A smartphone's memory has limited capacity, but that doesn't have to be a problem, as you can use an SD memory card to store photos and videos. A puzzle might arise when your smartphone doesn't see the SD card. Don't worry! We'll teach you a few tricks to solve it yourself.
Why doesn't your phone read the SD card?
Lucky are those Vikings who never had to use 3.5-inch floppy disks to store data. This late 20th-century invention had no alternative for a long time, and its main drawback was that it wasn't a particularly durable medium. And it had a capacity of 1.44 MB. An SD card is a different story. Micro SD memory cards are one of the best inventions of the current era. Small and durable storage media allow you to store data captured by mobile devices. Most often, photos and videos from your smartphone end up there. Such files take up a lot of space because phones nowadays offer high-resolution photo taking. If you overload your phone's memory with them, you'll slow down its performance. So, you reach for an SD card to transfer data to it. Unfortunately, your smartphone doesn't see the SD card. How to live?!
If you've connected the card, but the device isn't reading it, there can be several reasons. These can be simple problems or serious malfunctions. Most often, the cause lies in the smartphone's operating system, but it also happens that the card itself is damaged. We've prepared a list of such card and smartphone problems that you can solve yourself. If these diagnoses and tips don't work, it means that the phone or the card is damaged and requires servicing.
1. Cause – system error
It very often happens that the phone doesn't see the SD card due to a system error. This occurs when, after connecting the card, irregularities appear in the data reading process.
Solution
In such a situation, try changing the card reader, i.e., connect it to another device. Unfortunately, it may turn out that the card reader needs repair by an authorized service center.
2. Cause – dirty SD card or phone port
Micro-contamination or grease on the contacts of the micro SD card can be the reason why your phone doesn't see it. It's also worth checking the condition of the port – small contaminants could have entered it during normal smartphone use.
Solution
Remove the card from the port and very gently wipe its metal contacts. Do not soak it, do not use solvents. Just wipe it with a clean cloth, and gently blow out the port. Do not insert anything into it!
3. Cause – improperly inserted card or damaged port
The design of the slot in the phone and the SD card contacts allows it to be inserted only in one, strictly defined position. Theoretically, it's impossible to insert it incorrectly, but in practice, things can vary.
Solution
Check if you inserted the card correctly – the metal contacts should be in the slot. It's also possible that the port is damaged – unfortunately, you cannot fix such a malfunction yourself, so you need to take the phone to a service center. The problem might not be visible to the naked eye, so it's worth checking the card in another device – if it works, there's a risk that the problem lies with the slot.
4. Cause – damaged card
It happens that cards, especially low-quality ones, have file system problems. Damage in this area can cause the card to be unreadable by the phone.
Solution
Check if the card is also unreadable by other devices. Connecting it to a computer should clear up any doubts. If it also doesn't read it, it means you probably won't be able to use this storage medium anymore.
5. Cause – virus
Infected files on the card can be the reason why the smartphone doesn't see it. This usually happens when, in addition to photos or videos, you also have programs on it, or the data was transferred to it from a infected device.
Solution
Unfortunately, data saved on an infected card should not be recovered. And if, during or after attempting to read data, your smartphone starts behaving erratically, both devices need to be formatted. Both the card and the phone have been infected, which is why it's necessary to remove the malicious software. It is dangerous not only due to data loss but also due to the possibility of other losses.
As you can see, there can be several reasons why your phone doesn't see the SD card. The most troublesome situation is a virus – then you lose data from both the primary storage and the additional memory card. In other cases, try the methods presented above. PS If during your voyage on the raging seas, you have any doubts, feel free to contact our Help Desk. We'll quickly come to your rescue with our drakkar!
