How to Format an SD Card on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide

Easily format any SD card to either internal storage or as portable storage (no app required!)

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: October 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you want to use an SD card for portable or internal storage on your Android? While using the SD card as internal storage adds additional space to your phone, you won't be able to use it between devices like portable storage. However, you can easily and quickly format the card, so it changes its function from portable to internal. Computer & Tech Specialist Luigi Oppido outlines how to format an SD card in this wikiHow article.

Quick Steps

Insert an SD card.
Open Storage.
Tap the drop-down to select your SD Card.
Tap the three-dot menu.
Tap Format.

Steps

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1
Insert an SD card. Some newer phones allow you to insert an SD card using the SIM tray, but some, including the popular Samsung Galaxy lines, offer instead large internal storage and no space for an SD card.^{[1]
X
Research source} If you can't find your SD card slot, check your Android's manual to make sure the feature is supported.
- Locate the oval-shaped compartment that has a pinhole on the right, then turn off your Android. Insert a paperclip, pin, or the SIM tray tool that came with your phone into the pinhole and press down to eject it. Place a micro SD card in the tray and reinsert it. If you don't see the space for your SD card and only see your SIM card, carefully flip the tray over to see if the SD space is on the back.
- If you have a new SD card, you can insert it and will be prompted by Android to format it, according to Oppido.
- Warning: Formatting an SD card will erase all data on it, and you will not be able to recover it. Make sure you back up all data you want to keep on the SD card before formatting it.
2
Open the Settings app
. According to Oppido, if your phone doesn't immediately prompt you about the SD card, you can go to Settings to format it manually. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen to display the Quick Access menu. Tap the icon that resembles a gear in the upper-right corner.
- Alternatively, you can open the Apps menu and tap the icon that resembles a gear.
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This is usually sandwiched between "Battery" and "Sound" if your phone supports an SD card. According to Oppido, you'll find the option to manage your SD card here.
The name of it will vary depending on the manufacturer of the SD card, like SanDisk, or any personalizations you made.
You'll see this vertical three-dot menu in the top right corner of your screen and tapping it will open another menu.
6
Tap Format or Format as internal. Here you need to choose if you want to use the SD card as internal storage or if you want to create a portable device.
- Selecting Internal Storage - If your phone has a very limited amount of internal storage, this might be the option you're looking for. You can't install apps, but you can save data, including files, photos, and videos, to this card. This setting is not available on every phone, and you cannot use the SD card to transfer files from one phone to another.
- Selecting Portable Storage - If you have multiple devices and want to be able to share data using your SD card, this option is for you. You can't install apps on the card, but you can save files, photos, and videos and move them between devices.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
  - Tap Format SD Card in the pop-up to confirm your choice.

Community Q&A

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Question

I have done according to the suggestion, but only could delete everything on the card, not format it. What else should I do?

Michael Jeffery

Community Answer

Remove the memory card, insert it in a USB card reader in your PC and format.

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Warnings

Formatting your SD card will erase any data on it, so make sure you create a backup of any important files before continuing.

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If the card still gives you an unsupported error, it might be corrupted. You can also attempt to reformat it on your computer.

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