Main issue being that the phone uses its own internal storage over the SD Card, which leads me having to delete apps I really would rather not.
If I recall correctly, the SD Card takes in music, photos, videos, that stuff fine. It's just play store stuff that insists on being installed on the phone. If I understand this correctly, I need to format the sd card to be used as the main storage device, but how do I do that?

I've already backed up everything just in case, as I'm aware this could end badly if I somehow screw this up.

Lots of variables in there (version of Android, device type, proprietary stuff for the device) but the short answer (with lots more research needed) is to root it.

That will give you manual control to move apps to the SD card.

Most devices will auto switch to SD card storage.
If not then Card problem or settings in the device are wrong.
Made sure device support the card you have. Many get a big card and device many not take them. More true for older devices.
Device many only take SD and SDHC but not SDXC. Cards look the same but each have a different format in them.

Many PC have SD readers but many readers don't take micro size w/o size adapters.
get an adapter (look like a full size card but have a slot to take the micro) or a USB reader takes them directly.

put card into pc and see if can see anything on it.
In explorer Right Click the card and click Properties.
card tells 0 size then card problems.

>0 and/or can see files then copy all before anything else
No then Did card have anything on it that you wanted?
No then try format.
Warning: Many idiots tell you can format them in windows same as everything else. No True and big part of why so many have problem.
Format in the device (somewhere in setting page/menu) or DL SD Formatter
Tool will auto setup for card used. Don't use Erase this time!

Yes then DL Recuva free and install
Cancel the wizard.
In options/actions check deep scan and scan for non-deleted files.
scan the card
Good files will have solid green circle.
copy files to a folder on the pc.
When done format.

If you have read/formatting errors in the pc then
A. Bad card.
B. Corrupted card. More step to try but try above first.

Once formatted can scan w/ Recuva to try to save files.

Or just get another card. New cards are formatted.
Get a fast card. Can read/write fast in the device and PC when you copy files. Fast cards are often required w/ current devices to handle video and big pictures.
Many micro cards have full card adapters. some may have mini size adapters but you rarely see devices use them.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-30-2018).]

Here's the short answer. If your device doesn't have enough storage for apps it is likely old and crappy and also has a crap SD card reader that is going to be super slow even if you get a program that will move them. Google abandoned a0ps to SD for a reason. My default phone to tell people to get is the Verizon Moto E4. Unlock codes are $2. It also has the option to format the SD as internal storage, but it isn't so much to store apps as it to make it less confusing. It has 16GB of storage which I'm being is 2 or 4x what you have.

I have around 5GB of apps installed on my phone, I'm a heavy user, bit my wife plays stupid slot games and has more program app data taken up than I do. You didn't mention phone, so while it's only a guys, I'm betting it's a good one. No decent phone has come with less than 16GB of storage in 4 years. My 2012 Evo 4G LTE had that much. Low end phones typically come with 4GB less common now, and 8GB. Then you factor OS and it leaves you with very little usable.

Oh, and Mike asked this same question months back. You can search for his thread, but he bought a new phone.

[This message has been edited by ls3mach (edited 03-30-2018).]