install to SD

[Eric Lipkind]

Is there a way for apps to install to the SD card instead of internal storage by default?

 

[SpookDroid]

Nope. Unless you root/hack the file system, SD card installations are only done manually. What's more, every time you update an app, it'll move back to internal memory because updates and installations can only happen (for security reasons) in internal memory.

The only 'official' way to do this (without hackery) is to enable Adoptable Storage on the SD Card (basically making the card a part of the internal memory). But because this makes the SD card unusable in other devices (until you re-format) and brings with it other complications, Samsung decided not to enable this for their phones.

 

[lanric02]

ok, thanks. any idea why only certain installed apps can be moved to the SD card? For some, it is not an option.

 

[SpookDroid]

ok, thanks. any idea why only certain installed apps can be moved to the SD card? For some, it is not an option.

It's up to each developer. Since the app's main file must always reside in internal memory, some app developers decide not to 'split' theirs into 'main' and 'additional' files that can be moved to SD Card. And it's also up to each dev to decide how much of the app can be moved. Some allow most of the app (again, the main app files must reside in internal memory always), some just additional downloads, some just save files/content/media, etc.).

Apps that use widgets cannot be moved to SD Card. Most system apps are in this category as well.

 

[sdmf]

I have a 32 gb class 10 sd card sitting on my counter doing nothing... For months. Is the consensus that using it for adoptable storage is not worth the headache? I wouldnt have a need to keep pulling it out to transfer files etc but curious if I'll see a performance loss if used?

 

[SpookDroid]

You would see a performance loss as the system would have to adapt to the slower memory (SD Card). Not noticeable to most users, though, but it's a drop. I'd be more concerned on what happens if you get 'lucky' and your card fails or your phone burns through SD cards like most of my Samsung devices have.

 

[Johnston212]

Not by default, but I move the biggest ones over almost immediately.

 

[JOC2016]

I have had no success getting the camera to use the SD card for picture storage (if anyone has clues I would appreciate them). However, I don' t rely on my phone for music, instead I manage it all on my PC. Since I therefore don't backup music on the phone all my backups are speedier and less data hungry. So what works well for me is to load all my music onto the SD card and use this in the phone as a stock source for all my tunes. The phone doesn't seem to mind this and if I do lose the lot they are stll all on the PC.