Phone storage is a significant element when choosing phones. You would want a smartphone with enough memory to store your pictures, videos, files, and data. Here’s the thing: Most smartphones today have an internal memory of at least 32GB, depending on the manufacturer. Although it seems quite enough, these storage spaces fill up very quickly. With the technology that we have today, capturing HD pictures and videos on our phones is possible. Taking a lot of these can fill up your phone’s internal memory instantly. So, what can you do about it? You can opt to delete old files to make space for new ones or buy an SD card as external storage for your phone. We recommend using SD cards because they provide extra space and is compatible with other devices. That is not all! Android has an Adoptable Storage feature where you can format your SD card as an Internal Storage. If you format your external storage, it will encrypt data for your phone only, and using it with other devices would not be possible. Although these external storage devices are pretty popular nowadays, not all people are familiar with all of its functions. Even though using one is easy, learning how to use one by yourself can take time. Don’t worry! We created a guide on how to use an SD card on Android to help you. If you want to learn about moving, deleting, and viewing files on your SD card, read on.

How to Use an SD Card on Android

Not all people know how to make full use of their external storage devices. We have here a guide on how to install, set up, and use SD cards on your Android device. Before we start, make sure that the SD card you have is compatible with your Android to avoid problems. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Step 1: Mount an SD Card

Before knowing how to use your SD card on Android, you must first mount one on your phone. Make sure that the card is compatible with your phone to avoid any problems. Follow these easy steps to insert your external storage device properly:

  1. Make sure that you turn off your phone to avoid problems.
  2. Look for your phone’s SD card slot.
  3. Insert the SD card on the slot properly and follow your phone’s manual for instructions.
  4. Turn your phone back on.

Step 2: Set up storage

After mounting your SD card, you can now set up the type of memory space that you want. You can choose between Portable and Internal storage that has different features. The Portable Storage option allows you to move files between your SD card and your Android, and you can still use it with other devices. The Internal Storage option formats your SD card so that you can store apps and data from your phone. The problem with setting your SD card as an Internal Storage is you can only use it with your phone. You have to erase and format the card for it to work with other devices again. To set up your SD card, follow these steps:

  1. After mounting your SD card, there will be a notification on your device.
  2. Look for “Set up” and tap on it.
  3. Choose between Portable and Internal Storage.
  4. Tap on the setting of your choice and follow the instructions to set up your SD card.
  5. Tap Done when finished.

Step 3: Move apps

If you chose to format your SD card as internal storage, moving apps isn’t a problem. You can now move apps with just a few taps on your device. Note: Not all apps out there can move to an SD card. Follow these steps to check and move your apps to an SD card:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Look for Apps and select it.
  3. Find the one that you want to transfer and pick it.
  4. Tap Storage.
  5. Look for the Change option and select where you want to move the app. If you can’t see the Change or move option, most likely, you can’t move the app to your SD card.
  6. After selecting the destination of the app, tap on Move.

Step 4: Manage files

Moving files depends on the type of device that you have. I use my default file manager to manage, move, and delete files on my Android. If you don’t have a file manager app on your phone, you can download one from Google Play. Handling files is much easier if you have an app to help you. Move or copy files to your SD card:

  1. Go to your File Manager app.
  2. Choose the type of the one that you want to transfer.
  3. Tap and hold on the files you chose to select them.
  4. Look for three dots on the upper right of your screen and select them.
  5. Tap move, or copy, and pick the destination in your SD card. Delete files on your device:
  6. Once again, go to your File Manager app.
  7. Choose its type and look for the one you want to delete. You can also browse your directory manually.
  8. Tap and hold on to the one you chose.
  9. Select on Delete.

Step 5: Format and Erase

If you wish to erase files from your SD card, you can do so in the Settings. You can also format it as a Portable or Internal storage from here.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Storage.
  3. Tap on the three dots on the upper right corner of your screen and select Storage Settings.
  4. Look for your SD card and select it.
  5. Tap Format SD card or Erase SD card. Smartphones with the latest Android version lets you choose between Internal or Portable Storage if you wish to format.

Step 6: Eject your SD Card

To make sure that you won’t lose files or corrupt the SD card, you must first eject it before removing it from your phone. Also, some apps won’t work if you transfer your SD card, primarily if you use it as an Adoptable Storage. Eject your SD card:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on Storage.
  3. Look for the three dots, on the upper right corner of your screen, tap on it, and select Storage Settings.
  4. Tap eject. Remove your SD card:
  5. Make sure to eject your SD card and turn off your phone.
  6. Look for the SD card slot on your device.
  7. Remove the SD card properly. Check the manual of your device on how to remove the SD card and follow instructions.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of low memory storage, SD cards are what you need. It will add extra space to your device, and you can also format it as internal storage. Although SD cards are quite common nowadays, not all people know how to use and set up an external storage device on their phone. These steps we mentioned above will help you install, manage, and format your SD card properly. If you have any questions, please leave a message in the comments section below! Featured Image.

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