Software & Apps Apps 58 58 people found this article helpful How to Move Apps to an SD Card for Your Android Devices Give yourself a little breathing room on your devices by Brad Stephenson Freelance Contributor Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Brad Stephenson Updated on January 11, 2021 reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Lifewire Tech Review Board Member Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. our review board Article reviewed on Oct 15, 2020 Michael Barton Heine Jr Apps Best Apps Payment Services Tweet Share Email This article explains how to move Android apps to an SD card. The information below should apply no matter who made your Android phone (Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.). How to Move Apps to an SD Card on Android The majority of modern Android phones and tablets support microSD cards. If you have an older Android tablet or mobile, it may require a miniSD card. Open the microSD card slot on your phone or tablet. The microSD card slot is typically located along the side of an Android device. It could be hidden under a plastic flap, or there could be a small hole that you must insert a pin or needle into. Mikhail Artamonov/Getty Images If a small tray pops out, place your MicroSD card into it and reinsert the tray into your Android device. If your device only has a small slot, you can simply insert the disk directly into it. Sean Gallup/Staff/Getty Images With the screen facing you, make sure the side of the microSD card with the label or sticker on it is facing upwards when you insert it. Before you begin, make sure the microSD card has been properly formatted. If your Android device gives you a notification after inserting your SD card, tap Set up and choose Use as internal storage as the format style. If you didn't get a notification, or you accidentally dismissed it by accident, you can manually format the SD card. Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Settings gear. Tap Apps & notifications > App info. On Android 7 and earlier, tap Apps. Tap the Android app you want to move to the SD card. Tap Storage. Tap Change. If you don't see Change on this screen, the app cannot be transferred to an SD card. Tap your SD card from the list of storage locations. Your selected app will now be moved to the SD card. What Is an SD Card? SD cards are small plastic cards for storing data. There are three different sizes of SD cards. SD card: The original SD card format, which measures 24 x 32 mm in size. This is more commonly used in desktop computers and laptops.MiniSD card: The miniSD card is smaller than the regular SD card, measuring 21 x 30 mm. This format is common in older smartphone and tablet models, but it was eventually replaced by the even smaller microSD card.MicroSD card: The type of SD card usually used in modern smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, and video game consoles such as the Nintendo Switch. MicroSD cards measure 15 x 11 mm in size. All SD cards are available in a variety of storage sizes, and their prices will vary depending on the size, the brand, and the individual store selling them. Most miniSD and microSD cards are sold with an adapter that allows them to be used on devices that require standard SD card sizes. Why Move Android Apps to an SD Card? Moving Android apps can free up space on your device for other apps, files, and photos. However, since most app data is saved to the cloud, an easier way to do this is to simply delete the app and re-download it later if you need it. If you have enough space on your Android tablet or smartphone and aren't encountering any memory problems, there really is no reason to use an SD card. Can I Move All Android Apps to an SD Card? While most Android apps can be transferred to an SD card, some cannot. This restriction is usually placed on the apps by their developers due to them needing to access your Android device's hardware directly. Such apps could also be necessary for your smartphone or tablet to function properly, and putting them on an SD card would break your device when the card was removed. If an Android app is unable to be transferred to an SD card, the option to move it won't show up, so you don't have to worry about transferring the wrong apps. What Else Are SD Cards Used For? In addition to being used to store Android app installations, SD cards can also be used on Android devices for storing photos, videos, and other files. Placing files on an SD card not only frees up space on your device, but it also allows you to easily transfer them to another device. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit