How to switch memory to a card on Android. SD card as internal memory of Android

If your phone or tablet running Android 6.0 or 7 Nougat has a memory card slot, then you can use a MicroSD memory card as the internal memory of your device, this feature first appeared in Android 6.0 Marshm.

Note: When using a memory card in this way, it cannot be used in other devices - i.e. It will be possible to remove it and connect it via a card reader to the computer (more precisely, to read the data) only after complete formatting.

Using an SD memory card as internal memory

Before you start setting up, transfer all important data from your memory card somewhere: it will be completely formatted during the process.

Further actions will look like this (instead of the first two points, you can click on “ Tune" in the notification that a new SD card has been detected if you have just installed it and such a notification is displayed):

1. Go to Settings - Storage and USB drives and click on the item “ SD card"(On some devices, the storage settings item may be located in the " Additionally", for example, on ZTE).

2. In the menu (button at the top right) select " Tune" If the menu contains the item “ Inner memory", immediately click on it and skip step 3.

3. Click " Inner memory».

4. Read the warning that all data on the card will be erased before it can be used as internal storage, tap " Clear and Format».

5. Wait until the formatting process is completed.

6. If at the end of the process you see the message “ SD card is slow", this indicates that you are using a Class 4, 6 or similar memory card - i.e. really slow. It can be used as internal memory, but this will affect the speed of your Android phone or tablet (such memory cards can work up to 10 times slower than regular internal memory). We recommend using UHS Speed ​​Class 3 (U3) memory cards.

7. After formatting, you will be prompted to transfer data to a new device, select " Transfer now"(until the transfer, the process is not considered completed).

8. Click " Ready».

9. It is recommended that immediately after formatting the card as internal memory, restart your phone or tablet - press and hold the power button, then select " Reboot", and if there is none - " Power off" or " Switch off", and after turning it off, turn the device on again.

This completes the process: if you go to the parameters “ Storage and USB drives ", then you will see that the space occupied in the internal memory has decreased, on the memory card it has increased, and the total amount of memory has also increased.

However, the function of using an SD card as internal memory in Android 6 and 7 has some features that may make using this feature impractical.

Features of the memory card working as internal Android memory

It can be assumed that when to the internal Android memory With a capacity of N, a memory card capacity of M is added, the total available volume of internal memory should become equal to N+M. Moreover, approximately this is also displayed in the information about the device’s storage, but in fact everything works somewhat differently:

  • Everything that is possible (with the exception of some applications, system updates) will be placed on internal memory, located on the SD card, without providing a choice.
  • At Android connection device to the computer in this case you will “ see" and only have access to the internal memory on the card. It's the same in file managers on the device itself.

As a result, after the moment when the SD memory card began to be used as internal memory, the user has no access to the “real” internal memory, and if we assume that the device’s own internal memory was more than MicroSD memory, then the amount of available internal memory after the described actions will not increase, but decrease.

Formatting a memory card for use as internal storage in ADB

For Android devices where the function is not available, for example on Samsung Galaxy S7, it is possible to format the SD card as internal memory using ADB Shell.

Since this method can potentially lead to problems with the phone (and may not work on every device), I will skip the details on installing, enabling USB debugging and running in the adb folder (If you don’t know how to do this, then perhaps It’s better not to take it. And if you take it, it’s at your own peril and risk).

The necessary commands themselves will look like this (the memory card must be connected):

  • adb shell
  • sm list-disks ( As a result of executing this command, pay attention to the issued disk identifier of the form disk:NNN,NN - it will be required in the next command)
  • sm partition disk:NNN,NN private

Once formatting is complete, exit the adb shell, and on your phone, in the storage options, open the item “ SD card", click on the menu button at the top right and click " Transfer data"(this is required, otherwise the phone's internal memory will continue to be used). Once the transfer is complete, the process can be considered complete.

How to restore normal functioning of a memory card

If you decide to disconnect the memory card from the internal memory, this is easy to do - transfer all important data from it, then go to the SD card settings, just like in the first method.

Select " Portable media» and follow the instructions to format the memory card.



By default, all applications are installed on the internal memory of the Android device. It is also used to store their cache. But even memory modern smartphones sometimes it is not enough to download all the necessary software. It's good that there are memory cards with enough capacity for this. We will look further at how to use them to offload main memory.

How to switch Android phone memory to memory card

Let us clarify that in this case we are considering a situation where the user needs to ensure that downloaded files and programs are saved on microSD. IN Android settings installed by default automatic download to internal memory. So we will try to change this.

First, let's look at the transfer options already installed programs, and then - ways to change the internal memory to flash drive memory.

On a note: The flash drive itself must have not only a large amount of memory, but also a sufficient speed class, because the quality of the games and applications located on it will depend on this.

Method 1: Link2SD

This is one of the best options among similar programs. Link2SD allows you to do the same things you can do manually, but a little faster. In addition, you can forcefully move games and applications that in a standard way don't move.

You can download Link2SD

Instructions for working with Link2SD are as follows:

  1. The main window will display a list of all applications. Select the one you need.
  2. Scroll down the app information and tap " Transfer to SD card».

Please note that those applications that are not transferred in the standard way may reduce their functionality. For example, widgets will stop working.

Method 2: Setting up memory

Let's return to system tools again. On Android, you can specify the SD card as the default installation location for applications. Again, this doesn't always work.

In any case, try the following:

1. While in the settings, open the “ Memory».

2. Click on " Preferred installation location" and select " SD card».

3. You can also designate storage to save other files by designating the SD card as " Default memory».

The location of elements on your device may differ from the examples given.

Method 3: Replacing internal memory with external memory

And this method allows you to deceive Android so that it perceives the memory card as system memory. From the toolkit you will need any file manager. The example will use Root Explorer.

Attention! You perform the procedure described below at your own peril and risk. There is always a chance that this will cause problems with Android, which can only be corrected by flashing it.

The procedure is as follows:

1. In the system root, open the folder “etc" To do this, open your file manager.

2. Find the file " vold.fstab" and open it with a text editor.

3. Wednesday and the entire text, find 2 lines starting with “ dev_mount"without a grid at the beginning. They should be followed by the following values:

  • « sdcard /mnt/sdcard»;
  • « extsd /mnt/extsd».

4. You need to swap the words after “ mnt/", so that it becomes like this:

  • « sdcard/mnt/extsd»;
  • « extsd/mnt/sdcard».

5. On different devices There may be different designations after " mnt/»: « sdcard», « sdcard0», « sdcard1», « sdcard2" The main thing is to swap them.

6. Save the changes and restart your smartphone.

Concerning file manager, then it is worth saying that not all such programs allow you to see the above-mentioned files. We recommend using ES Explorer.

Method 4: Transfer applications in the standard way

Starting from Android 4.0, you can transfer some applications from internal memory to an SD card without using third-party tools.

To do this you will need to do the following:

1. Open " Settings».

2. Go to the section "Applications».

3. Tap (touch with your finger) the desired program.

4. Click the button Move to SD card».


The disadvantage of this method is that it does not work for all applications.

In these ways you can use SD card memory for games and applications.



Most owners of Android devices sooner or later face the problem of lack of internal space for storing files. Regular installation of applications gradually reduces the number free space in the gadget, which leads to slowdowns, incorrect operation, or even a complete failure of the system to work normally. In this case, replacing the internal Android memory with a memory card will help. How to do this and what other ways there are to deal with such a nuisance, we will consider further.


Before delving into the settings and transferring all applications to a flash drive at once, you need to understand what types of memory generally exist on your Android device:

  • operational - necessary for the correct operation of applications, programs and other processes that run on a phone or tablet;
  • ROM - stores information about operating system during flashing, this data cannot be transferred to third-party media;
  • internal - applications are installed here automatically, as well as any user information; the system reports how much free space is left when installing new software;
  • expansion card - an external drive that is designed to expand the internal memory of the device and store applications and user information.

Why can't I save apps to my SD card?

In many gadgets, it is not possible to automatically allow the installation of new applications on a flash drive. This applies to phones and tablets from version 4.4.2 to 6.0.1. In this case, replacing the internal memory with an SD card is simply necessary, and this can be done in several ways (including using third party applications). But first you need to find out the version of Android that is installed on your gadget. To do this, click sequentially on:

  1. Menu;
  2. Settings;
  3. About the phone.

The OS version will be indicated in the list that opens.

Programs for transferring applications to a memory card

The developers took care of the users and created programs to make the flash drive memory the main one on Android. This is especially useful for older versions of the system, such as 2.2 or even earlier.

Convenient software that contains all the necessary tools for transferring information from internal memory to an external drive. The interface is intuitive and simple. Applications available for moving are marked with icons, which, when clicked, opens all available information about them, as well as possible actions(move, copy, delete).

Move2SD Enablerv

This software is interesting to users for two reasons. The first is that it is compatible with different versions Android (including later ones). And the second is the ability to transfer data and applications that are marked in the system as “unacceptable for transfer.”

Another interesting development that simplifies the life of Android gadget users. Main advantages - easy installation Software (without the need to additionally download scripts and libraries) and the ability to transfer information not as complete libraries, but only as parts of them.

What other methods are there?

There is another option to make an SD card into the internal memory on Android. If the version of your gadget is from 2.2 to 4.2.2, then the instructions are extremely simple, click on:

  1. Settings;
  2. Memory;
  3. Default recording disk;
  4. SD card.

A checkmark or circle will appear opposite the flash drive, indicating that the settings have changed. Now installation of applications will automatically go to the flash drive.

For Android users KitKat and higher, the process will be more difficult and tedious. The main problem is that you will need to root your device. You can do this at home, but there is a risk of turning your device into a “brick” that either cannot be repaired or will only be brought to life in service center at extra charge.

Remember that by installing root rights yourself, you void your device’s warranty and act at your own peril and risk. Whether it's worth it or not is up to you to decide. Maybe it's less risky to manually migrate new applications each time?

What do you think? Tell us in the comments if you had to get root rights, whether it was successful, or maybe you know other ways to switch the memory of a tablet/phone to a memory card.

By default, the name of the portable drive is the name of the manufacturer or model of the device. Fortunately, those who want to personalize their flash drive can assign it a new name and even an icon. Our instructions will help you do this in just a few minutes.

In fact, changing the drive name is one of the simplest procedures, even if you just got acquainted with your PC yesterday.

Method 1: Renaming with icon assignment

In this case, you can not only come up with an original name, but also put your picture on the carrier icon. Any image will not work for this - it must be in the format "ico" and have the same sides. To do this you will need the ImagIcon program.

To rename the drive, do this:


By the way, if the icon suddenly disappears, this may be a sign that the media is infected with a virus that has changed the startup file. Our instructions will help you get rid of it.

Method 2: Rename in properties

In this case, you will have to make a couple more clicks. Actually, this method involves the following actions:


Method 3: Renaming during formatting

During the process of formatting a flash drive, you can always give it a new name. All you need to do is this:


Method 4: Standard rename in Windows

This method is not much different from renaming files and folders. It involves the following actions:



It’s even easier to call up the form for entering a new name by simply highlighting the flash drive and clicking on its name. Or after highlighting, click "F2".

Method 5: Changing the letter of the flash drive through “Computer Management”

In some cases, it is necessary to change the letter that the system automatically assigned to your drive. The instructions in this case will look like this:

You can change the name of the flash drive in a few clicks. During this process, you can additionally set an icon that will be displayed along with the name.

Your question:

How to rename a memory card on a PDA?

Master's answer:

Pocket Personal Computer very similar to desktop computer, but the difference is in size - they are much smaller. On your PDA you can watch movies, read books, connect to the Internet, work with applications and programs, move information from other devices, including memory cards, which can be renamed for ease of use.

If you need to rename the memory card to Storage card, follow these steps. Open the System-Registry directory one by one. You will need a registry editor, run it.

Go to the following path. The memory card is the “Folder” section. Rename it to Storage card, then reboot the machine.

Depending on the manufacturer, the addresses on the devices may differ. The most common options:

The name of the memory card can be anything, but for optimal operation of the device it is better to name it in Latin letters.

Sometimes, after rebooting the PDA, the memory card called Storage Card is spontaneously renamed to Storage Card 2. In this case, you will not be able to perform any actions on the original card with the recorded elements. This problem usually occurs when you remove the memory card while working with the program. In this situation, you need to find the program that creates the folder with that name (remember the circumstances under which the media was removed) and close it. Or configure it so that it uses main memory. After completing the steps, restart your computer.