Link2SD
Link2SD

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.

Link2SD

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.

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.

  1. First you have to download Mini Tool Partition Wizard Manager. You can download it HERE.
  2. Insert your SD card to a card reader and open it on your computer.
  3. Back up all your files to the computer because partitioning will wipe your data.
  4. 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)
  5. Right click and choose Delete.link2sd 3
  6. 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)
  7. Select “Create as: PRIMARY” link2sd 4
  8. Next, create an ext2/ext3/ext4 partition (if you’re on stock ROM, choose ext2). This is where your apps will go. I suggest a value of 512Mb or 1Gb would be big enough but if you insist you can go as high as 2Gb.
  9. 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) link2sd 5
  10. Click the “Apply” button on the top left corner and wait for it to finish the process. Done.
  11. Put back your SD card to your phone and switch it on.
  12. Download and install Link2sd from Google Play Store.
  13. Open Link2sd. You will be prompted to choose between ext2, ext3, ext4 and FAT32. Select ext2. link2sd 6
  14. It will say mount script created. Reboot your phone now.
  15. Open link2sd and if the message doesn’t show up, you succeded.
  16. Go to Link2sd>Settings>check the autolink (to automatically move apps upon installation)
  17. 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)
  18. link2sd 2link2sd
  19. To check your memory, select “Storage Info”. This will show you the current state of your internal memory, FAT32, and ext2 partition.                                                                                             link2sd 7
  20. 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.
  1. Back up all your files to your computer. Partitioning wipes the files of your SD card.
  2. Go into recovery mode
  3. Select “Advanced”
  4. Select “Partition SD card”
  5. 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)
  6. Select 0 swap
  7. Wait for the process to finish. Reboot.
  8. Download and install Link2SD from Google Play Store.
  9. Open Link2SD you will be prompted to choose between ext2, ext3, ext4 or FAT32. Choose ext4.
  10. Follow instructions number 14-20. DONE!

Having troubles? Feel free to comment and post your questions below. Enjoy! :)

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613 Comments

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  1. when i partition sd card and put it in my phone, it report me that my sd card is damaged?
    what need i to do to avoid this? thanks in advance

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  2. just wanna ask sir, it is said in your tutorial that “(if you’re on stock ROM, choose ext2).

    but what if i’m not on stock ROM, which one should i choose? ext2? ext3? or ext4?

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  3. I need some help with root access on my android samsung phone. How do I get my phone rooted? Is there an app that I can download to get that done?

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  5. hello..im having a problem after insert SD card back to phone and install link2sd ,i got Mount Script error after choosing ext2. mount scipt cannot be created. failed : invalid argument. :( can you help? or this might not be any problem at all? thanks a lot. i love your tuts. * from Malaysia “)

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      1. Hi, thanks!

        What’s your phone? Try doing the process again and try another ext partition (ext2,ext3, or ext4). If all of that fail, use both FAT32 in the two partitions.

        Reply

  6. hi
    i have a “rooted s3 mini”my problem is؛ when i try to open link2sd there is a message appears its mean that i dont have 2 partitions but i am sure i did the same steps which you did could you help me please

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  10. My device is Galaxy Note 10.1 N8000 and I did everything in details but after creating links to move FireFox as an example and pressing move to SD card it says :
    Failure
    pkg:/data/app/org.mozilla.firefox1.apkFailure[INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE]
    Can you help me out please ??

    Reply

    1. As stated, it looks like you have insufficient storage. For me, it’s best to factory reset a device to fully utilize link2SD. If you don’t bother reinstalling your apps, then do it. Otherwise, manually move them one by one..

      Reply

      1. Thanks for reply , no my device has 10 GB free it’s a new device and my SD card is 64 GB free completely and formatted as stated above !!! , is this application and this method tried before with the N8000 galaxy note ??
        Please let me know .

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        1. ** You can try to repeat the process and see if it’ll work. That’s one of the ways to fix it.

          I’m not sure if someone tried it before but I think it should work. Since your device is new, why do you need Link2SD in it? You can just enjoy it for now as 10GB will (probably) suffice your current needs.

          Reply

          1. Thanks again , I repeated it several times , same error , 10 GB is so small specially for my son games , I had an iPad 64 GB before and now I’m frustrated , your help is truly appreciated .