How to Force Apps to Move to the SD Card on Android
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If an app doesn't offer the option to change its storage, you can often force Android to allow moving it to the SD card by enabling Force allow apps on external storage in Developer Options, or by rooting your phone.
Moving apps from phone storage to the SD card (or back) frees up space on your phone. It can also help if your phone is unusually slow, freezes from time to time or apps crash, and it works even if you're not getting storage warnings yet.
This method forces Android to allow an operation it normally blocks, so use it sparingly. Always back up your files and data before you start.
Why the option to move an app may be missing
- Your phone manufacturer may have disabled this feature.
- Your memory card isn't fast enough.
- Your operating system doesn't support this feature.
Method 1: Enable "Force allow apps on external storage"
Turning on this Developer Options setting makes the option to change storage appear for apps that don't normally show it.
- Open Settings > About phone > Software information.
- Tap Build number 4 times quickly until Developer options are enabled.
- Open Developer options and turn on Force allow apps on external storage.
- Go back to the app's storage settings and move it to the SD card.
Menu names and locations can differ slightly by phone brand and Android version. On some phones you may need to keep tapping Build number until a message confirms that developer options are on.
Method 2: Root your phone
The second way to make the option appear is to give the phone root permission. You can learn how in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96KwseujMfI.