Link2SD is an android application by Bulent Akpinar that lets you move apps and games to the 2nd partition of your SD card. Why do we have to use Link2SD when Froyo and Gingerbread’s Native Apps2sd moves the files to the SD card? Native apps2sd only moves the apk file of the application leaving other files in internal memory thus you still have to manage your on-board memory and limit your choice of apps because it will eat up your memory and later on you cannot install any files anymore. Additionally, widgets and some applications are not intended to be moved to the SD card. However, Link2SD is only for root users because it is required that your phone is ROOTED.
The idea behind the application is the same. But Link2SD has more relevant features which the Native Apps2sd lacked giving Android 1.5 and up users the chance to have a taste of what it’s like to have a big phone memory. Additional features were added by the developer to furher optimize the usage of android devices. By using Link2SD, you can move not only the application file, but also the dalvic-cache and libray files of the application. This means that data will be the only one left to consume your internal memory thus installing applications and games would be easier because you can install anything you want without worrying about the famous low memory problem. Furthermore, Link2sd covers all files even moving widgets and the unmoveable applications to the 2nd partition of your SD card.
Software Needed
- MiniTool Partition (for PC i.e. Windows)
- Link2SD (for mobile i.e. Android)
PROCEDURE
This is a step by step guide on how you can run Link2SD on your device. This tutorial will work for both stock and cutom ROMs. For ClockWorkMod Recovery users, you can check the other guide below. Follow all the instructions carefully to eliminate possible problems.
- First you have to download MiniTool Partition Wizard Manager. You can download it in the link above, download it and install it on PC.
- Insert your SD card to a card reader and open it on your computer.(not via USB cable)
- Back up all your files to the computer because partitioning will wipe your data.
- Open Mini Tool in your computer. Locate your SD card (be careful in choosing and make sure not to choose the drive of your computer)
- Right click and choose Delete.
- Right click on it again and choose Create New. Create “FAT32″ partition (This is where all your media files will go. Be sure to make it bigger than the 2nd part)
- Select “Create as: PRIMARY”
- Next, create an ext2/ext3/ext4 partition (I suggest ext2 cause it works on all roms and kernels). This is where your apps will go. I suggest a value of 512Mb would be big enough but its your choice...
- Select “Create As: PRIMARY” (make sure that it is both set to primary because it will not work if it is not set to primary)
- Click the “Apply” button on the top left corner and wait for it to finish the process. Done.
- Put back your SD card to your phone and switch it on.
- Download and install Link2sd from Google Play Store link given above.
- Open Link2sd. You will be prompted to choose between ext2, ext3, ext4 and FAT32. Select one.
(Give preference in this order ext4>ext3>ext2>fat32/16, Not all may be compatible with your kernel so try each one in the order of preference and use the highest ranking one that works. ext3 is compatible with my kernel so I use that.) - It will say mount script created. Reboot your phone now.
- Open link2sd and if the message doesn’t show up, you succeded.
- Go to Link2sd>Settings>check the autolink (to automatically move apps upon installation)
- If you already have some apps, select “move to phone” then after moving select “Create Link” (be sure to check the three files: app, dalvic-cache and library files)
- To check your memory, select “Storage Info”. This will show you the current state of your internal memory, FAT32, and ext2 partition.
- Now you’re done and ready to install vast amount of applications as you wish!
FOR CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY USERS ONLY (ALTERNATIVE METHOD)
NOTE: You can also use the instructions above. This guide will work on both stock and custom ROMs.
- Back up all your files to your computer. Partitioning wipes the files of your SD card.
- Go into recovery mode
- Select “Advanced”
- Select “Partition SD card”
- Choose your SD-ext size (if you’re using a 2Gb SD card, choose 512Mb. If your SD card is 4Gb or greater, you can choose 1024Mb)
- Select 0 swap
- Wait for the process to finish. Reboot.
- Download and install Link2SD from Google Play Store.
- Open Link2SD you will be prompted to choose between ext2, ext3, ext4 or FAT32. Choose ext4.
- Follow instructions number 13-19. DONE!
References:
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