Mastering Your Samsung S20: A Complete Guide to Moving Apps

Managing apps on your Samsung S20 can significantly enhance your device’s usability, allowing you to customize your layout, improve access to your favorite applications, and free up important storage space. If you’ve been exploring how to move apps on your Samsung S20, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will delve into various methods and tips, ensuring you become a pro in navigating your device’s app management system.

Understanding App Management on Samsung S20

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of moving apps, it’s essential to understand why you might want to do this. Samsung’s One UI provides a flexible environment that allows you to personalize your device. Whether you’re aiming to create a more organized home screen, declutter your app drawer, or optimize performance by moving apps to a microSD card, mastering app management is vital.

The Basics of Moving Apps on Samsung S20

Moving apps on your Samsung S20 can be accomplished in a few ways. Depending on your preferences, you might want to:

  • Move apps between Home screens
  • Transfer apps to an SD card

Both methods serve different purposes, so let’s explore how to perform each one effectively.

Moving Apps Between Home Screens

One of the easiest and most intuitive ways to organize your apps is by moving them between Home screens. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Unlock Your Device: Start by unlocking your Samsung S20 to access your Home screen.

  2. Identify the App: Locate the app icon you wish to move.

  3. Long Press the Icon: Gently press and hold the app icon until a menu appears.

  4. Drag the Icon: While still holding the icon, drag it to the edge of the screen. This action will switch to the next Home screen.

  5. Release the Icon: Once you’ve navigated to your desired Home screen, release the icon to drop it in place.

  6. Organize as Needed: If necessary, repeat the process to position the app precisely where you want it.

This simple method can help you arrange your Home screens to better suit your personal style and preferences.

Transferring Apps to a MicroSD Card

Another great way to manage your applications is by transferring them to a microSD card, freeing up internal storage for other critical functions. This method is particularly beneficial for larger apps and games that consume significant storage space.

Preparing Your MicroSD Card

Before transferring apps, you should have a microSD card inserted in your Samsung S20. If you haven’t done this yet, follow these steps:

  1. Turn Off Your Device: Ensure your phone is powered off before inserting the microSD card.

  2. Locate the SIM Card Tray: Use a SIM card ejector tool or a small paperclip to open the tray.

  3. Insert the MicroSD Card: Place the microSD card into the slot correctly (check the orientation), and ensure it is seated properly.

  4. Power On Your Device: Turn your Samsung S20 back on.

Your device should recognize the microSD card, allowing you to proceed to the app transfer process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Move Apps to MicroSD

  1. Open Settings: Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification panel and tap on the gear icon to go to Settings.

  2. Select Apps: Scroll down and select the “Apps” option within Settings.

  3. Choose the App: Find and select the app you wish to move. Note that not all apps can be moved to the microSD card; this feature is usually restricted to downloaded applications.

  4. Tap on Storage: Once you’ve selected the app, tap on the “Storage” option.

  5. Move to SD Card: If the option is available, tap on “Change” or “Move” and select “SD Card.” Confirm the action, and the app will swiftly relocate to your microSD card.

  6. Verify the Transfer: It’s a good idea to go back and check if the app is now listed as being stored on the microSD card. Repeat the process for other applications as needed.

Refining Your App Management Skills

Managing apps effectively goes beyond just moving them around. Here are some additional tips that can enhance your experience on a Samsung S20.

Organizing with Folders

Creating folders on your Home screen can help streamline your app usage and reduce visual clutter. To create a folder:

  1. Long Press on an App Icon: Select one app icon and place it on top of another icon you want to combine it with until a folder appears.

  2. Name Your Folder: Tap on “Folder name” to give your folder a suitable title.

  3. Add More Apps: You can add more apps by dragging additional icons into the folder.

This organizational technique can save time and improve navigation.

Utilizing the App Drawer

The App Drawer is another powerful feature on your Samsung S20 that houses all installed applications. Here’s how to maximize its potential:

  • Accessing the App Drawer: Swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen to open the App Drawer. All your apps are displayed here, allowing you to find apps you might not use frequently.

  • Sorting Apps: You can sort apps alphabetically, by usage frequency, or manually, which can help you find what you need faster.

Tip: You can also use the search bar at the top of the App Drawer to quickly locate a specific app.

Managing App Permissions

As a part of refining your app management skills, you should also consider managing app permissions. This is crucial for both security and performance on your Samsung S20.

Inspecting App Permissions

To manage app permissions:

  1. Open Settings: Access the Settings menu.

  2. Choose Privacy: Tap on the “Privacy” option.

  3. Select Permission Manager: Here, you’ll see all available permissions (camera, location, storage, etc.). You can click on each permission to see which apps have been granted access.

  4. Adjust Permissions: If needed, you can restrict permissions for specific apps to enhance privacy and security.

Conclusion

Moving apps on your Samsung S20 is an essential skill that can greatly enhance your smartphone experience. Whether you’re relocating icons between Home screens, transferring apps to a microSD card to save storage, or taking advantage of folders and the App Drawer, effective app management can lead to a more organized and efficient device.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing the various tools and features available on your Samsung S20, you will not only improve your device’s performance but will also customize it to fit your lifestyle and preferences.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge on how to move apps on your Samsung S20, it’s time to dive in and start organizing your digital space today!

What are the steps to move apps on my Samsung S20?

To move apps on your Samsung S20, start by accessing the app drawer by swiping up on your home screen. Once you’re in the app drawer, locate the app you wish to move. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then select “Move” or “Add to Home.” This will allow you to drag the app icon to your desired location on your home screen or your chosen folder.

After placing the app where you want it, you can further organize your home screen by creating folders. To do this, simply drag one app on top of another. A new folder will automatically be created, and you can rename it to keep things tidy. This process makes navigating your phone easier and ensures your most-used applications are readily accessible.

Can I move apps to an SD card on my Samsung S20?

Yes, you can move apps to an SD card on your Samsung S20, provided that your device is equipped with an SD card slot and you have a compatible microSD card inserted. To do this, go to “Settings,” then tap on “Apps.” From the list, select the app you want to transfer, and once in the app settings, look for the “Storage” option. Here, you should find the option to change the storage location to the SD card.

Do keep in mind that not all apps support being moved to an SD card. Some essential apps and system applications may only be stored on the internal memory. Additionally, moving apps to an SD card may affect performance since SD cards are generally slower than internal storage. Therefore, it’s advisable to use this option for less important apps or media-heavy applications.

Will moving apps delete any of my data?

No, moving apps from your Samsung S20’s internal storage to another location, like the home screen or an SD card, does not delete any of your data. The app’s data, settings, and user information remain intact. You can still access your app as usual after moving it, and all progress, settings, and files linked to the app should remain untouched.

However, it’s always a good practice to back up your important data. In case there are any unforeseen issues during the moving process or in the future, having a backup ensures that you won’t lose any critical information. You can use Samsung’s Smart Switch or another backup service to create a secure copy of your data before proceeding with app management.

How can I troubleshoot issues when moving apps?

If you encounter problems while trying to move apps on your Samsung S20, the first step is to ensure your device’s software is up-to-date. Sometimes, bugs affecting app functionality or movement can be resolved through software updates. To check for updates, go to “Settings,” then scroll down to “Software update,” and select “Download and install.” Apply any pending updates, which can often resolve existing issues.

If the problem persists, consider clearing the cache and data of the launcher app. To do this, go to “Settings,” tap “Apps,” scroll to your default launcher (typically One UI Home), and select it. From there, tap on “Storage,” and then clear the cache and data. This could remedy any glitches affecting app movement on your device. Finally, restarting your phone can often fix temporary issues.

Is there a limit to how many apps I can move?

There is no specific limit to how many apps you can move on your Samsung S20, but you are constrained by the available storage space on both your internal memory and the microSD card if you are using one. While you can arrange the icons on your home screen as you prefer, keep in mind that your device’s performance might be impacted if too many apps are stored on the SD card, especially if they require a lot of background processing.

Organizationally, it’s wise to prioritize moving only those apps you rarely use or those that take up significant space, which helps keep your device running smoothly. Additionally, cluttering your home screen or app drawer with too many shortcuts could make it harder to find your most frequently used apps, so a balance is recommended for optimal usage.

Can I move system apps on my Samsung S20?

Moving system apps on your Samsung S20 is generally restricted, as these apps are designed to reside in the internal storage for functionality and performance. System apps, such as firmware or essential applications like Phone and Settings, cannot be moved to an SD card, nor can their locations be changed. Attempting to do so may lead to errors or service disruptions.

If you want to manage the space on your device, consider disabling or uninstalling non-essential system apps that you might not use. To do this, go to “Settings,” tap “Apps,” and select the app you want to disable. Keep in mind that disabling these apps may affect the functionality of other services or apps, so proceed with caution when handling system applications.

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