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. it worked on my galaxy s duos(gt-s7562) but i do have a problem of installing/updating apps like antivirus/facebook/kittyplay and even tinyflashlight(which is low in memory) because whenever i tried to update or install those apps it says “insufficient storage available” but if i install games(big in memory) it is just fine. Will you help me with this problem? thanks!

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  2. I get to step 13 and then nothing happens I don’t get what you say comes up and I keep getting messages re my superuser or link2sd could not obtain root access please help

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    1. you are not rooted or your superuser binary is outdated, also means not rooted, you have to be rooted and you have to have the paid version of links2sdplus otherwise dont bother!

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  3. Hi i need some help i followed the instructions up to step 7 and created the first partition as shown but then there is no option to create another partition? How do i create the second partition? Please reply someone ;)

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    1. did you create your first partition as primary and set the size so that you have some space left over for your second partition?

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  4. I’m stuck between 14 and 15.

    I created partitions with no pb, I launched Link2SD, it asked me my file system (ext2), it rebooted.
    But when I launch link2sd, it asks me again what my file system is…
    I ticked “remember my choice” and rebooted.
    After reboot, every “Create link” button (in the programs list) is grey and cannot be clicked…

    I can’t do anything I’m waiting from this app :D

    First, I had NAND problem (my phone wasn’t S-OFFed), but now it’s rooted and S-OFFed, so everything should be OK.

    It looks like the Ext2 partition I created was not mounted…

    Any idea ?

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  5. it shows “N/A” in SD card 2nd partition info & if i create link for an app,it always shows that the app is stopped.stopped. Pls help

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  7. hmmm Unfortunately this has as much bloat ware as I am trying to get rid of .. unless you pay for the upgrade the main functions are locked and a lot of pop up advertisements. Limited functionality would have been ok. Gotta do a reset to get rid of it

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  8. I followed everything except used a USB cable cord instead of an SD adapter to partition it.

    I’ve changed my mind about rooting my android so I just won’t use link2sd

    How can I get my SD card restored?

    Will I have problems just manually moving files on my SD card via USB in Windows 7?

    The partition recovery tool in Mini did not work but I did copy the contents of the SD drive before I started everything. Do I need to buy a new SD card?

    Please help a newbie to all this stuff. :-)

    Reply

    1. There will be a problem. Link2SD creates a symbolic link (just like shortcuts) so that the front-end application will just follow the symbolic links to use them.

      ROOT is required to use Link2SD because some of the data that Link2SD will move are stored from a root-access folder.

      Just remember this, rooting your device will tamper your device’s warranty, but will give you opportunity to have this tweaks like Link2SD.

      Reply

    2. all you can do is use the native apps2sd and see which apps are movable when you open them under /settings/apps other than that you will not be able to have the functins enjoyed by rooted phone simples!

      Reply

  9. Followed the instructions and now gt6102 is having 2 gigs of system memory… Thanks a lot…:)

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