CafeKampuchia

One of the biggest complaints levelled at the HTC Explorer is the severe lack of internal memory. There are ways around this, one of which is forcing downloaded apps to install to the SD Card. There are a couple of pre-requisites, but the process itself is relatively straight forward.

You'll need HTC Sync installed (or at least the drivers that come with HTC Sync) and ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or the Android SDK. The SDK itself is a >100MB download and can be relatively difficult to install, however if you head here, look under the section entitled Mini SDK, click show, you can download a zip file called SDK-Tools.zip. Once downloaded, extract the contents of that folder to a folder of your choosing. I recommend somewhere easy, like C:\Android\ as you'll need to navigate to it via a command prompt later.

You'll also need to enable USB Debugging on your phone. that's easily enough done by heading to Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB Debugging. You'll get a warning message, but just ok that you'll be fine.

Once you've done all the above, the process is as follows:

1. Connect the Phone to the PC in Charge Only mode
2. Open a command prompt (Start -> Run -> CMD, you'll need to run as Administrator)
3. Navigate to the folder you extracted ADB to. In my case, the command would be "cd\Android" (minus the quotes).
4. Type adb devices and press enter. You should then see the serial number of your phone displayed on screen. If you don't check, that USB Debugging is enabled and you're connected in Charge Only Mode.
5. Type adb shell, press enter.
6. Type pm setInstallLocation 2 press enter (it's important you enter this exactly as written as it's case sensitive)
7. Type Exit, then disconnect your phone.
8. PROFIT!

You can now move apps that are already on the handset to the SD Card. Head to Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications -> All -> Click an app -> Move to SD Card. All new apps will also install to the SD Card by default.

It's worth mentioning that apps with active widgets cannot be moved. Also, a certain portion app will remain on the phones data partition, but this goes a long way to assist with the lack of internal memory!

Pics for the ADB stuff below:
















Credit: A big thanks to El Presidents for permission to copy his original guide for the Wildfire S.

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Last edited by CafeKampuchia; June 20th, 2012 at 12:33 AM.

programer281

Thanks a lot man it worked like a charm for my HTC explorer.superb sharing simple and effective tutorial gazillion thanks to you and El Presidente.

akshayk

This method is only useful to install NEW apps to sd card. How to move bloatware(ndtv, saavn, uno, etc.) & some google apps(gmail, maps, youtube, etc.) to sd card?

El Presidente

You can't, they're classed as System Apps and reside on the system partition, not the data partition.

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akshayk

It seems that, when downloading an app, it is first stored on phone memory and then installed to sd card(after applying above method). If the app is bigger than remaining internal memory, it does not refuses to download stating "insufficient storage available". What is solution for such apps?

Travisious

i didn't get it its my first time i do it. do i need ADB or SDK downloaded or SDK-tools is enough?

CafeKampuchia

Adb is a component of sdk tools so whether you go with the full installation or mini-installation you'll have it.

CafeKampuchia

In some cases that's correct. So the work around is to remove some apps to make room to install the ones you can move, then put them back (if that makes sense!).

Travisious

you say that once downloaded SDK-Tools extract in folder of your choice. On PC or on device i can't get it

CafeKampuchia

To your PC. Please check out the guide here for specific directions:

http://androidforums.com/faqs/443072-adb-guide-updated-12-05-2011-a.html

Travisious

it didn't work :| what the hell :@ i navigated to that folder where files are extracted typed adb devices and it shows only serial number of my phone. doesnt kill enithing or run daemon

CafeKampuchia

Try installing sdk through this:

Howto: Install the Android SDK - CyanogenMod Wiki

It's more involved but will get the job done.

knorde

I will try this because i have the same problem with low memory.

But i have questions:

1. How about the warrenty?
2. If i reset factory defaults, is that save?
3. After factory reset, have to do this again?
4. After installing this is it possible to disable usb debugging?

EDIT
5. (FIXED) I have installed this and this is very very very very very nice, mannnnnnny thanks!!!
But by default it installed new apps to the phone not to the SD.
I can move it to the SD but it will not automatic to the SD.
By example the app drag racing.
Find it by myself, some apps will automatic to SD and some apps not.
6. Is it save to delete HTC sync from my phone?
7. How to get it back to default? (maybe: Type pm setInstallLocation 1 press enter (it's important you enter this exactly as written as it's case sensitive))?

Gr. Kees.

vishusaga21

I tried what you told.But I couldn't get it.My device is not getting recognized.Did exactly what you told.Please help.Thank you

Araishu

Thanks a lot for this ^.^

CafeKampuchia

Sorry for the late reply:

1. This has no impact on your warranty.
2. It is safe to do a factory reset, but you will lose the SetInstallLocation setting as it will revert back to 1.
3. So, yes, you would have to do this again. But now you know how and it's easy!
4. Yes, you may now disable USB debugging.
5. Good work! Enjoy!
6. HTC Sync is not installed on the phone, but your computer.
7. Yes, SetInstallLocation1.

Hope that helps!

CafeKampuchia

Vishusaga, welcome to Android Forums Give this a try instead:

htcboss

i followed your steps but apps are not moving they are at same place as they were plzzzz help me out

naumanz

A Gazzilliiioooonnn Thanks for this amazing and easy tutorial. Works perfectly. Thank you sooooooooo much!!!!!!

WAEEZ

problem in step 6 help

KingDrax

My process *seemed* to work; there was no 'daemon' indicated but after setting the SetInstallLocation 2 it just gave the $ sign. It had seen my phone's serial number so it appeared to be connected ok.

I still can't move my apps to the SD card (which is a shame as it's a decent 16Gb); the option 'Move to SD Card' is greyed out in all apps I have not already moved without performing this hack.

Is there anything else I need to do?

Thanks so much btw, great guide, easy to follow even though I can't seem to see the results yet

Last edited by KingDrax; August 18th, 2012 at 01:29 AM.

mohammedsakin

when i type adb devices... it tells adb is not recognized as an internal or external command

bhavnanil

Hi, I need some help with step 4. When I type adb devices, it says "List of devices attached" and that's it - it does not mention my device. USB debugging is enabled and it is on charge only mode please help!

--- Ah I didn't have HTC sync on the PC. Works now. SO helpful. Thank you!

Last edited by bhavnanil; August 21st, 2012 at 12:06 PM.

shivamgupta5

dude! this sdk-tools.zip is corrupt. not working thereby. please post another link for it.

Last edited by El Presidente; September 1st, 2012 at 11:34 AM. Reason: Email removed

El Presidente

Welcome to AF!

Just downloaded twice with no issues, the archive opens fine. What's it doing for you?

Also removed your email address for security purposes.

Last edited by El Presidente; September 1st, 2012 at 11:34 AM.

protocolsierra

Worked like a charm on my Galaxy Y as well....Thanks man...

dnoble13

does this work only for htc phones? couldnt find anything like this on the alcatel thread, im using the ot glory and its internal memory sucks -_-

El Presidente

It should work for any Froyo or GB handset.

Last edited by El Presidente; September 5th, 2012 at 10:10 AM.

siripurapugopi

when i enter "adb devices" its shwng "list of devices attached"
after enterng "adb shell" its shwng "error:devices not found"

plzz help me

El Presidente

Have you definitely enabled USB debugging?

loghete

Thanks for the guide, but it didn't change anything. I can't move any more apps to the SD card than I could before. I followed all the instructions without errors and I have a lot of spare room on my sd card.

Juxxize

how did you get it to work on your galaxy y, i think i'm missing a driver or something because my phone isn't showing as connected, but it is showing as connected elsewhere on my PC like in kies. any advice?

mosiddiqi

Worked a treat, thanks!

chandr

thanks man, it works. u deserve 10000 thanks

maxcoolp

i am having the same problem with my galaxy y please help!

lunatic59

If you are connecting in Kies, then most likely you are in "Kies" mode. I haven't used GB or FroYo in a while but i think you can change that in menu>settings>applications>usb utilities (i might have the exact location wrong, it's a little different on every phone/version). You can set the mode it connects when you plug it in. "Prompt on connection" would be your safest bet.

As long as you have the proper drivers for your phone and the ADB tools installed, enable USB debugging and then plug in your phone. Your phone shouldn't prompt you for a connection, but the drivers should install. Then just follow the rest of the instructions as written.

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Prasadp

Thanks a ton for this post CafeKampuchia...

chirag03

thanks a lot man....

siripurapugopi

thanks dude.

pradeepnani

as default pico has option to move apps if i follow this method will i get any new feature beyond or is it a same feature ????????

talldad

I have done all, includeing using HTC Sync to get updated drivers installed.
However, here I stop:
4. Type adb devices and press enter. You should then see the serial number of your phone displayed on screen. If you don't check, that USB Debugging is enabled and you're connected in Charge Only Mode.

All I see is the adb help screens, too many, and they scroll off so I can't see the early parts (even after changing the console size with MODE CON).

How do I tell if I am logged in as or NOT logged in as Administrator?

Zoomer369

Hi bro, Thanks a lot for your post. For once I thought I have found the best solution to my storage problem. However, it just lasted for some minutes
Coz for example when I install apps which are sized around 10mbs, I am only able to move 5mbs of its space. The rest stays on the internal memory which again causes the same problem. If such high amount of space will remain in the internal memory, then how it will be possible to get rid of this problem completely ? :S

catterbutts

Trying to apply to my ancient Google Nexus One (where such a solution is desperate - not even the mandatory 'system' apps will now fit internal memory!) I thought I was being a bit thick as I couldn't find this option to connect?

However a quick Google appears to suggest that feature has been lost in recent Android upgrades (Nexus is on 2.3.6)?

Could you confirm this - and perhaps suggest a work-around?

TIA...

lunatic59

It will work on a Nexus One with 2.3.6. When CK says "Charge only" mode, he means don't mount as storage. And you'll need to enable USB debugging (menu>settings> ...trying to remember where that is located on the N1 and failing miserably, but it's there). You'll also need the drivers for the N1 before adb.exe will connect.

catterbutts

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Must be the drivers - will un-install HTC Sync and try again paying more attention to the install messages this time.

sampatti

hi... it isnt working for mine... says adb is not an internal or external command

lunatic59

adb (android debug bridge) is part of the Android SDK toolset. Once you install it, I believe in the new version you find it under platform-tools.

brindapoojary

worked like a charm..thank you sooooooooo much

Shpahla

Thanks a lot for this though it does work, as you said, a certain portion app does remain on the phones data partition, so it's still a bit of a nag, but nonetheless it helps. Thanks

HHyBriDD

Hi I have done every single thing of the guide correctly but i still cant install the app straight to SD.

can anyone help please?