Help Apps on SD Card use Internal Memory

[erehwon13]

Like many HTC Desire (Froyo) users I have trouble installing apps due to lack of internal memory. I use Apps2SD to move as many apps to my SD card as I can but I've found that I'm not freeing as much space as I thought I would.

When my internal memory was getting too low (below 15MB - warning messages, flashing lights etc) I decided to try uninstalling Google Earth (8MB) from my SD card. To my surprise, it also freed up 8MB from the internal memory. I've tried this with other apps and the same thing happens.

Does anyone know why this is happening? I wondered whether it is keeping a copy of the app somewhere internally. Is this normal behaviour or is my config wrong somehow?

There doesn't seem to be much benefit to moving apps to the SD card if it uses up the same amount of memory internally. Is anyone else experiencing this behaviour.

Android Version: 2.2
Not rooted

 

[SUroot]

App and dalvik cache both remain on internal memory

 

[erehwon13]

Thanks danfrance. So you're not surprised to see this?

When I uninstall a 2MB app from internal memory then I generally see 2MB being freed, not 4MB (say) that would include the extra dalvik cache etc.

I think I need to do more experimenting with a few apps and note down how much each app takes up in internal and SD memory and what is released on uninstall. I'll report back my findings.

 

[SUroot]

Well a 2MB app will be bigger with app cache and dalvik cache.

Say for example you have a 2MB app, move to SD moves 1MB of the app itself. Then app cache and Dalvik grow to another 1MB...

Internal space shows as 2MB, but you have another 1MB on SD. when you uninstall you see that 2MB go.

I'm not sure if davlik cache is released immediately after uninstall or whether it refreshes at next reboot.

 

[kolipe]

Well a 2MB app will be bigger with app cache and dalvik cache.

Say for example you have a 2MB app, move to SD moves 1MB of the app itself. Then app cache and Dalvik grow to another 1MB...

Internal space shows as 2MB, but you have another 1MB on SD. when you uninstall you see that 2MB go.

I'm not sure if davlik cache is released immediately after uninstall or whether it refreshes at next reboot.

So Danfrance, is there a way out to sort this problem? I have the very same problem leaving me red faced when the widgets dont sync emails dont through etc

 

[SUroot]

The best way is rooting and getting apps2sd+ (in my opinion) but this is not for everyone and I dont suggest it lightly. There are some FAQ's in my sig. Have a read.