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How to move apps to sd card on an unrooted device: A noobs guide. **Updated 09/02/11**

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Any app that has a widget, is the user interface or needs to run on start up (boot) should not be moved to SD.

Things like launcherpro (user interface), juicedefender (runs on boot), 3rd party alarm clocks (run on boot), things like that, leave as they are.

Apps you manually start (dont run automatically) in theory should work (astro for example) but you don't really know until you test them.

So just to clarify, nothing that runs automatically should be moved.
 
SUroot said:
Any app that has a widget, is the user interface or needs to run on start up (boot) should not be moved to SD.

Things like launcherpro (user interface), juicedefender (runs on boot), 3rd party alarm clocks (run on boot), things like that, leave as they are.

Apps you manually start (dont run automatically) in theory should work (astro for example) but you don't really know until you test them.

So just to clarify, nothing that runs automatically should be moved.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying! In order to find out what runs automatically, is it enough for me to reboot the phone and check running services?
 
You can do that, but you should know what runs automatically. Anything that runs in the background that you dont start up manually.

For instance juice defender, you know it starts automatically as you want it to do things without you asking it to.
 
Arrgh! I can't even do the first step! Downloaded HTC Sync, and my phone can't find it.

I know there is already a thread on this, and I've been through the suggestions there - ticked keep phone awake, shut down all background services, turned off firewall and AV, turned phone/ computer off/on, and still can't get it to work. I have a laptop, so don't have that many options for other USB ports to try. Irony is I don't even use Outlook, only did this to follow the steps above. This shouldn't have to be this hard. Can't believe it is that hard to make a programme which plays nice with Windows.

Is having HTC Sync essential to this process?
 
I moved about 300 apps to SD. I restarted my phone a while after, and after my phone booted up, every single app that I moved to SD were gone. All I had on my phone were the apps that came on my phone, and the apps that couldn't be moved. How? Why? I also noticed that after doing this to my phone, that I can no longer install any apps that I have on my phone (apk files). All it says is "Installing", but nothing happens. I did a master reset on my phone, did the whole cmd thing, and the same thing is happening. What's going on here?

Droid Incredible 2
 
I'm trying to download the Java package but the latest SE is for 64-bit Windows only. I'd like to be able to revert the install location back to my phone (I originally changed it "2" - the SD card) as I believe I cannot root my phone without carrying out this process. Does anyone know where I can download the SE for a Windows 32-bit platform?
 
I moved about 300 apps to SD. I restarted my phone a while after, and after my phone booted up, every single app that I moved to SD were gone. All I had on my phone were the apps that came on my phone, and the apps that couldn't be moved. How? Why? I also noticed that after doing this to my phone, that I can no longer install or uninstall any apps that I have on my phone (apk files) or anything from the market. All it says is "Installing", but nothing happens. Also, when opening app2sd, the only programs that show up are ones that can be moved. There are none on phone only or the sd card, and the ones that show can be moved have no size to them. I can't even unmount my sd card from the phone. I did a master reset on my phone, formatted my sd card, did the whole cmd thing over again, and the same thing is happening. What's going on here?

Droid Incredible 2

EDIT: If you have a Droid Incredible 2, DO NOT do this! It will just ruin your phone!
 
can i make this on samsung galaxy ace?
if yes, what should I do instead of step 9 (installing HTC SYNC)?

help, im ran out of space
 
Just make sure whatever drivers for your device are available, you have installed. Thats all the HTC sync step is.
 
Hi got question.

When clicked SDK Manager.exe it prompt out a menu... according to your guide (Untick all options you are promted to download except ones like the manuals, and Essentially, ensure the USB driver option is selected / ticked.) what do you mean by manuals and essentially?

Thanks...
 
josephcvh said:
Hi got question.

When clicked SDK Manager.exe it prompt out a menu... according to your guide (Untick all options you are promted to download except ones like the manuals, and Essentially, ensure the USB driver option is selected / ticked.) what do you mean by manuals and essentially?

Thanks...
Click to expand...


You dont need to do any of that. All you need to do is below:

Just follow these exact steps. Nothing more, nothing less

1) download and install htc sync



2) download sdk and extract to C:\




  • Double click the zip file once downloaded and drag the "android-sdk-windows" folder (contained within) to your C: drive
3) Connect your phone by USB


4) Open command prompt (in Windows)


  • Go to Start > Run
  • Type "Cmd" and press OK


5) In the black window:


  • Type "cd\android-sdk-windows\tools" and press enter (or platform-tools if you have adb in there)
  • Then Type "adb shell" and press enter
  • Then Type "pm setInstallLocation 2" and press enter
 
Hi guys,

I have some questions regarding this method:
-It is possible to go back like it was, I mean to undo this process?
-If I will make a hard reset I must do again this process?
-Is there any problem with the warranty?
-Is there a problem if I move Flash player to SD card?
-Is there any problem if I move maps to sd card?
-Is there any problem with the updates from the market?

Thanks a lot

P.S. great tutorial
 
britzinelul said:
Hi guys,

I have some questions regarding this method:
-It is possible to go back like it was, I mean to undo this process? Redo the process, setting install location back to 0
-If I will make a hard reset I must do again this process? Yes
-Is there any problem with the warranty? No
-Is there a problem if I move Flash player to SD card? It should work, but you'll have to try it.
-Is there any problem if I move maps to sd card? Nope
-Is there any problem with the updates from the market? Shouldnt be but sometimes.

Thanks a lot

P.S. great tutorial
Click to expand...

^^^
 
SUroot said:
Did you download the SDk from my post or from another?

Can you confirm if you use windows to go to the tools folder that adb is in there? Or is it in platform tools?
Click to expand...


Sorry for late reply but work kind of takes over :)

Anyway, re-downloaded everything and all seems to have worked.
Guess I won't know till I download a wideget.


Now, this Rootin malarkey - dare I? I am a real beginner at this, I se some posts from people who say they are noobs but still manage to post serial numbers and such like - I wouldn't have a clue!
My Desire constantly says its low on space:confused:
I appreciate the time you take explaining everything in this forum.
 
If you go to the rooting sub forum, there is a sticky thread there.

If you read the rooting FAQ, a2sd+ FAQ and the rooting guide (linke din the sticky), this should explain things to you. They may take several reads, but should prepare you to know what it is you are doing.

Then pop over and ask as many questions as you like :)
 
ruof said:
You don't need any of steps 1 - 14.

Just install jackpal android terminal from market.

https://market.android.com/details?id=jackpal.androidterm

Launch terminal straight from your android device and you get straight to the $ (android prompt)

Press menu on your android device. Toggle soft key board.

Then Type "pm setInstallLocation 2" and press enter on android soft keyboard.

done.

Richard.
Click to expand...

This is the terminal emulator I have installed. It doesn't work for me, but then again I am rooted, S-off'd and custom rom'd.

It would actually be interesting to check this on a non rooted phone, if there are any volunteers with a HTC desire.
 
Yeah, I can't try it either (CM7 + a2sd+).
It would be cool to verify that this works by typing a simple command in TE. :)
 
It doesnt work at all for me. Theres no reason I can think of why it wouldnt work though, because it pm setInstallLocation works without rooting and S-ON is not an issue either...
 
I seem to have fallen at the first hurdle. I followed the process through as you descibed, however on putting inall the stuff at cmd prompt I cannot get past the adb devices bit : it just tells me the ' adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command. Have I missed something in the process earlier on that is causing this?
 

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JayGee1969 said:
I seem to have fallen at the first hurdle. I followed the process through as you descibed, however on putting inall the stuff at cmd prompt I cannot get past the adb devices bit : it just tells me the ' adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command. Have I missed something in the process earlier on that is causing this?
Click to expand...

Different versions of the SDK have adb in different places. The first post has way too many steps.

As we are interested to know if this works, please would you mind testing this method first:


ruof said:
You don't need any of steps 1 - 14.

Just install jackpal android terminal from market.

https://market.android.com/details?id=jackpal.androidterm

Launch terminal straight from your android device and you get straight to the $ (android prompt)

Press menu on your android device. Toggle soft key board.

Then Type "pm setInstallLocation 2" and press enter on android soft keyboard.

done.

Richard.
Click to expand...

If that doesn't work, please follow the below. Below is like the first post but with all the unnecessary steps taken out. I suggest you get rid of your sdk and download the one below.


SUroot said:
You dont need to do any of that. All you need to do is below:

Just follow these exact steps. Nothing more, nothing less

1) download and install htc sync



2) download sdk and extract to C:\



3) Connect your phone by USB


4) Open command prompt (in Windows)


  • Go to Start > Run
  • Type "Cmd" and press OK


5) In the black window:


  • Type "cd\android-sdk-windows\tools" and press enter (or platform-tools if you have adb in there)
  • Then Type "adb shell" and press enter
  • Then Type "pm setInstallLocation 2" and press enter
Click to expand...
 
Even after setting the default location to external my memory is getting filled up. Most takers are Youtube , Google Maps, Facebook(Three apps are updated). These are getting installed(updated) to phone what ever I try.My phone is HTC desire. Any thoughts?
 
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