Are you tired of your phone’s internal storage constantly running low, leaving you with little space for apps, photos, and videos? Do you wish there was a way to expand your phone’s storage without having to shell out a small fortune on a new device? If so, then this article is for you. We’ll show you how to make your phone use only the SD card, freeing up your internal storage and giving you plenty of space for all your favorite content.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that not all phones support the use of SD cards. If your phone doesn’t have an SD card slot, then you won’t be able to use this method to expand your storage. However, if your phone does have an SD card slot, then you’re in luck. Follow the steps below to get started.
First, you’ll need to purchase an SD card that is compatible with your phone. Make sure to check the specifications of your phone to see what type of SD card it supports. Once you have an SD card, insert it into the SD card slot on your phone. Your phone will automatically detect the SD card and mount it. Once the SD card is mounted, you can start moving files to it from your internal storage. To do this, simply open the File Manager app on your phone and navigate to the files that you want to move. Tap and hold on a file to select it, then tap the “Move” button. In the “Move to” dialog box, select the SD card as the destination. Tap the “Move” button to start moving the files to the SD card.
Moving Apps to the SD Card
After you have prepared your SD card, transfer apps to the SD card by following these steps:
-
Open the Settings app
-
Navigate to App management
-
Locate the app you want to move
-
For Samsung Galaxy devices:
-
For devices with stock Android:
-
Confirm the move
-
Restart the app
This app will have an icon with a gear, located in the app drawer or on the home screen, depending on the device.
On Samsung Galaxy devices, this can be found under the Device care tab. On Android devices with stock Android, navigate to Apps.
The list of apps will show all the apps installed on your device, including system apps and pre-installed apps.
Scroll through the list and tap on the app you want to move to the SD card. Select Storage and then Change.
Tap on the app you want to move and then tap on Storage & cache. Under Storage used, tap on Change and select the SD card.
A message will appear asking you if you want to move the app to the SD card. Tap on MOVE to confirm the change.
After moving the app, close the app and open it again. This will ensure that the app is using the SD card for storage.
Setting Default Save Location for Photos and Videos
By default, photos and videos are stored in the phone’s internal memory, which has limited capacity. To free up space and ensure that your media files are safe, you can set the default save location to your SD card.
Steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Camera.
- Under the Storage Options section, select SD Card.
Additional Details:
Here are some additional details to consider:
- Ensure SD Card Compatibility: Make sure your SD card is compatible with your phone and has enough capacity to store your media files.
- Format SD Card (Optional): Before setting the SD card as the default save location, formatting it can improve its performance and ensure that it is error-free.
- Check File Permissions: Once the SD card is set as the default save location, ensure that camera permissions are enabled to allow the phone to access and store files on the card.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Internal Storage | Stores files on the phone’s internal memory, which has limited capacity. |
| SD Card | Stores files on the external SD card, which has a larger capacity and is removable. |
| Both | Stores files on both the internal memory and SD card, allowing for simultaneous storage and access. |
Formatting the SD Card
To ensure your phone relies solely on the SD card, it is crucial to format it before proceeding. Formatting erases all data on the SD card and creates a file system that is compatible with your phone. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to format an SD card:
1. Backup Your Data
Before formatting, make sure to back up any important data on the SD card as the process will erase everything.
2. Insert SD Card into Phone
Insert the SD card into your phone’s SD card slot and allow the device to detect it.
3. Go to Settings Menu
Navigate to your phone’s Settings menu and locate the “Storage” or “Memory” option.
4. Select SD Card
Within the storage settings, find the option for the inserted SD card and select it.
5. Tap on “Format”
Most phones will have a “Format” option available for the SD card. Tap on it and confirm the action.
6. Follow On-Screen Instructions
Depending on your phone model, you may be presented with additional prompts or warnings during the formatting process. Carefully read and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the formatting.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When encountering issues while using your phone’s SD card, consider the following troubleshooting tips:
1. Check Compatibility
Ensure the SD card is compatible with your phone. Some phones only support certain types or sizes of cards.
2. Reinsert the Card
Remove the SD card and reinsert it to ensure proper connection. Also, check for any damage to the card or card slot.
3. Format the Card
If the SD card contains corrupted data, try formatting it. Note that this will erase all data stored on the card.
4. Check Storage
Verify if the SD card has enough free space to accommodate the data you want to store on it.
5. Disable Apps
Some apps may conflict with the SD card reader on your phone. Try disabling these apps and restarting the device.
6. Update Software
Outdated phone software can sometimes cause SD card issues. Ensure your phone’s operating system is up-to-date.
7. Contact Manufacturer
If none of the above solutions resolve the issue, contact the phone or SD card manufacturer for further assistance. They may be able to provide specific troubleshooting steps or replace the affected components if necessary.
| Error | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| SD card not recognized | Damaged card, dirty card slot, software issue | Clean card slot, try different card, update software |
| Data corrupted on SD card | Virus infection, power outage, defective card | Scan for viruses, recover data if possible, replace card |
| Slow performance | Low-quality card, excessive file fragmentation | Use high-speed card, defragment card regularly |
Optimizing Storage Usage
To make your phone use only the SD card, you’ll need to format it as internal storage. This will allow the phone to treat the SD card as part of its internal memory, which will free up space on the phone’s internal storage.
Here’s how to format an SD card as internal storage:
- Go to Settings > Storage.
- Tap on the SD card.
- Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Tap on Format as internal storage.
- Tap on Erase & format.
Once the SD card is formatted as internal storage, you can move apps and data to it. To do this, go to Settings > Apps & notifications. Tap on an app and then tap on Storage & cache. Tap on Change storage location and then select the SD card.
Moving apps to the SD card
You can also move apps to the SD card by using a file manager app. To do this, open the file manager app and go to the Apps folder. Tap and hold on an app and then tap on Move to SD card.
Moving data to the SD card
You can also move data to the SD card by using a file manager app. To do this, open the file manager app and go to the Downloads folder. Tap and hold on a file and then tap on Move to SD card.
8. Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble making your phone use only the SD card, here are a few things you can try:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| The SD card is not formatted as internal storage. | Follow the steps in the “Formatting an SD card as internal storage” section above to format the SD card as internal storage. |
| The app cannot be moved to the SD card. | Some apps cannot be moved to the SD card. This is usually because the app requires access to the phone’s internal storage. |
| The data cannot be moved to the SD card. | Some types of data cannot be moved to the SD card. This includes data that is stored in the phone’s internal storage, such as contacts and messages. |
Ensuring Data Safety
To ensure the safety of your data when using an SD card as your phone’s primary storage, consider the following measures:
-
Backup Regularly
Regularly back up your important data on a separate storage device, such as a computer or cloud backup service, to prevent data loss in case of card failure or corruption.
-
Choose a Reputable Brand
Invest in an SD card from a reputable brand known for quality and reliability. Inferior cards may increase the risk of data corruption or loss.
-
Proper Insertion and Removal
Always ensure that the SD card is inserted and removed from the phone’s slot securely. Abrupt or improper handling can damage the card or the device.
-
Avoid Extreme Conditions
Protect your SD card from extreme temperatures, moisture, and physical trauma. These conditions can damage the card’s circuitry and compromise its data.
-
Use a Card Reader
When transferring data between your phone and a computer, use a card reader instead of connecting the phone directly. This reduces the risk of accidental device damage.
-
Format the Card Carefully
Formatting the SD card using your phone’s built-in options may not be thorough. Use a computer with a dedicated formatting tool to ensure complete data erasure.
-
Encrypted Storage
For added data protection, consider encrypting the SD card using a compatible encryption tool. This prevents unauthorized access in case the card is lost or stolen.
-
Protect from Viruses
Scan your SD card for viruses regularly using a reputable antivirus software. Viruses can corrupt data and compromise its security.
-
Consider a Secondary SD Card
If possible, use a secondary SD card as a backup or storage for less critical data. This helps distribute the risk and reduce the impact of potential card failure.
Step 10: Removing the SD Card Safely
To ensure the longevity and integrity of the SD card, it’s crucial to remove it properly. Follow these steps for safe SD card removal:
10.1: Save and Close All Files
Ensure that all files and apps on the SD card are saved and closed before proceeding.
10.2: Unmount the SD Card
On Android devices: Go to Settings > Storage > SD Card > Unmount.
On iOS devices: Use a third-party app like PhoneRescue or iExplorer to unmount the card.
10.3: Physically Eject the SD Card
Once the card is unmounted, gently press on it to eject it from the slot. Avoid using sharp objects or excessive force.
10.4: Store Safely
When not in use, store the SD card in a protective case or anti-static bag to prevent damage from moisture or debris.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Unmount the card before removal | Remove the card without unmounting |
| Eject the card gently | Use sharp objects or excessive force |
| Store the card in a protective case | Expose the card to moisture or debris |
How to Make The Phone Use Only The SD Card
If you’re running out of storage space on your phone, you can make it use the SD card as the primary storage device. This will allow you to store more apps, photos, videos, and other files on your phone. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap the SD card.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Tap Format as internal storage.
- Tap Erase & Format.
Once you’ve formatted the SD card as internal storage, it will be used as the primary storage device for your phone. This means that all new apps, photos, videos, and other files will be stored on the SD card. You can still access files on your phone’s internal storage by going to the File Manager app.
