Smartphone owners Samsung sooner or later face a lack of free space in the internal memory of the device. Filling the storage with data leads to system slowdown, inability to install new applications, and problems with creating new photos. Fortunately, most models in the series Galaxy A and Galaxy M support memory expansion using cards microSD.
The process of transferring information may vary depending on the version of the operating system Android and shell One UI. Some files are transferred using standard file manager tools, while moving applications requires specific developer settings or built-in system functions. It is important to understand the difference between moving media and moving software.
In this guide, we will look in detail at all the available ways to free up your internal storage. You will learn how to configure the camera to save pictures directly to the card, how to move existing galleries and what restrictions exist when working with system data.
Preparing a memory card and checking compatibility
Before starting any data transfer operations, you must make sure that your memory card is working and properly formatted. Smartphones Samsung usually recognize file system cards FAT32 and exFAT. If the card is new, the system will prompt you to format it the first time you connect it.
⚠️ Attention: Formatting a memory card deletes all data on it. If the card already contains important information, first copy it to your computer.
Insert the microSD card into the special slot, using a paperclip to eject the tray. After detecting the media, go to Settings → Device maintenance → Storage. Here you will see the total amount of internal memory and available space on the SD card.
It is recommended to use cards of at least speed class Class 10 or standard UHS-I. Slow cards can cause delays when opening heavy files or running applications moved to external storage. The speed of the drive directly affects the smooth operation of the interface when accessing your media library.
Use memory cards up to 1 TB for maximum compatibility, although many new Samsung models support larger capacities.
Transfer photos and videos through the Gallery application
The easiest way to free up space is to move media files, occupying the largest volume. The built-in application Gallery allows you to do this en masse, without resorting to third-party software. Open the application and select the album whose contents you want to move.
Tap and hold your finger on any photo or video to activate highlight mode. Then tap the menu icon (three dots) in the top right corner of the screen. In the drop-down list, select Move. The system will prompt you to select a destination folder on the memory card.
- 📁 Select a folder DCIM to save the camera album structure.
- 🎬 Move video files separately if they are heavy.
- 🖼️ Create new folders on your SD card to sort images by topic.
The process of moving large amounts of data may take several minutes. At this time, it is not recommended to close the application or lock the smartphone screen. After the operation is completed, the files will disappear from the internal memory and will only be accessible when the card is inserted.
Using the My Files application to work with documents
To transfer documents, downloads from the browser and audio files, it is most convenient to use the system file manager My files. This tool provides full access to the directory structure of internal memory and external storage. Launch the application from the menu or folder Samsung.
In the main menu, select section Internal storage. Find the folders you want to move, such as Download (Downloads) or Documents. Highlight the desired files with a long press, then press the button Move or Copy at the bottom of the screen.
⚠️ Attention: Moving system folders or application configuration files may disrupt the operation of apps. Move only user content.
Go to the Memory card section within the application. Select the target directory or create a new folder by clicking on the corresponding icon. Confirm the paste operation. The files will be physically transferred to the new media, freeing up space on the system partition.
What to do if the file does not move?
If the system gives an error when moving, check if the file is open in another application. Also make sure that the memory card has enough free space and is not write-protected.
Setting up the camera to save pictures to an SD card
In order not to encounter memory overflow in the future, it is advisable to configure the camera to save new pictures and videos directly to a microSD card. This feature is available in most models Samsung Galaxy and is activated in the settings of the camera application itself.
Launch the application Camera and click on the gear icon in the upper left corner to enter the settings menu. Scroll down the list of options to the Save locationsection. Switch the toggle switch to the active position.
| Parameter | Internal memory | Memory card |
|---|---|---|
| Speed records | High | Depends on the card class |
| Reliability | High | Medium (risk of damage) |
| Availability | Always | Only with card inserted |
| Reading speed | Maximum | Limited by interface SD |
After activating this option, all new photos and videos will be automatically saved to a folder DCIM/Camera on external media. Existing pictures will remain in the internal memory; they must be moved manually using the methods described above.
Automatic saving to a memory card prevents the internal storage from quickly filling up, but requires the use of a high-quality and fast microSD card.
Moving applications to a memory card
The issue of transferring installed applications to a memory card is one of the most difficult in the ecosystem Android. Starting from version Android 6.0, the company Google limited this feature to increase the stability of the system. However, in smartphones Samsung Partial support for this function for individual apps remains.
Go to Settings → Applications. Select the app you want to move from the list. If the application developer has allowed the transfer, a button Storagewill be active in the application information menu, and inside it there will be a button Change.
- 📱 Press
Changeand select the option Memory card. - ⚙️ If the button is inactive, transferring this application is not possible using standard means.
- 🔒 System applications and widgets are usually blocked for movement.
It is worth noting that even after transfer, some application data (cache, important settings) may remain in the internal memory. In addition, the operation of applications from a memory card may be a little slower, especially if the card has a low speed of reading random blocks.
☑️ Checking the ability to transfer the application
Storage mode and formatting as internal memory
In some scenarios, the user may need to combine the internal memory and SD card into a single space. This feature, known as Adoptable Storage, allows the system to treat the card as an extension of the internal storage. However, in the shell One UI from Samsung this function is often hidden or missing.
If your smartphone supports this option, when formatting the card, the system will offer to use it as Internal memory or as Portable storage. Selecting the first option will encrypt the card and link it to a specific device.
⚠️ Attention: A card formatted as internal memory will not be read on other devices or computers without reformatting and data loss.
Using the card as internal memory allows you to install any applications on it, bypassing developer restrictions. But this creates a dependency: removing such a card will lead to a failure of all apps installed on it and loss of access to data.
Is it possible to return the card to normal mode?
Yes, to do this you need to go to the storage settings, select the card and click "Format as portable storage". All data on the card will be deleted.
Why is the application transfer button inactive?
Application developers themselves decide whether to allow the transfer of their product to external media. Many modern apps, especially instant messengers and banking applications, require high data access speeds, which microSD cards cannot always guarantee, so this option is blocked for them.
Is it safe to store photos only on a memory card?
Memory cards are less reliable than the built-in memory chips of a smartphone. They are subject to physical wear, moisture and magnetic fields. It is recommended to regularly back up important photos to cloud storage or to a computer.
What to do if the phone does not see the memory card after transferring files?
Try to remove and reinsert the card, making sure that it is inserted until it clicks. Check the card contacts for dirt. If the problem is not resolved, try connecting the card to the computer via a card reader to check its functionality.
Can WhatsApp be moved to a memory card?
The WhatsApp application itself can be partially moved, but media files (photos, videos, voice messages) are saved in the internal memory by default. In the settings of the messenger itself, you can change the path for saving media by selecting an SD card, if such an option is available in your version.
Will a memory card speed up the phone?
No, transferring files to a memory card does not speed up the processor or operating system. The only positive effect is freeing up space in the internal storage, which can prevent slowdowns caused by a critically full system partition.