It can be frustrating when apps installed on an SD card do not show up or appear on an Android device. This issue prevents users from opening apps stored on external storage and limits available storage space on internal memory. There are several potential causes for apps not displaying when installed on an SD card. This article will provide an overview of the main reasons apps may not show up and troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.
Why Apps May Not Show Up on SD Card
There are a few common reasons why apps you’ve installed or moved to your SD card may not show up or be accessible on your Android device:
Insufficient storage space on card – If your SD card is full or almost full, your device may not be able to properly save apps to it. You’ll need to free up space for apps to be moved and function properly.
Incompatible SD card – Not all SD cards will work properly with all Android devices. Make sure you are using a compatible, high quality card that meets your device’s specifications.
Corrupted SD card – A damaged or corrupted SD card can prevent apps stored on it from being recognized by your device. Reformatting the card may resolve this, but a corrupted card often needs replacing.
App not movable to SD card – Some apps cannot be moved to or run directly from an SD card. The app developer restricts moving the app in the app settings. Unfortunately there is no workaround for such apps.
Checking SD Card Compatibility
One reason apps may not show up on your SD card is that the card itself may not be fully compatible with your Android device. Android devices require SD cards that meet certain minimum specifications in order to function properly.
According to Android Central, SD cards used in Android devices should be Class 10 or UHS Class 1 cards. These specifications relate to the minimum read and write speeds supported by the card [1]. Using a lower class card that doesn’t meet these speed requirements can lead to poor performance and stability issues.
You should also check that your SD card meets the minimum capacity requirements for your device. According to CNET, high-end Android phones like the Galaxy S7 support SD cards up to 2TB, while lower-end models may top out at 200GB [2]. Inserting a card that exceeds your phone’s maximum capacity could prevent apps from being moved to the card.
Finally, you should use SD cards from reputable brands that are recommended for use with your specific Android device. The manufacturer website or user manual will often provide a list of approved, compatible SD card manufacturers and models. Cards not on this approval list may not perform properly.
Ensuring Adequate Storage Space
One of the most common reasons apps may not show up on an SD card is that there is not enough free storage space available. Android requires a minimum amount of free space on the SD card before apps can be moved over. According to Android developers, most SD cards need at least 500-1000 MB of free space for apps to function properly.
Before attempting to move apps, it’s a good idea to check how much free storage space is available on the SD card. This can be done in the phone’s Settings > Storage menu. If the SD card is nearly full, it’s recommended to free up space by deleting photos, videos, music, or files that aren’t needed. Uninstalling unneeded apps is another way to quickly free up chunks of storage space on both internal storage and the SD card [1].
Most Android devices require at least 10-25% of the total SD card capacity to be free before allowing apps to be moved over. Formatting or partitioning the SD card can also optimize it for maximum app storage. Having enough free space is key for apps on SD cards to load properly.
Moving Apps to SD Card
The easiest way to move apps to an SD card is through your device’s settings menu. On most Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App info. Tap on the app you want to move, then tap Storage and tap the Change button. Select your external SD card, then tap Move. This will allow you to move the app to SD card storage (Source).
If the standard device settings don’t allow you to move an app, you can try using a third party app like AppMgr III or App2SD. These apps let you force move apps to SD card storage even if they don’t support it natively. AppMgr has a “Force Move” option, while App2SD can move any app regardless of developer restrictions. Just open the app, select the app you want to move, and tap the associated button to force the app to external storage (Source).
Checking for SD Card Corruption
One of the most common reasons apps may disappear from an SD card is because the card has become corrupted or damaged in some way. This can happen if the card is improperly ejected, exposed to moisture or high temperatures, or simply from normal wear and tear over time.
To check if your SD card is corrupted, you can scan it for errors directly on your Android device. Go to Settings > Storage > select your SD card > Run diagnostics. This will scan for any file system errors. You can also use a free app like SD Scanner to scan your card. If any errors are found, your SD card is likely corrupted.
The solution is to reformat the entire SD card, which will wipe all data and restore proper file system structure. Back up any important files first, as reformatting will erase everything. Then, go to Settings > Storage > select your SD card > Format. Reformat using the default FAT32 file system for full compatibility.
According to this LifeWire article, reformatting can often fix SD card corruption issues and make your apps visible again when the card is remounted.
Troubleshooting Individual Apps
Sometimes the issue may lie with a specific app rather than the SD card itself. Try updating any apps that are not showing up properly or clearing their cache and data:
- Open the Play Store app and go to My Apps & Games > Installed to check for any available updates. Tap Update next to any apps that need updating.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps. Find the problematic app and tap on it. Tap Storage & cache > Clear cache and Clear storage to wipe the app’s data and cache.
After updating and clearing app data, restart your device and check if the app appears properly on your SD card. Updating to the latest version and clearing cache/data often resolves app issues.
If problems persist for a particular app, try reinstalling the app or reaching out to the developer for further troubleshooting. Removing and re-adding the SD card may also help reset apps acting up.
When to Replace an SD Card
If your SD card is experiencing frequent corruption issues, it may be time to replace it. Corruption typically happens when the card has degraded over time or has physical defects. Continued use of a frequently corrupted card can lead to permanent data loss.
SD cards also have a limited lifespan and degrade with normal wear over years of use. An old SD card is more prone to corruption and performance issues. The symptoms indicating it’s time to replace an aging SD card include:
- Frequent unprompted dismounting from your device
- Difficulty formatting or sudden inability to format
- Frequent file transfer errors
- Drastic reduction in read/write speeds
- Spontaneous bit rot and data loss
If your SD card is more than a few years old and exhibiting these symptoms, it’s likely at the end of its lifespan. Replacing it with a new SD card can significantly improve performance and reliability.
Some key signs indicating when an SD card should be retired include corruption happening repeatedly, even after reformats, and the inability to successfully complete a full format of the card. At that stage, it’s usually best to retire the SD card and replace it with a new one. This avoids further data risks or instability.
Best Practices for Using SD Cards
To get the most out of your SD card and avoid issues, follow these best practices:
Use Recommended SD Cards – Stick with reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston when buying SD cards. Avoid cheap or knockoff cards, as they are more prone to problems. Choose cards with high ratings that are designed for Android devices.
Leave Storage Buffer – Don’t fill up the entire SD card. Leave 10-20% free space as a buffer. This allows the card and apps to manage files more efficiently.
Backup Data – Regularly back up photos, videos, and other files from the SD card to another location. This protects your data in case the card becomes corrupted or damaged. Before formatting the SD card, transfer any important files off of it.
Eject Before Removing – Always eject the SD card before removing it from your Android device. This step is crucial to prevent data loss or corruption.
Update Apps – Keep apps stored on the SD card updated. Older app versions may not properly interact with the SD card.
Watch for Slowdowns – If you notice your Android device slowing down, freezing, or acting odd, it could indicate SD card issues. Try removing the card and testing device speed.
By following these tips, you can avoid common pitfalls and get the most efficient performance from your microSD card.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key reasons why apps may not show up on an SD card:
- The SD card may not be compatible with your device or formatted properly.
- There may not be enough free storage space on the SD card.
- The app may not support moving to external storage.
- The SD card could be corrupted.
Solutions include checking the SD card compatibility, freeing up storage space, moving compatible apps manually, scanning for errors, troubleshooting problematic apps individually, and replacing worn out SD cards. With some diligent troubleshooting and proper SD card management, you can get those missing apps to show up again.
The key is not to overlook the basics – start with storage space, compatibility, and app settings. If issues persist, don’t hesitate to reform