How to turn a MicroSD card into internal memory? How to make sure everything is saved to a memory card How to use a memory card on Android

There are two symptoms when the internal memory on the phone is sorely lacking:

  1. Applications and Android is slow,
  2. The phone displays a message that you need to take action and free up the occupied space.

The internal memory of the phone has a fixed volume, and it (seemingly) cannot be increased. However, in the guide we will tell you how to clean internal memory phone from unnecessary files and applications.

By increasing the free space in Android memory, you will save time and stop noticing lag on your phone and tablet. The entire “cleaning” will take about 20 minutes.

Error: Insufficient memory on mobile device

Android usually displays this message if a process or application does not have enough free space in the phone's internal memory.

Lack of memory can make itself felt by constant freezes. If this is not noticeable when buying a phone, then over time, after installing dozens mobile applications and the accumulation of “garbage” you begin to notice it.

The question involuntarily arises: do the phone’s characteristics “lie”? If not, then why does the same smartphone/tablet work stably for others?

Checking the amount of free memory on Android

When a notification appears about insufficient internal memory, the question arises: how much memory is available, what part of it is occupied?

You can check your free space through settings mobile phone. To do this, go to Settings – Options – Memory (Settings – Device Maintenance – Storage – Storage settings – Device memory). We carefully study the data, paying attention to the following figures:

  • Total space – the amount of internal memory of Android
  • System memory - the minimum amount of space reserved for system operation
  • Available space – how much space is left in the internal memory.

Accordingly, if the built-in memory is not enough, you need to increase the memory on the phone to the size of System memory so that the system does not display the corresponding error.

In the following chapters, I will tell you how to clear the internal memory on Android.

Clearing your phone's internal memory

You can remove unnecessary things using built-in tools operating system and through third-party applications. They analyze occupied space and help identify files that can be safely deleted.

Removing applications from Android system memory

There are probably applications installed on your phone that are hanging around like dead weight and are not being used for their intended purpose. Their size can reach hundreds of megabytes (including cache).

You can remove useless programs through the standard Application Manager: Options - Settings - Application Manager (Settings - Apps).

In Android 8, it is convenient to use to calculate unnecessary applications free utility FIles Go. For other OS versions it is available for download via Google Play.

How to delete unnecessary applications in FIles Go:

  1. Go to the Unused apps section,
  2. We sort applications by modification date or size,
  3. To remove, mark unnecessary programs with checkboxes and click Uninstall.

Video instructions for deleting applications:

Transferring files to a memory card

The internal memory of the phone, as already mentioned, has a fixed volume, so you need to constantly check whether there is enough free space for correct operation applications and OS.

In general, Android memory is divided into internal and external. External memory is easy to “expand”, fortunately, SD cards are inexpensive today (for $25 you can buy a 256 GB memory card).

Actually, you can transfer files through any file manager– via phone or PC.

Moving unnecessary applications from internal to external memory card

Removing unnecessary files using Piriform CCleaner

As an alternative to CCleaner, it is convenient to use the aforementioned Files Go application.

How to increase memory on Android manually

Any file manager is suitable for manually clearing your phone memory. We recommend ES Explorer or Total Commander.

Be careful and only delete unnecessary user files in Android internal memory that you created/copied yourself.

So, open the file manager, go to the root of the internal memory, start searching and deleting what is unnecessary.

Which files should you delete (transfer to a memory card) first:

  1. Photos, videos, voice recorders and other documents saved not on SD, but in internal memory;
  2. Documents received by mail or via social media(most often they are saved in the Download folder);
  3. E-books and other files saved third party applications to the device memory;
  4. Contents of folders DCIM, bluetooth, sounds.

We use Storage Analyzers (for clarity)

For clarity, we recommend using the Files Go application or any other storage analyzer for Android, which will show which files take up the most disk space and where they are located in the form of a diagram. Among these applications we note:

Transfer photos and videos to Google Photos service

It is photos and videos that “eat up” the most space on your phone, so you can quickly free up space on your memory card or built-in storage. If your phone doesn't support a memory card, move files you don't access often to the cloud. The best app for this is Photos, or Google Photos. It automatically uploads photos to the service, where they are available in their original quality through a browser or application.

In addition to Google Photos, you can pay attention to alternatives such as Dropbox, Flickr or Microsoft OneDrive.

Even when the photos are only available on the server, you can easily access them if you have a working internet connection. And most importantly, it is really convenient and quick way Free up a couple gigabytes of internal memory!

Memory clearing: questions and answers

1. The phone did not have enough internal memory, I sent half of the photos to the SD card, after that I open it, and they are all kind of cloudy. I tried to transfer it back to the internal memory of Android, but the photos are the same. How can I get my old photos back? so that it is as before, cleaned up without any distortions.

2. I didn’t have enough internal memory on my phone, so I wanted to clear it. I transferred the data (photos, music) to the memory card. Now the files cannot be read, although the phone sees the card. How can I get at least a photo back?

3. Samsung A5 phone. I didn’t know how to increase the internal memory, so I used my laptop to move folders with music and files from the internal memory to an SD card. After that, when opening the folders, they all turned out to be empty. Neither the phone nor the computer can see the files and music. The internal memory of the phone did not seem to decrease after this. How to find these files?

Answer. You probably copied sketches, not originals, to the memory card. The original photos may have remained in the phone's internal memory. If this does not happen, the DiskDigger program will help you.

If there is not enough space in the device memory, you should copy the files to your computer (make backup copy) and only then move it to the memory card. It will be useful for you to read the instructions on how to clear internal memory on Android (see text above).

I have a phone Sony Xperia, when I go to the Play Market, I want to download some program, the system says that there is not enough memory on Android, although the flash drive is 16 GB! What to do?

Answer. Most likely, the “insufficient memory” error on Android is due to the fact that there is not enough internal memory - this is where the installation files are downloaded from Google Play.

  1. Transfer the largest files from the internal memory of Android to your SD card.
  2. Remove unnecessary applications using a file manager or Files Go.
  3. Use the CCleaner utility to clean up unnecessary files in your phone's memory.

I cleaned my phone's memory and deleted many folders. And now I can’t view the gallery through Android, it says: “The storage is not available.” How can I get it back?

Answer. During cleaning, you probably deleted the folder with photos on the memory card (SDCARD/DCIM/CAMERA). You can recover files from there using CardRecovery or PhotoRec programs.

The built-in memory of an Android device often runs out quickly, so users have to store large amounts of information on microSD. But what to do if Android does not save downloaded content to the memory card - applications, photos, music, and other files?

This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 10/9/8/7: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Attention! You can ask your question to a specialist at the end of the article.

Problems with the memory card

First of all, you need to make sure that the memory card is working and ready to accept files. What to do:

The memory card may be incompatible with the smartphone - for example, it exceeds the capacity allowed for specific model phone. If the flash drive is larger than a certain size of gigabytes (32, 64, 128, etc.), then it simply does not recognize it, because not programmed for such volume. In this case, the only way out is to use another microSD storage device with a smaller capacity.

If no card is identified, it makes sense to contact service center. There may be hardware problems with the phone that prevent it from working with external drives.

Wrong folder in browser

If problems with saving occur while downloading files in the browser, you should check the destination folder. It may be specified incorrectly, which is why the browser does not understand how to save photos, music, videos and other content. Let's look at the example of UC Browser:

  1. Open the "Downloads" section in the main menu.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. In the "Download Path" field, specify the folder on the memory card.
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After this short setup files in the browser will be downloaded only to the specified directory on the card, without filling up the internal memory.

Files cannot be transferred to a memory card

This most often applies to built-in Android applications. They can only be stored on the phone internal storage, otherwise the smartphone will not work. At the same time, any application from a third-party developer can be moved to the microSD.

  1. Open Android settings, go to the “Applications” section.
  2. Find the program you want to transfer to the memory card along with all the files.
  3. Click "Move to SD".
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If the button is inactive, then the application cannot be moved. If it says “Move to phone” instead of “Move to SD,” this means that the program files are already stored on the memory card.

The settings for transferring files to the memory card have gone wrong

IN Android settings you can manually specify which memory is used by default - internal or external. Depending on the selected value, files will be downloaded to your phone or microSD card. After updating the system, the settings may be lost, so it’s worth checking them.

Not every model or manufacturer has such a setting. Check it out for yourself.

  1. Open Android settings.
  2. Go to the "Memory" section.
  3. In the "Installation location" or "Default memory" field, select "SD".
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When there is no setting

If it is not possible to set the default location for saving files, then the applications themselves will come to the rescue. In the same Samsung Internet browser, it is possible to set the storage location:


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Look in your application where you are going to save files from, whether it is possible to select a save location in the settings. If this is not the case, you will have to manually move files from the internal memory to the microSD card.

A reader of our site asks based on our answer:

Changing the default content storage in Settings
“Set in the general settings of the smartphone (operating system)…..”
Where can I find it on my smartphone? General settings? I go into the settings and go to SIM cards, Wi-Fi, themes, screen,…. system applications, all applications, for developers, etc.
And I can’t find the operating system settings anywhere to configure saving WhatsApp files to external card
Specify the path, please. I have Xiaomi Redmi 2 Pro. I constantly have to manually transfer files to the SD card and delete them from the internal memory
I would also like to automatically transfer video downloads from the Internet to the SD card by default. How to do it?
Thank you in advance

Nura

How to switch default memory usage to SD card?

Yes, indeed, that article did not show how to switch the default storage to an SD card. I was able to use the default memory card if I switched it in “Settings” > “Memory”:

After this, the memory card will be created required folders for applications and all new applications and their files will be saved to the SD card. At least that's how it was for me. And also some applications will be immediately transferred to the memory card.

In addition, I saw somewhere that in the settings of the applications themselves there is an option to transfer them to an SD card. Is there such a possibility for a specific application? In your case, you need to look also through system settings> Applications > desired application.


If possible, there will be a button to transfer it to SD.

An application for transferring applications to an SD memory card!

It's so intricate, there is something like that, yeah :)

I have not tried this application, the article that talks about it is quite old, two years ago. Therefore, I cannot confirm the information. But according to Google Play app was updated quite recently, in August 2016. Most likely it is still popular and working.

There is even a video about it:

In any case, no matter which method you choose, it is recommended to make a backup of the entire smartphone before changing any system settings, and those related to the use of memory and applications in particular.

Many owners of Android devices sooner or later, especially if the user is not sophisticated in knowledge computer technology, are faced with a similar situation. By manually or automatically installing applications on the gadget's internal memory, we gradually reduce its volume. Over time, the device begins to work slower and slower. Those programs that used to start in a matter of moments now start slowly. And then it’s generally impossible to send SMS or listen to the song normally. In addition, I get a message that there is not enough memory space android devices. So we've arrived. It's time to start optimizing the internal memory of the device. There is no other way. The main way to solve this problem is in android installation applications to the memory card. But first you need to understand what types of memory your device has.

Types of Android memory

RAM is memory that is used by various processes and applications while the device is running. When the power is turned off, all data contained in it is erased. The larger its volume, the more application instances can be launched at the same time. That is, the more operational, the more you can afford right away. For example, listen to music and surf the Internet through a browser.

On at this stage volume is considered the gold standard random access memory in 1 GB. In budget models, this figure averages 512 MB. To some extent, a large amount of RAM allows you to go longer without transferring android applications to a memory card. Moreover, starting from version 2.2 of this operating system, it has built-in support for selective launch of processes. Now the device itself knows which application data to leave active. In more earlier versions When the entire amount of RAM was filled, the user received a message about its fullness and the impossibility of launching the application.

ROM is the internal memory of the device, onto which the data of the operating system itself is written during firmware. Unlike operational data, this data is saved after recording without changes, even after the device is turned off or rebooted. They are not modifiable, and you will not be able to move applications to the card android memory.

Internal memory of the device - user information and data are recorded here installed programs. All information is available for change. How much free space is left in the internal memory is displayed in the settings. If the entire volume is almost full, then you can move applications to the android memory card.

Memory cards

An expansion card, or flash drive, is used to increase the amount of internal memory. Happens various types and sizes depending on the supported slot. All information recorded on it is available for modification and is saved when the power is turned off. You can also find out about the degree of filling in the “settings” section of the gadget menu. The main purpose of expansion cards is to free up resources of the device's internal memory.

The essence of the problem

After purchasing a new device, the owner, who understands the controls, begins to customize the gadget “for himself.” Personalize by installing all new applications and gradually filling the internal memory. In the end, in addition to filling the RAM with many running processes, the internal volume is also filled to capacity. In this case, the system issues messages about this. Removal unnecessary programs and data solves the problem for a short time due to the constant influx of information and automatic installation updates. Optimizing the system and deleting temporary files is also a temporary solution to the problem. There is nothing else left to do but transfer applications to the android memory card.

Let's start solving the problem

An inexperienced user would do this by first copying all the data to the computer and then moving it to a flash drive. Another solution could be online storage data. To do this, you need to download all the necessary “extra” information from your phone to the server of some specialized Internet resource for further storage and use at the right time. This is where the problem of accessing this data via the Internet arises. Unlike foreign countries, access to the network via wi-fi is still too poorly developed. And downloading through Edge will not only take a long time, but also be expensive.

Everything is much simpler. Transferring data to an expansion card is possible through the built-in operating system tools using a file manager. You just need to mark those that should be transferred. What if you need to move Android applications to the memory card? To do this, in this operating system, starting from version 2.2, this feature is implemented at the software level.

Open the gadget menu. Go to the “Settings” item. Next, go to the “Applications” sub-item and from there to “Application Management”. A list of installed programs opens in front of you. By clicking on the name of the desired application, we will see all the information about it. On the right there is a button that says "move to SD". If it is active (displayed in white), then this application You can transfer it to sd android from the internal memory of the device.

Programs for transferring applications

Certainly, a new version operating system is good. But what should those whose devices run on versions lower than 2.2 and their system do not know how to install Android applications on a flash drive?

The first option that immediately comes to mind is flashing the gadget. But this matter is so troublesome and time-consuming that first it is better to look for other ways to solve the problem.

Omniscient programmers have already thought for us and written a series of special programs for android transfer applications to sd.

App 2 SD program.

Contains all the necessary tools for transferring applications not only from external memory to an expansion card, but also vice versa. Having launched the program, a table with icons appears in front of us available functions. At the top there are three keys for selecting the desired operation option: with roaming applications located on the memory card and located in the internal memory of the device. Before transferring applications to the memory card on Android, click on the icon of the program being moved. All information about it is displayed before us and possible options actions: transfer, erase data.

Using the menu that appears after pressing function keys device, you can transfer all installed programs, update the list, configure, clear the cache, or upgrade to the professional version of App 2 SD. Moreover, the price of switching to the pro version is only $2.

Program Move2SDEnablerv0. 96.

It will be useful not only for those whose gadget runs on Android below version 2. 2. In devices with a later version of the operating system Move2SD Enabler v0. 96 allows you to move to a flash drive even those applications that are marked as “unportable” in the standard file manager (the transfer button is inactive). Before saving applications to your Android memory card, familiarize yourself with the space occupied by this program.

Link2SD program.

Unlike others, it allows you to export applications not only completely, but also in parts. That is, you can move individual libraries. Another advantage of Link2SD is that it is installed immediately in one package without copying files or running scripts.

After transferring the application with this program in devices running versions of the operating system up to 2.2, it begins to be displayed only after the device is rebooted.

To export, 2 partitions must be created on the expansion card. One at the base file system FAT 32, and the other ext2 (the limitation is not relevant for new versions).

Of course, these programs completely solve the problem. But in Android, how to install applications on a flash drive right away?

Install immediately

Of course, the memory of devices, especially phones, is not infinite. And constantly transferring programs using specialized applications or the built-in Android file manager is tedious.

And I would like to know how to install applications on a memory card on Android.

Unfortunately, by default, all applications are installed in any version of Android on the internal memory. The solution to this problem can be considered to be flashing the gadget with a third-party version of the OS. But this is a very troublesome matter. In addition, you need to have decent skills and knowledge in handling this kind of software.

After installing the application, if possible, immediately move it to the memory card. Compliance with this simple rule will help you save built-in memory resources.

Install one of the cleaning utilities on your gadget. For example, Android Assistant. After a while, systematically launch it, and clean the system and clear the cache. Using this program allows you to clear the internal memory of temporary and unnecessary files (“system junk”), and thus save space.

Comfortable work

Make it a rule to uninstall applications as soon as they are no longer needed.

When downloading various multimedia information via a browser on the Internet, immediately specify the folder on the expansion card in the saving path.

By following these tips, you can ensure comfortable work on your device, even if its internal memory resources are small. And the developers will definitely answer us about how to ensure that applications are installed on the Android memory card with the release of one of the next versions of this wonderful operating system.

During use Android smartphone files inevitably accumulate in his memory. Over time, there are so many of these files that they take up everything free space and the user is faced with a lack of free space when installing applications or downloading new files.

This problem can be partially solved by moving files to a memory card. User files such as photos and videos can be painlessly transferred to a memory card and thereby free up some space in the internal memory of the smartphone.

In order to move files from internal memory to a memory card, you must first install a file manager. Any file manager will be suitable for this task, but it is better to choose one that clearly identifies the device’s internal memory and memory card. For example, such a function is available in the application.

Install this file manager and launch it on your Android smartphone. Once launched, you will see two folders: “Device” and “SD Card”. The “Device” folder is the internal memory of your Android smartphone. Open this folder and find the files there that you would like to move to the SD memory card.

Let's say you find a file that you want to move to your memory card.

In order to perform the file transfer operation, you need to check the box next to the desired file and click on the “Move” button, which is located in the lower left corner of the screen.

After this, the “Cancel” and “Paste” buttons will appear at the bottom of the screen. The “Cancel” button cancels the transfer of files, and the “Insert” button transfers the previously selected files to the folder that is currently open.

Now you need to click on the “Home” button on the left top corner programs. This will take you to the initial screen of the file manager.

Then you need to go to the SD memory card. To do this, click on the “SD card” folder.

After this, on the memory card you need to open the folder into which you want to move the files and click on the “Insert” button.

After this, the selected files will be moved from the internal memory of the smartphone to the SD memory card.