This wikiHow teaches you how to download apps and files directly to the SD card of your Android device.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Android 7.0 (Nougat)
Step 1. Open the device settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gear icon (
) which is usually displayed on the page/app drawer.
- Since Android version 6.0 (Marshmallow) was released, you can set an SD card as part of the internet storage space. That way, you can download apps from the Play Store directly to the card.
- This method requires the SD card formatting (content erasing) process.
- You cannot remove the SD card and use it on another device (unless you format or delete all data stored on it).
Step 2. Swipe the screen and touch Storage
Step 3. Select SD card
This option may be labeled “External Storage” or “SD Card”.
Step 4. Touch
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Step 5. Touch Change storage type
This option may be labeled “Storage Settings” on some devices.
Step 6. Touch Format as internal
Step 7. Select the save option and touch Next
On some devices, you can choose one of two storage options:
- If you want to save app data files to SD card (e.g. cache data), and not just apps, select “ Use as an internal storage for both apps and data ”.
- If you only want to save the app to the SD card, select “ Use as internal storage for apps only ”.
Step 8. Touch Erase & Format
The data on the card will be erased, and the card will be set up to save apps or downloads. You will see a confirmation message once the formatting process is complete.
Method 2 of 3: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
Step 1. Open the device settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gear icon (
) which is usually displayed on the page/app drawer.
- Since Android version 6.0 (Marshmallow) was released, you can set an SD card as part of the internet storage space. That way, you can download apps from the Play Store directly to the card.
- This method requires the SD card formatting (content erasing) process.
- You cannot remove the SD card and use it on another device (unless you format or delete all data stored on it).
Step 2. Scroll down and select Storage
Step 3. Select SD card
This option may be labeled “External Storage” or “SD Card”.
Step 4. Touch
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Step 5. Select Settings
Step 6. Select Format as internal
You will see a warning indicating that the data on the card will be deleted.
Step 7. Touch Erase & Format
The card will be formatted as internet storage space. Once formatted, apps downloaded from the Play Store will be saved on the card automatically.
Some applications cannot be downloaded to an external card. These apps will be installed in the device's internal storage space
Method 3 of 3: Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and Older Versions
Step 1. Open the device file manager app
These apps are marked by a folder icon with a name like “My Files”, “File Manager”, or “Files”.
Step 2. Touch or ⁝.
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. Each device has a different menu button, but you can be sure you selected the right button when viewing the menu with the “Settings” option.
If you are using a device with an older version of Android, touch the menu button on the body of the device
Step 3. Select Settings
Step 4. Touch Set home directory
This option is in the main panel under the “Select directories” section.
Step 5. Touch SDCard
This option may have a different label, such as “extSdCard”.
Step 6. Touch Done
Downloaded content or apps will now be saved to SD card automatically.
