Through this article, we will try to understand why the Android phone does not detect the SD card and how to solve the problem. The main problem we find on a mobile device with memory cards is when an Android phone is unable to read the SD card and this can be due to many factors.
In most cases, the error is attributed to the software. Among the culprits are corrupt data on the SD card, incorrect updates, software bugs, and malware.
Read on to find out what prevented the phone from reading the SD card and showing an error detecting the SD card even if the SIM card is already inserted and mounted. The guide can be applied to all phones of all brands, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, LG, Sony, and others.
The android phone does not detect SD card, the first things to do
Before you start solving software problems with your device, check and make sure you are using the correct type of SD card compatible with your phone.
Also, try inserting the SD card of another device with the same SD cardholder. If the other device is unable to detect or read the SD card, the problem is on your Android phone. It could be attributed to a system error or, worse, hardware damage such as a broken SD card tray.
Hardware damage has likely occurred if you accidentally gave up your smartphone in the past. In this case, the only way to solve the problem is to go to a technician. On the other hand, software problems with the SD card can be solved with some alternative solutions.
Try restarting the phone
Press the power button for a few seconds, then tap the option to turn off. After a few seconds, press the power button again until the device turns off. If the device is locked, you will need to hold down the power button for at least 10 seconds. The phone should reboot after a while. Check if the problem persists even after the phone has completely restarted.
Try it on a PC
If all of the above didn’t work, take out the microSD card from the phone and try it on a PC. If you can see the content on your PC, it means that the card is good and works properly. Disconnect it safely and try again on your mobile device. It is very likely that it will work now.
The android phone does not detect the SD card, updates the software to the latest version
Software updates may contain the required fix patch if the problem you are facing is caused by some bugs that affect system functions. This is why it is recommended that you keep your device software up to date.
Typically, you will receive a notification from your Android phone when a new firmware version is available. But if you haven’t seen any update notifications, the option may be disabled in the settings. This means that you need to manually check and update the firmware at some point.
- Open the notifications screen and go to Settings.
- Select Software Update.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to download and install the update (if new firmware is available).
If you prefer, you can set the device to automatically download updates. Otherwise, select the option to manually download updates.
Disassemble, then remove the SD card
Another possible reason why the Android phone is unable to read the SD card is that the SD card is not inserted correctly or has moved. To exclude it, remove and replace the SD card on the phone. It is recommended to unmount the SD card before removing the card from the device to avoid damaging the files saved on the memory card. It will also avoid damaging the memory card itself.
- Go to Settings.
- Touch Device Management.
- Select Storage.
- Touch the SD card.
- Touch the option to unmount the SD card.
This will disable the SD card, so everything will be ready to be safely removed.
Reset your Android device
If Facebook still hangs on your Android phone, it’s best to reset it to factory settings at this point. But first, make sure you create a backup of your important files and data and then follow these steps:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up and Power keys.
- When the logo appears, release all the buttons.
- Your Android phone will continue to boot in recovery mode. When a black screen appears with blue and yellow text, proceed to the next step.
- Press the Volume key to highlight “wipe data/factory reset”.
- Press the Power button to select.
- Press the Volume key until “Yes” is highlighted.
- Press the Power button to select and start the full reset.
- Once the reset is complete, click on “Reboot”.
- Press the power button to restart the device.
I think that after performing this procedure the problem disappeared from your phone if it is not so you just have to or change the SD card. If all these tips have not been useful for you, you just have to contact the phone manufacturer. Prepare your smartphone, take the receipt or the invoice, and a good dose of patience.