What's the best way to move apps to an SD card?

Apps
1

I’m running low on internal storage and my phone is slow. I’d like to move some of my apps to the SD card. How do I do this? Any help would be appreciated!

2

Moving apps to an SD card is a great way to free up your phone’s internal storage, but there are some nuances to consider. Depending on your phone model and version of Android, the process could be different or not fully supported. Here are some steps that might help you out:

  1. Check SD Card: Before doing anything, make sure your SD card is properly formatted and inserted into your phone. Some phones might need to format the SD card to be used as internal storage, also known as ‘Adoptable Storage’.

  2. Use Built-in Settings: Go to your phone’s settings and navigate to Apps & notifications > App Info. Tap on the app you want to move. If your phone supports it, you should see an option called Storage. Tap on Change, and select SD Card. This will move the app to your SD card.

  3. Adoptable Storage (if supported): In Android 6.0 and above, some devices support ‘Adoptable Storage’ which treats the SD card as an extension of your internal storage. To set this up, go to Settings > Storage. Tap the SD card, press the three dots, and select Storage Settings. Here, you may find an option to Format as internal. Be cautious with this as it will erase everything on the card and only make it usable for the current device.

  4. Third-party Apps: If your phone’s settings don’t give you the move option, there are some third-party apps like AppMgr III or Link2SD that might help. These apps often require root access, so be cautious if you’re not familiar with rooting your device.

  5. Choose the Right Apps: Keep in mind not all apps can be moved. System apps, pre-installed apps, and some critical apps might be locked to internal storage by the developer for performance reasons. Also, remember, performance might suffer a bit if your SD card isn’t fast enough.

  6. Free Up Space: If moving apps isn’t enough, you might need to clear cached data or delete unused files. Apps like Google Files can help you find large files or unused apps.

One thing to be wary of is the quality of your SD card. A slow card can slow down app performance, so if you notice your phone still chugging along even after moving apps, consider upgrading to a faster SD card. They’re not too expensive nowadays and can make a significant difference.

3

Doesn’t seem like moving apps to an SD card will really solve your problem. Trust me, I’ve been down that road. Even if you manage to shift a few apps over, the performance boost is marginal at best, especially if your SD card isn’t high-speed. You’ll probably end up with more headaches than benefits.

First of all, this entire business of ‘Adoptable Storage’ sounds good on paper but in reality, it’s fraught with issues. I’ve tried it on my phone, and it corrupted my SD card after a few months of use. Not only did I lose my apps’ data but also essential documents I had stored. Formatting the SD card as internal storage is risky and can make your device sluggish over time. You’d better have a solid backup plan if you’re going down this route.

And those third-party apps like AppMgr III or Link2SD? Don’t even bother if you’re not keen on rooting your device. Rooting isn’t something to mess around with unless you really know what you’re doing. You can brick your phone, lose your warranty, and compromise security. Not exactly worth it just for a few megabytes of extra space.

Let’s talk performance. Many SD cards, even the so-called ‘high-speed’ ones, can’t match the I/O performance of built-in internal storage. Your apps will often run slower from the SD card. The best thing you can do is to uninstall apps you don’t use often and clear out other storage hogs. Apps like Google Photos can auto-back up your photos and videos to cloud storage instead of hoarding space on your device.

Really though, the most reliable solution is probably to get a phone with more internal storage. Look, it sucks to spend more money but trust me, juggling around with SD cards is more hassle than it’s worth. Save yourself the trouble, and next time just go for more internal storage straight up.

4

To add to what @techchizkid and @codecrafter have already mentioned, moving apps to an SD card can be tricky, and the efficiency largely depends on your device’s compatibility and the quality of the SD card. Here are a few additional angles to consider:

  1. Limitations of Adoptable Storage: While Adoptable Storage can convert your SD card into internal storage, it’s not without its caveats. Beyond the potential for corruption mentioned by @codecrafter, it can also lead to slower overall system performance if the SD card isn’t up to par. Even high-speed SD cards often fall short of the speed provided by internal NAND storage. It’s advisable to benchmark the card’s read/write speeds before committing to this method to avoid a sluggish system.

  2. App Data Handling: Moving apps to the SD card doesn’t always mean that all of the app data will move as well, especially for apps with extensive databases or cache data like social media apps or games. Often, a significant portion of these apps remains in internal storage, limiting the efficiency of this approach.

  3. Consider Hybrid Approaches: Instead of putting all your apps on the SD card, think about a hybrid approach. Move only those apps that don’t require high-speed performance (like non-critical apps and games) to the SD card, while keeping the essential and heavily used apps in internal storage.

  4. Data Migration Tools: Some manufacturers provide proprietary tools to help with data and app management. For example, Samsung provides Smart Switch and Huawei uses their own management tools. These tools can sometimes include more seamless methods for moving apps or data to an SD card, along with other storage management tips.

  5. High-Quality SD Cards: Be very selective about the SD card you choose. Classes and ratings matter—look for UHS-I U3 or better, as these will have faster transfer speeds. Brands like SanDisk and Samsung regularly update their lineups with faster, more durable cards.

  6. Backup is Crucial: Whether you are using third-party apps, adopting the internal storage method, or simply moving files around, regular backups are crucial. Use cloud services or external storage to ensure you don’t lose valuable data if the SD card fails.

  7. Alternative Meterad Solutions:

    a. Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive can help offload files, photos, and even app backup data.

    b. OTG Drives: Many phones support USB OTG (On-The-Go). OTG drives can be a handy storage expansion that allows you to easily transfer files and apps without relying on an SD card’s limitations.

  8. Performance Optimization: Keep in mind that moving apps to an SD card should just be one part of your overall strategy. Regularly clear cache from apps via settings, ensure your system is updated, disable or uninstall bloatware, and consider a factory reset if your device has been in use for a long period.

  9. Considering Upgrades: While not the immediate solution you may want to hear, it’s true that modern phones have significantly more internal storage options, sometimes at a minimal price increase. Plan for the long term if possible by opting for devices with higher storage from the get-go to avoid these bottleneck issues.

In conclusion, while moving apps to an SD card can offer temporary relief from storage constraints, it’s often beset with trade-offs in performance and reliability. If you decide on this route, proceed with caution, invest in a high-quality SD card, and don’t disregard the value of alternate storage solutions and regular backups.