Owners Samsung Galaxy A12 often face a lack of built-in memory, especially if the device is used for games, photos or videos. Moving apps to microSD memory card seems like a logical solution, but in modern versions of Android (including Android 10/11the A12 runs on) this feature is severely limited. Manufacturers and Google have been gradually removing the ability to fully transfer applications for several years now, leaving users with only partial solutions.

In this article we will look at all available methods transferring applications to an SD card to Samsung Galaxy A12 —from standard settings to workarounds using adb. You will also find out which applications can be transferred without root access, and which ones only using special utilitieswhy some apps fundamentally do not support working with external memory. At the end of the article there is a FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions and alternative methods for freeing up memory.

Why does Samsung A12 not allow you to transfer all applications to an SD card?

The main problem lies in politics Google line and Android limitations. Starting from Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the company introduced a concept Adoptable Storagethat allowed the SD card to be formatted as part of the internal memory. However, already in Android 9.0 Pie this function was actually removed for most devices, including the Samsung Galaxy A.

In Galaxy A12 s Android 10/11 and the shell One UI only two are available option for working with an SD card:

  • 📁 Portable storage —the card is used as a removable storage device (photos, videos, music), but applications cannot be transferred to it.
  • 🔄 Internal storage —the card is formatted as part of the system (analog Adoptable Storage), but Samsung blocks this option on most models of the budget line.

In addition, even if you manage to activate the internal storage mode, many applications (especially games and social networks) they refuse to work from an SD card for security or performance reasons. For example, WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook fundamentally do not support transferring to external drives.

⚠️ Attention: If you see instructions on the Internet for transferring applications via Settings → Applications with the "Transfer to" button SD card", know: on Samsung Galaxy A12 this option no. Such tips are relevant for older versions of Android (4.4–7.0) or devices of other brands (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei).

Method 1: Transfer supported applications through the settings (without root access)

Despite the restrictions, some applications (usually lightweight utilities or media players) can still be transferred to the SD card using standard means:

  1. Open Settings → Device care → Memory.
  2. Click on "Other applications" (or "Applications" in some versions One UI).
  3. Select an application from the list. If it supports transfer, you will see a button "Storage" → "Change" → "SD card".

List of applications that most often support transfer:

  • 🎵 Music players (Poweramp, VLC, JetAudio).
  • 📷 Galleries and photo viewers (QuickPic, Simple Gallery).
  • 📖 Readers books (FBReader, Moon+ Reader).
  • 📱 Launchers and widgets (for example, Nova Launcher).
⚠️ Attention: After transferring, the application may run slower, especially if your SD card is class Class 4/6. For normal performance, use cards UHS-I Class 10 or A1/A2 (optimized for applications).

☑️ Preparing the SD card for transferring applications

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Formatting the SD card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage)

This method theoretically allows you to use the SD card as part of the system memory, but Samsung Galaxy A12 it is partially blockedHowever, some users report success after the following steps:

  1. Insert the SD card into the slot (cards up to 1 TB are supported.).
  2. When the "New SD card" notification appears, click "Configure".
  3. Select "Internal memory" (if such an option is available).
  4. Follow formatting instructions. All data on the card will be deleted!

If the "Internal memory" option is missing, try an alternative path:

  1. Go to Settings → Care device → Memory → Settings (⚙️) → SD card.
  2. Press "Format as internal" (if the button is active).

After formatting, the system will offer to transfer the part data (such as photos or application files) to the SD card. However:

  • ❌ Not all applications will be available for transfer —many will still remain in the internal memory.
  • ⚠️ Performance may dropif the card is slow.
  • 🔒 The card cannot be removed without resetting the settings phone.
What to do if the "Internal memory" option is inactive?

On some firmware Samsung blocks this function at the kernel level. In this case, you can either use ADB (method 3) or buy a phone with a large amount of built-in memory.

SD card type Adoptable Storage support Application speed Price (approx.)
Class 4/6 ❌ No Very slow 200–500 ₽
Class 10 UHS-I ✅ Yes Acceptable 600–1500 ₽
A1 (Application Class 1) ✅ Yes Good 1000–2500 ₽
A2 (Application Class 2) ✅ Yes Excellent 1500–4000 ₽

Method 3: Transferring applications via ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods did not work, you can try force transfer of applications using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root access, but requires working with the command line.

Instructions:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
  2. Enable on your phone Developer mode:
    • Go in Settings → About phone → Software information.
    • Click 7 times on "Build number".
  • Return to Settings → Developer i activate "USB Debugging".
  • Connect the phone to the PC and run in the command line: 
    adb shell pm set-install-location 2

    This command forces the system to install new applications on the SD card by default.

  • To transfer already installed applications, use: 
    adb shell pm move-package com.example.app sdcard

    (replace com.example.app with the actual application package).

    • The list of packages of installed applications can be obtained with the command:

    adb shell pm list packages -f
    ⚠️ Attention: Not all applications support forced transfer via ADB. For example, Google Play Services or Samsung Knox will remain on the internal memory. In addition, after updating the system, ADB settings may be reset.
    💡

    Before using ADB, create a backup copy of your phone data. Errors in commands can lead to application failures.

    What applications cannot be transferred to an SD card?

    Even using ADB or Adoptable Storage some applications will fundamentally not work from external memory. These include:

    • 🔒 System applications (Samsung Knox, Google Play Services, One UI Home).
    • 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) - due to data encryption.
    • 🎮 Games with online authorization (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty, Genshin Impact) - due to protection against cheats.
    • 🏦 Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) - according to security requirements.
    • 📱 Applications with widgets — widgets stop working when transferred to SD.

    If you are critically low on memory, consider alternative solutions:

    • 🗑️ Cleaning cache (in Settings → Applications → Storage → Clear cache).
    • ☁️ Transfer media files to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Disk).
    • 🔄 Using Lite versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
    📊 What method of transferring applications have you tried?
    Standard settings
    Adoptable Storage
    ADB commands
    Nothing helps

    Alternative ways to free up memory on Samsung A12

    If transferring applications to the SD card does not solve the problem, use these methods:

    1. Cleaning junk:
      • Run Settings → Care device → Clean.
      • Remove unnecessary files from folders Download, DCIM (screenshots), Bluetooth.
    2. Disable unused applications:
      • Go to Settings → Applications.
      • Select an unnecessary application (for example, Samsung Free or Bixby).
      • Click "Disable" (do not delete!).
    3. Using cloud storage:
      • Set up automatic photo upload to Google Photos (free up to 15 GB).
      • Transfer documents to Yandex Disk or Dropbox.
  • Installing applications on the default memory card:
    • In Google Play Market there is no such option, but you can use APK files.
    • Download the APK to the memory card and install from there via the file manager.

    If there is less free memory 500 MB, the system will start to slow down. In this case:

    • Delete heavy games (for example, Genshin Impact occupies ~15 GB).
    • Transfer music and video to the memory card manually (via My files).
    • Reset the phone to factory settings (last option).
    💡

    On Samsung Galaxy A12 It is impossible to transfer all applications to an SD card due to Android restrictions and Samsung policies. The maximum that can be done is to free up 2-5 GB using a combination of methods (ADB +. cleaning + clouds).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring applications to an SD card

    Can I transfer WhatsApp to a memory card?

    No. WhatsApp fundamentally does not support operation from external memory due to encryption of chats. You can only transfer media files (photos, videos, voice messages) manually via Settings → Memory and data → Memory management.

    Why after transfer has the application stopped working?

    This happens for two reasons:

    1. The application is not optimized for working from an SD card (for example, games with online authorization).
    2. Your SD card is too slow (class below Class 10).

    Solution: return the application to the internal memory or buy a faster card (for example, SanDisk Extreme A2).

    Is it possible to use an SD card as internal memory on a Samsung A12?

    Theoretically yes, but Samsung blocks this function on most budget models. If the "Format as internal" option is inactive, you can bypass this limitation only through custom firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader and root access).

    How to find out which applications can be transferred?

    Check each application manually:

    1. Open Settings → Applications.
    2. Select application → "Storage".
    3. If there is a button "Change", you can transfer it.

    You can also use third-party utilities, for example AppMgr III (available in Google Play).

    What to do if the application lags after transfer?

    Most likely the problem is the speed of the SD card. Try:

    • Return the application to the internal memory.
    • Buy a class card A1/A2 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus or SanDisk Ultra).
    • Disable animations in Settings → Accessibility → Animation speed (select "No animation").