Owners of smartphones Samsung with limited internal memory often encounter a problem: new applications refuse to install, displaying the “Not enough space” error. The solution seems obvious - use microSD memory card, but Android (especially in firmware One UI) does not always allow you to do this directly. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, including hidden settings, bypassing restrictions and alternative solutions for different OS versions.

It is important to understand that the ability to transfer applications to an SD card depends on three factors: Android versions (starting from 6.0 the Adoptable Storage function appeared, but Samsung blocked), smartphone models (flagships and budget devices behave differently) and application type (system apps cannot be transferred). We tested all methods on devices from Galaxy A10 to Galaxy S23 Ultra —the results are summarized in the table below.

If you have already tried the standard methods and received the message “The application does not support installation on an external drive,” do not rush to despair. The article has a section about bypassing restrictions via ADB this is the only working method for most modern Samsung smartphones, but it requires caution. We will also tell you how to properly format a memory card to avoid errors, and what applications will help automate the process.

Why does Samsung block installation on an SD card?

The company Samsung deliberately limits the ability to transfer applications to external drives in its firmware One UI. This is due to several technical and marketing reasons:

  • 🔒 Data security: Applications on an SD card are easier to steal or spoof, especially if the card is removed and connected to other devices. Samsung adheres to a policy of protecting user data.
  • ⚡ Performance: Memory cards (even class A2) work slower than the built-in memory UFS. This can lead to lag, especially in games or background processes.
  • 💰 Market segmentation: Budget models (for example, Galaxy A03 or Galaxy M12) are often sold with a small amount of internal memory to encourage the purchase of more expensive versions.
  • 📱 One UI optimization: Samsung firmware is optimized to work with built-in memory, and support for Adoptable Storage (which allows you to use SD as internal memory) requires additional resources.

However, these limitations do not mean that the solution is impossible. In the following sections, we will show you how to bypass them in legal ways, without resorting to root access (which, by the way, will void your warranty).

⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 11, Google has tightened the requirements for working with external drives. Some methods that worked on Android 9-10 may be blocked in new versions. Before you start, check the version of One UI in Settings → Phone information → Software version.
📊 Which Samsung model are you using?
Galaxy A-series
Galaxy S-series
Galaxy M-series
Galaxy Note
Other model

Method 1: Standard application transfer (if available)

On some Samsung models (usually Android 8-9) it is still possible to transfer applications via settings menu. Check if this method works on your device:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Special access → Storage.
  3. Select the application you want to transfer.
  4. Click Change → SD card (if the option is active).

If there is no “SD card” item or it is inactive, it means that your model does not support this method. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

Samsung model Android version Standard transfer support Adoptable Storage support
Galaxy S20/S21/S22 12-13 (One UI 4-5) ❌ No ❌ No
Galaxy A52/A72 11-12 (One UI 3-4) ⚠️ Partially (only for some applications) ❌ No
Galaxy M31/M51 10-11 (One UI 2-3) ✅ Yes ⚠️ Only via ADB
Galaxy Note 10/20 10-12 (One UI 2-4) ❌ No ❌ No
Galaxy A10/A20 9-10 (One UI 1-2) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (via settings)

If your model falls into the "✅ Yes" category, but the transfer option is grayed out, try the following:

  • 🔄 Restart your phone and check again.
  • 📁 Make sure there is enough space on the SD card (at least 10% of the application capacity).
  • 🔧 Update the firmware to the latest version (sometimes Samsung returns the function in new updates).
💡

If the application is unstable after the transfer, try clearing its cache in Settings → Applications → [Name] → Memory → Clear cache.

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

The feature Adoptable Storagethat appeared in Android 6.0 allows you to use the SD card as part of the internal memory. However, Samsung has blocked this feature in its firmware, but it can be activated via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method works on most models up to Android 11 inclusive, but has serious consequences:

  • 🔐 The card will be encrypted and linked to the device. It cannot be read on another phone or PC.
  • ⚠️ All data on the card will be erased.
  • 📉 Performance may drop if the card is of a lower class A2.

If you are prepared for these restrictions, follow the instructions:

Insert the card into phone and copy all important data to PC|Make sure the card is class A2 or UHS-I (minimum speed 10 MB/s)|Connect your phone to PC and enable USB debugging|Install ADB drivers (download from Google)-->

  1. Enable Developer mode: 
    Settings → Phone information → Build number (tap 7 times)
  2. Activate USB debugging in Settings → Settings developer.
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
  4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and enter: 
    adb shell

    sm list-disks

    Remember the disk ID (for example, disk:179,64).

  5. Run the format command (replace disk:XXX,XX with your ID): 
    sm partition disk:179,64 private
  6. Restart the phone. Now the SD card will be displayed as internal memory.

After this, some applications will be able to be installed on the card automatically. However, there are nuances:

  • 📌 System applications and some apps from Google Play will still be installed in the internal memory.
  • 🔄 If you remove card, applications on it will stop working.
  • 🔧 To cancel formatting, you will have to reset the phone to factory settings.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+, this method may not work due to additional Google restrictions. Before executing the commands, check whether your model supports Adoptable Storage via adb shell sm has-adoptable (should return "true").

Method 3: Transfer through application settings (for individual apps)

Even if standard transfer is blocked, some applications (for example, instant messengers or games) allow you to manually specify the path for downloading files. This will not transfer the application itself, but will free up internal memory. account:

  • 📸 Photos and videos: In the camera you can choose to save to SD.
  • 🎵 Music and podcasts: In Spotify, YouTube Music or VLC there is an option to download to the card.
  • 🎮 Game cache: In In the settings of many games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), you can specify the path to the SD.

How to do this:

  1. Open the settings of the desired application (for example, Camera → Settings → Save location).
  2. Select SD card or External storage.
  3. If there is no option, check the application permissions in Settings → Applications → [Name] → Permissions → Storage.

For instant messengers (for example Telegram or WhatsApp):

  • 📁 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Telegram folder → select SD.
  • 💬 V WhatsApp: Transferring chats to SD is not possible, but you can save backups to the card (Settings → Chat → Backup).

This method will not solve the problem with installing new applications, but will help free up 5-15 GB of internal memory due to multimedia and cache.

💡

Even if the entire application is not transferred to SD, its cache and downloaded files can often be saved to the card. This reduces the used space by 30-70%.

Method 4: Using third-party applications for transfer

There are utilities on Google Play that promise to transfer applications to the SD card. "with one click". However, most of them either do not work on modern versions of Android or require root access. We tested several popular solutions and highlighted those that really help:

Application Requires root? Works on Samsung? Features
AppMgr III (App 2 SD) ❌ No ⚠️ Partially (for supported applications only) Shows which applications can be transferred in the standard way
Link2SD ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Creates symbolic links, but requires root and SD partition
Files by Google ❌ No ✅ Yes Helps clear the cache and transfer files, but not the applications themselves
SD Maid ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Removes junk and optimizes memory, but does not transfer APK

The only application that actually transfers APK files without root is AppMgr III. However, it simply automates the standard process from Android settings. If your device does not support transfer, the utility will not help either.

For users with with root access suitable Link2SD. Instructions:

  1. Split the SD card into two partitions (for example, via MiniTool Partition Wizard on a PC): the first - FAT32 (for files), the second - ext2/ext4 (for links).
  2. Install Link2SD and provide root access.
  3. Select the application → Create link → transfer all components to SD.
⚠️ Attention: Using root access will void the Samsung warranty. Additionally, improper partitioning of the SD card may result in data loss. We recommend using this method only for experienced users.

Method 5: Installing APK directly to the SD card

If you download APK files from other than Google Play (for example, from sites like APKMirror), you can install them directly to a memory card. To do this:

  1. Download the APK on your PC and transfer it to the SD card in a folder, for example, Download/APK.
  2. Insert the card into the phone and open any file manager (for example, Samsung My Files or Solid Explorer).
  3. Find the APK file and tap on it. The system will offer to install application.
  4. In the installer window, select Install to SD card (if the option is available).

This method does not work for all APKs, as it depends on the settings of the installer itself. If there is no option to select memory, try:

  • 📲 Use a third party installer, e.g. APK Installer.
  • 🔧 Enable developer mode and activate the option Installation via USB (sometimes this unlocks additional settings).

Please note: applications installed this way may be unstable, especially if the memory card is slow (lower class) A1).

What to do if the APK does not install?

If you see the "Application not installed" error when installing an APK, try:

1. Enable installation from unknown sources for your file manager (Settings → Biometrics and security → Install unknown applications).

2. Uninstall the previous version of the application (if it was).

3. Check the integrity of the APK file (for example, via APKChecker).

4. Install an older version of the APK that is compatible with your version of Android.

Method 6: Optimizing internal memory without transferring to SD

If none of the methods worked, all that remains is to optimize the use of internal memory. Here are proven ways to free up 3-10 GB:

  • 🧹 Clear cache: Go to Settings → Care behind the device → Storage → Clear. This will delete temporary files without losing data.
  • 🗑️ Delete duplicates: Use Files by Google or Samsung My Files to find duplicate photos and videos.
  • ☁️ Cloud storage: Transfer photos and videos in Google Photos (free up to 15 GB) or Samsung Cloud (15 GB for Samsung accounts).
  • 🎮 Cleaning games: In Settings → Applications Find heavy games (for example PUBG or Asphalt 9) and clear their cache.
  • 🔄 Reset partition cache: In Recovery mode (Off. → Hold Power + Vol Up) select Wipe Cache Partition. This will not delete personal data, but will speed up the system.

It is also worth disabling automatic application updates in Google Play:

  1. Open Google Play → tap on the avatar → Settings → Network settings → Automatic application updates.
  2. Select Never or Only via Wi-Fi.

If the internal memory is critically short, consider buying a smartphone with a large amount of storage. Starting with Galaxy A53 and Galaxy S22, Samsung offers versions with 256 GB of memory, which solves the problem radically.

Frequent errors and their solutions

When trying to transfer applications to an SD card, users often encounter errors. Let's look at the most common ones:

Error Cause Solution
"The application does not support installation on an external drive" The developer has blocked the transfer in the manifest APK Use ADB (method 2) or install APK manually (method 5)
"The SD card is damaged. Try formatting it" The file system of the card is incompatible or damaged Format the card in FAT32 or exFAT via phone
"Not enough space on the device" when transferring Internal memory has less than 1 GB free Clear the cache or delete unnecessary applications (see method 6)
The application does not open after transfer The card is too slow (class below A1) or damaged Replace the card with a class A2 or transfer the application back
"Command not found" when using ADB ADB drivers are not installed or USB debugging is not enabled Check the connection and repeat adb devices in the command line

If after transferring the application to It starts to slow down or crash the SD card, try:

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone.
  • 📁 Clear the application cache.
  • 🔧 Return it to the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: On some Samsung models (for example Galaxy S21+) after updating to One UI 5.0, even transferring via ADB stops working. In this case, all that remains is to optimize the internal memory or buy a phone with a large amount of storage.
Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to an SD card?

No, WhatsApp does not support transfer to an SD card, because it uses internal memory to encrypt chats. However, you can:

  • Save backups to SD (Settings → Chat → Backup).
  • Transfer media files (photos, videos) from the folder WhatsApp/Media to the card manually.

If freeing up internal memory is critical, delete heavy media files from chats (in WhatsApp itself: open the chat → tap on the file → Delete).

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

This is due to low speed reading/writing memory card. For Adoptable Storage, it is recommended to use cards of class A2 or UHS-I (for example, Samsung EVO Plus or SanDisk ExtremeIf the card is class C10 or lower, performance will drop by 2-5. times.

Solutions:

  • Buy a faster card (from 90 MB/s).
  • Disable Adoptable Storage and return to standard SD use.
  • Transfer only light applications (messengers, utilities), and leave games in the internal memory.
How to transfer games to an SD card?

Most modern games (for example, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) do not support transfer to SD due to protection against cheating. However, you can:

  1. Download light versions of games (for example, PUBG Mobile Lite).
  2. Use ADB for forced transfer (method 2), but this can lead to bans in online games.
  3. Transfer only the game cache (if the game allows you to choose a path for downloads).

For emulators (for example, PPSSPP or Dolphin), you can specify the path to the SD in the emulator settings.

What happens if you remove an SD card formatted as internal memory?

If you used Adoptable Storage (method 2), then:

  • The phone will display the error "SD card removed."
  • All applications installed on the card will stop working.
  • When you reinsert the card, a reboot may be required.

If the card was formatted as portable (standard mode), then it can be safely removed, but applications will not work on it.

How to check which applications can be transferred to SD?

Install the application AppMgr III (App 2 SD) from Google Play It will scan your phone and show:

  • 📌 Applications that can be transferred in the standard way (green mark).
  • ⚠️ Applications that can only be transferred via ADB (yellow mark).
  • ❌ Applications that cannot be transferred (red mark).

AppMgr III also has a function to clear the cache and remove unnecessary APKs.