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

[HankAtrix]

Let us know. You just need to find the right drivers for your device to install on your PC. See post above yours.

h
Yes I saw the post above about 2.2 working. However the way the Atix is set up is that it moves apps to the internal SD partition currently. When you install apps that are movable the system (using internal file manager or Apps2SD) moves them to this internal SD. I was hoping someone would have tested the approach earlier in the thread for the Atrix already to see if it works.

 

[SUroot]

It should work the same way then, as when you move using android, you are moving it from location 1 (/data partition) to location 2 SD. All this trick does is change the install location to 2.

However, it depends on how much messing with the Android OS Moto has done. As this is in the desire forum, I doubt many Atrix users have done this, if any. Take some backups first and try it. Factory reset will cure any side effects.

 

[subinho]

will app 2 SD without rooting work in android 2.3 gingerbread. being a little noobish

 

[SUroot]

will app 2 SD without rooting work in android 2.3 gingerbread. being a little noobish

It should work on any android 2.2+ handset....

​

 

[Dustaz]

the http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20471345/SUroot/Tools/PC/sdktools-toolsonly.rar

that link is giving me a 404 error. Is there an alternative location to download it from?

 

[SUroot]

the http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20471345/SUroot/Tools/PC/sdktools-toolsonly.rar

that link is giving me a 404 error. Is there an alternative location to download it from?

Its an issue with how edited links work on this site. As it doesn't show the link code and only the link code, when I edited it, it changed the name of the link but the location is the same. If you hover the link, you'll see its not the same location.

Try to copy the link and paste it into the address bar instead.

 

[jonasdhondt]

Why is the advice given by the topic starter to not use a task killer? Is it bad for the phone?

 

[SUroot]

I dont know why he has mentioned task killers to be honest. but task killers are not neccessary and theres no reason for them. On top of which, yes they can cause damage

http://androidforums.com/htc-desire/161151-should-you-use-task-killer.html

 

[JBhwyguy]

Im new here, just tried the above steps from Williamj1. Is there a way I can check my Desire to see if it actually worked? I have tried moving maps, facebook, and some others and no dice. Is it because its part of the Sense? I have 2.2 installed. Thanks.

 

[SUroot]

find an application YOU installed that previously wouldnt allow moving and try and move it to sd. System apps cant be moved and arent taking up any of your internal memory either.

 

[SUroot]

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

• HTC Desire - Application - HTC Sync for all HTC Android Phones (NAM)

2) download sdk and extract to C:\

• http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20471345/SUroot/Tools/PC/sdktools-toolsonly.rar

• 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

Just a reminder that this is ALL you need to do.

 

[Usta]

Just a reminder that this is ALL you need to do.

I think we should make a new sticky with those short instructions.
Otherwise, people are confused with the lengthy procedure in the OP.

 

[SUroot]

I think we should make a new sticky with those short instructions.
Otherwise, people are confused with the lengthy procedure in the OP.

Agreed. I'll make it, you sticky it?

 

[jempot]

This appears to work and indeed does so to a certain extent. However ,the transferred apps still retain a portion of the app data within the internal memory and eventually (in my case sooner rather than later), gets full as well. Not an absolute solution for the intenal memory problem.

 

[SUroot]

Yes you have to move already installed apps. Rooting is the only true solution

 

[jempot]

Yes you have to move already installed apps. Rooting is the only true solution

Thanks. I just wanted to get some confirmation that this method would continue to install a portion of the app (including newly installed apps) in the internal memory which would still eventually run out. Just to clarify....can you confirm that this method will not install 100% of the app onto the SD card. I want to make sure that I'm not doing something wrong which is allowing this to occur.

 

[SUroot]

You're right. The whole "move to sd" thing on Android only moves part of the app. In Gingerbread it will move a bit more of the app.

This method will allow you to move most but not all newly installed apps and apps that are pre-installed cannot be moved, but are not taking up space on "internal memory" anyway.

Hope this helps.

 

[janathan]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I have Samsung prevail with froyo. Having the same issue with low internal memory problem. I saw this same trick on YouTube and performed that without any problem (the setinstalllocation 2 thing). But even after that I am not able to move any extra app to SD than before. I had selected

 

[SUroot]

This means it hasn't worked for you. It should give that move to sd option on apps that usually couldnt be moved with only a few exceptions.

If it hasn't, it hasn't worked.

 

[janathan]

hmm....what could have gone wrong....all the process went smoothly. i did twice (because didn't see any change after first attempt). i have froyo 2.2.2.

Is there any other way to force move apps to SD without rooting your device.

Thank you very much for replying.

 

[SUroot]

This is the only method. You could try it again. It SHOULD work on any 2.2 device, but thats not always the case. each manufacturer puts their own spin on Android for their device.

 

[freeop]

I am running 2.3.3 ( I believe, Gingerbread) and followed this procedure just was outlined in the OP. Everything worked fine but I did have an issue with a couple of apps not working after the procedure, (not going the SD card). But was no big thing so those that would not go, I left on the phone.

Overall I am very happy with this procedure and have all the apps on my SD card that will go. Improved my available space a lot.

Thanks...

 

[Km76]

I have just updated my HTC Desire to Gingerbread from the HTC developer site. Before this I was running on froyo with a2sd+ (no custom rom, using the standard rom).


I wanted to know if there are any benefits of internal memory if I use a2sd+ on my Gingerbread?


The reason I ask is that I read somewhere that Gingerbread moves more of the app to SD than a2sd+ but it doesnt seem to be making all apps that were movable earlier to SD (like Facebook, Whatsapp, etc.)

Thanks in advance...

 

[SUroot]

See my reply in the other.

 

[staticashes]

step #6 isnt specific enough for me, im also a noob. there was a huge list of packages, none are "manuals". how do i know what to install and what not to install? my phone is an optimus 2.2.2...which apparently is also the froyo 2.2