How to Move Apps to SD Card on Android: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Krishnamohan Yagneswaran
May 26
4 min read

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by your Android phone’s storage running low, you’re not alone. Many users face the problem of insufficient internal storage, especially with apps that take up lots of space. Fortunately, if your phone supports an SD card, you can move some apps from the internal storage to the SD card, freeing up valuable space.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain why and when you should move apps to an SD card, how to do it on various Android devices, and tips for managing storage efficiently.

Why Move Apps to SD Card?

Android devices come with a fixed amount of internal storage. Over time, this space can fill up quickly with apps, media, and other data, causing your phone to slow down or stop installing new apps.

Moving apps to an SD card can:

Free up internal storage space for other important apps and system processes.
Improve device performance by freeing space.
Help you store larger apps and games without worrying about internal limits.

Which Apps Can Be Moved to SD Card?

Not all apps can be moved to the SD card. Here’s why:

System apps and pre-installed apps usually cannot be moved.
Apps that use widgets or background services often can’t be moved.
Some apps are coded by developers to stay in internal storage for security or performance reasons.

You can check which apps are movable in your settings.

How to Move Apps to SD Card on Android: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Insert and Set Up Your SD Card

Before moving apps, make sure you have a compatible SD card inserted into your phone.

Go to Settings > Storage.
Check if the SD card is recognized.
If it’s the first time, you might need to format it as internal storage or portable storage.

Note: Formatting the SD card as internal storage (also called Adoptable Storage) will encrypt it and make it part of your internal storage — apps and data can be moved seamlessly. Formatting as portable storage is for media files, photos, etc., and apps cannot be moved unless your phone supports this.

Step 2: Moving Apps to SD Card (Standard Method)

Open Settings on your Android device.
Tap Apps or Apps & notifications.
Select See all apps to view your installed apps.
Tap on the app you want to move.
Tap Storage.
Look for the Change button next to Storage Used (this appears only if the app supports moving).
Select SD Card and confirm.

The app will move to the SD card. You can repeat this process for all movable apps.

Step 3: Using Adoptable Storage (Format SD Card as Internal Storage)

If your phone supports Adoptable Storage, you can make your SD card part of your internal storage:

Go to Settings > Storage.
Tap on the SD card name.
Tap the menu (three dots) and select Storage settings.
Choose Format as internal.
Follow the prompts.

This method lets you move apps and data freely, but remember:

The SD card will be encrypted and usable only in that device.
Removing the SD card can cause apps to stop working.

Step 4: Use Third-Party Apps to Move Apps

If your phone doesn’t show the option to move apps, or you want more control, you can use third-party tools like:

AppMgr III (App 2 SD): Allows you to move apps, clear cache, and manage apps efficiently.
Link2SD: For rooted devices, this app can move system apps and link them to SD card partitions.

Warning: Rooting your phone for more control voids warranty and can risk device stability.

How to Check Which Apps Can Be Moved?

To see which apps can be moved:

Go to Settings > Apps.
Select an app.
Check if the Change button for storage is available.
If it’s greyed out, the app cannot be moved.

Alternatively, use AppMgr III, which lists movable apps clearly.

Tips for Managing Apps and Storage Effectively

Regularly uninstall unused apps.
Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) for photos and videos.
Clear cache regularly to free temporary space.
Move media files (photos, music, videos) to SD card manually.
Use built-in storage manager tools on your phone.

Common Issues When Moving Apps to SD Card

Some apps may not work properly from SD card, especially widgets or background services.
SD card speed can affect app performance — use a high-speed class SD card (Class 10 or UHS).
Removing the SD card can cause apps to crash or data loss.
Formatting SD card as internal storage will erase all data on it — back up first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can All Android Phones Move Apps to SD Card?

No. Newer phones and versions of Android may restrict this feature. Some manufacturers disable it for performance reasons.

2. What Happens If I Remove the SD Card?

Apps moved to the SD card won’t run without it. You may get errors or crashes.

3. Does Moving Apps to SD Card Affect Battery Life?

Not significantly, but slower SD cards may cause apps to work harder, which could affect battery life slightly.

4. Can I Move Games to SD Card?

Many games can be moved, but some large games store additional data in internal storage, so moving the app may not free as much space.

Conclusion

Moving apps to your SD card is a practical way to free up internal storage and keep your Android phone running efficiently. While not all apps can be moved, and there are some caveats to consider, this feature can help extend your device’s usability and avoid annoying storage warnings.

Remember to use high-quality SD cards and back up important data before formatting or moving apps. With regular maintenance and smart storage management, your phone can stay fast, responsive, and clutter-free.

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