The ability to place application files on removable storage, such as a Secure Digital (SD) card, relates to managing device memory effectively. For example, a user with limited internal storage might seek to move some of their installed applications onto an SD card to free up space for system operations or to install additional software.
This practice was more prevalent in earlier versions of the Android operating system, offering users a degree of flexibility in managing storage capacity, particularly on devices with constrained internal memory. It provided a method for increasing usable space, potentially improving device performance, and enabling the installation of a greater number of applications. However, the implementation and support for this functionality have evolved over time due to security and performance considerations.