Alex Ruben
How To Move Photos and Videos from Phone Storage to SD Card
Transferring photos and videos from your phone’s internal storage to an SD card is a pretty handy move if you’re running low on space or just want everything backed up. Sometimes, it’s not as simple as it sounds, especially with manufacturers messing with default file managers or limiting access. Anyway, here’s a rundown that’s worked on a few setups, though sometimes you gotta dig around.
Step 1: Open the File Manager App
Grab your preloaded My Files or File app. Sometimes it’s called File Manager or something similar. It’s usually in the app drawer or on the home screen. This is what you use to browse all device files. If it’s not there, third-party apps like Total Commander or FX File Explorer can do the trick — just make sure it’s enabled with storage permissions.
Step 2: Access Internal Storage
In the file manager, look for a folder like Internal Storage or Internal shared storage. Sometimes it’s just labeled as Device Storage. Check the available space on both your internal memory and SD card so you know what you’re dealing with. If your SD isn’t showing up, double-check it’s properly inserted and recognized — this often trips people up.
Step 3: Select the Files to Move
Navigate to the folder where your photos and videos are stored. Usually, it’s in DCIM or Pictures. Tap and hold on a file, then select multiple files if needed. Some apps let you use sliders or checkboxes for multiple selection — that’s faster.
Step 4: Choose to Move or Copy
After selecting your media, you’ll see options like Move or Copy. Why it helps: Moving deletes files from internal storage after copying, freeing space. Copying keeps a copy on your internal storage, just in case. On some phones, this menu can be hidden in a three-dot icon or under More. If you’re not seeing these options, it may depend on your file manager or Android version.
- Click Move if you want to free up internal space — especially if that storage is close to full.
- Pick Copy if you want to keep the originals and add duplicates to your SD.
Step 5: Navigate to the SD Card
Head back to the main file manager view and tap on your SD Card or similar label. Often, it’s under Storage Devices or just listed right on the home screen of the app. Make sure you’re in the right folder where you want the files to land — creating a dedicated folder helps keep everything tidy. Some setups default to a directory like Movies or Music, so you might need to create a new folder (just tap New Folder).
Step 6: Paste the Files
Once you’re in the right location, find and tap on Paste. This will kick off the transfer. Sometimes, it takes a bit depending on file size and write speed. If nothing happens, try restarting the app or clearing its cache — Android files apps can be flaky.
Step 7: Transferring Files Back
Same drill if you wanna send stuff back from SD to internal. Select files from SD, hit Move or Copy, then head to internal storage and paste. Rinse and repeat. Just keep in mind: some phones or apps might restrict access to SD cards if it’s formatted as external storage, so the process may vary.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here’s what often trips folks up:
- Make sure the SD card is correctly inserted. Sometimes, it’s just a loose fit or needs a reboot — don’t forget to check it’s mounted properly in Settings > Storage.
- Verify there’s enough space on the SD card before starting, or files will simply not copy.
- If your file manager is acting weird or missing options, reinstall or try a different one (Solid Explorer, Files by Google).
- In some cases, the SD may be formatted as portable storage, which can limit some app access. Reformat it as internal storage if needed from Settings > Storage > Format as internal. Be warned: that wipes the SD card.
- On some devices, you might have to enable USB debugging or change permission settings in Developer Options to get everything working smoothly.
Conclusion
Moving your media from internal storage to SD isn’t rocket science, but the devil’s in the details. Sometimes, things just don’t show up as expected — depends on manufacturer, Android version, or how the SD card was formatted. Keep an eye on storage permissions and formatting options. If a certain app or method fails, try a different file manager or restart your device; it’s often a quirky bug rather than a hardware issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my SD card is not recognized?
Make sure it’s plugged in correctly, check Settings > Storage, and try removing and reinserting. If that doesn’t work, test the SD card on another device. Sometimes formatting is needed — just back up first, of course.
Can I transfer files from an SD card to another SD card?
Sure, just connect both SD cards via a card reader or adapter (if available) and use the file manager to copy between them. It’s basically the same process.
What if I accidentally delete files during the transfer?
Check if your file manager has a trash or recycle bin. Some apps auto-restore deleted files within a certain period. Otherwise, data recovery tools might be necessary — depending on how valuable those files are.
Summary
- Make sure the SD card is correctly inserted and recognized
- Use a decent file manager app (native or third-party)
- Select and move or copy files in the right folders
- Be mindful of space on both internal storage and SD card
Fingers crossed this helps — it’s a bit of a grind, but once it clicks, managing media gets way easier. Just something that worked on multiple machines.