How To Enable Adoptable Storage on Rooted Android

Updated on by Admin

Table of Contents

Prerequisites: Root Access and Tools Needed

This process works best on rooted Android devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and later. Some devices, like those from Samsung or Huawei, block this feature, but with root access, you can still enable it.

Compatibility:

This process works best on rooted Android devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and later. Some devices, like those from Samsung or Huawei, block this feature, but with root access, you can still enable it.

Required Tools:

  • ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – Download ADB from here.
  • TWRP Recovery – Download the correct TWRP version for your device from here.
  • SD card (Class 10 or higher) – A reliable SD card is important to avoid any performance issues.

Enabling Adoptable Storage via ADB

Using ADB can feel a bit technical at first, but it’s one of the cleanest ways to enable adoptable storage. Think of your SD card becoming part of your internal storage, allowing you to store more apps and data.

Enable Developer Options

Go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number seven times. This unlocks Developer Options, which we’ll need for the next steps.

Enable USB Debugging

In Developer Options, turn on USB Debugging. This allows your computer to send commands to your device via ADB.

Install ADB on Your Computer

Download ADB from the link provided above. Install it, and open a command prompt or terminal. Navigate to the folder where ADB is located.

Connect Your Device to the Computer

Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. Make sure your device is in File Transfer mode to allow ADB commands.

Run ADB Commands to Enable Adoptable Storage

In the command prompt or terminal, type the following to check if ADB recognizes your device:

adb devices

Next, run this command to list the storage disks on your device:

adb shell sm list-disks

Look for your SD card in the list and use its identifier in place of disk:179,64 in the following command:

adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 private

Now, your SD card is part of your internal storage.

Migrate Your Data

If you want to move your apps and files to the new storage, run this command:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true

This will shift your data to the SD card, giving you more space on your device.

Enabling Adoptable Storage with TWRP

If you’re already rooted and have TWRP installed, this method is a quick and easy way to enable adoptable storage.

Boot into TWRP Recovery Mode

Turn off your device, then press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together to enter recovery mode. (This might differ depending on your device.)

Flash Adoptable Storage Zip

Download the Adoptable Storage TWRP zip file. In TWRP, select Install, find the zip file, and flash it.

Reboot and Configure Storage

After flashing, reboot your device. Go to Settings > Storage, and you should now have the option to configure your SD card as internal storage.

Migrate Data

In Settings > Storage, select your SD card, and choose Migrate Data to move apps and files to your expanded storage.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Play Store Not Updating Apps

After enabling adoptable storage, you might notice that the Play Store won’t update apps. This could be caused by a mix-up with the SD card’s storage location.

Fix:

  1. Ensure the SD card is mounted correctly by going to Settings > Storage.
  2. Reset the mount point using ADB: 
    adb shell sm partition disk:179,64 public
  3. Clear the Play Store cache and restart your device.

SD Card Performance Problems

If your device is slower or your SD card starts acting up, it might be because SD cards wear out faster than internal storage.

Fix:

Make sure you’re using a high-quality SD card (Class 10 or UHS-I). If the card is old, consider replacing it.

That’s it! Enabling adoptable storage is a great way to make more room on your Android device for apps and files. With the methods above, you should be able to increase your device’s internal storage with ease. Ready to give your device some breathing room? Follow these steps, and you’ll have plenty of space in no time!

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