The ability to transfer applications to external storage, specifically a Secure Digital (SD) card, on the Android operating system refers to the process of relocating application data and executable files from the device’s internal memory to an external SD card. This action aims to free up valuable internal storage space on the Android device. For example, a user with a phone that is running low on memory might wish to move large games or applications to the SD card to improve device performance and allow for installation of new apps.
Moving apps to an external card was a common practice, particularly beneficial for devices with limited internal storage. It provided a cost-effective method to expand storage capacity, enabling users to install more apps, store additional media files, and potentially improve device responsiveness. While previously a more readily available feature, support and implementation has evolved across different Android versions and device manufacturers due to concerns regarding security, application stability, and overall user experience.