How to Transfer Files to SD Card on Android

This wikiHow teaches you how to move any file from your device's internal storage to your SD card, using Android.

Steps

  1. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 1
    1
    Open your file manager app. File managers let you browse all the folders and directories on your device.
    • If you don't already have a stock file manager app on your device, you can install one from the Play Store. Here you can find plenty of free and paid file managers.
  2. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 2
    2
    Tap Device Storage or Internal Storage. This directory will show all the folders that are stored on your device's internal hard drive, rather than your SD card.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 3
    3
    Find the file you want to transfer. Browse your device's internal storage by tapping on different folders, and find the file you want to move to your SD card.
    • If you want to exit a folder, tap the back button on your device, or on your screen.
  4. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 4
    4
    Tap and hold the file you want to transfer. This will highlight the file, and reveal toolbar icons at the top of your screen.
    • On most devices, you can select more files to transfer after you highlight the first one.
  5. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 5
    5
    Tap the More button. It's in the upper-right corner of your screen. This button will open a drop-down menu.
    • On some devices, you may see three vertical dots or three horizontal lines instead of the More button. In this case, tap this icon.
  6. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 6
    6
    Select Move or Move to on the drop-down menu. This option will let you transfer selected files to a different location. It will ask you to select a new location for your file.
  7. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 7
    7
    Select your SD card. Depending on your device, you may need to make your selection in a new pop-up window, or on your navigation panel. Regardless, tapping your SD card will open a menu of all the folders in it.
  8. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 8
    8
    Select a folder in your SD card. Find the folder where you want to move your file to, and tap on this folder to select it.
  9. Image titled Transfer Files to SD Card on Android Step 9
    9
    Tap Done or OK. It will move your selected file to this location. Your file is now stored on your SD card, instead of your device's internal storage.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can we transfer the game from internal storage to an SD card? Can the game work as usual then?
    Vaibhav Baghel
    Vaibhav Baghel
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.Navigate to Settings on your phone. You can find the settings menu in the app drawer. Tap Apps. Select an app you want to move to the microSD card. Tap Storage. Tap Change if it's there. If you don't see the Change option, the app cannot be moved. Tap Move.
  • Question
    Can I transfer an update that has been loaded to my Samsung phone to an SD card and what do I need to do that?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Insert the Windows XP CD and boot to it. Put in the CD and then restart your computer. Wait for the setup files to finish loading. If the computer starts into Windows Vista instead of Windows XP Setup, you may have to press a key to boot from the CD. Restart your computer and press the key for the boot menu. This key is different for every computer depending on the BIOS.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Make sure to always backup your device. Moving system files to your SD card may break your Android's software.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Open BIN Files
How to
Open BIN Files
Open DLL Files
How to
Open DLL Files
How to
Change a Word Document to JPEG Format
Open a DAT File
How to
Open a DAT File
Extract a Gz FileHow to Extract a GZ File on Windows, Linux, Mac, & Mobile
Compress Large Files
How to
Compress Large Files
Create a TXT File on Mac
How to
Create a TXT File on Mac
Make an ICO File
How to
Make an ICO File
Scan Documents4 Simple Ways to Scan and Save Documents
Open 7z FilesHow to Open 7z Files on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone
Turn a Voice Memo Into an MP3How to Turn a Voice Memo Into an MP3 (iPhone, Mac, Windows)
Open RAR Files
How to
Open RAR Files
Open a .Zip File Without Winzip
How to
Open a .Zip File Without Winzip
Highly Compress Files with 7zip
How to
Highly Compress Files with 7zip
Advertisement

About This Article

James Bell
Co-authored by:
James Bell
Phone Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by James Bell. James Bell is a Phone Repair Specialist at Phone Techs in Winchester, California. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in cell phone, tablet, game console, and PC repairs. Phone Techs is an Akko Partner. This article has been viewed 144,237 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: October 21, 2022
Views: 144,237
Categories: File Manipulation
Article SummaryX

1. Open your file manager app.
2. Tap Device Storage or Internal Storage.
3. Find the file you want to transfer.
4. Tap and hold the file.
5. Tap More.
6. Select Move to.
7. Select your SD card.
8. Tap Done or OK.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement