Modern smartphones, especially the flagship series models Samsung Galaxy, take amazing pictures that take up a significant amount of internal storage. Sooner or later, every user encounters a low memory notification, which can slow down the device and prevent the installation of new updates. The solution to this problem is often to use a memory card, which allows you to expand the available space for media files. In this article we will look in detail at various ways. You will learn about the built-in tools of the file manager, the settings of the camera itself for automatically saving pictures, as well as the nuances of working with different versions of the One UI shell. Proper organization of data storage will help you save valuable footage and free up space for important applications. microSD, which allows you to expand the available space for media files.
In this article we will look in detail at how to transfer photos to a memory card from a Samsung Galaxy phone on Android in various ways. You will learn about the built-in tools of the file manager, the settings of the camera itself for automatically saving pictures, as well as the nuances of working with different versions of the One UI shell. Proper organization of data storage will help you save valuable personnel and free up space for important applications.
Before you start moving files, you need to make sure that your smartphone model supports installing memory cards. Most mid-budget devices of the series Galaxy A i Galaxy M have a corresponding slot, while the flagships of the series S of recent years are often deprived of this opportunity. If supported, you will need a microSD card up to 1 TB (depending on model specifications).
Preparing the device and installing the drive
The first step is to physically install the memory card into the device. To do this, you will need a special key-clip that comes with your smartphone, or a thin object like a straightened paper clip. The card tray is usually located on one of the side faces of the case, most often at the bottom.
Carefully remove the tray by pressing it with a key into the indicated hole. Pay attention to the diagram shown on the tray itself or in the instructions: memory cards and SIM cards have a specific shape and must be inserted the correct way. After installing the tray back, the phone will automatically scan for a new drive.
A notification will appear on the screen indicating that a new memory card has been detected. The system will offer to configure its use. You can select the "Data Transfer" or "Use as Portable Storage" option. The second option is better for storing photos and videos, as it allows you to easily remove the card and read it on other devices without formatting.
⚠️ Attention: If the memory card has previously been used in another device, the phone may prompt you to format it. This action will delete all data from the card, so save important information on your computer first.
After successful installation, check whether the system sees the new volume. Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. The list should show internal storage and SD card with free space shown. If the card is displayed correctly, you can start transferring photos.
Use U3 or V30 speed class memory cards to record 4K high-definition videos to avoid delays and frame drops.
Transferring photos through the My app files"
The most reliable and universal way to move already taken pictures is to use the standard file manager My Files (My files), preinstalled on all smartphones Samsung. This tool provides full access to the directory structure and allows you to perform copy and move operations in batches.
Open the application My files and select the "Internal storage" category. Find the folder DCIM, this is where all photos and videos from the camera are stored by default. Inside this folder there is usually a subfolder Camerawhere your pictures are located. Select the desired files or entire folders by holding your finger on one of them until the selection checkboxes appear.
After selection, click on the menu (three dots in the upper right corner) and select the "Move" or "Copy" option. The difference between them is significant: when moving, the originals are deleted from the internal memory, freeing up space immediately, and when copying, the files are duplicated, which takes up double the volume until the originals are manually deleted.
- 📁 Select the destination folder: after selecting the action, the navigator will prompt you to select a location. Click on “Memory card” or “SD card”.
- 📂 Create a new folder: for the sake of order, it is recommended to create a separate directory, for example,
Photos_Archive, so as not to mix old pictures with new ones. - ✅ Confirm the operation: click "Move here" or "Copy here" and wait until the end process.
The transfer speed depends on the amount of data and the speed class of your memory card. When moving several gigabytes, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. Do not interrupt the operation and do not turn off the phone screen to avoid damage to files.
☑️ Controlling file transfer
Setting up automatic saving to a memory card
In order not to transfer photos manually each time, you can set up your smartphone camera so that new pictures are immediately saved to the memory card. This function is available in the standard application Camera on most models Galaxy with microSD support.
Launch the camera application and go to settings by clicking on the gear icon in the corner of the screen. Scroll down the list of options to the "Save location" or "Save to SD card" section. Activate the switch opposite this item. Now all new photos and videos will be recorded directly to the external drive.
It is worth noting that some shooting modes, such as Pro, RAW or high bitrate video recording, can ignore this setting and save data to internal memory for maximum recording speed. Also, functions like "Instant View" or some filters may require quick access to system storage.
| File type | Ability to save to SD | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG photo | Full support | Save securely to card |
| Full HD video | Full support | U1 class card required |
| 4K 60fps video | Partial support | It is better to write to internal memory |
| RAW photo (DNG) | Depends on the model | Check in settings |
If you find that the camera still saves photo inside, check if storage optimization mode or cloud synchronization is enabled, which may block the recording path from changing. In rare cases, the device may need to be rebooted after changing settings.
Why is it better to write 4K video to internal memory?
The internal memory of smartphones uses UFS technology, which provides much higher sequential recording speeds compared to most microSD cards. When recording heavy 4K video, the memory card may not be able to keep up with recording the data stream, which will cause recording to stop or damage the file.
Using the Smart Storage function
In new versions of the shell One UI company Samsung implemented a feature that automatically moves rarely used files and media to the memory card. This is convenient for those who do not want to manually manage files, but want to free up space.
To activate, go to Settings → Device maintenance → Storage. Find "Smart Storage" or "Automatic Data Movement". Here you can set up rules: for example, move all photos and videos older than 30 days to the SD card. The system itself will analyze the files and perform the transfer in the background.
This feature is especially useful if you take a lot of pictures and forget to sort them. However, it is worth remembering that accessing files on a memory card may be slightly slower when opening the gallery, especially if the card is filled with a large number of small files.
⚠️ Warning: The automatic move function may not work correctly if the memory card has a low speed class or bad sectors. Check the status of your drive regularly.
You can also set exceptions so that certain albums or important photos are never automatically moved. This ensures that the most valuable footage remains in fast internal storage for instant access.
Transferring data through a computer
If you have accumulated a huge archive of photos (tens of gigabytes), transferring them through the phone interface can be time-consuming and inconvenient. In this case, it is more effective to use a computer as an intermediate link. This method also allows you to make a backup before moving.
Connect your smartphone to your PC using a USB cable. On the phone screen, select the file transfer mode MTP (File Transfer / Android Auto). On your computer, open My Computer, find your Samsung device, and enter the internal storage.
Copy the folder DCIM or other directories from the photo to your computer’s hard drive. Then, without turning off the phone, open the memory card in Explorer (it will appear as a separate removable drive) and paste the copied files there. After completion, safely remove the device.
Path to photos on the internal storage:/Internal Storage/DCIM/Camera/
Path to insert on the card:
/SD Card/DCIM/Camera/ or /SD Card/Pictures/
This method is good because you visually control the process and can immediately sort files into folders on your computer using a comfortable keyboard and mouse. In addition, the risk of accidentally deleting files during a power failure is minimal, since the originals remain on the PC until they are checked.
Using a PC to transfer large amounts of data (more than 10 GB) is much faster and more reliable than managing files directly from the smartphone screen.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of difficulties. It often happens that the phone sees the card, but does not allow you to write files to it or move them. This could be due to write protection, the file system format, or a software glitch.
One common error is the "Not enough space" message, even if there are many gigabytes free on the card. This may occur if the card is formatted with a file system FAT32that does not support single files larger than 4 GB. For high-quality video, formatting in exFAT.
- 🔒 Check the Lock switch: some SD-microSD adapters have a mechanical write lock switch. Make sure it is not activated.
- 🔄 Format the card: go to
Settings → Device maintenance → Memory → Memory card → Format. Select the exFAT file system. - 🛡️ Check permissions: in application settings, make sure that the file manager and camera are allowed to access the storage.
If the memory card is detected as "Blank" or "Not Supported", try cleaning the contacts on the gold chip of the card itself with a soft eraser or alcohol wipe. Oxidation of contacts is a common cause of problems with reading data.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the One UI shell. If you do not find the item you need, use the search in the settings using the keywords "Memory" or "SD".
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer installed applications to a memory card on Samsung?
In modern versions of Android and the One UI shell, it is possible to transfer full-fledged applications on the memory card is severely limited or absent. The developers recommend installing applications in the internal memory for stable operation. However, some application data (cache, media) can be transferred.
What will happen to the photo on the card if I take it out and insert it into another phone?
Photos and videos will remain on the card and will be available for viewing on any device with a card reader or microSD slot. However, system folders and settings specific to your Samsung may not appear or be unreadable on phones from other brands.
How do I know what speed is my memory card?
Speed information is usually indicated on the card itself or its packaging (Class 10, U1, U3, V30). You can also use special applications from Google Play, for example, SD Insight or A1 SD Bench, which will test read and write speed directly on your smartphone.
Why does the gallery not see photos after transferring to the card?
Perhaps the system’s media scanner has not yet updated the database. Try rebooting your phone. Also check if there is a file in the folder with the photo .nomedia —it prevents the contents of the folder from being displayed in the gallery. Delete this file if it is there.
Is it safe to store a single copy of a photo only on a memory card?
Memory cards are less reliable than internal storage or cloud services, as they are more susceptible to physical damage and failures. It is recommended to always have a backup copy of important photos in the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) or on your computer.