Owners of smartphones based on the operating system Android 7.0 Nougat often face a critical lack of free space. The built-in memory is filled with photos, messenger caches and game updates, which leads to interface lags and the inability to install new applications. Fortunately, in this version of the system, Google has introduced a function Adoptable Storagethat allows you to turn a regular microSD card into a full-fledged expansion of the device's storage.
This technology combines physically different media into a single logical space. Once configured, the system encrypts the memory card, making it unreadable on other devices without a special key. This approach radically changes the way data is stored, allowing applications and their cache to be written directly to external media, freeing up valuable megabytes in internal flash memory.
However, the process is not without nuances: the speed of the card directly affects the performance of the entire smartphone. If you are using a slow class 4 or 6 card, the interface may become unstable. Therefore, before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that your storage meets the minimum requirements for read and write speeds, otherwise you risk getting a device that will constantly “think” when launching apps.
Checking compatibility and choosing a memory card
Not all smartphone manufacturers activate the Adoptable Storage function at the firmware level. For example, companies Samsung and LG often disable this option in their shells, preferring to use the card only as portable storage. Before you start, it’s worth checking whether the corresponding item is available in the settings menu. If you don't have it, you may need to root it or use ADB commands to force activation.
The critical step is choosing the memory card itself. Regular cards are not suitable for working as the main storage device due to the low random access speed. You will need a card marked Class 10 and preferably standard UHS-I or A1. Using slow media will result in loading applications that will take many times longer than when using internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: After formatting, all data on the card will be permanently deleted. Be sure to back up your photos and documents to your computer before starting the procedure.
The capacity of the card also plays a role. It is not recommended to use media larger than 128 GB on older devices with low RAM, as the file system may not work correctly. The optimal choice is a card with a capacity of 32 or 64 GB from trusted brands, such as SanDisk or Samsung EVO.
| Parameter | Minimum requirement | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Speed class | Class 10 | UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) |
| Interface | High Speed | UHS-I |
| Volume | 16 GB | 64 GB |
| Brand | Any | SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston |
Check the speed of your memory card using the SD Benchmark application before formatting. If the recording result is below 20 MB/s, it is better to refrain from using it as internal memory.
Step-by-step guide for formatting through settings
The standard method of activating the function is available through the system's graphical interface. Insert the memory card into the smartphone slot and wait for a notification that it has been detected. After that, go to the settings section, where storage management is usually located. The path may differ depending on the model, but most often it is Settings → Memory or Settings → Storage and USB drives.
In the list of available drives, select your SD card. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button to bring up additional options. You need to select item Memory settings or Format as internal memory. The system will warn you that the card will be encrypted and linked to this device.
☑️ Preparing for formatting
Confirm the action by clicking the "Format" or "Clear and format". The process can take from a few minutes to half an hour depending on the volume of the media. At this time, do not remove the card or turn off the device screen to avoid damaging the file table. Upon completion, the system will offer to transfer existing data to a new drive.
If the “Format as internal memory” item is not in the menu, this means that the manufacturer has blocked this function. In this case, it will not be possible to configure the card as main memory using standard means. However, there are workarounds using a computer and USB debugging that require deeper intervention in the system.
Activation via ADB for locked devices
For smartphones where the manufacturer has hidden the ability to use Adoptable Storage, you can use the tool Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the drivers installed. It allows you to send a hidden command to the system, forcing the internal memory emulation mode.
First you need to enable developer mode on your phone. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. After this, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the menu, where you need to activate the item USB debugging. Connect the device to the PC with a cable and allow access on the smartphone screen.
adb shell sm list-disksThe command above will show the ID of your memory card, usually in the format disk:179,X. Remember this number, it will be needed for the next command that initiates formatting. Be extremely careful when entering the identifier, an error may lead to formatting the wrong disk.
adb shell sm partition disk:179,X privateAfter executing the command, the phone will begin the formatting process. The screen may go dark or the device may reboot - this is normal behavior. After booting, the system will see the card as part of the internal memory. However, it is worth considering that when updating the firmware, the settings may be reset, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
⚠️ Attention: Using ADB commands is done at your own peril and risk. Entering the disk identifier incorrectly can lead to data loss on the smartphone's built-in storage.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
Make sure that ADB drivers for your operating system are installed. Try replacing the USB cable with the original one or try a different USB port. Also make sure that debugging permission is confirmed on the phone screen.
Data transfer and application management
After successful formatting, the card becomes part of a single memory pool. The system automatically starts using it to install new applications and save the cache. However, old applications will remain on the built-in storage unless you move them manually. This can be done in the application management section in the settings.
Go to Settings → Applications, select the desired app and press the button Memory. If the application developer has not prohibited the transfer, you will see a button Edit or Move to SD card. Activate this feature to free up space in the internal flash memory. Not all apps support this operation for security or performance reasons.
Photos and videos by default may continue to be saved in the internal memory if a new path is not created in the camera settings. Open the camera app, go to settings and select the "SD card" save location. This will prevent the system partition from quickly filling up with high-resolution media files.
It is important to understand that deleting applications will now free up space in the general pool, rather than in a specific partition. The file system itself decides where to write new data, optimizing the allocation of blocks. The user no longer needs to manually monitor where the game is installed, unless he himself restricts this in the settings of a particular software.
After combining the memory, the system itself distributes the data, but manually moving heavy applications to the card will significantly speed up the operation of the built-in drive.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Using a memory card as the main storage can lead to a number of specific problems. The most common one is system slowdown. If you notice that your smartphone takes longer to turn on or applications open with a delay, the reason is most likely a low card reading speed. In this case, you should try replacing the media with a faster one.
Another common problem is reading errors or the card suddenly turning off. This may occur due to poor contact in the slot or overheating of the device. A memory card operating in internal memory mode is subject to high load and may become hotter than usual. Regularly check the status of the card through the service menu or third-party utilities.
- 📉 Low performance: Replace the card with a UHS-I or U3 class to speed up operation.
- 💾 Recording errors: Check the card for bad sectors using the app h2testw on PC.
- 🔌 Loss of contact: Clean the card contacts with an eraser and blow out the smartphone slot with compressed air.
It is also worth mentioning the difficulties when resetting the settings. If you decide to do a full device wipe (Factory Reset), the data on the encrypted memory card will be lost forever, since the encryption keys are stored in the system partition, which is wiped. It is impossible to restore access to files without a key, even with the help of professional software.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may differ depending on the firmware version and the manufacturer's shell. If you do not find the items described, check the official documentation for your specific device model.
Frequently asked questions
Can this memory card be used on another phone?
No, the card will be encrypted with the key of your current device. To use it on another phone, you will have to format it, which will delete all data. The exception is when you do a hard reset of the first phone and transfer the card, but the data will still be lost.
Will this speed up my smartphone?
Most likely not. Internal memory such as eMMC or UFS is usually faster than even the fastest microSD cards. The main purpose of this feature is to increase volume, not speed. In some cases, overall performance may even decrease slightly due to slower data access on the card.
What happens if you remove the card after setup?
The system will display a storage corruption error. All applications installed on the card will no longer launch, and their widgets will disappear from the desktop. Access to files stored on the card will also be lost until it is reinstalled and unlocked.
Is it possible to cancel this formatting and return the card to normal mode?
Yes, but only through full formatting. In the storage settings, you can select the "Format as portable storage" option. This action will delete all data from the card, but will make it readable again on other devices and computers without encryption.