How to Install Apps on an SD Card

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Installing apps on an SD card can be a useful way to save internal storage space on your device. Whether you have a smartphone, tablet or another device, moving apps to an SD card can help improve performance and manage space. In this guide, we will explore the steps and methods to install apps on an SD card. We will cover various platforms including Android and provide detailed instructions. Let's get started!

Understanding SD Cards

An SD (Secure Digital) card is a small, portable memory card designed to provide high-capacity memory in a small size. SD cards are commonly used in a variety of electronic devices, including smartphones, digital cameras, tablets, and more. There are different types of SD cards, such as SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity), which provide different storage capacities. Before you can install apps on an SD card, it's important to make sure that your device supports SD cards and that the card is properly inserted and formatted.

Installing apps on SD card in Android

Most Android devices allow you to move apps to an SD card. However, this capability may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific version of the Android operating system running on your device. The general process involves formatting the SD card as internal storage and then moving apps to the card. Follow these steps to install apps on an SD card in Android:

Step 1: Insert the SD card

Insert the SD card into the designated slot on your Android device. Make sure the card is properly seated and recognized by the device.

Step 2: Format the SD card as internal storage

You will need to format the SD card as internal storage to be able to store apps on it. Formatting the card will erase all data on it, so make sure to back up all important files before proceeding. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the "Settings" app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and select "Storage."
3. Find and select SD card in the storage options.
4. Tap "Format as internal" or "Format as internal storage."
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the formatting process.

Step 3: Move apps to SD card

After formatting the SD card as internal storage, you can move apps to it. Here's how:

1. Go to the "Settings" app.
2. Select "Apps" or "Applications."
3. Find and select the app you want to move to the SD card.
4. Tap "Storage."
5. Select "Change" and then select "SD card."
6. Follow the prompts to move the app to the SD card.

Repeat this process for each app you want to move to the SD card.

Step 4: Setting the default storage location

If you want new apps to be installed directly to the SD card, you can change the default storage location:

1. Go to the "Settings" app.
2. Select "Storage".
3. Tap "Preferred install location" or "Storage settings."
4. Select "SD card" or "External storage".

Newly installed apps will now be stored on the SD card by default.

Things to consider

Although moving apps to the SD card can help save internal storage space, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Not all apps can be moved to the SD card. Some apps, especially system apps, must remain in the device's internal storage.
• Removing the SD card from the device may damage apps stored on the card.
• Performance may be slightly affected, as SD cards can be slower than internal storage.
• Formatting an SD card as internal storage will encrypt it, meaning it can't be used on another device without formatting it.

Alternative ways to move apps to SD card

If your device doesn't support a built-in option to move apps to an SD card, you can use third-party apps or tools to help with the process. Two common methods include using the "ADB (Android Debug Bridge)" tool and using a third-party app manager. These methods require more technical know-how, so proceed with caution.

Method 1: Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

ADB is a command-line tool that allows you to communicate with and control your Android device from your computer. Using ADB, you can move apps to the SD card, even if your device doesn't natively support this feature.

Step 1: Set up ADB

To use ADB, you'll need to set it up on your computer:

1. Download the Android SDK Platform Tools from the official Android Developer website.
2. Extract the downloaded zip file to a convenient location on your computer.
3. Open the extracted folder and locate the "platform-tools" folder. This folder contains the ADB executable.
4. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
5. Enable "Developer options" on your Android device by going to "Settings", selecting "About phone", and tapping "Build number" seven times.
6. Go back to "Settings" and select "Developer options". Enable "USB debugging".

Step 2: Move apps to SD card using ADB

Once ADB is set up, you can use it to move apps to the SD card:

1. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) on your computer.
2. Navigate to the “platform-tools” folder using Command Prompt or Terminal.
3. Type adb devices and press Enter. This command confirms that your device is connected and recognized.
4. To list all the apps installed on your device, type adb shell pm list packages and press Enter.
5. To move a specific app to the SD card, use the following command: adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2
6. To move an existing app to the SD card, you can use the following command: adb shell pm movePackage 2
7. Replace <packageName> with the package name of the app you want to move.

This process forces the selected app to move to the SD card. Repeat the steps for each app you want to move.

Method 2: Using third-party app managers

There are many third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that let you move apps to SD card. These apps provide a user-friendly interface to manage app storage locations. One popular app is "AppMgr III (App 2 SD)". Follow these steps to use a third-party app manager:

1. Go to Google Play Store and search for "AppMgr III (App 2 SD)".
2. Install the app and open it.
3. Give the app the necessary permissions to access your device's storage and manage apps.
4. The app will display a list of all installed apps. Select the app you want to move to the SD card.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to move the app to the SD card.

Third-party apps can simplify the process of moving apps to an SD card and provide additional features for storage management.

Conclusion

Installing apps on an SD card is a practical way to free up internal storage on your device. Whether using built-in options in Android settings, leveraging ADB for advanced control, or using a third-party app manager, you have a variety of methods to achieve this goal. Always remember to back up any important data before moving apps and be mindful of the app's potential impact on performance. With these steps, you can effectively manage your device's storage and boost its performance.

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