Use an SD Memory Card
Need to expand your device's memory? When it comes to your important devices, it can seem like you never have enough space for all your files and apps. If you're a digital photographer, your SD cards are invaluable tools of the trade. For everyone else, they're great for expanding the storage on phones and tablets, as well as transferring files between computers.
Contents
Steps
Android Devices
- Insert the MicroSD card into your device. This process varies depending on the device, and not all Android devices support MicroSD. No Android device supports standard SD cards.
- Tablets will typically have the MicroSD card slot along the side of the device.
- If your phone supports MicroSD, the slot is typically located underneath the battery. If you don't have a removable battery, the MicroSD card may be located along the side of the device.
- Move files to your SD card. Once your SD card is inserted, you can typically start using it immediately. You may be prompted to format the card if it was formatted previously for another file system, but generally it should work automatically.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap the "Storage" option.
- Tap "Transfer data to SD card". If you don't have this option, see the next step.
- Select the types of files you want to transfer and then tap "Transfer". You can generally transfer pictures, videos, and images.
- Move files to your SD card using a file manager app. If you don't have the option in your Settings app to transfer files to the SD card, you will need to use a file manager app to move them. There are a variety of file manager apps available for free on the Google Play Store.
- Open your newly-installed file manager.
- Navigate to the files you want to transfer.
- Select the files and then Cut or Copy them.
- Navigate to the location on your SD card that you want to move the files to.
- Select "Paste" to copy the files to the new location on the SD card.
- Move apps to your SD card (if possible). Only older versions of Android have the ability to transfer apps to the SD card, and even then it is left up to the phone's manufacturer. This is because allowing apps to be transferred to an SD card is both a piracy and a security risk.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap "Apps" or "Applications".
- Tap the app that you want to transfer to the SD card.
- Tap the "Move to SD card" button. The app will be moved to your SD card. If you don't have this option, then your device does not allow moving apps to the SD card.
Windows PC
- Insert the SD card into your computer's card reader. If your computer doesn't have a card reader, you can purchase an external adapter that connects via USB.
- MicroSD cards will likely need to be inserted into an SD card adapter to fit into most conventional SD card slots.
- If you are using Windows XP or Vista, SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) cards inserted into your computer will likely not be read, prompting you to format. You will need to download the SDXC drivers from Microsoft in order to access the contents of the card. Your card reader will also need to be SDXC-compatible.
- Open Computer/My Computer/This PC. You can quickly open this screen by pressing ⊞ Win+E.
- Double-click on your SD card in the list of drives. It may be labeled "Removable Disk".
- Drag and drop files into and out of the SD card. You can move files around just like you would in any other folder. Copying content to and from your computer will take longer than moving files between folders on your computer.
Troubleshooting
- Check if the card is locked. Some SD cards have physical locks on them that prevent the data from being modified. You can find the lock on the left edge of the SD card when you're looking at it from the front.
- If the lock is broken, Fix-a-Broken-Lock-on-SD-Cards.
- Format the card. If Windows cannot read your SD card, it may need to be formatted. Formatting will erase all of the data on the card, so make sure that there is nothing you want to keep on it before you format it.
- Open Computer/My Computer/This PC.
- Right-click on your SD card and select "Format"
- Select "FAT32" as the file system. This will allow the SD card to be accessed by the widest range of devices.
- Check the "Quick format" box and click Start.
- Download SD Card Formatter if you are having problems formatting. Formatting your SD card using the Windows Format tool can occasionally lead to poor performance or less available space. The SD Association offers a free tool that you can download from their website (sdcard.org/downloads).
- This tool is necessary if you are formatting an SDXC card.
Mac OS X
- Insert the SD card into your computer's card reader. If your computer doesn't have a card reader, you can purchase an external adapter that connects via USB.
- MicroSD cards will likely need to be inserted into an SD card adapter to fit into most conventional SD card slots.
- Most Macs support SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) cards in the same card reader and without extra software installation. This is because SDXC uses the exFAT file system, which is built-in to OS X.
- Double-click the SD card that appears on your desktop. Your SD card will be automatically mounted and an icon for it will appear on the desktop.
- Drag and drop files into and out of the SD card. You can move files around just like you would in any other folder. Copying content to and from your computer will take longer than moving files between folders on your computer.
Troubleshooting
- Check if the card is locked. Some SD cards have physical locks on them that prevent the data from being modified. You can find the lock on the left edge of the SD card when you're looking at it from the front.
- If the lock is broken, Fix-a-Broken-Lock-on-SD-Cards.
- Format the card. If your SD card is not functioning properly or OS X can't open it, you may need to format it into a file system that is recognized. Formatting will erase all of the data on the card, so make sure that you don't have anything on it that you want to save.
- Open the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. You can also click "Go" → "Utilities" on newer versions of OS X.
- Select your SD card from the left menu.
- Click the "Erase" tab.
- Select "FAT32" from the Format menu.
- Click Template:MacButton.
- Download SD Card Formatter if you are having problems formatting. Formatting your SD card using the Windows Format tool can occasionally lead to poor performance or less available space. The SD Association offers a free tool that you can download from their website (sdcard.org/downloads).
- This tool is necessary if you are formatting an SDXC card.
Digital Cameras
- Pick the best SD card for the job. There are two basic factors to consider when purchasing an SD card for digital photography: capacity and speed. You will also need to be aware of the differences between the three main types of SD cards: SD (Secure Digital), SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), and SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity).
- Standard SD cards can store up to 2 GB of data. SDHC cards can store up to 32 GB, but must be used in compatible devices. SDXC cards can store even more data, but like SDHC require a device that supports the format.
- If you are serious about digital photography, you will want to pay close attention to the different speeds available for SD cards. DSLRs can capture a lot of data at once, and being able to write quickly to the SD card will help improve the shots you take. Amateur photographers can usually get away with using a Class 2 or 4 SD card, while professional photographers (especially sports photographers) will want a Class 6 or 10 card.
- Insert the SD card into your digital camera. Make sure that your device supports the type of SD card you are using. For example, if you are using an SDXC card, the camera will need to support that format.
- Format if prompted. Usually you should be able to simply start using the SD card as soon as you insert it, but you may need to format it if you've been using it for other tasks. Formatting will erase all of the data on the SD card.
- Note: If you insert an SDXC card into a camera that doesn't support it, you will be prompted to format. DO NOT do this, as the card will lose its expanded storage capability and will likely not work with any SDXC devices in the future.
Windows Phones
- Determine if your Windows Phone supports SD cards. Not all devices have SD card slots. Windows Phone comes with an app that allows you to quickly see if your phone supports SD cards.
- Swipe to the left on the Start screen to open your App list.
- Scroll down and tap "Storage Sense".
- Look for "SD Card". If this is displayed, then you can insert an SD card in your phone. The slot may be along the side or behind the removable battery.
- Insert your MicroSD card. Your Windows Phone will prompt you to select where you want new files to be saved if you are inserting a new card.
- Move apps to your SD card. You can use Storage Sense to choose which apps you'd like to store on your SD card.
- Open Storage Sense from the App list.
- Tap "Phone".
- Tap "Apps + games".
- Tap "Select" and then select all of the apps you want to move to your SD card.
- Tap "Move". The selected apps will be moved to your SD card.
- Manage your files. You can use Storage Sense to set where new files are saved to, as well as perform basic file management for your SD card. You can also download the free "Files" app to move, copy, and delete files stored on your SD card.
- Unmount your card to eject it. If you need to remove your SD card from the phone, unmount it first to prevent damage to the data stored on the card.
- Open Storage Sense in the App list.
- Tap "SD card" and then tap "Remove SD card".
- Once you receive confirmation that it is safe to remove the card, you can eject it from your phone.
