Try Basic Fixes
- Check the SD card and insert it properly: Your SD card might not work if you haven’t inserted it properly or is damaged. To rule out such issues, take out the SD card for a thorough inspection. Take a close look at the card to check for any indications of damage or abnormalities that may be affecting its functionality. Clean the SD card and the tray, insert it back, and check if the issue is resolved.
- Install Android updates: Bugs and glitches within the Android or custom skin on your phone can also contribute to such problems. Fortunately, both Google and phone manufacturers are usually quick to address and fix such major issues through subsequent updates. Hence, it’s a good idea to install any pending software updates by heading over to Settings > Software update.
Fix 1: Boot Your Phone Into Safe Mode
At times, interference from a rouge third-party app on your phone can also prevent Android from detecting or showing the SD card. To investigate this possibility, you can boot your phone into Safe Mode, which allows Android to run solely with system apps.
Press and hold the power button to access the power menu. Long-press the Power off option and tap the green checkmark to boot your phone into Safe Mode.
Once your device boots into Safe Mode, see if it shows your SD card in the storage menu. If it does, it means one of the apps running on your phone caused the issue. Any third-party apps that you have installed recently may be responsible for this problem. You will need to remove these apps one by one to resolve the issue.
Fix 2: Format the SD Card
If your SD card doesn’t show up even in Safe Mode, there’s a high chance it has become corrupt. In that case, you’ll have to format the SD card. That will erase all data and files stored on it, including the corrupt ones.
As the SD card does not appear in the Settings app, you cannot format it directly on your Android phone. Instead, you will need to format the SD card using a Windows or Mac computer. After formatting the SD card, reinsert it into your phone and check if it shows up.
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Last updated on 07 August, 2024
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