 Froyo
- Android 2.2 Froyo - Android 4.2 KitKat
- Android 4.2 KitKat - Android 6.0
Prior to Android 2.2 Froyo, there was no way to install, save or transfer applications to a memory card at all. On technical forums, one could find several purely hacker methods, but only advanced users could use them.
Starting with Android 2.2, the developers have allowed installing and transferring applications, as well as saving to a memory card. To do this, it was enough to find the Applications item in the operating system settings and set the storage location.
At the same time, various programs appeared that could be downloaded for free in Google play that allow you to transfer already installed applications to the memory card. But such utilities required assigning root privileges, so not all users could cope with this task.
When developing an update for Android 4.4 KitKat, Google specialists took serious care of data security and rewrote the protection algorithm. The function of installing, saving and transferring installed applications to the card, in general, was blocked. An SD memory card on Android has become exclusively a place for storing photos, videos and other content.
Developers could make updates to this or that program, allowing to bypass the Android protection systems and save programs to the card. Until the end, this did not solve the problem of installing, transferring and storing applications.
How to install applications on a memory card Android versions 6.0-7.0
The ability to install or save an application to a memory card appeared only in the sixth version of Android - Marshmallow. The developers have created a feature called Adoptable storage that helps make friends between a reliable internal storage and an unreliable external card.
The adaptive storage function allows you to format the memory card so that Android perceives it as part of a single system partition... This happens with the help file system Ext4 and 128-bit AES encryption. The smartphone's memory becomes more capacious, and you can use absolutely any memory card.
Experts recommend using high-speed cards labeled Class 10 and UHS-I Speed Class 3. Adapting memory cards has one significant pitfall. The map becomes part of one system, in fact, part of Android itself. Accordingly, if you delete it, there is a risk of losing all applications and data that are stored on it.
If you bet on new phone a card from the old one, be sure to check it for malware using a special anti-virus utility. You can choose the most reliable one for yourself with the help of our article about the best antivirus program for Android.
How Adoptable storage works
In order to understand how the adaptive storage function works, let's take a look at all the main steps step by step:
- Insert a memory card into your phone
- A dialog box for configuring the memory card will appear. Here the system will offer to choose one of two settings: portable memory or internal memory
- Choosing internal memory for storing data (applications, files, etc.)
- The card must be formatted to protect data. If there are important files on the card, you will need to back them up
- Go to Android settings and select the "Storage and USB-drives" section. If all the previous steps were performed correctly, you will see your card in the list of drives.
Please note that from the very beginning you will not be able to install the application on the memory card by downloading it from Google Play. By default, it will be automatically installed into the internal memory of your Android smartphone. However, by configuring the memory card as internal storage, you can transfer and save programs on it. To do this, you need to perform a number of simple steps:
- Enter the Android settings and select the Applications item
- Select the application you want to transfer to the memory card
- In the program settings, click on the Storage item
- Here click on the Change button
- Select SD card and click Move
After a few seconds, the selected program will be transferred to the memory card. Please note that if you remove the card from your phone, you will lose access to the application. If you still need to remove the card, go through all the steps above and assign the storage location to the internal drive. Now you know how to install applications directly to a memory card. And you can tell about your successes in the comments to this article.
The internal memory on smartphones is not endless, and photos, videos, documents and applications take up quite a lot of space. That 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 storage device, but all applications are automatically downloaded to the 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 card
There are several ways to use external card to download applications and games to it. For example, you can set the SD card as default memory, move applications using standard settings, or combine memory.
Setting external SD storage by default
You can set the SD card as the default memory, and then the smartphone will determine it as a priority for data storage.
For this:
Some applications will still be stored in the internal memory, this is determined by their settings.
Using settings to move apps
Unfortunately, in the settings there is no option to select 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 each separately, but all together. For this:
Combining internal and external memory
This method is available for smartphones with Android version 6.0 and higher.
Video: how to set up downloading games and applications to the SD card
Video: Move Games to External Storage Using Apps2SD
Using an SD card and the described methods will help significantly unload 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 lack of space on the internal storage of Android devices, which is set by default as the main storage, gives users a lot of problems with saving downloaded information. That is why most of the owners of such gadgets end up trying to somehow solve the problem of how to download applications to a memory card. "Android" offers its own means for this. However, you can use some third party programs, which will be discussed separately.
How to download applications and games to a memory card on Android: general information
Before proceeding with the solution of the main question, it should be clearly understood that loading the installation distribution kit onto removable media is only the tip of the iceberg. But then you need to do it so that the application is installed not on the internal media, but on the SD card.
If we talk about the problem of how to download directly to a memory card, "Android" -systems of any modifications presuppose the initial setting of parameters in such a way that instead of the internal drive, specify the external one by default. Only in this case, downloading programs from Google Play or using the classic method using an Internet browser will be done on the card. And first, let's dwell on the simplest methods for setting these parameters.
Pre-configuring the main storage
To install the necessary settings, you will not need a download program yet. Usually, in the system, you need to open the menu of the basic settings of a smartphone or tablet and go to the memory section.
By tapping on it and calling the appropriate parameters, you need to find a line like "Default memory" or "Main memory", where a marker (checkbox) is set opposite the SD card line instead of internal storage.
But this is only a general case. For example, in some mobile devices ASUS first needs to use the section of individual settings, in which you should find the subsection of application installation parameters and already there you need to set the necessary configuration.
Memory settings using Samsung Galaxy smartphones as an example
Let's consider another example of solving the problem of how to download to a memory card ("Android" 5.1), using the example of smartphones from Samsung.
The memory used for loading information by default is configured on such devices through the Internet section, where you need to click the "More" button, and then select the settings item (in some models of this line, instead of the "More" button, names like "Options" or "Menu").
Further in the settings, you enter the additional parameters section, where the content parameters item is used. If it is not there, you can proceed to the next step. Now all that remains is to set the priority of the SD card from the drop-down menu of the main storage.
Downloading Applications Using a Computer: Setting the Main Option
Now directly about loading information. One of the most simple solutions the question of how to download the game to the memory card of the "Android" -system is to download using stationary computer or a laptop that has a card reader on board or can interact with mobile devices via a USB connection.
In the first case, the installation of any special parameters is not required, and for the second option, on the gadget itself, you need to set the permission for USB debugging (without this, the download and installation may not work).
How to download files to an Android memory card via a computer: two simple methods
With stationary computer systems, the situation is quite simple. How to download applications or games to a memory card on Android devices? The best solution would be to remove it from the device and insert it into the card reader using a special adapter, which is usually supplied with the purchase of an SD card.
After that, in the system, it is enough to launch a browser or any other loader and in their settings specify the location for saving the downloaded content with the choice of an external medium. Do not forget also that after removing the card at the end of the download, some programs may display errors. For example, the uTorrent application reports that there is no previous volume. Therefore, in this situation, the settings will have to be changed to those that were installed before.
The second solution to the problem of how to download applications to an Android device memory card is very similar to the previous one. The only difference is that in this case the device is connected via a USB cable. The desktop computer system recognizes both internal and external storage. Further, the parameters to be set are similar to the previous situation.
Installing Applications
Now we will leave aside the question of how to download applications and games to a memory card on Android devices, and look at the steps involved in the subsequent installation of programs on the device itself.
The main problem is that even when installing an application from an APK file saved on a memory card, the installation is performed exclusively on the internal storage. And nothing can be done about it. But when the card is presented as the main storage on some devices, the problem of installing the application from Google Play is solved in no time. But what about manual installation?
Transferring applications to an SD card using the system
To eliminate this problem, you can use mobile gadget management programs (Samsung Kies, My Phone Explorer, Sony PC Companion, Mobogenie, etc.).
But on devices that do not support direct installation on an external drive, you will have to use programs for transferring applications from internal memory to external memory (again, if the gadget itself supports such a function). Actually, the Android system itself has a similar function.
To call it, you need to use the main settings section with a transition to the menu of installed applications. Then just tap on the name of the application that you want to move, and select the line "Transfer to SD card". After that, the transfer process starts. In the case when the system issues a message that the device does not support the implementation of this function, you have to accept, since no even the most advanced programs will help here.
Programs for moving applications to a memory card
But for those happy owners of smartphones and tablets on which the transfer function is provided initially, we can recommend using programs like AppMgr Pro III or Link2SD.
Their advantage is that you can first bulk select the applications you want to move, rather than migrating each one individually. In principle, in this case, the download program will not be needed either. We should also pay attention to the fact that in some cases for correct work these programs may need root rights.
But what about your favorite Windows applications and games?
Many users wondering how to download once popular games and programs that run exclusively in Windows systems to a memory card on Android devices also find a very original solution.
First you just need to install Windows emulator... Versions from Windows 98 to Windows 10 are now available. Installation of the seventh modification is considered the most optimal option, although the SD card itself will require a lot of space to save the image. But then in this environment, you can run the download or the standard installer, which during installation will behave like a normal windows installer and will offer you to choose a place yourself by pressing the browse button. As already clear, a location is selected on removable media, after which the program will be installed exactly in this place.
Instead of a total
As you can already see, the issues of downloading applications to external media are solved quite simply. Problems can begin during the installation of programs or their transfer to the card. But even here there are several universal solutions. True, if initially the device does not have such an opportunity, no programs or root rights will help. In the best case, you will have to change the firmware to a custom one. But in most cases it is not recommended to experiment with unofficial releases, otherwise the entire system may turn out to be completely inoperative.
Many smartphone owners regularly face memory shortages. Installation can partially solve this problem. Then all that remains is 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 this is not as easy as it seems.
Operating room Android 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 in it. But actually it is not. The mobile operating system created by Google doesn't really like memory cards. It allows you to easily post videos and photos on them. There are already certain problems with music. And sometimes it is not allowed to install applications on the SD card. Sometimes such a strict limitation is imposed by the smartphone manufacturer, while in other cases the developers of a particular program do not allow this.
All these problems are caused by the fact that memory cards used to be too slow. In comparison with the built-in memory, they were hopelessly inferior. And the smartphone manufacturer wants the customer to have the best experience. If applications with games take too long to open, the user will blame the manufacturer, and not the previously installed memory card. None of the big companies need this. Fortunately, now the situation is changing, as are changing their attitude towards and the creators of smartphones.
Porting an application inline
If you are thinking about how to transfer applications to an Android memory card, then we hasten to provide you with an answer to this question. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Go to the section " Settings».
Step 2. Select " Applications».
Step 3. Click on the program or game that 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 " Move to SD card»Is active, then click it. If not, then use the built-in Android tools to move of this application impossible. In some versions of the operating system, the card may be called a USB stick.
Step 5... On some smartphones running on a more up-to-date 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 edit button. Then specify the new storage location. In our case it is "Memory card".
Using the AppMgr III utility
If you operating system disappointed or 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 is able to:
- Notify about the end of application installation;
- Sort programs by their current location;
- Hide preinstalled applications in the menu;
- Clear 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 the icon “ Phone only».
Move Android app to a memory card using AppMgr III is not a big deal. 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 there will be almost no space in the internal memory. This is due to the fact that games often use cache. It is he who takes up the most space, since it contains graphics and musical accompaniment. And the above application cannot move the cache. But on the other hand, the FolderMount utility is capable of this. Its main problem is that it requires root privileges to function. If you don't have one, then 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 " A 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 " Appointment»You need to select a folder on the memory card, where the cache will then be moved.
Should you migrate?
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 operation 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, then this 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.
