Move Photos to SD Card on LG V20: Full Guide
To move photos to an SD card on an LG V20, open the Gallery app, select the photos you want to move, tap the menu (three dots), choose “Move,” then select your SD card as the destination. This guide explains the built-in method, why you might need it, common problems, and alternative approaches for managing storage on the LG V20.
Why Move Photos to the SD Card?
The LG V20 (released in 2016) has 64 GB of internal storage, but a large portion is taken up by the system, apps, and cached data. Photos and videos, especially 4K video, can quickly fill the remaining space. The V20 has a microSD slot that supports cards up to 2 TB (per the SDXC standard), so moving photos to the card frees internal storage for apps and improves overall performance. It also makes it easier to transfer photos to another device or back them up by simply removing the card.
How the Built-in Move Feature Works
The LG Gallery app includes a standard “Move” command that relocates files from internal storage to the SD card. This is different from “Copy,” which leaves the original in place. When you move a photo, the Gallery app updates its database so the photo still appears in your albums, but the file itself lives on the SD card. This is the safest method because it uses the system’s own file management, avoiding permission issues that can occur with third-party file managers.
Step-by-Step: Move Photos Using the Gallery App
- Open the Gallery app on your LG V20.
- Tap and hold one photo to enter selection mode. Then tap additional photos to select them, or tap “Select all” if you want to move everything.
- Tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
- Choose Move from the dropdown menu.
- Navigate to your SD card (it appears as “SD card” or a name you gave it). You can create a new folder (e.g., “Camera”) by tapping the folder icon.
- Tap Move here (or the checkmark). The photos will be transferred.
If you only want to move photos taken by the camera, you can also change the camera’s storage location in the Camera app’s settings (gear icon) to “SD card.” This automatically saves new photos to the card, but it does not move existing ones.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: “Move” option is grayed out or missing. This can happen if the SD card is not properly mounted. Go to Settings > Storage & USB, check that your SD card is listed and mounted. If not, unmount and remount it, or restart the phone.
Problem: Photos disappear after moving. The Gallery app may need to rescan the SD card. Open the Gallery app, pull down to refresh, or restart the phone. If photos still don’t appear, use a file manager to check if the files are actually on the SD card.
Problem: SD card is read-only or not recognized. This often indicates a corrupted card or a card formatted with an incompatible file system. The V20 supports FAT32 and exFAT. If the card was formatted on a computer as NTFS, the phone cannot write to it. Back up the card’s contents, then format it in the phone (Settings > Storage > SD card > Format).
Problem: Moving a large number of photos takes a long time or fails. The V20’s internal storage is eMMC, and the SD card is slower. Moving thousands of photos can take several minutes. Ensure the phone has sufficient battery or is plugged in, and don’t interrupt the process. If it fails, try moving in smaller batches.
Alternative Methods: File Managers and PC Transfer
If the Gallery app’s Move function isn’t working, you can use a third-party file manager app (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) to move files. These apps give you full control over folders and can handle bulk operations. However, be careful not to move system files or app data—only your personal media.
Another option is to connect the V20 to a computer via USB, enable File Transfer mode, and then cut-and-paste photos from the internal storage folder (usually DCIM/Camera) to the SD card folder. This is useful if you want to organize photos into specific folders or if the phone’s screen is unresponsive.
How to Choose an SD Card for the LG V20
- Capacity: 64 GB to 256 GB is a good range. The V20 supports up to 2 TB, but larger cards are more expensive and may be overkill unless you shoot a lot of 4K video.
- Speed Class: Look for a card with at least UHS-I U3 (or Class 10) rating. This ensures fast write speeds for 4K video recording and quick photo transfers. A slower card (Class 4) can cause camera lag or failed recordings.
- Brand: Stick to well-known brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Lexar. Counterfeit cards are common and often fail or have lower capacity than advertised.
- Format: The V20 can format the card itself. If you buy a new card, it’s best to format it in the phone to ensure compatibility.
Safety and Data Preservation
Moving photos is generally safe, but there are risks. Always back up important photos to a cloud service (like Google Photos) or a computer before moving them, especially if you’re using a new or old SD card. SD cards can fail without warning, and a corrupted card can make your photos inaccessible. Also, avoid removing the SD card while the phone is writing to it—always unmount it via Settings > Storage > Unmount before physically removing it. If you ever see a notification saying “SD card unexpectedly removed,” stop using the card and check it on a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I move all photos at once? Yes, in the Gallery app, after entering selection mode, tap “Select all” (the icon with four squares) to select every photo in that album. Then follow the same Move steps.
Q: Will moving photos to the SD card affect photo quality? No. Moving a file does not alter its content. The photo remains the same resolution and quality; only its storage location changes.
Q: Why can’t I move photos to the SD card if it’s empty? The SD card might be formatted as internal storage (adopted storage) rather than portable storage. If you formatted it as internal, the phone treats it as part of the internal storage, and the Gallery app may not show a separate SD card location. To use it as portable storage, you must format it as portable (Settings > Storage > SD card > Format as portable).
Q: What happens to my photos if I remove the SD card? They will not be accessible until you reinsert the card. If you view the Gallery app while the card is removed, those photos will appear as grayed-out thumbnails or missing. Reinserting the card makes them visible again.
Q: Can I move photos from the SD card back to internal storage? Yes, the same Move command works in reverse. Select photos on the SD card, choose Move, and navigate to internal storage (e.g., the DCIM folder).
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