AndroidTutor2018- Did you know that you can save the photos you take with your Android phone directly to the SD card? If you're rocking an old school Galaxy S3, a fancy Galaxy S7 or a sleek new LG G6, you can save storage space on the phone itself by pushing your shots straight to the SD card. Some versions of Android don't officially let you do this, but it's still possible. Read on to find out how. Now we've added instructions for Android Nougat.
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The process for most phones is fairly similar, so it can be applied to almost any Android phone with a MicroSD card slot. While the steps may differ a bit from phone to phone, or between Android versions, you'll usually find your way if you dig around a bit.
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Android Nougat
Android Marshmallow
Android Lollipop
Android KitKat
Samsung phones
How to save photos to SD card on Android Nougat
Those who are lucky enough to have phones with Android Nougat already can save photos directly to a MicroSD card instead of their phone's internal storage. There are two ways to enable this, and the first step for both is to insert the MicroSD card and then open the default camera app of your device. Then, you may be presented with a prompt that offers to change your storage settings so that photos will go to the MicroSD card from now on. If you don't see a pop up box like the one in the left image below, don't worry. You can also select the MicroSD card as your preferred photo storage method in your camera app's settings menu. In the below image on the right, you can see what the menu looks like on the LG G6. It should be similar to what you'll find on any Nougat phone, though. Just go to the camera settings and look for storage options, then select the SD card option.
Choose to save photos to the microSD card once it's inserted, via the prompt (left) or the storage section of the camera settings menu (right). / © AndroidPIT
How to save photos to SD card on Android Marshmallow
The first thing you need to store images directly in the external memory is an SD card. Insert it into your phone, open the camera application and a message will appear asking if you want to change the storage location to the SD card. The same popup occurs on most devices when opening the camera app after inserting an SD card. Agree to your phone's request and all future pictures will be stored in the external memory card. Simple.
If by some chance this message doesn’t appear, or you have an SD card in your phone already, you need to configure it manually. To do this, you go to Settings in the camera app and scroll down to Storage. That's where you are able to choose between Device and Memory Card.
Best photo editing apps on Android
The process for most phones is fairly similar, so it can be applied to almost any Android phone with a MicroSD card slot. While the steps may differ a bit from phone to phone, or between Android versions, you'll usually find your way if you dig around a bit.
Jump to section:
Android Nougat
Android Marshmallow
Android Lollipop
Android KitKat
Samsung phones
How to save photos to SD card on Android Nougat
Those who are lucky enough to have phones with Android Nougat already can save photos directly to a MicroSD card instead of their phone's internal storage. There are two ways to enable this, and the first step for both is to insert the MicroSD card and then open the default camera app of your device. Then, you may be presented with a prompt that offers to change your storage settings so that photos will go to the MicroSD card from now on. If you don't see a pop up box like the one in the left image below, don't worry. You can also select the MicroSD card as your preferred photo storage method in your camera app's settings menu. In the below image on the right, you can see what the menu looks like on the LG G6. It should be similar to what you'll find on any Nougat phone, though. Just go to the camera settings and look for storage options, then select the SD card option.
Choose to save photos to the microSD card once it's inserted, via the prompt (left) or the storage section of the camera settings menu (right). / © AndroidPIT
How to save photos to SD card on Android Marshmallow
The first thing you need to store images directly in the external memory is an SD card. Insert it into your phone, open the camera application and a message will appear asking if you want to change the storage location to the SD card. The same popup occurs on most devices when opening the camera app after inserting an SD card. Agree to your phone's request and all future pictures will be stored in the external memory card. Simple.
If by some chance this message doesn’t appear, or you have an SD card in your phone already, you need to configure it manually. To do this, you go to Settings in the camera app and scroll down to Storage. That's where you are able to choose between Device and Memory Card.
Be aware, that on Marshmallow, you now also have the option to format an SD card as internal storage, meaning your photos will automatically be stored on it without doing any of the above. But if you do this, the card will only work on the phone you formatted it on. That means you have to connect your phone to a computer via USB if you want to manually transfer files. The card itself will not be recognized by any other devices. Read more about this here:
Why internal storage still beats a microSD card
Open up Settings when in the camera app and select Storage. © AndroidPIT
How to save photos to SD card on Android 5.0 Lollipop
Android 5.0 Lollipop changed things again, making it easier to set the save location for photos (as well as safer). Apps once again have read and write access to directories on removable storage. All you need to do is make sure your phone has a camera app with an API that makes use of the new permissions. If your stock camera won't let you save to the SD card, you can download a different camera app. Check the settings in the app and look for a storage option.
How to save photos to SD card on Android 4.4 KitKat
Android 4.4 KitKat doesn't like SD cards so much and images are saved in the internal memory by default with no easy way to change the save location. One simple solution is to download the MX Camera application in which you'll find options to select the storage destination for pictures. The app is able to override KitKat's preferences.
Simply open the application and go to Settings, then Camera and finally Custom save location.
Choose Camera and then Custom save location. © AndroidPIT
Camera MX - Photo, Video, GIF How to save photos to SD card on Samsung devices
Things are made pretty simple here. Just insert an SD card and open the camera app. All being well, you will presented with a window offering you the option to use the SD card as your storage option of choice.
You should see this dialog the first time you open the camera app after inserting an SD card./ © ANDROIDPIT
If you don't happen to see this window, then you can open the Settings menu in the camera app (the gear icon) and scroll down to Storage location, press it and selected Memory card. Job done.
Alternatively, find the option in the camera app's settings. / © ANDROIDPIT
Do you save your photos to the SD card? What do you feel are the benefits and dangers? Let us know in the comments.
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18 comments
Write a comment!
Write new comment:
SubmitCancel
1 Dan Campbell 1 week ago Link to comment
There is no 'storage location' icon, in the menus on my wife's S4 mini. The camera app itself is already set on the SD card.
Up until recently, all photos and videos were being saved to SD. But, it's all going to internal memory.
0
Reply
1 Jason Zimmerman 7 months ago Link to comment
I have the Moto X Pure and I cannot save to the SD card. It looks like 7.0 is a couple months down the road still. O don't want to format it as internal storage. I want my apps to stay on the phone and just have photos, music, and videos on the SD card. They've made something so simple impossible. I should have stayed on Windows Mobile.
0
Reply
2 Mark Robert 9 months ago Link to comment
There are few handy methods to move the apps to SD card.
1. You can move manually with the help of phone application manager.
Please note that if you cannot do it through phone application manager then apply these tips
- You can Root your Phone.
– Format SD card to NTSF.
– Specify or set your SD card as the default storage location
2. With the help of some free or paid apps.
0
Reply
7 Kenny Sigat Jun 19, 2016 Link to comment
I use es file explorer.
1 Mentie Kuchai
Reply
1 Rajeev Verma May 6, 2016 Link to comment
Hey this best
0
Reply
23 Mark G. May 2, 2016 Link to comment
I never had any problems saving to the SD card when using my old faithful S3 running kitkat 4.3.
I now have the excellent Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android 5.02, I have a 64GB SD card for my music and videos and documents/files. I only have 1 6GB internal memory so only have room for apps and some app data, everything else is on sd card.
Though I have a full back up on various cloud storage and USB/CD.
One top tip - DO NOT BUY cheap memory cards, do not buy sd card on price alone, the cheaper the price the higher chance it's a dud or fake. Only buy from reputable retailers. Lastly buy the best and fastest available (class 10 SDXC if possible).
Peace ✌
1 GT Ohh
Reply
17 Alex P. May 1, 2016 Link to comment
seems helpful!!Thanks :) kris
0
Reply
1 Mike Brynda Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment
Robert,
Camera MX (which I got a couple of days ago) has this under settings. You have to accept a f warning related to photo's being erased if you uninstall. The default location is buried deep in the directory structure but it's there...at least for me.
0
Reply
2 Omri Kehat Nov 5, 2015 Link to comment
Since kit kat I can save to sd card but when I turn phone off & on again everything is eraced??? Didn't try the camera app you recommended but I recon I'll have the same problem.
Pls help.
0
Reply
1 Raul Huerta Sep 24, 2015 Link to comment
Yes, Google camera does not allow SD card saving at all, there is not even an option for it. I believe google cam its superior to most phone OE cams except on this features and it also lacks the slow motion feature now standard in all new smartphones cam app. Wish google would fix this big issue.
0
Reply
2 Jack Sep 10, 2015 Link to comment
Hi Kris,
weird thing with my Android 5.1: Can change the default save folder to SD card in the built-in camera app but with Google's Camera app no way, no option, nothing. And i'm really enjoying using it.
Also I'm not being able to do almost nothing with my SD card. Not even moving apps, so I'm starting to get a little low on internal storage..
1 Sharon Tennant
Reply
4 Sharon Tennant Dec 15, 2015 Link to comment
I'm having the same problem and am just about out of device storage, please help,I have a 128 GB SD card but can't put anything on it
0
Reply
5 Steven F. May 1, 2016 Link to comment
This is not much help as I cannot get the camera app to save to SD card. I have Moto x pure edition and I have a file manager app that use to I periodically move the files to the SD card. Sorry, I forgot to add that my phone is running on Android 6.0
1 Jason Zimmerman
Reply
6 kapil jhajhria Mar 16, 2015 Link to comment
2-3 lines procedure turned into an article. Sometimes article's of this app really makes me laugh.
0
Reply
4 Sharon Tennant Dec 15, 2015 Link to comment
If you think your so smart then in 2_3 lines how do you get Google photos and music on the SD card when it does not give you the option on Samsung tab S2. And Samsung note 4.
1 GT Ohh
Reply
1 Mike Brynda Feb 13, 2016 Link to comment
Sharon you could try the app Camera MX.
In it's settings you can select your SD card for storage.
0
Reply
1 Robert Rosengarten Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment
I have camera MX and it won't let you save to sd card. maybe older versions of the app might have but the current on does not. my stock camera will let me set the save position to sd card but like someone above said it erases it or the pic is just black.
0
Reply
15 Lee Mar 14, 2015 Link to comment
Well if people don't know they do now lol there's no point owning a smartphone if your not smart enough to use it
2 Markkapil jhajhria
Reply
Write a comment!
Why internal storage still beats a microSD card
Open up Settings when in the camera app and select Storage. © AndroidPIT
How to save photos to SD card on Android 5.0 Lollipop
Android 5.0 Lollipop changed things again, making it easier to set the save location for photos (as well as safer). Apps once again have read and write access to directories on removable storage. All you need to do is make sure your phone has a camera app with an API that makes use of the new permissions. If your stock camera won't let you save to the SD card, you can download a different camera app. Check the settings in the app and look for a storage option.
How to save photos to SD card on Android 4.4 KitKat
Android 4.4 KitKat doesn't like SD cards so much and images are saved in the internal memory by default with no easy way to change the save location. One simple solution is to download the MX Camera application in which you'll find options to select the storage destination for pictures. The app is able to override KitKat's preferences.
Simply open the application and go to Settings, then Camera and finally Custom save location.
Choose Camera and then Custom save location. © AndroidPIT
Camera MX - Photo, Video, GIF How to save photos to SD card on Samsung devices
Things are made pretty simple here. Just insert an SD card and open the camera app. All being well, you will presented with a window offering you the option to use the SD card as your storage option of choice.
You should see this dialog the first time you open the camera app after inserting an SD card./ © ANDROIDPIT
If you don't happen to see this window, then you can open the Settings menu in the camera app (the gear icon) and scroll down to Storage location, press it and selected Memory card. Job done.
Alternatively, find the option in the camera app's settings. / © ANDROIDPIT
Do you save your photos to the SD card? What do you feel are the benefits and dangers? Let us know in the comments.
412 Shares
Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Share on Google+ 412 Shares
More from the web
We Tried HelloFresh: Here's What HappenedPopdust for HelloFresh
Hollywood Actress Tells All: “I Hope My Story Will Help Other Women”ActivatedYou
How Much Money Do You Really Get from a Reverse Mortgage?NewRetirement
Say Goodbye to Phone Bills Forever With One Super-Low Wireless Payment Per Year!MintSim
by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links
18 comments
Write a comment!
Write new comment:
SubmitCancel
1 Dan Campbell 1 week ago Link to comment
There is no 'storage location' icon, in the menus on my wife's S4 mini. The camera app itself is already set on the SD card.
Up until recently, all photos and videos were being saved to SD. But, it's all going to internal memory.
0
Reply
1 Jason Zimmerman 7 months ago Link to comment
I have the Moto X Pure and I cannot save to the SD card. It looks like 7.0 is a couple months down the road still. O don't want to format it as internal storage. I want my apps to stay on the phone and just have photos, music, and videos on the SD card. They've made something so simple impossible. I should have stayed on Windows Mobile.
0
Reply
2 Mark Robert 9 months ago Link to comment
There are few handy methods to move the apps to SD card.
1. You can move manually with the help of phone application manager.
Please note that if you cannot do it through phone application manager then apply these tips
- You can Root your Phone.
– Format SD card to NTSF.
– Specify or set your SD card as the default storage location
2. With the help of some free or paid apps.
0
Reply
7 Kenny Sigat Jun 19, 2016 Link to comment
I use es file explorer.
1 Mentie Kuchai
Reply
1 Rajeev Verma May 6, 2016 Link to comment
Hey this best
0
Reply
23 Mark G. May 2, 2016 Link to comment
I never had any problems saving to the SD card when using my old faithful S3 running kitkat 4.3.
I now have the excellent Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android 5.02, I have a 64GB SD card for my music and videos and documents/files. I only have 1 6GB internal memory so only have room for apps and some app data, everything else is on sd card.
Though I have a full back up on various cloud storage and USB/CD.
One top tip - DO NOT BUY cheap memory cards, do not buy sd card on price alone, the cheaper the price the higher chance it's a dud or fake. Only buy from reputable retailers. Lastly buy the best and fastest available (class 10 SDXC if possible).
Peace ✌
1 GT Ohh
Reply
17 Alex P. May 1, 2016 Link to comment
seems helpful!!Thanks :) kris
0
Reply
1 Mike Brynda Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment
Robert,
Camera MX (which I got a couple of days ago) has this under settings. You have to accept a f warning related to photo's being erased if you uninstall. The default location is buried deep in the directory structure but it's there...at least for me.
0
Reply
2 Omri Kehat Nov 5, 2015 Link to comment
Since kit kat I can save to sd card but when I turn phone off & on again everything is eraced??? Didn't try the camera app you recommended but I recon I'll have the same problem.
Pls help.
0
Reply
1 Raul Huerta Sep 24, 2015 Link to comment
Yes, Google camera does not allow SD card saving at all, there is not even an option for it. I believe google cam its superior to most phone OE cams except on this features and it also lacks the slow motion feature now standard in all new smartphones cam app. Wish google would fix this big issue.
0
Reply
2 Jack Sep 10, 2015 Link to comment
Hi Kris,
weird thing with my Android 5.1: Can change the default save folder to SD card in the built-in camera app but with Google's Camera app no way, no option, nothing. And i'm really enjoying using it.
Also I'm not being able to do almost nothing with my SD card. Not even moving apps, so I'm starting to get a little low on internal storage..
1 Sharon Tennant
Reply
4 Sharon Tennant Dec 15, 2015 Link to comment
I'm having the same problem and am just about out of device storage, please help,I have a 128 GB SD card but can't put anything on it
0
Reply
5 Steven F. May 1, 2016 Link to comment
This is not much help as I cannot get the camera app to save to SD card. I have Moto x pure edition and I have a file manager app that use to I periodically move the files to the SD card. Sorry, I forgot to add that my phone is running on Android 6.0
1 Jason Zimmerman
Reply
6 kapil jhajhria Mar 16, 2015 Link to comment
2-3 lines procedure turned into an article. Sometimes article's of this app really makes me laugh.
0
Reply
4 Sharon Tennant Dec 15, 2015 Link to comment
If you think your so smart then in 2_3 lines how do you get Google photos and music on the SD card when it does not give you the option on Samsung tab S2. And Samsung note 4.
1 GT Ohh
Reply
1 Mike Brynda Feb 13, 2016 Link to comment
Sharon you could try the app Camera MX.
In it's settings you can select your SD card for storage.
0
Reply
1 Robert Rosengarten Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment
I have camera MX and it won't let you save to sd card. maybe older versions of the app might have but the current on does not. my stock camera will let me set the save position to sd card but like someone above said it erases it or the pic is just black.
0
Reply
15 Lee Mar 14, 2015 Link to comment
Well if people don't know they do now lol there's no point owning a smartphone if your not smart enough to use it
2 Markkapil jhajhria
Reply
Write a comment!
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