SD Card - To format as External or Internal? That is the question...

[Legobricke]

As I have never formatted an SD for additional internal storage before, I was wondering what the benefits were...

Normally, I just format it as a removable card.... But can't really say I have needed to remove it before... Other than taking it out to place in a new phone.

So, which is the best way to go?

 

[thejesse]

The primary use of adoptable storage is for transferring apps to SD. If you only want to use it for media storage I'd say leave it as external.

 

[mfreeland]

I saw where Phil said if you choose "adoptable storage", you can easily change it to external later, if desired....

 

[tube517]

Inside Marshmallow: Adoptable storage | Android Central


https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/109134/p/1449,9582

I found these 2 links during my research on Adoptable Storage.

Back up your data to your PC no matter what option you choose. Don't rely on an SD card because their shelf life is not that good.

 

[Rukbat]

Adoptable storage - Android decides what goes where.

Portable storage - you decide what goes where.

I prefer having control over my devices, others like having the devices be in control.

 

[clownstrike]

If the primary purpose of your card is to hold a pile of media for consumption, then keep it external and put your media on it.
If, like me, the purpose of the card is for a mix of apps, media, whatever, and you don't want to have to bother moving anything around, consider adopted.

The phone will fill the internal storage first anyway, so you can easily change if you start adopted and reconsider before the internal 32gb is full.