Here’s a way for you to force install your Android apps to an external storage. This is in assumption that you are familiar with simple DOS/Command line commands 
Important UPDATE: This tutorial is created when the latest Android SDK was still version r06, please download the file android-sdk_r06-windows.zip instead of the latest (r08) for the below instruction to work, otherwise, you’ll be getting an “adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.” error.
If you prefer or had downloaded r08, install the new SDK component called Platform-tools. adb should be there. If this is the case, run adb from Platform-tools instead from the tools folder as stated below.
How to force apps to install on your SD card
Requirements:
Preparation Steps
On your Computer:
- Download the Android SDK Files here.
- Extract the downloaded files to any location (i.e C:\android\sdk).
- Install HTC Sync (if not yet installed) and test if HTC Desire can connect to your computer (this step is actually optional, but install it just to make sure your device can connect to your computer)
On your Cellphone (I’m using HTC Desire):
- Click Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Check Unknown Sources
- Click Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> Check USB Debugging
Actual Steps
- Plug your mobile phone to your computer, When asked to choose connection type, tick Disk Drive.
- Wait till your computer install the appropriate drivers and recognize your device.
- Go to the command line (run cmd.exe)
- Go to the folder where you extracted the SDK file (Assuming you extracted the SDK files in C:\android\sdk).
- Go to tools folder (sdkr06) OR to platform-tools folder (sdkr08)
- type
adb devices. This should display the serial number of your device.
Your screen should look like this:
- Once your device is already detected, type the following command (case sensitive):
adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2
- Your screen should look like this:
The setInstallLocation command changes the default install location based on the one you specified. Here are the parameter conventions:
Done. Done.
For Existing Apps that are saved on your internal memory, Do This:
- In your mobile phone, Go to Menu–> Settings –> Applications –> Manage Applications
- All apps installed will be displayed. Click one by one and select Move to SD Card. These are the ones that by default you cannot move to SD card (option is disabled). Just make sure these apps are safe to move to your external storage.
For succeeding downloads, Apps will be saved automatically to your external storage
Tip: For your screen widgets, it is advisable to install them in your phone memory.
Hope this helps
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When i type in adb shell setinstalllocation 2. I only get permisson denied.. Any ideas anyone?
try connecting in sync mode, wait till the synching is done, and try again
i hv followed all steps using android-sdk_r07, now my desire 2.2 can move app to SD..
Sorry. This does not work.
I have followed all steps exactly, and it appears to be working (I got the exact same messages as above)
BUT, when I download an app, it saves to internal storage, as always. This is infuriating, and I am considering selling my phone because of this damn storage problem. Help would be greatly appreciated.
haha! tnx tnx a lot! It works on htc desire android froyo. Moving now apps to sd, even those already installed that cannot move to sd. Tested one first like Fishing Kings of gameloft, and still working. Will let you know, for apps that i’ll encounter not allowed to move on sd.
@macky- the adb is not found in the tools directory for r08 anymore, thus I stated above that you need to donwload another component,Platform-tools
please see installation guide for r08 on their site… thanks
hey there amy, i followed every step you posted..
-i have android 2.2 on my desire
-i downloaded android-sdk_r08-windows.zip instead of the sdk_r06 because i couldnt find it at the link you gave.
-i installed platform tools using sdk manager
-i clicked on adb in the platform-tools folder and run it
-i followed steps 1, 2 and 3
-but when im on step 4, the driver adb cannot be found..
-please help, what did i do wrong.. thanks!
@mich – Rooted means you have superuser access to your device, you can be rooted even with stock froyo.
@dustin- ohh make sure you are running FROYO 2.2
did not work for me…. desire 2.1 uscc: gave me long list of commands, and would not work
without root access meaning stock froyo on htc desire right?