Series smartphones Samsung Galaxy A5, despite their popularity at the time, often face the problem of a lack of built-in storage. Built-in memory of 16 or 32 gigabytes today is catastrophically insufficient for installing modern applications and storing multimedia. The solution to this problem is to use a microSD card, which allows you to significantly expand the capabilities of the device without the need to purchase a new phone.
The process of transferring information is not always intuitive, since the shell interface One UI or older versions TouchWiz can hide important settings in different sections of the menu. The right approach to file migration will help free up valuable space in the system partition, which will directly affect the performance of the gadget. Let's look at all the available ways to optimize storage.
Preparing a memory card and checking compatibility
Before you start copying files, you need to make sure that your memory card is physically intact and meets the requirements of the smartphone. Models Samsung A5 (especially versions 2015, 2016 and 2017) support cards of a certain volume and speed class. Using a card that is too slow can cause the camera to slow down and the system to freeze when trying to save photos.
Insert microSD into the slot, usually located in the SIM card tray or under the back cover, depending on the specific modification of the case. After installation, the system should automatically recognize the drive. If this does not happen, check the card contacts or try formatting it on your computer in the file system FAT32 or exFAT.
Pay attention to the maximum supported capacity. For earlier versions Galaxy A5 the limit could be 128 GB, while more recent firmware allows you to work with cards up to 256 GB and higher. Ignoring this parameter will result in the phone simply not seeing the drive.
⚠️ Attention: Formatting a memory card deletes all data on it. If there are already important files on the card, first copy them to your computer.
After successful recognition, a message about the new SD card will appear in notifications. Click on it or go to settings to prepare the drive to work as additional storage. This is a critical step before starting a mass transfer.
☑️ Checking the readiness of the card
Setting up a memory card as the main storage
In modern versions of Android, there is a function that allows you to use an SD card as an extension of the internal memory. This is called "adaptive storage". However, Samsung Galaxy A5 this function may be limited by the manufacturer. However, it is worth checking for such an option in the settings menu.
Go to the section Settings → Device maintenance → Storage. Here you will see a list of all available drives. Select your memory card. If the system offers the "Use as internal memory" option, this is an ideal scenario. In this case, applications will be installed on the card automatically.
If this option is not present, the card will only work as portable storage. This means that you can store photos, videos and music on it, but system applications will still take up space in the built-in partition. In this case, data transfer will have to be done manually or through special utilities.
Why does Samsung limit the function of internal memory?
Manufacturers often block the ability to install applications on an SD card, since the speed of reading random blocks on memory cards is lower than on the built-in flash chip. This can lead to unstable operation of heavy apps and games.
Even without the “internal memory” mode, correctly setting the default save paths will help relieve the load on your smartphone. The camera, voice recorder and browser can save files directly to external media if you specify this in their individual settings.
After formatting the card as internal memory, it will be encrypted and cannot be read on other devices without resetting the phone.
Transferring photos and videos through a file manager
The most voluminous content on on any smartphone these are media files. Gallery Samsung and the camera often save pictures to internal memory by default. To change this, you need to move existing folders and set up new save paths.
Open the standard application My files (My Files). Go to Internal memory and find the folder DCIM. This is where all the photos and videos from the camera are stored. Highlight this folder with a long press and select the "Move" option in the action menu.
Select your memory card as the target directory SD card. The copying process may take time depending on the amount of data. Make sure that the smartphone battery is charged at least 40-50% so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.
| Data type | Source folder | Where to move | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo and Video | DCIM/Camera |
SD card/DCIM |
Largest volume |
| Screenshots | Pictures/Screenshots |
SD card/Pictures |
Memory is often clogged |
| Downloads | Download |
SD card/Download |
Files from the browser |
| Documents | Documents |
SD card/Documents |
PDF, Word, Excel |
After transferring folders, you need to inform the system about the new paths. Go to the Camera application, open the settings (gear) and find the "Storage" item. Switch the checkbox to SD card. Now all new pictures will be saved immediately to external storage.
Migration of installed applications to an SD card
Transferring applications is a more difficult task, since not all apps support this function. Developers themselves decide whether their product can be moved to external media. System applications and widgets cannot be transferred.
Go to Settings → Applications. Select the application you are interested in from the list. If the "Move to SD card" button is active (not greyed out), you can safely click it. Some of the application data will move to the card, freeing up space in the system.
However, it is worth considering that even after the transfer, some files will remain in the internal memory. This is a cache and important system libraries necessary for fast startup. Therefore, you should not expect that a 1 GB application will completely disappear from the internal storage.
⚠️ Attention: When you remove the memory card, the transferred applications will stop working and may disappear from the home screen until the card is reinserted.
For bulk management of applications, you can use third-party utilities such as App2SD, but on modern versions of Android their effectiveness is reduced due to system security restrictions. It is better to rely on standard management tools.
Moving applications is not available for all apps. The move icon will be inactive if the developer has prohibited installation to external media.
Clearing cache and temporary files
Simply moving files is not enough if the system is clogged with temporary garbage. Application caches can take up gigabytes of space, duplicating data that is already on the card or in the cloud. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain performance Samsung A5.
Use the built-in optimization tool. In the menu Device maintenance click the "Optimize" button. The system will automatically analyze the storage, find unnecessary files and offer to delete them. This is a safe method that will not affect your personal data.
For deeper cleaning, go to the settings of each heavy application (for example YouTube, Telegram, Instagram) and select "Storage" and then "Clear cache". This action will not delete your accounts or correspondence, but will free up space occupied by temporary thumbnails and video fragments.
Pay special attention to instant messengers. In the settings Telegram or Viber there is a “Data and Memory” section where you can configure automatic clearing of the media file cache. For example, delete downloaded videos if they have not been opened for more than 3 days.
What is Dalvik Cache?
This is a cache of optimized application files that speeds up their launch. It is worth clearing it manually through_recovery mode only in case of serious system failures; in normal mode, this is done automatically when updating the software.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
During operation, situations may arise when the memory card suddenly becomes unreadable or files are damaged. Most often this is due to incorrect removal of the drive or physical wear of the contacts.
If your phone gives you the error “SD card is damaged” or asks you to format the media, do not rush to agree if there is important data on it. Try connecting the card to your computer via a card reader and check it for errors using Windows or macOS.
A common problem is slow recording of large video files. If the camera says "Save Error", most likely your card's write speed is lower than required. To record video in Full HD or 4K, you need class cards U3 or V30.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may vary depending on the Android version and One UI shell updates. If you do not find the described item, use the settings search.
It is also worth remembering that constant recording and rewriting of data shortens the life of the memory card. It is recommended to back up important photos to your computer or cloud storage once every six months to avoid loss of information if the card fails.
Use a memory card adapter to regularly backup important photos to your computer. This is more reliable than storing a single copy on a smartphone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp completely to a memory card?
The WhatsApp application cannot be completely transferred, since its database and executive files must be in the internal memory for fast operation. However, you can change the path for saving media files (photos and videos from chats) in the settings of the application itself by selecting the SD card.
Why did they disappear from the gallery after transferring the photos?
Most likely, the file .nomedia got into the folder with photos on the memory card, or the gallery has not yet reached index new files. Try restarting your phone or clearing the cache of the Gallery and Media Storage applications.
Does a memory card affect the speed of your smartphone?
Yes, it does. If the memory card is very slow (class 4 or 6), then opening photos, loading levels in games and installing applications may take much longer. For comfortable work, use cards of class 10 and higher.
How to safely remove a memory card?
Never remove the card while the phone is on. Always go to Settings → Device maintenance → Storage, select a card and click the "Disconnect" or "Eject" button. Only after the corresponding notification appears can you physically remove the card.
What to do if the phone does not see the card after transferring the data?
Try to restart the device. If that doesn't help, check the card contacts by wiping them with a soft cloth. As a last resort, save the data on a PC and format the card again directly in your smartphone.