Fix: Unable to move apps to SD card

A few years ago, a 8 GB in the sense of internal memory was a huge number. SD cards were almost mandatory and maximum range went up to 32 GB of extra external storage memory. Nowadays, we have flagships that don’t support external storage or, their counterparts, that support cards that go up to 256 GB. Either way, things are simple: you need more storage space – you either buy a handset with enormous internal memory or extend the memory reach with the SD card.

The things got complicated when Google stopped once-favored practice to transfer or install apps directly to SD card. You can still store media files, but apps are just out of the way. Nonetheless, if you have an older device (pre-Marshmellow age) you should be able to store apps on your SD, too. Except when the things suddenly take a wrong turn.

For that purpose, we prepared a list of possible solutions for the problem with detailed explanations. If you have had a hard time transferring apps on your SD card, follow the instructions below.

Make sure that the app and the device supports transfer to SD

After the introduction of Android Marshmallow 6.0, Google decided that app storing on external SD card just won’t cut it. Due to security and overall performance risks, they decided to exclude this feature. Now, if you’re still using Lolipop or even older Android versions, you can still do it. Of course, if the app and device in question support transfer to an external SD card.

In addition, don’t get tricked into thinking that, once the app is transferred or installed on SD, it won’t store any data in internal storage. It will and it should. No matter how fast SD cards nowadays are, they’re still slower than internal memory. So, in order to reach a full potential, major data files are always stored on internal, phone’s memory. Thus, their primary value lies in the preservation of media files, like photos, videos or music, rather than in storing complex applications.

But that goes only for external memory.

Check the health of SD card and format it

Now, if you’re certain that the device, your apps, and OS at hand support transferring to SD card, we can move from there. These are the main suspects for comparable issues:

• SD card is corrupted or formatted in the wrong format.
• There’s not enough space on SD card.
• App at hand is corrupted.

Because of that, we advise you to export what ever you can from the SD card to your PC and reformat it. It’s of utmost importance to format SD card in phone/tablet. Follow the instructions below to reformat the SD card and, hopefully, resolve the issue at hand:

1. Backup your data from the SD card on PC or cloud service of some kind.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Open Storage.
4. Open SD card.
5. Choose Format.
6. Confirm selection and restart your device.

Now, if everything formerly mentioned is spot on, you should be able to transfer apps from the internal storage to the SD card.

Moreover, some users resolved the problem with the factory reset. Have in mind that this action will delete all your data, so make sure to back up everything before the start.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Open Backup & Reset.
3. Choose Backup Now to save your data to the cloud or use PC suite provided by OEM to backup your data to a PC.
4. After it is done, in the same menu choose Reset Phone.
5. Tap Erase All and confirm.
6. The device will reboot and start the process that should last for less than 5 minutes.

Change SD card into internal storage

Once the major players like Google decide to make changes, you, as a user, have 2 options: to go with a flow or use older devices that are spared from changes but, consequently, lack some of the features. Yes, they decided to prevent apps-to-SD feature, but, at the same time, added something to mitigate changes. Namely, Android Marshmallow is the first Android OS that allows you to use an external SD card as internal storage.

There are some downsides, obviously, but, if you’re lacking storage space, this is a valid choice. It’s slower than integrated internal eMMC or UFC, so it’s not advisable to store demanding apps and games. One way or another, this is how to do it:

1. Insert the SD card.
2. Tap Setup.
3. Select Use as internal storage.
4. The card will be formatted and all its data lost.
5. Choose to Move now or Move later.

After that, your device will read the SD card as a part of internal storage.

That should conclude this article. In case you have questions or suggestions of any kind, we’ll be glad to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks for reading and have a good day.