Format an SD Card as Internal Storage: Are you here to know how to use your MicroSD card as a real Memory extension and install apps on it? Then do not worry as here you will see the easiest ways to do the same. While to do the same, you need to format it as Internal Memory. Furthermore, it is the easiest process to follow on most phones, but there are some manufacturers such as Sony, LG or Samsung, can’t do this from as default. Do not worry, if your device has Android Marshmallow or newer, a command-line prompt will help.

The easy way to Format an SD Card as Internal Storage

Format an SD Card as Internal Storage

Here we are discussing the easiest way. While this process helps if you run a newer version of Android (7.0 Nougat or 8.0 Oreo). And if you are unlucky, then you need to connect your device to the PC.

Here’s how to check:

• You must insert an SD card on your Android phone and check whether it’s working or not.
• Then you need to Open Settings > Storage.
• After that, you must tap the name of your SD card.
• Then you need to tap the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the screen.
• And then you have to tap Storage Settings.
• While you have to select format as an internal option.
• Then you have to tap Erase & Format at the prompt.
• While now, you will be able to migrate your data.

The above process is just easy for you to do. But what if, your device does not allow you to do this. Then the method below will help you to do the process.

What if your smartphone has no option to format microSD as internal memory

In some smartphones, it is very difficult to format microSD as Internal memory as they do not have the option to do the same. But nothing to worry as we here provide you an alternate process by which you can format microSD as internal memory. All you need to do is, connect your device to a PC.

While the steps vary depending on the Android version of your phone. And this technique worked well with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and Android 8.0 Oreo. But we faced some difficulties working with Android Nougat.

1. How to format microSD as internal memory if your phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow
2. How to format microSD as internal memory if your phone runs Android 8.0 Oreo
3. Problems with system updates and Nougat

1. For phones using Android 6.0 Marshmallow

In some smartphones, you cannot format microSD as an internal memory as the manufacturers disable Android’s normal function. But do not worry as it is still possible to do and for this no root or special privileges required.

When you format a MicroSD card as internal memory, it is very easy for you to store the apps on it. Let say, if you download applications with a total size of 2 GB, then 2 GB of space should be taken up on the SD card. While if the MicroSD card is only formatted as a backup memory, then it is not an easy case, as PLATYPUS_DIARRHEA writes on the Reddit.

If you can’t find the menu option, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. Just a few days after the Reddit post, there is a command-line prompt became known. And with that, someone could also format MicroSD cards as internal memory in the Galaxy S7. Furthermore, we have also successfully tested the instructions with the Samsung Galaxy S7, the Sony Xperia Z5, and also with the LG G4 while running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

All these smartphones run with the factory version or the updates of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. While these devices have a slot for MicroSD cards. But the menu option for formatting the MicroSD card as internal memory is missing.

2. Smartphones with Android Oreo to Format an SD Card as Internal Storage

The recent Android updates totally changed the way to do. But it is still possible, all you need to do is get started with ADB. While when you enter the adb shell, you’ll be able to see certain values which you have to set.

All you need to do is, just enter the following lines to unlock the ability to format microSD cards as internal storage on your smartphone:

• G8141:/ $ sm set-force-adoptable true
• G8141:/ $ sm list-disks
• disk:179,0
• G8141:/ $ sm partition disk:179,0 private
• And G8141:/ $ sm set-force-adoptable false
• G8141:/ $ exit

3. Problems with system updates and Nougat when you Format an SD Card as Internal Storage

While some of them faced many difficulties when installing system updates from Android 6 after using the methods above. The update to Android 7.0 Nougat is will not make the process of formatting the microSD to internal memory very easy. While there may occur many situations with Android 7.0 Nougat and also they do not even respond to the console commands.

While if there is no documentation on the net, all you have to do is reverse the steps described below before a system update. You have to back up photos or music on your computer or in the cloud. Also, you have to free up as much memory on the SD card and smartphone as you can.

And you must uninstall unnecessary apps and migrate your data back into the internal memory. Then you have to format the MicroSD card as removable media and then it is safe to download the update.

What’s the catch?

MicroSD cards are not as fast as the internal memory of the device. So do not buy the cheap ones, instead, you have to choose the Extreme Pros. While the Sandisk microSD cards have proved to be the best value for the money in our opinion.

Storage space gain: a complete success

While there is also a storage space gain in the device and it is a complete success.

What happens if the microSD card is removed?

Yes, this is a question that everyone will think of. While if you remove the microSD card from the device, it creates a serious problem for the apps as they cannot access the data.  Furthermore, when you reinstall it, you can also restore the data again.

In case, if your SD card is lost or let say it has a defect, then your data is lost. This is because it is encrypted as the internal memory, you should not hope for a data recovery. So do backup your device regularly.

Safely remove an internally partitioned SD card

If you want to remove the SD card from the smartphone safely, then you must reverse the above process. But remember to share or transfer your data to another form of storage as your storage space on the internal memory is probably not sufficient. And then you can uninstall apps.

Then you go back to the Memory & USB settings >>tap Move data under Internal memory in the menu. Then choose the SD card and format it as mobile memory. And remember to do both steps (backing up and formatting) so that your data cannot be lost. While now you can also use the SD card with other devices.

This process worked for you? While which MicroSD card do you use? Please let us know in the comments below.

The post How to format MicroSD cards as internal memory appeared first on TECHYSOLS.