Owners of smartphones Samsung with limited built-in memory often face the problem of not having enough space for applications, photos and videos. One of the solutions is to use SD cards as the main storage, which allows you to expand the amount of memory without purchasing a new device. However, the technology Adoptable Storage, which formally turns the memory card into part of the internal storage, is officially is not supported by Samsung on most models after 2017. This does not mean that the task is impossible - there are workarounds, but they require attention to detail.

In this article we will analyze all the available methods: from standard data transfer to hidden functions Android and third-party utilities. You will learn which models Samsung Galaxy still support Adoptable Storage, how to properly format the card so as not to lose data, and what pitfalls await when using the card as main memory. We will pay special attention to performance issues - after all, SD cards (even class A2) are slower than built-in memory UFS.

Before you begin, check: your memory card must be not lower than 10th grade (preferably A1/A2), and its capacity must be at least 32 GB. Also note that once formatted as internal storage, the card cannot be removed without losing data. If you are ready to experiment, let's get started!

📊 Which Samsung model do you use?
Galaxy S23/S22
Galaxy A54/A53
Galaxy M34/M33
Galaxy S10/S9
Another model

1. Compatibility check: Does your Samsung support Adoptable Storage?

The technology Adoptable Storagethat allows you to use an SD card as part of the internal memory was introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. However Samsung gradually abandoned its support in new models. Here's how to determine if the feature is available on your device:

  • 📱 Models before 2017 (for example, Galaxy S7, Note 5, J5 2016): usually supported Adoptable Storage through standard settings.
  • 📱 Models 2017–2019 (for example, Galaxy S8/S9, Note 8/9): function may be hidden, but available through ADB.
  • 📱 Models after 2020 (for example, Galaxy S20/S21/S22/S23, A52/A53/A54): not officially supported Adoptable Storage, but alternative methods can be used.

To find out for sure whether the function is available on your device:

  1. Insert the SD card into the slot (if available).
  2. Go to Settings → Device care → Memory.
  3. Click on the name of the SD card (for example, SD card: 128 GB).
  4. If the option appears Format as internal memory -your device supports Adoptable Storage.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware One UI (especially on models for the Russian market) the option may not be available even with technical support. In this case, manual activation via settings ADB.
Samsung model Adoptable Storage support Activation method
Galaxy S7/S7 Edge Yes Through settings
Galaxy Note 5 Yes Through settings
Galaxy S8/S9 Hidden Through ADB
Galaxy A50/A51 No Alternative methods
Galaxy S20/S21 No Data transfer only

2. Standard method: formatting the SD card as internal memory

If your device supports Adoptable Storage, follow these instructions. Attention: all data on the card will be deleted!

  1. Insert the SD card into smartphone.
  2. Open Settings → Device care → Memory.
  3. Select your SD card (for example, SanDisk 128GB).
  4. Click Three dots (⋮) → Settings → Format as internal memory.
  5. Confirm the action and wait until formatting is completed (may take 5-10 minutes).
  6. After the device restarts, the card will appear as part of the internal memory.

Now you can transfer applications to the SD card:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Select an application (for example, WhatsApp or Google Maps).
  3. Click Storage → Change → SD card.
⚠️ Attention: Not all applications support transfer to an SD card. System utilities (for example, Google Play Services) and some games (for example, PUBG Mobile) cannot be moved.

Make a backup copy of the data from the card|Check the speed class (minimum A1)|Charge the phone to 50%+|Use the original adapter (if the card is inserted via OTG)

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3. Alternative method: using ADB to force Adoptable Storage to be enabled

If there is no option in the settings to format the card as internal memory, but the device technically supports the function (for example, Galaxy S8 or Note 9), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires a computer and developer mode enabled.

First activate developer mode:

  1. Go to Settings → About phone → Software information.
  2. Click 7 times on Build numberuntil the notification appears You have become a developer!.
  3. Return to Settings → Developer i enable USB debugging.

Now connect the phone to the computer and run the commands:

adb shell

sm list-disks


sm partition disk:XX,XX private

Where XX,XX is the identifier of your SD card (recognize him by command sm list-disks). After execution, the card will be formatted as internal memory.

What to do if ADB does not recognize the device?

Make sure that Samsung USB drivers are installed (download from the official website). Try using a different USB cable (preferably the original one). Enable the "Remove USB Debugging Authorization" option in the developer settings. Restart your computer and phone.

4. Transferring data to an SD card without formatting (for new Samsung models)

On devices where Adoptable Storage is not available (for example, Galaxy S21 or A53), you can manually transfer files and some applications. This method will not make the card "main memory", but will help free up space:

  • 📁 Photos and videos: use Galery or Google Photo to transfer media files to the card.
  • 🎵 Music and documents: in the application My files select files → Move → SD card.
  • 📱 Applications: Some apps (for example, Spotify or Netflix) allow you to save data to an SD card in their settings.

To automatically save new files to the card:

  1. Open Camera → Settings (⚙) → Save location → SD card.
  2. In Galery enable the option Save copies to a memory card.
💡

If the application does not transfer to the SD card, try clearing its cache (Settings → Applications → Select an application → Memory → Clear cache). Sometimes this allows you to free up several gigabytes without uninstalling the app.

5. Using third-party utilities to expand memory

If standard methods do not work, you can use applications from Google Playthat emulate Adoptable Storage or optimize the use of an SD card. The most popular:

  • 🛠️ AppMgr III (App 2 SD): allows you to transfer applications to the card even without support Adoptable Storage (requires root access for full functionality).
  • 🔄 Link2SD: creates symbolic links, “tricking” the system into using the SD card as internal memory (requires root).
  • 🗃️ Files by Google: helps clear the cache and transfer unnecessary files to the card without technical manipulation.

Example of working with AppMgr III:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Open it and provide root access (if available).
  3. Select a tab Moved —applications that can be transferred will be displayed here.
  4. Click on the application → Move to SD card.
⚠️ Attention: Applications transferred using third-party utilities may be slower or unstable. Do not transfer system apps and instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), as this may lead to loss of messages.

6. Risks and limitations of using an SD card as main memory

Before formatting the card as internal memory, check out the possible problems:

  • ⚡ Reduced performance: SD cards (even class A2) work 2-5 times slower than the built-in memory UFS 2.1/3.0. This will slow down the launch of applications and loading files.
  • 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Frequent read/write operations to the card increase power consumption.
  • 🚫 Inability to extract: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be safely removed - this will lead to errors in application operation.
  • 🛑 Application limitations: many apps (especially games) refuse to work from the SD card or save data only to internal memory.

If you still decide to take this step, follow recommendations:

  • Use cards class A2 (for example, Samsung EVO Plus or SanDisk Extreme) - they are optimized for working with applications.
  • Not transfer critical applications (messengers, banking apps) to the card.
  • Regularly check the health of the card through Settings → Device care → Diagnostics.
💡

SD card as main memory is a temporary solution. For long-term use, it is better to consider the following options: buying a smartphone with a large amount of built-in memory, using cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) or connecting an external SSD via OTG.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When working with an SD card as main memory, users often encounter typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

Problem Cause Solution
Card is not detected as internal memory Incompatible firmware or card Try to format the card on FAT32 on a PC, then repeat the procedure
Applications crash after transfer Slow card speed Return applications to internal memory or use a class card A2
You cannot transfer some applications Developer restrictions Use AppMgr III with root access or leave them in the internal memory
The phone slows down after formatting the card Weak card or overload Clear the cache (Settings → Memory → Clear cache) or cancel formatting

If, after formatting the card as internal memory, the device became work unstable, return everything back:

  1. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
  2. Click Three dots (⋮) → Format as portable.
  3. Confirm the action - the card will be cleared and become a regular removable drive.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware One UI The option to undo formatting may not be available. In this case, only a complete reset will help (Settings → General → Reset).

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an SD card as the main memory on the Galaxy S23?

No, Galaxy S23 (like other flagships Samsung after 2020) does not support Adoptable StorageYou can only transfer files manually or use the card to store media.

Why after formatting the card. How did the internal memory become slower?

SD cards (even class A2) have a limited read/write speed (usually 30–90 MB/s), while the internal memory UFS 3.1 in modern smartphones reaches 2100 MB/s. This causes delays.

Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp to SD card?

Officially WhatsApp does not support transferring to an SD card, as this may lead to the loss of messages and media files. However, you can manually transfer backup copies of chats (folder WhatsApp/Databasesto the card, but you will only be able to restore them. to internal memory.

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

Applications installed on the card will stop working, and the system may display errors. In the worst case, the phone will reboot into safe mode Always cancel formatting before removing the card.

How to check if my card supports class A2?

The card should have a designation A2 inside the logo App Performance Class (usually next to the speed class U3 or V30).You can also use utilities like SD Card Tester to check the actual speed.