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How to Transfer an Android Application to an MicroSD Card Without Rooting

Transferring applications to an MicroSD card is a common way to save storage space on Android devices. While some methods require root access, there are also ways to do it without rooting your device. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to transfer an Android application to an MicroSD card without rooting.

Prerequisites

  • An Android device with a MicroSD card slot
  • A MicroSD card with sufficient storage space
  • The name of the Android application you want to move

Steps

  1. Check if the app can be moved: Not all apps support moving to an external storage. To check, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > [App Name] > Storage. If you see an option to Change, then you're good to go.

  2. Move the app data: Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > [App Name] > Storage > Change. Tap on Storage location and select SD card. The system will ask for confirmation, tap on OK or MOVE TO SD CARD. Note that moving an app to the SD card doesn't necessarily move all of its data. Some apps store data internally even when you move them to the SD card.

  3. Move the app APK: If an app's data doesn't include the APK file, you might need to move it manually. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > [App Name] > Uninstall. Once uninstalled, go to the location of the app's APK (usually in /data/app/ or /obb/ directories), copy it, and paste it to your MicroSD card in a new folder named Android/obb if applicable. Then install the app from the MicroSD card.

  4. Verify the move: Check if the app is functioning correctly after moving it to the SD card. If it's not working properly, you may need to revert the change and try other methods or seek assistance from the app developer.

By following these steps, you can transfer an Android application to your MicroSD card without rooting your device. Remember that moving apps to external storage might affect their performance due to slower access times compared to internal storage. Always ensure you have a backup of important data before making any changes to your device.

Published December, 2016