Easily Insert and Use an SD Card on Android

When you don't have a lot of storage space on your phone or tablet, it can be frustrating when you start to run out of space. Luckily, many Android devices allow you to expand the storage capacity using an SD card. This is a much better alternative to deleting apps, photos, and videos to free up storage space. This wikiHow teaches you how to find, install, and use an SD card on an Android phone or tablet.

Using an SD Card on Android

Insert the SD card (or the adapter containing the card) and close the slot.
Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Settings/gear icon.
Tap > Device Care (or similar) > Storage > SD Card.
Tap the icon with three dots (⋮) > Storage Settings.
Tap Format or Format as internal.

Part 1

Part 1 of 6:

Finding the Right Card

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Unfortunately, not all Android phones or tablets support an SD card storage expansion. Check the user's manual for your phone model, or the manufacturer's web page to see the specifications of your device. Make sure that it supports an SD card expansion.
Some phones and tablets do not support larger SD cards. Check your manual or the manufacturer’s website to find out how much SD card storage your device supports.

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Check the size of the SD slot. Most phones and tablets take either Mini or Micro SD cards, though some older phone models may take the Standard size. You’ll need to know which type of card your device takes so the card will physically fit into the SD slot. Again, you can find this in your manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
- You can buy an adapter for a smaller SD card that will make it fit into a larger slot. You can also purchase a USB adapter and connect an SD card via the USB slot on your phone.
You can buy them at your local cell phone shop or department store if you need one today. Otherwise, you can order one online from a trusted retailer.

Part 2

Part 2 of 6:

Inserting the SD Card

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1
Power down your Android. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen once to open the Notifications panel and then again to open the device control menu. Tap the Power icon in the upper-right corner, which resembles a circle with a line through the top. Then tap Power off or Shut down.
- According to electronics repair expert Luigi Oppido, Android devices often recognize the SD card right after you install it. You may receive a prompt or a notification asking if you want to format the SD card when your device is powered on.
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Open the SD card slot. The location of the slot varies by device. It may be on the side, top, bottom, or underneath the battery compartment. You may even need to remove the battery to find it.
- On most devices, there is an SD card tray on the top, bottom, or side of the device. It is often in the same tray that holds the SIM card. The tray will usually have a pinhole that you can insert a paperclip or the SIM removal tool that came with your device to eject the tray.
- If the slot is behind the battery, remove the battery cover, and then remove the battery.
There will be a small icon near the slot indicating the position the card should be inserted.
Push the card tray back inside your phone until it locks in place. If your SD card is inserted under the battery, place the battery back in the compartment and then reattach the
Press and hold the power button until your phone powers back on. Now that you’ve inserted your card, it’s ready to use.

Part 3

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Formatting the SD Card

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1
Open your Android’s Settings. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen and then tap the icon that resembles a gear. It's in the upper-right corner.
- Formatting your SD card will delete anything that’s on it. Be sure to backup any files on your SD card you want to keep.
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Scroll down and tap Storage. Depending on your phone model, this may be in the Settings menu, or it may be under "Device Care," or "Battery and Device Care."
- Alternatively, if you receive a pop-up that says "SD Card detected," you can tap that notification in the notification panel to go right to the SD card settings in the Settings menu.
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Tap SD Card. It's near the bottom of the Storage menu..
- If your SD card has not been formatted, you may be prompted to do so automatically.
It's the icon with three dots in the upper-right corner.
It's near the bottom of the pop-out menu that appears when you tap the menu icon.
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Tap Format or Format as internal. Selecting "Format" will format the SD card as portable storage. Selecting "Format as internal" will format the SD card as internal storage.^{[1]
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- Portable Storage: This option allows you to use your SD card as portable storage, meaning you can use your SD card to store photos, videos, and other files on your SD card and transfer them between devices. However, you cannot install apps on the SD card.
- Internal storage: This formats your SD card as added storage for your Android device. You can save photos, videos, and other files on your SD card as well as install apps on it. However, you can not transfer your SD card to another device.
This formats your SD card. Your card is now ready to use.

EXPERT TIP

James Bell
Phone Repair Specialist
James Bell is a Phone Repair Specialist at Phone Techs in Winchester, California. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in cell phone, tablet, game console, and PC repairs. Phone Techs is an Akko Partner.

James Bell
Phone Repair Specialist

You can change your default storage settings in the Settings menu. As long as the SD card is functional, the phone will automatically format and prep the SD card for the phone. Samsung does it automatically. You'll see new folders and files on the SD card as soon as you put it in.

Part 4

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Browsing the SD Card

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1
Open your file manager app. On regular Android, it's the "Files" app from Google. On Samsung Galaxy, it's the "My Files" app. You can find it in the Apps menu in the Google or Samsung folder.
- If you don’t have a file manager application, you can download the Files by Google or My Files app from the Google Play Store.
The folder may have a slightly different name (sometimes you’ll see “Removable Storage”). This is where you’ll find all of the files you’ve stored to the card.
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Tap a file or folder to open it. Files on your SD card will be opened with the default app.
- For example, tapping a photo will open it in your default photo gallery app.

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Checking Storage Availability

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To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen and then tap the icon that resembles a gear. It's in the upper-right corner.
Depending on your phone model, this may be in the Settings menu, or it may be under "Device Care," or "Battery and Device Care."
The first page under "Storage" gives you a detailed breakdown of how your internal storage is being used. The next page shows a detailed breakdown of how the storage on your SD card is being used. Swipe left to view the next page.

Part 6

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Removing the SD Card

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To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen and then tap the icon that resembles a gear. It's in the upper-right corner.
Depending on your phone model, this may be in the Settings menu, or it may be under "Device Care," or "Battery and Device Care."
This takes you to the next page which shows you your SD card information.
It's the icon with three dots in the upper-right corner.
It's the second option in the menu that appears when you tap the menu icon. This unmounts your SD card. Your SD card is now safe to remove.^{[2]
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Community Q&A

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Question

I want to install my SD card, but it doesn't show in storage. Why?

Mr.HandyDandy

Community Answer

Your SD card could be damaged; try using it on another device. If the issue is not the SD card, it could just mean your phone doesn't support the speed of the SD card.

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