Are SD cards still useful on Android since KitKat?

[KingstonU]

Seems that the KitKat version of Android does not allow apps to be installed on the internal memory anymore for various reasons.

Can the SD card still be used to store things like photos and music? I have a GS3 with Android 4.4.2 and it only has 16GB internal memory which I quickly filled with just photos and music so now struggle to keep free enough to continue using it. I just ordered a 32GB SDHC card, but can I offload photos and music files and other things to the SD card to help with this?

Or did I buy the SD card for nothing? Thanks

 

[gorcorps]

I store all my music and photos on mine. I also still have the option the move apps to the SD card, so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

Maybe something changed in lollipop

 

[lxskllr]

I store music and miscellaneous files on my sd card. I wouldn't get a phone without one.

 

[Crono]

Google actually backtracked with Lollipop, allowing you to store apps on SD whereas KitKat didn't. You can and could always store photos and music (and any other files) on the SD card, even if you stick with KitKat, it's just apps that were the issue.

 

[mnewsham]

Google actually backtracked with Lollipop, allowing you to store apps on SD whereas KitKat didn't. You can and could always store photos and music (and any other files) on the SD card, even if you stick with KitKat, it's just apps that were the issue.

To be fair though, you really shouldnt be loading apps onto your mSD card, that's just asking for it to die on you. They aren't meant for continuous read/writes.

 

[KingstonU]

Ok great thanks gents! And good point mnewsham, I think that's one of the reasons why google made that decision. Apps on the SD also operate more slowly then on internal memory as well.

I'm hoping to transfer this SD card over to an eventual GS5 as well. Damn GS6 removed SD card and battery expand-ability :/

 

[jacktesterson]

Use my 64GB cards daily.

 

[SAWYER]

I dont know if this is bs but I read a comment on another forum of a guy saying with 6.0 sd card and internal storage will be merge and displayed as one thing of storage

 

[StrangerGuy]

Of course its useful for media purposes. If Android players half-assed microSD implementation up again they better be prepared to kiss the high end handset market goodbye.

 

[tsupersonic]

After switching back to a phone with a microSD card slot, it's such a valuable addition. It's so nice to be able to store media for offline consumption. It's also invaluable to store other files, and move some apps to the microSD card. microSD cards are very cheap - 64 GB for about $18!

I now have a Moto G 2015: 16 GB internal storage + 64 GB microSD card, for a total of 80 GB of storage. I haven't had a phone with an microSD card slot since my first smartphone (Droid Incredible, which had a total of 64 GB in 20 freaking 10!)

I used to be in the camp that owned phones without SD card slot, and was getting by with cloud storage. I'd still be able to return to this model, but it's so much nicer having it there.

 

[KingGheedora]

After switching back to a phone with a microSD card slot, it's such a valuable addition. It's so nice to be able to store media for offline consumption. It's also invaluable to store other files, and move some apps to the microSD card. microSD cards are very cheap - 64 GB for about $18!

I now have a Moto G 2015: 16 GB internal storage + 64 GB microSD card, for a total of 80 GB of storage. I haven't had a phone with an microSD card slot since my first smartphone (Droid Incredible, which had a total of 64 GB in 20 freaking 10!)

I used to be in the camp that owned phones without SD card slot, and was getting by with cloud storage. I'd still be able to return to this model, but it's so much nicer having it there.

What are your scenarios for offline consumption? Usually when I have time to watch anything I'm at home, in which case I watch on a tablet or laptop. The only scenario in which I think I would watch stuff on my phone is during a long commute (which I don't have).

 

[gorcorps]

What are your scenarios for offline consumption? Usually when I have time to watch anything I'm at home, in which case I watch on a tablet or laptop. The only scenario in which I think I would watch stuff on my phone is during a long commute (which I don't have).

If you never have to fly, or never take a train/subway then it might not apply. There's certainly been times where I'll make sure I have some videos on the SD card, but it'll be because of the travel before a trip or something.

 

[ControlD]

I dont know if this is bs but I read a comment on another forum of a guy saying with 6.0 sd card and internal storage will be merge and displayed as one thing of storage

This would be a good thing if done correctly.

My wife's S5 is constantly running out of storage space. The phone has 16GB internal and a 64GB SD card. However, a good number of apps simply ignore the SD card including the ones she has to use for work. It's frustrating to get an out of memory message when the SD card still has 50+ GB of free space left on it. If the internal + external memory could show up as one storage space to apps that might solve such issues.

The spotty nature of SD support is part of why I had no problem moving to a Nexus 6. 32GB of internal storage is much more useful to me than 16GB + SD card.

 

[blankslate]

If you're going move app data to an SD card on your phone I'd go with the Samsung Pro SD card and keep the receipt and packaging. There is the 10 year limited warranty and they're pretty fast.

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage-accessories/MB-MD64DA/AM

MLC flash is also used for the Samsung Pro level of microSD card.
http://www.storagereview.com/samsung_s_new_pro_evo_and_standard_sd_and_microsd_cards_now_available

My wife's S5 is constantly running out of storage space. The phone has 16GB internal and a 64GB SD card. However, a good number of apps simply ignore the SD card including the ones she has to use for work. It's frustrating to get an out of memory message when the SD card still has 50+ GB of free space left on it. If the internal + external memory could show up as one storage space to apps that might solve such issues.

The spotty nature of SD support is part of why I had no problem moving to a Nexus 6. 32GB of internal storage is much more useful to me than 16GB + SD card.

Yeah the way Android manages the SD Card is not elegant but I also have a phone with 16 gb internal storage and a micro SD card installed. I am not running out of internal storage because I move my video and audio files to the SD card. I have a good number of medium sized (25 to 50 mb) apps installed and I am not running out of space because there is data on the internal storage that cannot be moved to the SD card.

....


...

 

[ThisIsChrisKim]

Guess it depends on what you usually store on your phone.

Lots of music and movies? SD card is great and fine.

Lots of games? You'll want more flash internal storage.

 

[ControlD]

Yeah the way Android manages the SD Card is not elegant but I also have a phone with 16 gb internal storage and a micro SD card installed. I am not running out of internal storage because I move my video and audio files to the SD card. I have a good number of medium sized (25 to 50 mb) apps installed and I am not running out of space because there is data on the internal storage that cannot be moved to the SD card.


...

My wife's usage is probably a little bit different. She already has her pictures set to automatically be stored on the SD card and she doesn't have any media files save for a few podcasts. She has several medical apps that consume a ton of storage however, and they don't allow splitting the executable from the data files. In the end this is just lazy programming from the app developers I suppose. But, if this is anything like the rest of the app world I imagine they were written with iOS in mind first and Android came along later. Since the iPhone doesn't have external storage support at all this is what you end up with. If the storage space could be pooled this issue would go away.

Had I known this in advance (this being the app requirements and limitations) I would have steered her away from the S5 in the first place.

 

[mnewsham]

Guess it depends on what you usually store on your phone.

Lots of music and movies? SD card is great and fine.

Lots of games? You'll want more flash internal storage.

Yeah games is a big one. KOTOR is ~5GB. Hearthstone is another 2GB. If you have more than just basic flash style games, you will want more internal storage than 16GB for sure.

 

[blankslate]

She has several medical apps that consume a ton of storage however, and they don't allow splitting the executable from the data files.

yeah space hungry work related apps was a possibility that tickled the back of my mind but didn't make it to my fingers before.

32GB internal with a micro SD expansion slot is the bare minimum I'd consider for an upgrade these days. I'd prefer 64gb internal + microSD


...

 

[sm625]

My wife's S5 is constantly running out of storage space.

There is an app called DiskUsage

I'd be shocked if that whole 16GB wasnt filled with at least 4GB of stuff that could be safely deleted.

 

[ControlD]

There is an app called DiskUsage


I'd be shocked if that whole 16GB wasnt filled with at least 4GB of stuff that could be safely deleted.

Thanks, that looks quite useful. I'll check that out tonight!