I've read through several posts about this and haven't yet found a solution.
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with Android 4 (ICS). In the applications management part of settings, there is no Move App to SD card button for any of the apps.
I tried some of the Move2Sd apps but none worked. I contacted one developer and he directed me to FAQ #9 here:
"I cannot find the "Move to xxx" button from application detailed information window.
"If the device does not have a real primary external storage or the primary external storage is emulated. Moving app to SD function will not be supported by Android system. It's the limitation of hardware. Please get more information from device manufacture."
Is there a way around this? If it is actually a hardware limitation and not the OS, I would guess I am out of luck. But somehow I think there must be a way to work around this. I can store files on the SD card without any problems.
I would like to do this without rooting the device, but if that is neccesary AND if it has worked for others (I don't want to be the first to experiment with this), I might learn how to do that.
Hi,
I have the same problem with my Acer Iconia A100. My brother has a Galaxy 7.0 Plus and he too has no ''move to sd'' button... I have browsed multiple forums and found no answer. Any app I install (namely App2sd) does not help as it just directs me to the settings-apps page... Does anyone have an answer I really need the space... I have 8GB of internal 4 taken up by the OS and really need the space... Also inside the internal memory there seems to be some sort of memory location called SDcard which is not actually my sd... Any help on moving would be much appreciated as any apps I've tried just direct me to the same place...
I contacted Samsung tech support and was informed that you simply can't move applications (apps) to the SD card. They said (and I already knew this) that you can move files and multimedia files to the SD card, however.
I'm hoping that they will update their version of Android 4.0.x and enable this feature, if it's not a hardware issue.
Only way I have found is by having the tablet rooted.
If you are rooted you can use a few different apps to move some data over to an external SD card, manually.
I'm able to use Link2SD, and GL to SD. I have used GL to SD to move other data besides just Gameloft games. Not everything works using it, so you would have to experiment to see what does and does not work.
Only way I have found is by having the tablet rooted.
If you are rooted you can use a few different apps to move some data over to an external SD card, manually.
I'm able to use Link2SD, and GL to SD. I have used GL to SD to move other data besides just Gameloft games. Not everything works using it, so you would have to experiment to see what does and does not work.
Oh cool! Is this the method you are talking about? I don't have the tab 2 but I came across this thread at rootz and I was hoping someone would confirm it.
Just out of curiosity, what is the motivation to move your apps to the external card on the Tab. With as much internal memory as there is, it seems there is plenty of space for the apps internally, if you put your images, music, and videos on the External card. I have a huge number of apps and am not seeing any problems.
When I had earlier Android devices with much less space for apps, I saw the advantage, but with all of the internal memory and the fact that apps WILL run faster on this memory, I'm at a loss of understanding.
Just out of curiosity, what is the motivation to move your apps to the external card on the Tab. With as much internal memory as there is, it seems there is plenty of space for the apps internally, if you put your images, music, and videos on the External card. I have a huge number of apps and am not seeing any problems.
When I had earlier Android devices with much less space for apps, I saw the advantage, but with all of the internal memory and the fact that apps WILL run faster on this memory, I'm at a loss of understanding.
Thanks.
I tend to agree. The only reason I can think of is if a person is really in to playing games such as Sims free play that takes alot of space. I think Sims free play is almost a gig after installing it.
Just out of curiosity, what is the motivation to move your apps to the external card on the Tab. With as much internal memory as there is, it seems there is plenty of space for the apps internally, if you put your images, music, and videos on the External card. I have a huge number of apps and am not seeing any problems.
Thanks.
I haven't run out of space, but I am aware that free space can affect the speed of operation of the OS to some extent. The Galaxy Tab 2 only has 1/2 of the space of it's predecessor and a slightly slower (20% ?) processor. So, having 8 GB of total space for programs and the OS, I just want to be sure I don't slow the thing down.
Is not only about moving the app but the data from apps. For example, Google Earth might be 15 MB (not sure) but the data cached in your internal memory grows like crazy (especially with 3D maps) so you end up with a 400MB in your internal memory. Same goes for apps like Zinio, Next Issue, Currents, pretty much any game.
Developers need to build the apps to be able to store the data on external drives. Many people will be disappointed when they start doing this on their nexus 7, and realize they have no choice add extra data to their sd card... because there is none.
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Sorry, but I got behind on my email checking and didn't know there was a reply here, or I would have replied sooner. I'm surprised that no one else did.
Anyway, now that you figured it out, you may find one of the Android free browsers (or one of the paid ones) to be more user friendly than what comes with your Android device.
Device(s): Galaxy Nexus, Lenovo IdeaPad A1, Le Pan TC 970, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Carrier: Verizon
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I have two 4.04 ICS devices, a 32GB Galaxy Nexus and an 8GB Tab 2 7.0. I also have a 2.2 and 2.3 tablet. The 2.x devices have a limited internal flash memory of about 1.6GB which is used to initially load apps. One tablet has 16GB internal flash plus a slot for an external SD. The internal SD card (the "SD Card") has about 12.5GB maximum. The other 2.x tablet does not specify the internal flash memory and also has an external slot for a SD Card which is the "SD Card". At least a 2GB card is required for it to operate. It shipped with a 2GB card installed. All downloaded apps are loaded into the internal flash 1.6GB memory. Some apps can have a portion of them moved to the "SD Card" (not the external SD Card in the case of the 16GB device). Some apps automatically do that while others will not move any data to the SD Card like MAPs. The apps are moved in Settings- Application Management.
The 4.ox devices do not have (show anywhere at least) an internal flash memory. They both show that the apps are loaded into the "SD Card". There is no internal memory mentioned in Settings-Storage. It seems to me that the entire available memory in the "SD Card" is available to load apps into so "move to SD Card" is meaningless since that is where they are initially placed. Of course there are other files also loaded into the "SD Card". Like the 2.x devices there is no option in non-rooted devices to load any portion of any app into the external SD Card. This means that if the 4.ox device has an 8GB internal flash then the maximum memory size of the "SD Card" is a little over 5GB and when it fills with apps there is no way to add more apps. I am not a gamer who uses large game apps so I have found that 1.6GB with SD Card storage (2.x devices) or the 5GB+ of the tab is more than adequate for my needs since I have up to 32GB of storage in the external SD Card for pictures. videos and music. My 32 GB Galaxy Nexus has 28GB of max "SD Card" memory for apps. This also means that 4.0x and likely 4.1x non-rooted devices with only 8GB of internal flash may limit the number of large game apps that can be loaded and would provide a reason for that type user to get the 16GB version if available.
I have tried but have not been to verify anything I have stated about the 4.x devices and may be completely wrong in my conclusions based on my observations of two devices. I also have not looked at any 3.x devices.
Last edited by txrose72; August 26th, 2012 at 12:26 AM.
Device(s): Galaxy Nexus, Lenovo IdeaPad A1, Le Pan TC 970, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
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I also use the Astro File Manager which has a nice backup application. They just upgraded it for ICS and JB. The Apps are saved in a Backup/Apps folder in the internal memory but it can be setup to use the ext SD card instead. The Apps are stored with their respective names and saved in their xxx.apk installable form. They can be copied and moved to another device and installed (i.e using Dropbox).
I also use the Astro File Manager which has a nice backup application. They just upgraded it for ICS and JB. The Apps are saved in a Backup/Apps folder in the internal memory but it can be setup to use the ext SD card instead. The Apps are stored with their respective names and saved in their xxx.apk installable form. They can be copied and moved to another device and installed (i.e using Dropbox).
I have the latest ASTRO Version 4.0.423 where I can NOT find the option to
" but it can be setup to use the ext SD card instead." as you state. How is this done, can you please explain. Thanks.
I tend to agree. The only reason I can think of is if a person is really in to playing games such as Sims free play that takes alot of space. I think Sims free play is almost a gig after installing it.
There are reasons other than playing games! For example, I use The Times (newspaper) and The V&A (museum) tablet apps on my Galaxy Tab 2. Both have high data requirements and this gets loaded into internal storage not the SD card. These are apps that I want to use offline without a data connection.
Last edited by infracom; September 29th, 2012 at 07:49 AM.
There are reasons other than playing games! For example, I use The Times (newspaper) and The V&A (museum) tablet apps on my Galaxy Tab 2. Both have high data requirements and this gets loaded into internal storage not the SD card. These are apps that I want to use offline without a data connection.
I agree, even though the tablet says its a 8gb, only about 4 us usable anyways. Gets filled up really fast if you load tons of aps.
Device(s): Galaxy Nexus, Lenovo IdeaPad A1, Le Pan TC 970, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vijaykhai
I have the latest ASTRO Version 4.0.423 where I can NOT find the option to
" but it can be setup to use the ext SD card instead." as you state. How is this done, can you please explain. Thanks.
I have ver 4.0.428.
My version opens (home page) to a screen with three Tabs across the top, Locations, Searches, and Recents. Touch Locations and then Local Storage 2 which is the external SD Card. You need to add a folder on the extSdCard. Touch the + folder at the top to add the folder and name it Backup or whatever you want. Once the folder has been added go back to the home screen and scroll that entire screen to the left and the right half of the screen will display a list of options. Touch Application Manager. It will populate with a list of installed apps if you have used the backup Manager otherwise it will be empty. Touch the menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top right. Touch Preferences and the default location for the backup will be displayed. Write that location down so you can delete that folder later. Next touch Set Backup Directory. Touch the MNT directory and then the extSdCard and finally touch and hold the folder you added until the screen returns to the application manager preferences page and the new backup location should be displayed. Now you can perform an app backup and the apps will be downloaded to the new folder on the ext SD Card. Finally check the location you wrote down and see if it is filled with apps. If it is delete the folder by touching it until the bottom of the screen shows the trash can and then touch (don't drag) the trash can. This clears internal memory of any backup apps. There is a help screen for file manager functions on the right hand screen where you saw the Application Manager. If you have any questions please post.
I've read through several posts about this and haven't yet found a solution.
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with Android 4 (ICS). In the applications management part of settings, there is no Move App to SD card button for any of the apps.
I tried some of the Move2Sd apps but none worked. I contacted one developer and he directed me to FAQ #9 here:
"I cannot find the "Move to xxx" button from application detailed information window.
"If the device does not have a real primary external storage or the primary external storage is emulated. Moving app to SD function will not be supported by Android system. It's the limitation of hardware. Please get more information from device manufacture."
Is there a way around this? If it is actually a hardware limitation and not the OS, I would guess I am out of luck. But somehow I think there must be a way to work around this. I can store files on the SD card without any problems.
Anyone have solution for this?
thanks for the help
I wrote the location down. The one you advise to delete later. After following your step by step instructions. When i go back to delete this file, it does not exist. All it is doing is making a backup of files to the extsdcard. I still have the same amount of onboard memory, with no way to delete the file you speak of or the one i wrote down, it just isn't there. Once every thing is backed up, should i go to my files, click sdcard and delete files from there? i have the samsung galaxy tab 2 student edition. any help would be great.
Well i am not going to stress over it. If i cant move my apps to my extsd card on my tab2 7.0 ics, too bad for me. I was doing this for me and my nephew because he likes to play games more than me. I am not a rich person by any means, so i will just have to save up some extra cash and buy a tablet with bigger internal memory, alittle bit pricey!!! What just gets me upset is some of the tablets advertisements, not all just some, .Example this tablet has 8gb of internal memory expandable using a 32gb sd card , with no more specifics or indepth instructions on how it truely works. Some tell you it is just for media and music files, ect., and some just say it is all expandable with everything you download , apps and every thing else right out of the box. I have come to learn this is simply not true!!! Maybe i expect to much, but i like my student version galaxy tab 2 7.0 with keyboard, i bought a bluetooth mouse and all is well, very usefull tool for me, but for my nephew, not enough room for storage of games. I have the logitech android mouse if you were wondering. I am not an advanced user so rooting it is out of the question for myself. thanks all, Tim
I downloaded an app called app 2 sd. It was suppose to make it where you can move your apps to the sd card, but I can't figure out how to use it. So instead I just connect my galaxy to my computer and view the files. Then I go into the folder for the galaxy, and cut folders that I know I can move (like pictures, movies, mucic) and paste them in the sd storage folder. I'm not sure ihow the function of certain things will be affected if I move them to the sd card so I use the app 2 sd as a reference. In the app it says which apps you can move to the sd card and which ones you can't.
To move my pictures onto the extSdCard I simply goto the My Files app, goto the camera folder on the internal sdcard, and drag and drop (to the left) into the extSdCard folder. This will free up the measly 8gb of space (actually about 4 due to the memory hungry OS). Hope this helps!
Just out of curiosity, what is the motivation to move your apps to the external card on the Tab. With as much internal memory as there is, it seems there is plenty of space for the apps internally, if you put your images, music, and videos on the External card. I have a huge number of apps and am not seeing any problems.
When I had earlier Android devices with much less space for apps, I saw the advantage, but with all of the internal memory and the fact that apps WILL run faster on this memory, I'm at a loss of understanding.
Thanks.
I have 38 apps, 1 of them is 2 gigs alone. It is a GPS offline software"Navigon" Once you hit 500mb, some apps updates would no longer download for the lack of enough space.
Well i am not going to stress over it. If i cant move my apps to my extsd card on my tab2 7.0 ics, too bad for me. I was doing this for me and my nephew because he likes to play games more than me. I am not a rich person by any means, so i will just have to save up some extra cash and buy a tablet with bigger internal memory, alittle bit pricey!!! What just gets me upset is some of the tablets advertisements, not all just some, .Example this tablet has 8gb of internal memory expandable using a 32gb sd card , with no more specifics or indepth instructions on how it truely works. Some tell you it is just for media and music files, ect., and some just say it is all expandable with everything you download , apps and every thing else right out of the box. I have come to learn this is simply not true!!! Maybe i expect to much, but i like my student version galaxy tab 2 7.0 with keyboard, i bought a bluetooth mouse and all is well, very usefull tool for me, but for my nephew, not enough room for storage of games. I have the logitech android mouse if you were wondering. I am not an advanced user so rooting it is out of the question for myself. thanks all, Tim
Hey don't worry about rooting you are not missing anything there. I have successfully rooted mine and followed procedures for partitioning SD cards 2, 3 and 4 partitions as one of app have suggested and tried different combinations to no avail. It is just upsetting! I am sure it can be done but needs a software developer who is verse with Android operating system and Samsung hardware.
I currently have 58 apps taking up just 492MB of internal space. My available space is 3.74GB internal and 29.76GB SD card. Think I'll be fine and BTW really like my SGT2 7.0 so far (one month).
That is a huge amount of memory for 1 app. Probably because the GPS program you are using uses graphics. There is an excellent vector map offline program called osmand. Maps for all over the world are available. And the data files will run on external sdcard
dear Donald,
I think you could achieve yourgoal if you have a computer and an adapter for your microsd. try putting the sd and sd adapter in the computer then connecting the charger to both the computer and the device. then move the desired files onto the sd oput in your computer. then remove the sd and mount onto your tablet. if this works, email me at mrdorkface@gmail.com
dear Donald,
I think you could achieve yourgoal if you have a computer and an adapter for your microsd. try putting the sd and sd adapter in the computer then connecting the charger to both the computer and the device. then move the desired files onto the sd oput in your computer. then remove the sd and mount onto your tablet. if this works, email me at mrdorkface@gmail.com
hope it works, mrdorkface
I think some are misunderstanding my request. I can move any files, including documents, etc., to the SD card without needing to hook my device up to my PC using my file manager. That's not what the issue is. The issue is that I can't install any applications to the SD card. If the app allows data to be stored on the external card, that's not an issue. I can do that. But I can't move say my any of my browser programs to run FROM the external card. Some Android devices don't, some do. A word processor will allow me to save documents to the card, but I can't run the word processor FROM that card. That's the issue.
The Toshiba Thrive wasn't able to do it until they released the ICE upgrade in August (I have one of these, too). Then it was possible to move SOME apps to run from the external SD card. Samsung tech support has verified that the GT2 7.0 cannot install an app on the external storage card. I've hear that is the case with many of their Android devices. They told me it was a hardware design limitation. I'm inclined to believe it's a software (operating system) design issue.
Each manufacturer tweaks the stock Android to their tablets or phones. Whether it's hardware or software, that's still a limitation. Many of us are a bit upset that they didn't disclose that on the package. I did find out about it with the 30 day refund period but I decided to stick with my Samsung device. My next device may not be Samsung, though, because of this.
I am so depressed I have tried every thing to move my apps to the external ad card and running them but it just won't happen I am very disappointed with Samsung for this limitation and I hope something is done about this quickly please it is so frustrating I couldn't imagine that the galaxy tab 2 would have such a defect
If you keep your data files on the SD card and clean out data that you don't need on the internal storage card, you may find that you won't run out of internal card memory.
I, too, am still disappointed about this, but I have found that I still have plenty of room for programs and every so often I move data files from the internal to the external storage card.
Re: How to move/install apps to SD card Galaxy 2 7.0
There are a couple of projects on XDA which might help. One swaps the mount points of sdcard and extsdcard which leaves your apps installed on the internal memory but all the data on the external sdcard. I have over 100 apps installed and still have 3gb free internal.
The second project swaps all the mount points so apps and data are stored on the removable sdcard.
There is also an app called app2sd which works with the samsung to movethe apps to the external sdcard.
I'm pretty sure the app you're talking about only works if you have a second partition on your ext sd card.. I tried it with another app.. link2sd.. How you get a second partition on the card is the question??
Moving apps to ext sd seems inmpossible to do..
Re: How to move/install apps to SD card Galaxy 2 7.0
Żes that is the one. Partition it using a partition tool or on awindows machine.
Even just doing as I have and swapping the internal and external mappings has basically given me a32gb tabletwith 8gb exclusively for the system and "actual" app files. Everything else is on the external sdcard.
Since internal becomes external don't forget that system, data and apps are still mapped to the same directories even though the underlying mount point changd.
Trying to upload a screenshot but says it isn't working. I will later if anyone is interested.
Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 2
Last edited by Wildcards55; January 12th, 2013 at 05:19 PM.
Yeah that looks good Wildcards55. Just the job. I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to messing around with the internal brains of my tablet... I had a look at some apps for swapping the internal and external mappings as you have done but am scared I'm going to totally destroy and mess it all up. I'm going to wait a while until I've read up a bit more about it. But your screenshot is defiantly evidence.. Well done.
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How to move/install apps to SD card Galaxy 2 7.0
Same prob with acer and galaxy
id does... your ph
ne duhs...
i might know how
