How to move apps to your SD card, or set the SD card as the default download location

[bapanmallick]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from MiMi2k15 : "How do I set my default location to my sd card for the bush spira b1 5" smartphone?"

I have recently acquired a new 32gb SD card and I want to move my apps to it and set it as my default download spot but I literally have no idea how to do it. Please I really need some help right now...

 

[rgd1101]

There are several ways to move apps you installed to the internal storage of your Android Device to an SD card that you have inserted into your tablet or smartphone.

Users may want to move apps or data to an SD card in order to free up some space in their device's internal memory. This will help provide a smoother experience.

Some users may want to set the external SD card as the default download location for files they use when downloading apps. Android has this feature built in. Users can set the default download location for files to the external SD card without any third-party apps or tweaks.

don't just plagiarize, cite the source
http://www.tomsguide.com/faq/id-1772970/set-default-download-location-card.html

 

[blossomgenreal]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from kaybee5x : "How to move apps to external storage"

I have the metro pcs Lg optimus ms323 l70 rooted with kingroot and supersu...

 

[juliejhayar15]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from MiMi2k15 : "How do I set my default location to my sd card for the bush spira b1 5" smartphone?"

I have recently acquired a new 32gb SD card and I want to move my apps to it and set it as my default download spot but I literally have no idea how to do it. Please I really need some help right now...

 

[aleksandar.mladenoski123]

you can use an app from the play store for moving everything. If you want to move your whole android i think you can change it aswell but not sure how. And you can change download folder in your browser

 

[berget543]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from MiMi2k15 : "How do I set my default location to my sd card for the bush spira b1 5" smartphone?"

I have recently acquired a new 32gb SD card and I want to move my apps to it and set it as my default download spot but I literally have no idea how to do it. Please I really need some help right now...

 

[saeckstine51403]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Mamahooper : "Move to SD card"

I have a ZTE Obsidian phone and want to use my SD card for storage. I have the default storage ad SD but I still can't move apps to the SDcard can any one help
Thanks
Mamahooper

 

[ttexas52]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from kaybee5x : "How to move apps to external storage"

I have the metro pcs Lg optimus ms323 l70 rooted with kingroot and supersu...

 

[harjor1]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from MiMi2k15 : "How do I set my default location to my sd card for the bush spira b1 5" smartphone?"

I have recently acquired a new 32gb SD card and I want to move my apps to it and set it as my default download spot but I literally have no idea how to do it. Please I really need some help right now...

 

[dworsham13]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from kaybee5x : "How to move apps to external storage"

I have the metro pcs Lg optimus ms323 l70 rooted with kingroot and supersu...

 

[fredminter86]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Jericola : "How do i set my apps to download directly to my sd card on a lg optimus?"

So I want to get a large app on my lg optimus but i do not have enough space on my internal storage. On my sd card I have lots of space but I need to download things on my internal storage before I can move it to my sd card. Can anyone help me?

 

[ibetooya123]

It depends on what phone you are using. For some brands of phones, there is such an options that allows to manage phone memory and SD card and move data from phone memory to SD card directly.
If you phone does not provide such a function, then you may rely on some third party apps. As far as I'm concerned, ApowerManager is such an app that may allow you move data and apps and I used it to backup my apps before. Not a bad choice.

 

[spoondogg]

I'm using a ZTE Tempo X with Android 7.1.1 The phone only comes with 8GB storage so you have to use a SD card for storage. I brought a brand new one from Amazon and can't get it to become "internal" storage. I click on Settings - Storage - and Save Location is grey as in you can't change it. When I click on the SD card the only options I get are Rename - Remove SD Card - Format as Portable - Migrate data.

Hope someone can help me ASAP. I've been reading this thread for a while and can't figure this out. Making me feel like an old man at the age of 32

 

[webworkings]

Not all phones can have their SD card able to be "Internal" storage. First you have to be running a newer version of Android (6.0, a.k.a "Marshmallow, or newer) and many manufacturers actually restrict this option. Making it impossible to do on their devices.

Just so you know.

Also, just posting to an old thread may not get you an answer. In that case you may want to make your own actual question thread.

 

[spoondogg]

If you read my post it says I'm using version 7.1.1. Also the phone only comes with 8GB because they want you to use an SD card for the hard drive... Thought I made that clear.

 

[stephen robert]

Hope This video will help you

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89EeQfeHliU

 

[webworkings]

stephen robert, that info doesn't fit for wanting to make the SD card "Internal" storage. That works for downloads, which is files, not apps. And while it can work on a few devices for apps, not most. This is why the site actually has instructions on how to make a SD card "Internal" storage.

Additionally, just because your phone uses a newer version of Android, doesn't mean it can make the SD card "Internal" storage. And they don't limit the storage on a phone to make it have to use a card for "Internal" storage, they do it to limit the amount of space they are putting in it, less cost for them. If most manufacturers 'wanted' people to be able to use a SD card as "Internal" storage, they wouldn't restrict this option on so many devices.

And, on top of that, there is a negative to making the SD card "Internal" storage. If you set up the card as "Internal" storage, then the data on it will not be readable by any other device. To access the data you would have to connect he phone to say a computer and copy it over to the computer from the phone/card. Otherwise only phone can read the data. Also, be sure you do not reset (hard or factory) the phone. If you do, then all the data on the card will no longer be readable, even by the phone itself.

 

[Monu337]

If your device is running Android 4.x or 5.x, it is very likely that you will not be able to move apps to your SD card.

NO, you are partially wrong about this because with my Android Lollipop 5.1 I can move all the apps to my SD card and my phone is not rooted either.

 

[webworkings]

Then your manufacturer must not have limited that option. That is what is key here. It wasn't used by most prior to 6.0, and after 6.0 many restricted it, even though the versions of Android do come with the option, they are removed by the manufacturer.

I am, however, referring to phones in the USA, can't speak for those in other parts of the world as the manufacturer's are likely under other requirements/restrictions in other places.

The only way to know for sure if your card can handle all apps, other than system ones of course, being moved to the card is to look in the phone's "Settings" and follow the instructions this thread or others on the site contain to try.

NOTE: Many newer devices will say they give you this option right when you insert the card, but that doesn't always mean it is making the card "Internal" storage. The only way to know for sure is to try moving apps or downloading apps directly to the card after.


For all others, if you have issues, problems, questions, about this and other SD card issues, I suggest creating your own thread with your question about your phone, rather than adding to this one. All phones are different.