This article explains how to transfer images from the internal memory of an Android device to the SD card. You can do this using the Settings app or using a free program called ES File Explorer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Samsung Galaxy devices
Step 1. Make sure your Android device has an SD card
To install an SD card in your device, you may need to remove the back cover.
In some cases it is also necessary to remove the battery in order to gain access to the SD card slot. In this scenario, remember to turn off the device before disconnecting the battery
Step 2. Launch the Archive app
Locate the "Samsung" folder within your device's "Applications" panel, select it, then tap the Archive app icon. It is characterized by the outlines of a stylized folder placed on an orange background.
The Archive app is one of the pre-installed applications on most Samsung Galaxy devices running Android Nougat (7.0) or later
Step 3. Select the Images item
It is located in the "Categories" section visible at the top of the screen. A list of all photo albums on the device will be displayed.
Step 4. Select an album
Select the one that contains the photos you want to move to the SD card.
If you want to select all the images stored on the Samsung Galaxy, tap the album Room.
Step 5. Select the photos you want to move to the SD card
Press and hold an image to select it, then tap the preview icon of all the photos you want to move to the SD card. A check mark should appear on the left of each photo you select.
Alternatively, press the button ⋮ located in the upper right corner of the screen, choose the option Edit, then select all the photos you want.
Step 6. Press the ⋮ button
It is visible in the upper right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 7. Choose the Move option
It is one of the items listed in the menu that appeared. A new menu for the storage options will appear.
If instead of moving the photos to the SD card you want to copy them (so that a copy remains in the internal memory of the Samsung Galaxy too), choose the option Copy.
Step 8. Select the SD Card option
It is visible in the "Phone" section, located at the top of the menu that appeared.
Step 9. Select one of the folders on the SD card
Normally you will have to choose the folder first DCIM and then the voice Room, to select the default folder for storing photos. However, you can choose to use any folder on the SD card.
You can also select the option Create folder to create a new folder.
Step 10. Press the Finish button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. All selected photos will be moved to the indicated folder on the SD card. In this case the images will be removed from the internal memory of the device and transferred to the SD card.
If you have chosen the transfer option Copy rather than Move, the selected images will be copied first and then transferred to the SD card. In this case, a copy of the photos will also be stored in the internal memory of your Samsung Galaxy.
Method 2 of 3: Use the Original Android Version
Step 1. Make sure your Android device has an SD card
To install an SD card in your device, you may need to remove the back cover.
In some cases it is also necessary to remove the battery in order to gain access to the SD card slot. In this scenario, remember to turn off the device before disconnecting the battery
Step 2. Launch the Android Settings app by tapping the icon
It features a multicolored gear and is located in the "Applications" panel.
Step 3. Scroll down the menu that appeared to be able to select the Memory item
It is visible approximately in the middle of the list. The list of memory drives present in the device will be displayed, including the SD card.
Step 4. Select the Internal Archive option
It is displayed at the bottom of the "Device Memory" section.
Some smartphones and tablets may use the term Internal memory.
Step 5. Select the Photo item
It should be placed in the middle of the appeared menu.
Step 6. Select a folder
Tap the option Room to view the list of all the images you have taken using the device's camera.
You can select one of the other folders in the list to view images from another source (such as an app)
Step 7. Select the photos you want to move to the SD card
Press and hold an image to select it, then tap the preview icon of all the photos you want to move to the SD card.
Alternatively, you can press the button ⋮ and choose the item Select all to select all the images in the folder.
Step 8. Press the ⋮ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 9. Select the Move to… option
It is located at the top of the appeared menu. A pop-up window will appear showing the memory drives that you can select.
If instead of moving the photos to the SD card you want to copy them (so that a copy remains in the device's internal memory as well), choose the option Copy to.
Step 10. Select the SD card name
It is visible in the pop-up window that appeared. The SD card screen will appear.
Step 11. Select the folder you want to transfer the photos to
You can choose to use an existing folder or you can press the button ⋮, located in the upper right corner of the screen, select the option New folder and finally assign a name to the new folder you just created.
Images are normally stored in the folder Room, which in turn is stored in the folder DCIM SD card.
Step 12. Press the Move button
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. The photos you have chosen will be transferred from the internal memory to the SD card of the device.
If you have previously chosen the option Copy to …, rather than Move to …, the images will be copied to the SD card, but will not be deleted from the internal memory of the Android device.
Method 3 of 3: Using the ES File Explorer App
Step 1. Make sure your Android device has an SD card
To install an SD card in your device, you may need to remove the back cover.
In some cases it is also necessary to remove the battery in order to gain access to the SD card slot. In this scenario, remember to turn off the device before disconnecting the battery
Step 2. Download and install the ES File Explorer app
If you have already installed ES File Explorer on your Android device, you can skip this step; if not, follow these instructions:
-
Launch the app Google Play Store by touching the icon
Androidgoogleplay ;
- Tap the search bar;
- Type in the keywords es file explorer;
- Select the app ES File Explorer File Manager from the list of results;
- Push the button Install;
- Push the button I accept when required;
- Wait for the ES File Explorer app installation to complete.
Step 3. Launch the ES File Explorer app
Push the button You open visible on the Google Play Store page or tap the ES File Explorer application icon that appears in the "Applications" panel.
In order to continue, you will need to follow the instructions in the initial tutorial displayed in the form of screenshots
Step 4. Press the Get Started button
It is blue in color and located in the center of the screen. You will be redirected to the main page of the ES File Explorer app.
If you have used the ES File Explorer app before, you can skip this step
Step 5. Select the Pictures folder
It is located in the center of the screen. A list of all the images on the device will be displayed.
In order to select the indicated option, you may need to scroll down the page
Step 6. Select the photos you want to move to the SD card
Press and hold an image to select it, then tap the preview icon of all the photos you want to move to the SD card.
If you want to select all visible images, press and hold a photo to select it, then choose the item Select all located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 7. Select the Move to option
It is located at the bottom right of the screen. A new menu will appear.
If instead of moving the photos to the SD card you want to copy them (so that a copy remains in the device's internal memory as well), choose the option Copy to, located in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 8. Select the SD card
Touch the name of the SD card installed in the device and visible in the appeared menu.
Depending on the Android device you are using, you may not need to select the SD card. The latter will be selected automatically
Step 9. Choose a folder
Tap the name of the folder on the SD card where you want to transfer the images you have selected. All the chosen photos will be immediately moved to the SD card.
