How to Move Files on Android

A step-by-step tutorial that shows you easy steps to move files on Android

This wikiHow teaches you how to move files on your Android using a file manager (such as My Files) or the Downloads app.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using the Downloads App

  1. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 1
    1
    Open the Downloads app. It’s a white cloud icon with an arrow on a blue background. You’ll usually find it in the app drawer on most Androids running Nougat (7.0) or later.
  2. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 2
    2
    Tap ☰. It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 3
    3
    Tap the folder with the file you want to move. This opens the contents of the folder.
  4. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 4
    4
    Tap the file you want to move. This selects the file and displays additional icons at the top of the screen.
  5. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 5
    5
    Tap ⁝. It’s at the top-right corner of the screen.
  6. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 6
    6
    Tap Move to…. A list of drives and locations will appear.
  7. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 7
    7
    Tap the destination. If you want to move the file to your Google Drive, select it, then tap the folder where you want to move the file.
  8. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 8
    8
    Tap Move. It’s at the bottom-right corner of the screen. The file will now appear in its new location.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using a File Manager

  1. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 9
    1
    Open your Android’s file manager. If you’re using a Samsung, the app is called My Files and you’ll find it in the app drawer. The app is usually called File Manager or File Browser on other Androids.
    • If you don’t have a file manager app, see this method. If that doesn’t work for you, you can download a free file manager from the Play Store.
  2. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 10
    2
    Tap the location of the file you want to remove. The contents of the selected folder will appear.
  3. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 11
    3
    Tap and hold the file you want to move. This selects the file in most file managers. Other file browsers only require you to tap the file once to select it.[1]
  4. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 12
    4
    Tap ⁝. It’s at the top-right corner of most file managers.
  5. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 13
    5
    Tap Move. A list of locations will appear.
  6. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 14
    6
    Tap the destination. If you want to move the file to your Google Drive, select it, then tap the folder where you want to move the file.
  7. Image titled Move Files on Android Step 15
    7
    Tap Move or Done. The file will now appear in its new location.
    8. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Find Your Phone Number on Android
How to
Find Your Phone Number on Android
Remove the Emergency Call Button on Android
How to
Remove the Emergency Call Button on Android
Hide Apps on Android
How to
Hide Apps on Android
Best Tachiyomi Manga ExtensionsHow to Find the 9 Best Manga Extensions for Tachiyomi
Check What Kind of Android Phone You Have
How to
Check What Kind of Android Phone You Have
Connect Android Phone to Computer
How to
Connect Android Phone to Computer
Access the Clipboard on AndroidA Guide To Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
Change Number of Rings on Android
How to
Change Number of Rings on Android
Unlock an Android Tablet4 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
See if Someone Read Your Text on Android
How to
See if Someone Read Your Text on Android
Change the Screen Resolution on Your Android
How to
Change the Screen Resolution on Your Android
Unroot Android
How to
Unroot Android
Disable Parental Controls on Android
How to
Disable Parental Controls on Android
Fix Insufficient Storage Available Error in Android6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-203885/

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 59,459 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: May 26, 2022
Views: 59,459
Categories: Android
Advertisement