How to move apps to SD Card on Samsung phone

If your Samsung phone is running low on storage, it can get pretty frustrating—especially if you’ve got a lot of apps you like to keep around. While newer versions of Android and Samsung’s One UI have changed how moving apps to an SD card works, it’s still possible to move some apps, or parts of them, to an external SD card to free up internal space. This guide will walk you through how to try it and what to expect along the way.

Why Move Apps to an SD Card?

Moving apps to your SD card can be handy for a few reasons:

• Free up internal storage: This is usually the main goal, so you can install more apps, snap more photos, or download more files.
• Boost phone performance: When your internal storage fills up, your phone can start to slow down.
• Easier data transfer: Some app data on the SD card might move more easily if you switch devices.

Important Things to Know Before You Start

There are a few things to keep in mind before you dive in:

• Not all apps can be moved: Many system apps, pre-installed apps, and apps that need high security (like banking apps) or heavy performance (big games) usually can’t be moved. It’s really up to the app developer whether an app is movable.
• Only parts of apps might move: Even if the app lets you move it, often only some data—like cached files or big game assets—actually move. The core app usually stays on your phone’s internal storage.
• Performance might take a hit: SD cards are generally slower than your phone’s internal storage. Moving apps you use a lot or apps that require a lot of speed to an SD card could slow things down a bit.
• SD card formatting matters: Your SD card should be formatted as “Portable storage” (this is the default). Samsung phones don’t usually support Android’s “Adoptable Storage” feature, which merges SD card space with internal storage.
• Android versions differ: How this works and what’s possible can vary depending on your phone’s Android version and One UI update.

How to Move Apps to SD Card on Your Samsung Phone (Step-by-Step)

All this happens in your phone’s Settings. Here’s the basic process:

1. Insert your SD card:
   • Make sure the SD card is inserted in your phone.
   • If it’s a new card, you might be asked to format it—choose “Portable storage.”
2. Open Settings:
   • Swipe down from the top and tap the gear icon.
   • Or find the Settings app in your app drawer.
3. Go to Apps:
   • Scroll and tap Apps (or Applications, or Apps & notifications on older phones).
4. Pick the app you want to move:
   • Scroll through your list and tap the app you want.
   • Pro tip: Look for bigger apps or games eating up space.
5. Tap Storage (or Storage & cache):
   • This will show you where the app is currently stored.
6. Look for a “Change” option:
   • If you see a Change button near “Storage used” or “Internal storage,” that means you might be able to move it.
   • If it’s grayed out or missing, sorry—that app can’t be moved.
7. Move the app:
   • Tap Change, then pick SD card or External storage.
   • Tap Move or Transfer.
   • Wait patiently—don’t remove your SD card or turn off the phone while it’s working.
8. Check that it moved:
   • After it’s done, you should see the app listed as stored on your SD card.
   • You can also check your SD card usage in Settings > Device care > Storage > Advanced > SD card.

What If the App Won’t Move?

Don’t worry—it’s not the end of the world. Here are some other things you can do to free up space:

• Move your photos and videos: This usually frees the most space.
  1. Open the My Files app or Gallery.
  2. Go to Internal storage.
  3. Find folders like DCIM (photos and videos), Downloads, or Music.
  4. Select the files you want to move.
  5. Tap Move and choose your SD card as the destination.
• Clear app cache and data:

• • Go to Settings > Apps, pick an app, then Storage.
  • Tap Clear cache to delete temporary files (safe to do).
  • Tap Clear data (or Clear storage) to reset the app completely—be careful here, as this deletes all the app’s data including saved logins and settings.

• Uninstall apps you don’t use: A simple way to free up a bunch of space.
• Use cloud storage: Google Photos, Google Drive, and Samsung Cloud can keep your files safe and off your device.
• Game DLC: Some games automatically store extra content on the SD card even if the main app stays internal.
• Factory reset: If your phone is really clogged, a reset can free up space—but backup first because it erases everything.

Knowing how and when you can move apps to your SD card—and what else you can do to manage storage—will help keep your Samsung phone running smoothly without constantly worrying about space.