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Android: Why Can’t I Move App to SD Card?

Android: Why Can’t I Move App to SD Card?

By Mitch Bartlett 32 Comments

If you wish to save space in your phone’s internal memory, moving apps to the SD card is an excellent way to free some space. You can move apps to the SD card by going to Settings > Applications, selecting the application, then tapping the “Move to SD card” button. You may notice that for some apps, this option is grayed out though. Why is that?

Reason 1. Developer Choice

Developers of Android apps need to explicitly make their apps available to move to the SD card using the “android:installLocation” attribute in the <manifest> element of their app. If they don’t, the option to “Move to SD card” is grayed out. Why would many developers not enable this button? Well, Android apps cannot run from the SD card while the card is mounted. So if the app handles something like an alarm to remind you of your dentist appointment, that’s pretty important, and the app would not be able to sound the alarm if you happen to have your device connected to your PC. So the developer may choose to lock the “Move to SD card” capability down so they never get an angry email from somebody claiming the app doesn’t work.

Reason 2. Widget Support

Widget support is another big reason apps may be prevented from running on the SD card. If an app is installed on the SD card, the widgets from that app become unavailable to select in certain versions of Android once the device is mounted. The device must be restarted for the widgets from the app to show up as an option again.

Reason 3. Syncing, Service, or Account Interface

If the app handles a certain type of background syncing, runs as a service, or utilizes an account, the app will not fully function from an SD card while it is mounted. Therefore, the option to move it to the SD Card is disabled. You can read more about this issue and how apps run from SD cards on the Android Developers – App Install Location page.

FAQ

How do I make apps download directly to the SD Card?

You will need to have root access on your device, then set your home directory to the SD card using the Android SDK Tools. There used to be a way to enable the option on older versions of Android without root access. But now you must have root access on newer Android versions to be able to set the home directory.

What apps can I move?

Look at moving any gaming apps to the SD card. Games typically don’t have to run in the background or handle any important tasks on the device throughout your day. They also typically take up the most space, making them perfect candidates for an SD card install.

Now you know why the “Move to SD card” button is grayed out for many of your Android apps. Still have questions? Comments? Leave one in the comments section below.

How do I enable the “Move to SD Card” option on any app?

There used to be a way for non-rooted users to enable the “Move to SD card” option. This is no longer the case. You will need to gain root access to your device to be able to move any app to the SD card.. If you’re not sure how to do this, you may want to have a look over at XDA Developers for suggestions.

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Filed Under: Android Tagged With: Nougat

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Siggy says

    February 22, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    While your article is illuminating in the Why??. It’s really of no benefit as to what can be done. It’s absolute BS that they do it this way. If they (developers) can move files & other stuff to the cloud, or to other networked locations or even folders, then they should be able to move it to the damn SD card, while still performing all of the security and upgrade benefits that are provided.
    Basically they are telling us…,Hey you can take a picture & send it or send a message that has a picture on the SD card around the world, but we cant move the app or at least it’s associated files to your SD card.

  2. Brith Smuk says

    February 13, 2021 at 9:53 am

    Is it possible to gather together apps which WILL transfer to the SD card to make checking easier? (When more speed is required, an app is moved to internal storage.)

  3. Connie B says

    January 29, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    I have moved as many apps as i can to the SD card, but I’m still low on internal storage. I’ve deleted apps, photos in chat, etc.
    Any other ideas?

  4. Ramados selvaraj says

    January 24, 2021 at 9:32 am

    I am using lenovoM10 tablet , not able to move apps to sd card.kindly guide me.thanq.

  5. Charlene says

    January 22, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    I am beyond angry at this deceitful action! They should be clear in their description so that we can actually purchase what we need. I am going to return this phone (A11) and go with IPHONE after 20 years with Android!

  6. Espen Stabforsmo says

    January 4, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    For all of you guys struggling to move apps to the SD-card:
    Make sure you have a card of high enough class – a card that is FAST ENOUGH.
    If your cards read- and wright-speeds are too slow and don’t meet the specs, you won’t be able to move any apps.

  7. Donnie says

    January 2, 2021 at 11:36 pm

    got a galaxy a11 and the move to sd option isn’t available at all.

  8. Maison-Everhart says

    December 13, 2020 at 3:02 pm

    I was having severe problems within my LG Stylo for, and upgraded to an LG Stylo 5. Now none of my apps no matter what method I’ve tried will let me transfer to an SD card! I am so livid and beyond pissed, there are no words to describe it! I have always loved using LG, but will never get one of LG’s phones again! I’m doing research into finding out if there are any other phones that will allow you to do what LG used to allow you to do. I hope and pray that they will come out with a way to get beyond this, but otherwise never going back to LG again! This is so wrong, so wrong beyond words!

  9. Mark M says

    December 9, 2020 at 11:51 am

    We bought a new Samsung Galaxy A11 with a brand new SD card but non of the apps can be moved to the SD card. I even tried with apps I know for sure that can be normally moved to SD cards. So I assume that the manufacturer has locked the “Move to SD card” option on purpose. Is there any way to change that?

  10. Concerned Citizen says

    December 6, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    My A20s Samsung is bsht , Front camera can be filled with dirt, storage device is up to 32 GB outmost and most of it, you cant even transfer file data to SD card! I recommend not to buy this sht and I hate how developers make SD useless even your phone has very few storage!

  11. Rhonda Trantham says

    October 19, 2020 at 10:29 am

    I just brought a 32GB SD card so i could move my apps but just about 5 let me do that and I am pissed I even deleted some apps to free up space and still will not let me and it wants me to delete 2 apps and i need them I have had these 2 apps for awhile why all of sudden I don’t have enough pspace tp send pictures pwill not even let me text on messages

  12. Paola says

    October 14, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    My sister has a new Samsung Galaxy A11 with a brand new SD card but non of the apps can be moved to the SD card. I even tried with apps I know for sure that can be normally moved to SD cards. So I assume that the manufacturer has locked the “Move to SD card” option on purpose. Is there any way to change that?

  13. Kim says

    September 27, 2020 at 11:52 am

    This is such BS!! I’m pissed! I have an S8, & now NONE of my apps have the option to move to the sd card!! Its all just another way for these cell phone companies to get rich(er).

  14. Nicholas Kiefer says

    August 31, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Apparently google removed the option for “move to sd” from the new android version 10. Because i just bought a phoenix 5 and it does not have option but my phoenix 3 and 4 i upgraded from both allowed it. I didnt think these companies could get me angrier… But they have

  15. Trish says

    August 28, 2020 at 7:58 am

    Especially frustrating when apps like banks update thier app and there is not enough room to load it

  16. Jovie says

    August 22, 2020 at 9:26 am

    Have tried all provided methods they none of them works

  17. De says

    August 8, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    Total BS…LGStylo3…just bought SD card..cant transfer my apps or get it to be my storage..pissed…not buying a new phone..help…Corona blues

  18. Denise says

    August 5, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    Why does the Looney Tunes app not have the ‘move to SD card’ option?
    I’ve tired so much but using a moto G6 play.
    Any answer would be great!

  19. Cecelia Salmi says

    July 20, 2020 at 9:25 am

    I’ve no options to move my apps in my sd card. My phone is Redmi 7.

  20. Hildegard Oberholzer says

    June 21, 2020 at 3:03 am

    On my NEW huawei mediapad t5 Iam unable to move apps to the sd card. Tried everything. Does not work. Looking for change bitton, which I can’t find. Very disappointed!

  21. Dorothy doherty says

    April 30, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Have a Wiko ride phone. Put a 32g as clip in the phone. Formatted it to store apps but when I go to load up the first app it states ” not enough space” what is wrong.?

  22. sana says

    March 28, 2020 at 4:44 am

    Yes , it is helping to me .But I cannot download whatsapp due to low storage in android .While i have put 8GB memory card in android .Please help me in this regard .I shall be thankful to you for this kindness .
    Thanks

  23. Gazor says

    December 4, 2019 at 1:50 pm

    That’s there trick to buy largest edition expensensive phones that have heaps of GB so that u wouldn’t need a SD card..simple

  24. h5mind says

    October 18, 2019 at 7:21 pm

    Yet anther tedious corporate tactic for planned obsolescence. Can’t have people keeping their expensive but disposable phones more than 6 months, right?

  25. Jason. says

    October 8, 2019 at 3:57 am

    Cant see the point of an SD card slot on a phone when not ONE app can be moved to it ????

  26. John Tattum says

    October 2, 2019 at 8:25 am

    Seems to me like the phone companies are forcing us to buy more cloud storage.

  27. Nanallyziee says

    March 24, 2019 at 11:07 am

    I’m using samsung galaxy j2 prime and now struggling with it’s storage.I used sd card;not working.I tried to move whatsapp(well it’s not possible) and webnovel(it’s so frustrating bcuz once I could moved Wattpad).My sd card is sandisk ultra 32gb.What is wrong with my phone?

  28. Link says

    October 13, 2018 at 8:11 pm

    Basically, the real reason is that Android is crap. The SD card could function the same as the phone’s memory, but it’s not designed properly. The ability to use an SD card was my last real reason not to go iPhone, but since Android won’t let it work anyway, what the heck?

  29. Jay says

    April 8, 2018 at 10:04 am

    My phone would just not have the SD option available and now it shows it as grayed out even though it was available before on certain apps…what would cause it to be grayed now for those same apps?

  30. Stas S says

    January 30, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    It’s possible that the phone companies want people to buy their ‘newer’ smartphones more often. That will be greedy of the companies.

  31. Debbie says

    December 21, 2017 at 6:22 am

    Some what, but Why don’t we have Widget to do everything. Why can’t it install when we put the SD card in?

  32. John Delacroix says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:55 am

    I used to have a Samsung s4 mini and I was able to move apps from device storage to SD card and run the apps without any problem. I am now using a Samsung j7 and tried to do the same to save device storage space, however, the apps I moved aren’t accessible by the phone. I tried to move them back by going to “Files” and move the storage back to device storage, but the change storage button isn’t available.
    Really wondering why it doesn’t work now when it just worked on my S4 mini probable 8-9 months ago.

    I would really appreciate if someone can help me with this.

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