This wikiHow teaches you how to send information/files to and from an SD memory card. You can use this memory card in devices such as digital cameras, cell phones, tablets, and computers.
Step
Method 1 of 3: For Android
Step 1. Insert a micro SD card (microSD) into the device
The process will depend on the device used. Also, not all Android devices support micro SD cards. Also keep in mind that no Android device supports a standard SD card.
- Generally, tablets have a micro SD card slot on the side of the device.
- If your phone supports a micro SD card, the hole is usually at the bottom of the battery. If the battery is non-removable, you may find the micro SD card slot on the side of the device.
Step 2. Open the Android settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gear icon and is displayed in the Android app drawer/page.
You can swipe up on the screen with two fingers and touch the gear icon to open the settings menu
Step 3. Scroll down and select Storage
This option is usually in the lower half of the settings page (“Settings”).
On the Samsung device, touch “ Device maintenance ” first, then select “ Storage ”.
Step 4. Touch the SD card name
Usually, you can see the name of the card in the " Removable " section of the storage space page.
Step 5. Review the content stored on the card
Swipe and browse the folders on the card to view the contents. You can also touch a folder on the SD card page to view its contents.
For example, touch the option “ Images ” to display additional folders (stored in the main folder).
Step 6. Move files to phone from SD card
To move files:
- Touch the content you want to move.
- Touch the button “ ⋮ ”.
- Choose " Move to… " or " Move ”.
- Select the internal storage space of the Android device.
- Touch " MOVE " or " DONE ”.
Step 7. Touch the “Back” button
It's in the top-left corner of the page. After that, you will be taken back to the “Storage” (or “Device Maintenance”) page.
Step 8. Move files from phone to SD card
To move it:
- Touch the option " Internal storage ”.
- Select the file or folder that you want to move to the SD card.
- Touch the button “ ⋮ ”.
- Choose " Move to… " or " Move ”.
- Select the name of the SD card.
- Touch " MOVE " or " DONE ”.
Step 9. Format the SD card if prompted
Your SD card will need to be formatted if it was previously used on a device (eg camera) that does not use the same type of file system as the current Android device.
If you get a notification that the card is not working or compatible with the device, reformatting the card can usually solve the problem
Method 2 of 3: For Windows
Step 1. Insert the SD card into the card reader device on the computer
If your computer doesn't have a card reader, you can purchase an external adapter that can be connected to your computer via USB.
The micro SD card may need to be inserted into the SD card adapter first before it can be inserted into the regular SD card slot
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Open “File Explorer”
Click the gray folder icon in the lower-left corner of the “Start” window. After that, the “File Explorer” window will be displayed.
Step 4. Select your SD card
Click on the name of the SD card displayed on the left side of the “File Explorer” window.
If you can't find the SD card, click the option “ This PC ”, then double-click the name of the SD card that appears under the "Devices and drives" section, in the middle of the page.
Step 5. Review the files stored on the SD card
You can browse the files and folders on this page to review them, or double-click to open them.
Step 6. Move files from SD card to computer
To move it:
- Select the file or folder that you want to move.
- Click the tab " Home ”.
- Click " Move to ”.
- Click " Choose location… ”.
- Click the folder you want to move to on your computer (eg " Desktop ”).
- Click " Move ”.
Step 7. Move files from computer to SD card
The process is similar to moving files from an SD card to a computer. To move files:
- Select the file or folder that you want to move.
- Click the tab " Home ”.
- Click " Move to ”.
- Click " Choose location… ”.
- Click the SD card name.
- Click " Move ”.
Step 8. Format the SD card
If the SD card won't open or files can't be moved to the card, reformatting the card will usually solve the problem and adapt the card to the computer system.
The reformatting process will delete all files stored on the SD card
Step 9. Remove the SD card from the computer
Click the button ^ ” in the lower-right corner of your Windows computer screen. After that, click on the fast device icon (flash drive) with a check mark, and click “ Eject CARD NAME ” when displayed. This step is done to ensure that files are not lost when you remove the card (physically) from the computer.
Method 3 of 3: For Mac
Step 1. Insert the SD card into the card reader device on the computer
If your computer doesn't have a card reader, you can purchase an external adapter that can be connected to your computer via USB.
- The micro SD card may need to be inserted into the SD card adapter first before it can be inserted into the regular SD card slot.
- Many Mac computers don't have an SD card reader.
Step 2. Open the Finder program
Click the blue face icon in your computer's Dock, at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3. Click the SD card name
The name of the card is usually displayed in the left pane of the Finder window, just below the "Devices" section. After that, the content stored on the SD card will be displayed in the main Finder window.
Step 4. Review the content stored on the SD card
You can browse files and folders stored on your SD card through the main Finder window, or double-click to open them.
Step 5. Move files from SD card to Mac computer
To move it:
- Select a file or folder from the main Finder window.
- Click " Edit ”.
- Click " Cut " (or " Copy ”).
- Click the folder you want to move to.
- Click " Edit, then click " Paste Items " or " Paste Items ”.
Step 6. Move files from Mac computer to SD card
To move it:
- Click the folder on the left side of the Finder window.
- Select a file or folder from the main Finder window.
- Click " Edit ”.
- Click " Cut " (or " Copy ”).
- Click the folder you want to move to.
- Click " Edit, then click " Paste Items " or " Paste Items ”.
Step 7. Format the SD card
If the SD card won't open or files can't be moved to the card, reformatting the card will usually solve the problem and adapt the card to the computer system.
The reformatting process will delete all files stored on the SD card
Step 8. Remove the SD card from the computer
Click the " Eject " triangle icon to the right of the card name in the left bar of the Finder window. This process prevents damage to files stored on the SD card when you remove the card (physically) from the computer.
