How to move applications & games data to external SD card?

By
Jayce Ooi
-
Last modified on

Not enough internal USB storage disk space on Samsung Galaxy Series smartphone like Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note and Galaxy S III? There is around 11 GB internal USB storage disk (sdcard) on Samsung Galaxy S3 (16 GB version). And some of you might face running out of sdcard disk space issue sooner. Even with external micro SD card, you can’t install applications and games directly on it. Luckily, you can move applications and games data to external micro SD card with Directory Bind. Note – root access is needed.

Move applications & games data to external SD card

Directory Bind Features

  • Aimed at specific functionality and features.
  • You can create any number of Data to Target directory pairs, mount them manually or choose to mount them on system boot (checkbox does that).
  • On / off switch controls whole mount-on-boot function.
  • Diskette icon indicates if mount operation was successful, by taping it you can mount / unmount entry.
  • Icon changes if application is using mounted entry.
  • Directory Bind can tell what application is using this entry (tap at entry in use).
  • Long tap on entry (disabled) brings edit/delete window.
  • App auto unmount all entries on USB connected and remount after USB disconnected.
  • App shows notification and vibrates if auto unmount on USB fails.
  • If mounting all checked entries (ex. on boot) app is waiting specified time (def. 60 sec) if data directory is not available.

How to move applications & games data to external SD card on Samsung Galaxy S3?
I take my Samsung Galaxy S3 as example. It should work on rooted Android phone with external micro SD card. Old Gameloft games data are stored at /mnt/sdcard/. However, latest Gameloft games data are stored at /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/ just like other Android applications and games. With Directory Bind, you can move one folder by one folder to external storage at /mnt/extSdCard/. I won’t move all applications and games data in Android/data folder to external micro SD card because it is much slower compare to internal memory. Therefore, I only move those unimportant or less frequent used applications and games to external storage with Directory Bind.

Moving gameloft folder
List of folders bind to external storage

Above are some of the applications and games folders that I moved to external SD card from internal storage. Thanks to Directory Bind, I can use internal storage disk space for more important stuffs. By the way, do study more about Directory Bind at XDA website.

Download Directory Bind v0.2.0o here.

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178 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Jayce,

    Look at your example, why you put source data with extSdCard and target with SdCard ?
    Should it be the other way ?

    Correct me if I’m wrong. TQ

    • OK….is my mistake.
      Another question, do I need to turn on the Directory Blind every time before I use the program that already transfered to SD Card ?

        • I don’t know why this app is not working for my S3.
          My real racing 2 and Let’s golf 3 will request to download additional data files after I moved to extSDCard. Previously it working fine on internal SD card.
          ???

            • I have a strange thing here…
              After I transfer the files to SD Card…I can see the screen shot as your last example with all the S and T folders with “tick”
              But after I exist the program and go in again. All become empty ….is it normal ?
              I can’t see any diskette !

                • Akiyoo, the easiest way around you’re issue is creat a back up with the app, just from menu, tap More and back up database and when you reboot your phone the whole setup for some reason gets wiped and this is where the back up comes in pretty hand, instead of creating the whole directory all over again just restore the back up turn root on and it stays that way as long as your phone is on, but after each reboot you need to do the restoration again..

                  I hope that helps..btw Jayce thanks for the posting, I’m still playing around with it to see if I could creat my entire internal memory directory to run off the extSD…

                  • I have the same problem. I moved asphalt 7 to sd and it did successfully, After reboot, entries were gone, but game files are still on external sd, so entries just dissapear from Directorybind. Will backup database now, thanks for the tip

  2. wow. thanks for posting! i wanted to send my SII in for repair once so i tried moving some of my favourite apps into an external SD card. it didn’t work and they screwed up completely even when i put my sd card back into my phone. tech-idiot here >_< thanks for sharing your procedure! 🙂

  3. i tried, it not work for my samsung S3, after i created the bind link, it appear with disk color with green. when i exit the program.. and come back to directory bind app again, the created link disappear.
    Directory Bind not work at all for my samsung S3.

  5. Works like a charm! I’ve transferred all my big game data to external sd, ie shadowgun,six guns, asphalt 6

    For those of you having problems,
    – Please check the box ‘Alternate dbase mgmt’ under ‘preferences’ and then reboot.
    – Check the box ‘Handle USB connection’ under preferences and reboot.
    – The target(T) file should be /sdcard/Android/data/whateverfolder, NOT mnt/sdcard/Android/data/whateverfolder(this worked for me after first few failed tries)

  6. Hi to all,

    first able thank for this apps which one work fine on my GS3, i got only one question :

    my phone eis rooted and run omega v7, for some game i can’t find them in the android/data folder
    some they are there some not ??

    do you know why ??

    Thanks.

  7. one more things i doesn’t have any thing showing up in directory bind ??

    can you tell me which option i have to select or remove in setting, thanks.

  8. What Jayce meant when ‘restoring database’ was that sometimes the phone forgets the bindings, and they disappear. To fix this, when on directory bind, press menu and tap on ‘backup database’. The next time your bindings disappear, just press menu and click ‘restore database’

  9. But make sure your bindings are there when you press ‘backup database’, or there’s nothing to restore to later on. So
    1) Do all your bindings
    2) press ‘menu’ button and click ‘backup database’
    3) Reboot
    4) If bindings disappear after reboot Check the box ‘Alternate dbase mgmt’ under ‘preferences’, and go back to main page and press ‘menu’ button and press ‘restore database’ and then reboot again.
    5) Your bindings should be there, if not press ‘restore database’

    • However faster the internal memory is in loading games, I would only strongly recommend this to hardcore gamers who have at least 2-3 HD games stored in the S3, and are equipped with either a Class 10 micro SD card, or Sandisk’s new Ultra level 6 micro SDXC card(which i’m using now :D). With that, they run equally as fast as in internal storage(no hard evidence though, just my observation).

  10. ok so i got my file under directory bind window, but two games i can’t find it :

    samurai 2 vengeance and cogs i instal it by CWM but i can’t find it with directory bind explorer or even with root explorer, any idea ??

    nothing in sdcard/android/data and i can’t see anything in the whole root, weird !!

    thanks for the help 🙂

    • I’m having the same ‘problem’ too, I’ve just installed Wiki Encyclopedia Offline(3.6GB) and would really appreciate it if anyone shares where the data is stored on the phone.

      *WARNING* DO NOT REMOVE SDCARD AFTER YOU DO DIRECTORY BIND, IT MIGHT MAKE YOUR SD CARD FAULTY AND YOU HAVE TO REFORMAT, solution is to backup your entire external sd card on a HDD once in a while.

  11. Finally, it work! wow, it work for my samsung S3 after applied below setting:

    -check the box ‘Alternate dbase mgmt’ under ‘preferences’ and then reboot.

    Thanks alot!!!!!

  12. thanks alot for ur help , but i couldnt find directory bind on my galaxy s 3 :'(
    pls help me in steps to know how to find it , and thnx

  13. So I installed this and setup everything and it seems to work. I disabled the bind and game stops working, so I assume the binding works… but when I check the folders under myFiles or via USB connection to the PC, I still see the game data locates under the internal card… what am I missing? was it supposed to be moved to the external SD? anybody sees what I see?

  14. It seems that my problem is unique here.

    I CAN’T install this Directory Bind app. How come?

    I downloaded and copied DirectoryBind_0.2.0o.apk onto SD card.

    When I installed it from Root Explorer or CWM, I got an “Not enough space” error.

    Can help?

    Eric

    P.S. I just found that some APPs installed from Google Play have the same space problem.

  17. Dear Jayce,

    Is that means rooted device will only having issue on warranty voided but normal update still can be in progress (what i meant update is the update like Jelly bean and also maybe 4.2 + PLus those OTA update from Samsung or android ) but not from CF or other root or mods ? Please advise

    Thank

  18. Hi Jayce,

    Did you encounter game laggy especially “real racing 2” ? during real racing playing, most of the time “directory bind message” appeared on screen , while the message pop up on screen, i can felt games is laggy until message disappear.

    Possible to turn off the message of “directory bind message pop up”?

    Please advise,
    Thanks.

  19. Dear Jaycee,

    help needed, how come after i binded the data being transfered but the disket is in red and then i cant opent the file that i binded ?

    Regards,
    Chuan

  20. Dear Jayce,

    Currently i m transfering the data file for Amazing Spiderman and it succed to transfer but it seems to be cant be mounted wif red diskette indicator and i cant run the game but after i move the data files back to my phone original place then the game can be run just i am not sure is DirectoryBind_0.2.0o version not compatible or what ?

  22. Dear Jayce,

    I m suspecting it only can recgonise certain game, i managed to make the things works for shadowgun. Anyway, thank for your help and advice

    Regards
    Chuan

    • Dear Jayce,

      i uninstall and install the bind back and everything seems ok now and managed to save some space for the phone and get the phone working. Thank for your advice , i wonder if those games that require titanium backup to install and run , will the bind still applicable. Thank in advance

      Regards,
      Chuan

        • Dear Jayce,

          It seems all working well for me now (i only root the phone but i didnt flash to new rom or kernel). However, i was wondering if Samsung has next update like “Samsung Galaxy S3 XXBLG1 Firmware Upgrade ” Or Jellybean , Can i still update the phone through Samsung Kies and if can , is that means i only need to reroot it again (repeat the same process) . Lastly, after the update and do u think this directory bind and CF Root 6.4 still compatible with next update like Jellybean ? Thank in advance

          Regards,
          Chuan 201

          • Yes, you can upgrade firmware with Samsung Kies even rooted.
            Yes, Directory Bind should work if no SD card file structure change in future firmware.

  23. Dear Jayce..

    Currently i install the directory bind to my s3.. But, why the root access fail? Actually, i’m already root my s3 before install the directory bind..

    Another question, is apps s3 just using the memory phone? can’t we install the apps in sd card?
    Thankyou..

    Regards

    Santo

    • Is root access only fail in Directory Bind app? Or all?

      Can. Depend on the applications that you installed. But most of them will store in internal SD card. Not the external one.

      • Yup.. The root access fail just in directory bind app.. I don’t know the problem 🙁

        Why, in application manager, there is no sd card change, same with s2?

        thankyou

  26. This simply wouldn’t work for me. Everything seemed to be fine- files moved, bind active (blue highlight), yet the game tested (Asphalt 6) re-downloaded its files. Every time I re-checked the bind it was back in grey and had to be bound again. Tried leaving the program running, or quitting before testing, but the bind never holds. SGS3 with Darky ROM v3.

  27. Hi jayce. How can we make ext sd card as destination folder for downloads. N how can i move data from int memory to ext sd card. My device is not rooted. Can i use this bind directory stuff. Is their any simpler way ? Other than this. Btw i could not down load it through link u provided. Any other link. Sorry for so many questions. But my int memory is packed n i want to offload it .

  28. hey jayce…

    i don’t know what i have done.. this is my first time using directory bind.
    and now i cannot find my whatsapp images which i desperately need for work.
    data was path was /sdcard/external_sd/
    and target was /sdcard/
    i think i checked “transfer files from target to data” and clicked add.
    i not sure if i have moved/mounted any directories yet. cuz it got stuck at 100% and i pressed cancelled.
    after which i tried to connect my cable to transfer the photos from whatsapp and it says device storage cannot be accessed and somethin bout the screen being locked and to disconnect and try again.
    i did. and screen was unlocked but it still says i can’t do it.
    then i looked up some help and did this
    1) data path – /sdcard/external_sd/
    and target path – /sdcard/whatsapp
    and now, there are NO images in whatsapp when i connect via android transfer!
    is there anyway to reverse whatever i did and start afresh?

    • If you did a Nandroid or titanium backup, I’m 100% sure ypu will get the images back when you restore depending on how often you do a Nandroid or Titanium back up..

  30. Thanks Jayce OOi
    Ivan from installing Magdlr on Htc HD2, Cookie Home Tab on HTC HD2 and now directory bind. why can’t i never not see this site? man it solves my everyday htc leo probs thanks dude
    Ivan
    PS thanks and how did u ever become a computer geek ?
    i do inspire

  31. hi jayce

    updated my cell to android ics 4.0.4 using kies.
    my phone specs are now as follows

    base band version….19100 BVLPE

    kernel version……..3.0.15-19100BVLPH-CL969772dpi@DELL127#3
    SMP PREEMPT Mon Jul 30 15:28:47 KST 2012

    build number ….IMM76D.BVLPH

    how to root it ? please help.

  32. I have a Samsung galaxy s3 16gb and I am in low space warning. i have bought a 16GB external SD CARD and put it in my galaxy s3. and now when i go to settings/application manager/ and select a game to transfer it to the sd card, I cannot see the MOVE TO SD button…. any help please how to fix this?. Thanks

  34. Hi Jayce,
    I just got my S3 today. I haven’t rooted it yet, one quick question. Since some games have large installation files S3 will install this to internal mem (sorry I haven’t tried it yet) then after installation I can move it to SD and use this app to point the game files from SD?

    and sorry but can I throw this question:
    -I think this international version of S3 that I got is from UK and I’m currently in the US. Software update notification appear and during software update I selected US then it failed in the update is there any chance to select region maybe I should select UK to received the update?

    thanks again Jayce! 🙂

  35. total newbie here just got my s3 a few days ago
    i already rooted my s3 by following the direction you showed on your video
    now what? haha how do i put this apk and install it in my s3?

  36. I installed directory bind on my galaxy tab 2 7″ and everything works just fine. One big question though, I still see the directory in the internal memory with all the files still there and duplicated over to the sdcard. Is it there in the internal memory as a dummy files and not taking any spaces? Just wondering cause I was about to just delete the internal memory one and found out it also deleted the directory bind one as well.. lol

  37. Hi Jayce,

    I just want to move my Pictures and WhatsApp into my external sd but after the moved I got redundant albums in my QuickPic. Is it meant to be like that? I try to hide one but it hid both the albums.

  38. This download link doesnt work on my phone do you have a nother download link where i could download it? My phone is an xperia go.

  41. Sounds like it just creates a symbolic link, which is why the target and source seem weird. It’s standard syntax for ln -s.

    • If life was that simple, we wouldn’t be posting here.

      Sdcard filesystems are most commonly formatted as fat/fat32/vfat, which are Windows compatible filesystems, which do not support relative paths. They support absolute paths. Which is why we have to mount entire filesystems inside another filesystem’s absolute path.

      Also worth noting: your “standard syntax for “ln -s” is not the only place where source/target works this way. So does every other properly built setup. Its user error to look at it the wrong way because on setup, what you have is data, and this data needs to be redirected in a way. But one should look at any location serving data like a database. It’s static data sitting there, waiting for a SOURCE to TARGET it…

  45. Hi how do i boot my Samsung S duos, should i try CF root or some other software to root it.

    I just want to save all apps to my SD card instead of internal memory, is there any other way to do that

  46. Hello Buddy, Is it possible to install apps directly or Move apps on to Micro SD card on SGS3 / SGN2 [Jelly bean] with out rooting and voiding warranty. If so how to do it, thanks…

  47. hi guys plz help me out hear. i am using nova hd custom rom on my lg optimus 2x.i installed directory binding and moved the data to external sd card and even played the games everything worked fine. but now i don’t know for what reason it is not working . the diskette icone does not turn green. it keeps on the red color . please some one help. all thought thanks for the developer who came up with such a wounder full application

  48. ya i was also thinking the same but that is not the solution, this is a common problem and lot of my friends are facing the same. the problem here is that i am not able to mount the data which is moved on the external sd card. May be directory binding is not able to access the external sd card or may be something else. i am searching and will post the solution if i found one and u also do the same brother. thanks for ur concern .

  49. everything is going right. now i can move all of my data files from internal sd to external sd but i have a problem, after i install directory bind my phn becomes laggy now. and everytime when i connect my phn to pc i have to restart my phn, if i don’t do this after sometime it becomes too much slow even sometime its not enter in menu option. plz help my phn is sgs3 (rooted)

  50. Good morning Jayce. How To Transfer Apps From Internal Memory To SD Card in Android.
    Kindly guide me I am using Samsung GT-S5670.
    Thank you

  55. dear jayce.

    could not understand how to use it.

    rooted my cell with siyah kernel ..it has still stock rom ics..

    now it decide target as sd/android/data/any folder and then create one on ext sd.
    and then tick transfer and press add……it transfers….well fine…diskette on left remains grey and then i press it and it turns green ( i don’t know what it means)..but i do it.

    as someone suggested above I have also checked boxes as advised…

    now once transferred …supposedly and then when i reboot my mobile and press that app…it simply is gone….i mean , it asks again to be installed…where is it gone…and how can i put it to work again ????? when i try to remove that folder from int card…it simply does not..

    I mean how this whole stuff works really…and at point do you back up…while files are being transferred, there is no back up option…
    please explain a bit …..i am totally confused about this….for now have totally uninstalled two apps after so called unsuccessful transfer !

    thanks.

  57. Hello, I have a xolo q700(rooted).Tried to use directory bind on Rayman jungle.even got the green diskette but the game still asks for additional data.

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