What Does Read Only Mean for an SD Card?
Read only mode prevents writing or deleting data on the SD card. When an SD card is set to read only, you can access and view the files but cannot modify, erase, or add new files. The read only state protects against accidental deletion or corruption of data on the card (1).
SD cards have a small physical switch on the side that toggles between read/write and read only modes. Sliding the switch down sets the card to read only. Many devices also have the ability to set the card to read only mode via software. The OS mounts the SD card in read only mode to prevent changes. This protects the integrity of data but prevents writing new data (2).
Read only errors can also occur if the SD card becomes corrupted or damaged. The system detects errors on the card and automatically sets it to read only to protect the data. So read only mode both prevents accidental data loss and responds to corruption errors on cards (3).
Why is My Samsung SD Card Read Only?
There are a few common reasons why a Samsung SD card may suddenly become read-only:
The physical lock switch on the card is in the lock position – SD cards have a sliding switch on the side that locks the card and prevents any data from being written to it. If this switch is moved to the locked position, the card will appear read-only even if the data is not corrupted. Simply unlock the switch to resolve this issue.
The card is corrupted or damaged – If the SD card has become corrupted from improper ejection, file system errors, or physical damage, the phone’s OS will automatically change it to read-only to prevent any further damage. Unfortunately the only fix for a corrupted card is to format it, which will erase all data.
Formatted incorrectly – SD cards formatted as exFAT, NTFS, or other non-compatible file systems will appear read-only to Android devices. The card will need to be reformatted as FAT32 or ext4 in order to function properly again.
How to Unlock a Samsung SD Card
If your Samsung SD card is read-only, the first thing to check is whether a physical lock switch is enabled on the card. Look along the sides and bottom of the SD card for a small toggle or tab that can slide between “locked” and “unlocked” positions. Push this switch up towards the unlocked position to disable write protection (source: https://www.easeus.com/partition-master/sd-card-mounted-as-read-only.html).
If that doesn’t work, you may need to use the diskpart command in Windows to clear the read-only attribute from your SD card. Diskpart is a command line utility that can reset permissions on disk drives. To use it, open the Command Prompt as administrator, type “diskpart”, then “list disk”, followed by “select disk x” (where x is the number of your SD card drive). Finally enter “attributes disk clear readonly” to remove read-only status (source: https://4ddig.tenorshare.com/sd-card/un-sd-card-showing-as-read-only.html).
You can also try reformatting the SD card using the native formatter from Samsung. Download the Samsung SD Card Formatter for Windows or Mac, select your card, click Format and choose Quick Format. This will fully reset the card and clear any locks or permissions issues.
Fixing a Corrupted Samsung SD Card
If simply unlocking your Samsung SD card doesn’t resolve the read-only issue, the next step is trying to reformat the card. You can reformat the SD card using your phone’s settings or a computer if connected via an SD card reader. Reformatting will erase all data on the card, so be sure to back up your files first if possible. The reformat should restore full read/write access if the card is not physically damaged.
If reformatting fails, you may need to use disk checking utilities like chkdsk to scan for errors and fix any corrupted sectors. Chkdsk is built into Windows and can help repair issues that prevent proper formatting.
As a last resort, try using Samsung SD card recovery software designed to fix corrupt cards and recover data. The Samsung Recovery software can reformat cards that may be entirely unreadable by normal means. If even professional utilities cannot format the card, it is likely permanently damaged and needs to be replaced.
Avoiding Read Only Errors
There are a few things you can do to avoid getting the read only error on your Samsung SD card:
- Safely eject the card before removing it from your device. Do not just pull the card out while it is still writing data, as this can cause corruption. On Samsung devices, go to Settings -> Device care -> Storage -> tap the SD card -> Unmount.
- Use high quality, authentic memory cards from reputable brands. Lower quality or counterfeit cards are more prone to errors. Samsung recommends using their own branded cards for optimal performance (source).
- Regularly back up the important data stored on the card. Keep a second copy on your computer or cloud storage, so you don’t lose anything if the card becomes corrupted.
- Avoid using the same SD card in multiple devices. The different formatting systems can sometimes cause issues.
- Check the card occasionally with Samsung’s Memory Card Diagnostics app, to scan for and fix errors.
Following best practices for using and caring for your Samsung SD cards will help prevent the read only error from occurring in the first place. But if you do encounter problems, the solutions above can help get your card back to normal.
Recovering Data from a Read Only Card
If your Samsung SD card is read-only, you may still be able to recover your files before reformatting the card. Here are some options:
Use recovery software like Tenorshare 4DDiG to extract data from the read-only SD card. This specialized software can bypass the read-only restriction to copy your files off the card.
Manually copy any accessible files from the SD card before reformatting. While you can’t add new data in read-only mode, you may still be able to access and copy off old files.
Send the SD card to a data recovery service. Though expensive, professionals can repair physical issues with the card and attempt to recover inaccessible data. This should be a last resort option if software cannot extract your files.
Once you’ve recovered your data, you can safely reformat the SD card to fix the read-only error. Just be aware that reformatting will erase all data on the card.
Alternative Storage Options
While SD cards are very convenient for portable storage, there are some other options to consider if you find yourself dealing with read only errors frequently:
Cloud storage services like Dropbox allow you to access your files from anywhere with an internet connection. The files are stored securely online rather than directly on your device’s SD card. This protects your data if the SD card becomes corrupted.
For robust local storage, external SSD drives provide fast transfer speeds and durability compared to SD cards. Portable SSDs connect via USB-C or USB-A ports. The downside is they are physically larger than SD cards.
If your device has internal storage, using that instead of an external SD card can avoid potential read only issues. Many smartphones today offer 256GB or more of onboard storage. Just be sure to back up your data regularly in case the internal storage fails.
The right storage option depends on your specific needs. But exploring alternatives to SD cards can help avoid frustrations with read only errors.
Backing Up Data
It’s crucial to regularly back up the data on your Samsung SD card to avoid losing important files and information if your card becomes corrupted or damaged. There are a few easy ways to back up an SD card on a Samsung device:
One option is to use auto sync features to automatically backup photos to cloud services like Google Photos or Samsung Cloud. Enabling auto sync in your device settings will continuously upload new photos captured to the cloud, creating a backup as you take pictures and videos (source).
You can also manually transfer important files off the SD card periodically by connecting your device to a computer and copying files over. This lets you selectively backup important documents, media, and other data to your computer or an external hard drive (source).
For full system backups, you can use Samsung’s Smart Switch app to create a complete image backup of your device storage including the SD card. This creates a restorable backup file with all your apps, data, settings, etc. (source).
When to Replace an SD Card
If your SD card is frequently going into read only mode or giving errors, it’s a sign the card may be failing and needs to be replaced. Performance degrading over time is another indicator the card is reaching the end of its lifespan. Visible damage like cracks or bends can also cause read only errors. Older, lower capacity cards are more prone to issues since storage technology has improved greatly in recent years.
According to SLR Lounge, it’s best practice to replace any well-used memory card after 2-3 years. If the card gives you a serious error like “Cannot use this card” on your device, it should be marked as “bad” and replaced immediately. Continuing to use a problematic card risks losing data or damaging your device’s card reader.
Higher capacity and newer cards based on UHS-II or UHS-III standards will be faster and more reliable. However, even new cards should be replaced every few years with heavy usage. Setting a reminder to swap out cards you depend on for important photos or video footage can help avoid being caught without storage when you need it most.
Summary
When your Samsung SD card suddenly goes into read-only mode, it can be concerning and frustrating. However, there are a few main reasons this can happen:
- Corruption – If files get corrupt, the card may go read-only to prevent further damage.
- Improper ejection – Removing the card without properly ejecting can cause errors.
- Physical damage – Damage to the card itself may trigger read-only mode.
Preventing read-only errors comes down to properly ejecting the card each time and avoiding damage. It’s also critical to frequently backup your data, whether to another SD card, a hard drive, or cloud storage. That way, even if the card becomes read-only or corrupted, your data is safe.
If your Samsung SD card does go read-only, don’t panic. First, attempt to unlock it by reformatting or using the hardware switch if there is one. Failing that, you can recover data off the card through special software or services. And if the card is too far gone, it may need to be replaced.
By understanding the causes of read-only errors, taking preventative measures, and knowing recovery options, you can minimize frustration whenever your Samsung SD card acts up.