We are often asked what to do if the smartphone does not see the memory card or cannot work with it. In a modern smartphone, a memory card is almost the only way to expand the memory of a smartphone. Many models are sold with only one option for the built-in memory, which cannot hold many photos or episodes of your favorite TV series. The ideal solution in this situation would be a memory card. But if it doesn't work, it really becomes a problem. In this article, we will consider the most common reasons for the incorrect operation of a memory card. And at the same time we will analyze the ways to make it work more correctly.
Many people underestimate the importance of a memory card in a smartphone.
How much memory card to choose for a smartphone
Very often, the memory of a smartphone is 32 GB or maximum 64 GB. Considering that a memory card of the same size can be bought very inexpensively, users generally choose this size. On the built-in memory, about 10 GB is occupied by the system and built-in applications. The same number can be occupied by third-party applications. As a result, very little space is left on the built-in memory and all content is stored on the memory card. When it suddenly “falls off”, the user loses everything he used to use on the road – music, movies, files and much more.
Personally, I was faced with the fact that memory cards failed and I lost important data. Therefore, I always recommend buying a smartphone with a large internal memory. Yes, they are more expensive, but even those who are willing to pay more simply neglect this and choose the option with expanded memory, and not with its large initial reserve.
This approach also has its advantages, since the memory card can be removed and inserted into the computer. This makes it more convenient to transfer data than via a wire. You can also go on vacation and shoot whatever you want. If memory runs out, you can simply replace the memory cards. This is more convenient but less reliable.
Why is the memory card not visible
Let's start in order. The first step is to check the memory card itself. Just take it out of the device and check if its contacts are dirty. Perhaps they also have traces of corrosion or damage. If the contacts are dirty, simply wipe them with alcohol or at least a soft cloth. This can solve some of the problems, but in the case of physical injuries, it certainly won't help. If the card contains important data, you can simply try to move it to another smartphone or connect it to a computer. Since we have already started talking about computers, let's remember how to call from a computer via a phone to Android
Sometimes there is an option in which the memory card does not work, but it should not work either. I'm talking about cases when its volume is larger than that supported by a smartphone. The vast majority of modern smartphones support memory cards up to 128 GB or even 256 GB. It is unlikely that anyone will buy a larger card, but the flagship models will cope with them.
Many smartphones still support cards no more than these.
However, you can still find smartphones that do not pull more than 64GB or even 32GB. This restriction must be strictly observed on such smartphones. If the memory card is larger than the maximum supported, a message will appear that it is not supported or simply nothing will happen and the smartphone will not see it. Read the specifications of your smartphone carefully before buying a drive.
Another common reason that a memory card has ceased to be visible to a smartphone is its incorrect formatting. For example, it can be formatted in the NTFS file system, and the smartphone cannot work with it.
Also, a memory card can be formatted not as a separate drive, but as an extension of the built-in memory of a smartphone. In this case, such a card will not work if you move it to another device. Even if you reset the settings of your own smartphone and reinstall the operating system, the card will most likely not be able to work with the smartphone. In this case, there is only one way out – formatting.
How to format a memory card
If the memory card contains important data (photos, documents, music, etc.), you should try to connect it to the computer via a card reader. After you copy your data to your computer or external drive, you will need to format it. This can be done both on a computer and on a smartphone.
After inserting the card into a smartphone and realizing that it does not work, you can format it 'in place'.
In the first case, you will need to select the ExFAT or FAT32 file system. Both of them will work correctly with the smartphone. In addition, you can format the memory card directly on your smartphone. In this case, you can choose the option of using both a separate drive and as an expansion of the built-in memory. In this case, it will be possible to install applications on the memory card and save some system data.
You can format the memory card directly in your smartphone by clicking on the notification that it is not working. In this case, the smartphone itself will offer to format it. If this method seems too easy for you, you can do it manually. You need to go to the settings, find the item “Storage” and then select “Memory card”. In different smartphone models, the names of the items may change, but the essence will always be approximately the same. In the end, you just need to agree to formatting and the smartphone will do everything by itself.
It is important to understand that when you install applications to a memory card, they will not perform well. This is due to the fact that the memory card will still work slower than the built-in memory. Therefore, for applications and system files, I recommend using the built-in memory. It is better to use a memory card for storing photos, music, movies, documents and the like, for which speed is not so critical.
At the same time, you still need to choose a good and fast memory card. This is not the case when saving a couple of hundred rubles will be critical. But when you buy a card from a renowned manufacturer, you will get faster performance, greater stability and durability.
Which memory card to choose for the phone
There are many manufacturers of memory cards. Among the most famous are Transcend, SanDisk, Kingston and Samsung. When buying these memory cards, most likely, you will not face any problems. At least I've always used these firms. Now I have SanDisk memory cards in all my devices, and before that I chose Transcend. I have never had any particular complaints about either one or the other.
My pretty shabby but living memory cards.
In the case I mentioned at the beginning, the noname card from the souvenir shop let me down. Therefore, I am very wary of them. If you have such a card and it works, you shouldn't tell everyone that everything is fine. I do not dispute that it will work, but it will be less reliable. If you bought a smartphone for 20,000 rubles, it is better not to regret the extra 500 rubles. A good memory card will cost about that much more.
As for the volume, then everyone chooses the volume that he needs. If you take a lot of photos, shoot videos or like to watch movies on the road, it is better to take a 128 GB card. Probably, this is generally the optimal volume, both in terms of money and performance. In older devices, large memory cards made their media slow down. Now there is almost no such thing, but buying an excess volume is also not worth it.
But what is definitely worth it is to buy a memory card with a high read and write speed. It can be found in the characteristics of the card itself. The larger it is, the better and there is no limit to perfection in this matter. Only with a fast card will you be able to shoot videos in maximum quality and the recording will not be interrupted. In any case, you need to understand that the advantages of a fast card are not only that you will throw everything off it in ten minutes instead of twenty, but also that the smartphone as a whole will work faster.
Share in the comments which memory cards you prefer to use.