Smartphones Samsung based Android often face a lack of internal memory, especially if you actively take photos, download applications or store large files. The solution seems obvious - use microSD memory card, but by default the system saves data to internal memory. Why does this happen and how to force the phone to automatically use the SD card for photos, videos, applications and downloads?

In this article we will look at all the ways to transfer data to an external drive: from basic camera settings and file manager to hidden functions Android for applications. Let's pay attention to the nuances of card formatting as internal memory (Adoptable Storage) and explain why this method does not always work on new models Samsung Galaxy. We will also look at typical errors - for example, why some applications refuse to move to SD, and how to bypass manufacturer restrictions.

Important: not all methods are universal. For example, Samsung blocks the transfer of applications to the card in the latest versions One UI (starting from Android 10), but there are solutions for multimedia and downloads. Let's start with the simplest - default settings.

1. Setting up the camera: saving photos and videos to an SD card

The most common request from users is how to make the camera automatically save pictures to a memory card. In most models Samsung Galaxy (including S23, A54, M34) this option is hidden in the application settings Camera.

Open the application Camera, tap on the ⚙️ icon Settings (usually in the top corner) and find the Save locationsection. Here you will see two options:

  • 📱 Device —phone internal memory (selected by default).
  • 💾 Memory card —external storage (available only if the card is inserted and recognized).

If the option Memory card is not present, check:

  • 🔌 The card is correctly inserted into the slot (on some models a reboot is required after settings).
  • 📛 The card is formatted as portable storage (and not as internal memory).
  • 🔄 In the phone settings (Settings → Device care → Memory) the card is displayed as available.
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung Galaxy S22 and later, when shooting in the format HEIF (extension .heic), saving to SD may not be available. Switch to JPEG in the camera settings.

If, after selecting a memory card, photos are still saved to the internal memory, try:

  1. Close the application Camera through the recent tasks menu.
  2. Clear the camera cache: Settings → Applications → Camera → Memory → Clear cache.
  3. Reboot your phone.
📊 Which Samsung model are you do you use?
Galaxy S23/S22
Galaxy A54/A53
Galaxy M34/M33
Another model
I don’t know

2. Transferring downloads and files to a memory card

By default, browsers (Chrome, Samsung Internet) and instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) save files to internal memory. To change the save location:

For browsers:

  • 🌐 In Chrome: open the menu (⋮) → Downloads → click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Save location → select SD card.
  • 🌐 In Samsung Internet: menu (⋮) → Settings → Personal data → Where to save downloads.

For messengers:

  • 💬 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Memory → Media storage location → select the card.
  • 💬 WhatsApp: transferring chats and media to SD is not possible directly, but you can manually copy files via My file (more on this below).

For file manager (My file):

  • Open the application My file (by default in Samsung).
  • Go to section Downloads or Internal memory.
  • Select files → Move → select SD card → destination folder (for example, Download).
⚠️ Attention: Some files (for example, OBB cache of games) cannot be moved manually - this will lead to errors in applications. They require transfer through settings Android (see section 4).

☑️ Preparing the memory card for use

Done: 0 / 4

3. Formatting a memory card: portable vs internal storage

When you connect the card for the first time Android prompts you to select the mode of its use:

  • 📁 Portable storage — the card works as a flash drive (can be removed without losing data, but not all applications support saving to it).
  • 🔄 Internal storage (Adoptable Storage) - the card becomes part of the system (you can transfer applications, but removal will lead to errors).

On Samsung s One UI (starting from Android 9) option Internal storage is often hidden or blocked. To enable it:

  1. Insert the card into the phone.
  2. Go in Settings → Device care → Memory → Memory settings (⋮) → Storage.
  3. Tap on SD card → Format as internal storage.
  4. Confirm the action (all data on the card will be deleted!).

After formatting as internal storage:

  • ✅ Applications can be transferred to the card (see section 4).
  • ✅ The system automatically saves some of the data to SD.
  • ❌ The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone to factory settings.
  • ❌ Some applications (for example, WhatsApp) will still not work with SD.
Card mode Transferring applications Save photos/videos Lossless extraction Compatible with PC
Portable ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Internal ✅ Partially ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No (via phone only)
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer the function Adoptable Storage may be disabled by the manufacturer. Check the availability of the option in the menu. Settings → Memory.
What to do if the phone does not see the memory card?

1. Restart the device. 2. Check the card on another device (it may be damaged) 3. Format the card in FAT32/exFAT via PC (all data will be deleted!) 4. Update the phone software - in older versions of One UI there were bugs with SD recognition.

4. Transferring applications to a memory card (if available)

On Samsung s Android 9-11 it was also possible to transfer applications to SD through the settings. data-i="189">) this function is often blocked, but it's worth a try:Android 12+) this function is often blocked, but it's worth a try:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Select the desired application (for example, Facebook or Spotify).
  3. Tap on Storage.
  4. If available option Change or Move to SD card —select it.

On Samsung Galaxy S23, A54 and other 2023+ models transferring applications to SD is disabled at the firmware level. An alternative is to use the card as portable storage and manually move the cache of some games (for example, Genshin Impact) via Settings → Storage → Other applications.

If the transfer option is missing, try:

  • 🔧 Use ADB commands (requires a PC and USB debugging enabled).
  • 📲 Install Lite versions applications (they weigh less).
  • 🗑️ Clear the cache regularly via Settings → Applications → Storage → Clear cache.

To transfer via ADB:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → Developer options).
  2. Open the command line on your PC and enter: 
    adb shell pm set-install-location 2

    This will force the system to install new applications on SD by default.

  3. To transfer a specific application (for example, com.facebook.katana): 
    adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana
⚠️ Attention: Not all applications support working with SD. For example, WhatsApp, Banking applications and games with protection (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty) may crash during transfer.

5. Automatic saving to card: hidden Android settings

There are hidden parameters that allow you to set the memory card as the default save location for certain types of files. To do this: Android There are hidden options that allow you to set the memory card as the default save location for certain file types. To do this:

  1. Install a file manager that supports Storage Access Framework (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Open the manager settings menu and find the section Default save location.
  3. Select SD card for downloaded files, screenshots, etc.

For screenshots:

  • Use a combination of buttons Power + Volume Down.
  • After taking a screenshot, tap on the notification and select Save to SD card.
  • To do this automatically, install the application Screenshot Easy and configure the saving path in its settings.

For recording the screen:

  • In the standard application Screen recording (Samsung) change the saving path not possible.
  • Install an alternative - AZ Screen Recorder or DU Recorder, where you can select the SD card in the settings.
💡

If the memory card often turns off, check it for errors via a PC (right click → Properties → Service → Check). Use cards of at least a class UHS-I (U1) for stable operation.

6. Solving problems: the card is not detected, recording errors

If the phone does not see the card or displays errors ("SD card is damaged", "Not enough space"), do the following. steps:

1. The card is not recognized:

  • 🔌 Remove and reinsert the card (with the phone turned off).
  • 🔄 Reboot the device.
  • 🖥️ Check the card on your PC - if it is not readable, format it to FAT32 (for cards up to 32 GB) or exFAT (for cards >64 GB).

2. Write errors ("Not enough space" when the card is empty):

  • 📛 The card is formatted in NTFS — Android does not support writing to this format (read only). Reformat in exFAT.
  • 🛡️ The file system is damaged - execute chkdsk on the PC (command: 
    chkdsk E: /f
    , where E: is the letter of your card).
  • 🔒 The card is write protected - check the physical switch Lock on the adapter (if you are using).

3. Applications are not saved on SD:

  • 📱 On new Samsung application transfer is blocked - use Lite versions or clear the cache.
  • 🔧 For root users (root): install App2SD or Link2SD (requires superuser rights).
Error Possible reason Solution
SD card is damaged File system is corrupted Format to exFAT via PC
Insufficient space (card empty) Format NTFS or damaged sectors Reformat to FAT32/exFAT
Card not detected Slot contacts are dirty Clean the slot with alcohol, restart the phone
Applications are not transferred to SD Restriction One UI Use ADB or Lite versions
💡

If the memory card is unstable, avoid using it as internal storage - this may lead to data loss during failures.

7. Alternative methods: cloud storage and OTG drives

If transferring to SD is not possible or the card is too small, consider alternatives:

1. Cloud storage:

  • 🌥️ Google Photos — automatic uploading of photos/videos to the cloud (15 GB free).
  • 🌥️ Samsung Cloud — integrated in Galaxy, but requires an account Samsung.
  • 🌥️ Yandex Disk or Mega - up to 50 GB free upon registration.

2. data-i="317">🔌 Connect the flash drive via

  • 🔌 Connect the flash drive via OTG adapter (port USB-C).
  • 📁 Use it as external storage for backups or large files.

3. Network storage (NAS):

  • 🖥️ Set up access to your home NAS via FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
  • 📡 Automate file downloads via Wi-Fi using FolderSync.

Advantages of alternatives:

  • ✅ There are no volume restrictions (unlike SD).
  • ✅ Data is available from any device.
  • ✅ There is no risk of loss if the phone breaks down.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Requires internet for clouds or an OTG adapter for flash drives.
  • ❌ Access speed is lower than that of the built-in memory.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Can I use an SD card as internal memory on the Samsung Galaxy S23?

No, starting with One UI 5.0 (based on Android 13) Samsung removed support Adoptable Storage for transferring applications. The card can only be used as a portable storage for photos, videos and files.

Why did the phone start to slow down after formatting the card as internal memory?

Memory cards (even class UHS-I) are slower than the built-in memory. UFSIf you have transferred many applications to it, the system may freeze. Solution: leave only heavy games/files on SD, and keep frequently used applications in the internal memory.

How to transfer WhatsApp to the card. memory?

Officially WhatsApp does not support working with SD cards. Alternatives:

  1. Backup chats to Google Disk and clearing internal memory.
  2. Use root access and applications App2SD (risky).
  3. Manual transfer of media files (WhatsApp → Media) via My file (but new files will be saved to internal memory).
Which memory card is best to buy for the Samsung Galaxy A54?

Recommendations:

  • 📌 Capacity: 128–256 GB (maximum depends on the model, usually up to 1 TB).
  • 📌 Speed class: UHS-I (U3) or V30 for recording 4K video.
  • 📌 Brands: Samsung EVO Plus, SanDisk Ultra, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus.
  • 📌 Format: exFAT (if >64 GB).

Avoid cheap no-name cards - they often fake speed characteristics.

Is it possible to transfer the Genshin Impact game to an SD card?

Officially - no, since the game uses OBB cache, which does not support working with external drives. Workarounds:

  1. Use ADB for transfer (command adb shell pm move-package com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact), but the game may crash.
  2. Install the game on another phone, copy the folder Android/obb to SD, then insert the card into the main phone.
  3. Use cloud storage for backups (but the game will take longer to load).

The best solution is to buy a phone with a large amount of internal memory (256 GB+).