SD cards, or Secure Digital cards, are removable flash memory cards used for storing photos, videos, music, and other files on devices like smartphones, tablets, and cameras. They provide additional, removable storage space for Android devices that often have limited internal storage.
Using an SD card with an Android phone or tablet offers several key benefits:
- Increased storage capacity – SD cards allow you to dramatically increase the storage space on your Android device for more apps, media files, etc. Many Android devices support SD cards up to 512GB.
- Cost-effective – SD cards provide a cheap way to add substantial storage compared to upgrading to a model with more internal storage.
- Portability – Files stored on the SD card can easily be transferred between devices.
- Durability – SD cards are resistant to vibration, extreme temperatures, and other hazards that can damage phone internal storage.
- Backups – SD cards provide a great way to back up your important files.
Overall, adding removable SD card storage brings significant flexibility, convenience, and cost savings to managing files on an Android device.
SD Card Speed Classes
SD cards have speed classes that indicate their minimum guaranteed speeds. The main speed classes are Class 2, Class 4, Class 6, and Class 10:
Class 2 SD cards have a minimum write speed of 2MB/s. They are the slowest type of SD card.
Class 4 SD cards are faster, with a minimum write speed of 4MB/s. This allows them to record and save 1080p video.
Class 6 SD cards have a minimum write speed of 6MB/s. They can record full HD video and high-resolution photos.
Class 10 SD cards are the fastest standard class, with minimum write speeds of 10MB/s. They are ideal for 4K video recording and burst photography. Class 10 cards provide fast transfer speeds and good performance across devices.1
SDHC vs SDXC
The main difference between SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) cards is the maximum storage capacity they support. SDHC cards can support up to 32GB of storage, while SDXC cards can store up to 2TB of data [1].
SDHC uses the FAT32 file system which has a maximum 4GB file size limit. SDXC uses the exFAT file system which supports files larger than 4GB. Therefore, SDXC cards are better for storing and transferring large files like high resolution photos and 4K video [2].
Most modern Android devices support both SDHC and SDXC formats. However, older Android devices may only be compatible with SDHC. You can check your device specifications to confirm which formats it supports before purchasing a microSD card.
exFAT vs. FAT32
Android devices are compatible with both the exFAT and FAT32 file system formats for SD cards, but FAT32 is generally recommended. The main differences are:
- FAT32 supports individual files up to 4GB in size, while exFAT supports much larger file sizes.
- exFAT allows you to store files over 4GB and supports SD cards up to 2TB, but it may not work with older Android devices.
- FAT32 is compatible with nearly every device, while exFAT may not work on some older or low-end Android phones and tablets.
- Formatting with FAT32 is faster than exFAT, but it is less efficient at storing larger files due to the 4GB per file limit.
- exFAT has better optimization for flash memory cards.
Overall, FAT32 is the most widely compatible format and recommended for SD cards unless you need to store individual files over 4GB in size. Many Android devices do not support exFAT, so FAT32 is generally safer. You can format cards up to 32GB with FAT32 without issue. Some devices may support exFAT for larger capacities, but FAT32 is the ideal format for reliability.
Ideal SD Card Size
When choosing an SD card for your Android device, the ideal size depends on how you plan to use it. Here are some recommendations for SD card sizes for Android:
For most users, a 32GB or 64GB SD card is sufficient. This provides enough storage for apps, photos, videos, and music. Unless you plan on downloading a lot of media files or games, most people don’t need more than 64GB of external storage.[1]
If you take a lot of photos and shoot video, especially in 4K, you may want to consider a 128GB SD card. The extra storage allows you to save all those large files without running out of space.[2]
For maximum storage, you can get SD cards up to 1TB. However, 512GB or lower is recommended for better performance and compatibility. Giant SD cards are useful for those who have huge media libraries or play a lot of large 3D games.[3]
In most cases, a 32GB, 64GB or 128GB SD card hits the sweet spot between price, performance and storage capacity for Android devices.
Top SD Cards for Android
The Best Overall: SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC
The SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC card offers the ideal combination of performance and price when adding external storage to your Android device. Available in capacities between 32GB and 1TB, the Extreme Pro provides fast read and write speeds up to 170MB/s and 90MB/s respectively and comes in SD Speed Class 10 and U3 rating [1]. The Speed Class 10 rating means it can support full HD video recording as well as burst mode photo captures on high-megapixel cameras. The U3 rating indicates it can sustain high read and write speeds, which is crucial for apps, games, 4K video, and high-resolution multimedia files. SanDisk also offers its proprietary A2 rating, meaning the card provides fast random read and write speeds for loading apps quickly.
The ruggedized build with water, shock, X-ray, and temperature resistance makes the Extreme Pro durable enough for everyday use. Pricing is competitive for the performance provided. Altogether, the transfer speeds, reliability, and cost effectiveness make the SanDisk Extreme Pro a top choice for expanding Android storage.
Top Performance: Lexar Professional 1066x microSDXC
Designed with professional imaging and video features in mind, the high-speed Lexar Professional 1066x microSDXC card is an excellent choice for power users needing the ultimate performance for creative media work, gaming, or productivity applications. It boasts read speeds up to 160MB/s and write speeds up to 155MB/s, meeting its UHS-I U3 Class 10 designation for 4K and Full HD video recording capabilities. The 1066x supports the latest applications like HD video capture up to 1080p at 60 fps. Sustained performance is enabled by the included high-speed SD adapter. Backed by a lifetime limited warranty, the Lexar Professional line offers superior reliability as well. With excellent speeds for transferring multimedia and apps, the Lexar 1066x is a top-tier choice for media creation on Android [2.]
Inserting the SD Card
Inserting an SD card into your Android device is a straightforward process, but there are a few steps to follow to ensure it is done properly:
1. Locate the SD card slot. On most Android phones, you’ll find the SD card slot along the side or bottom edge of the phone. It’s covered by a small plastic flap or tray.
2. Open the SD card slot cover. Carefully pop open the cover using your fingernail. Be gentle so you don’t break the flap.
3. Position the SD card properly. SD cards have a front and back side – make sure the metal contacts are facing down when inserting the card. The angled corner should also be positioned properly based on the outlines in the slot.
4. Gently slide in the SD card. Don’t force the card into the slot. When positioned correctly, it should glide smoothly into place.
5. Close the SD card slot cover. Make sure the cover clicks back into place properly. This protects the card and prevents it from dislodging.
By carefully following these steps, you can securely insert an SD card into your Android device. Avoid touching the metal contacts to prevent transfer of oils to the card. Once inserted properly, the card will be ready for use.
Setting the SD Card
To properly use an SD card with Android, you will need to set it up as either portable or internal storage. Portable storage acts as removable media, while internal storage makes the SD card act like built-in phone storage.
To set the SD card as portable storage, simply insert it into your Android device. The card will be available to store media and documents, but apps cannot be installed on portable storage.
To set it up as internal storage, go to Settings > Storage and tap on your SD card name. Select “Format as internal” and then “Erase & Format”. This will allow you to install apps and games onto the SD card. However, formatting it this way means the card will only work in that specific device 1.
Setting the card as internal storage will increase your overall storage capacity, while portable storage is better for quickly transferring files between devices. Choose the option that best suits your needs.
Transferring Files
It’s easy to transfer files like photos, videos, and documents from your Android device’s internal storage to the SD card.
First, open the Files app on your Android device. This is usually called “Files” or “My Files” but may have a different name depending on your Android version and device manufacturer. At the bottom of the Files app, tap “Browse” then scroll down to “Storage devices” and tap on your SD card.
You will now see the contents of your SD card. To transfer a file, navigate to it in your internal storage, tap and hold the file, then select “Move to” and choose your SD card.
You can also transfer multiple files at once by tapping and holding one file, then tapping additional files to select them. Tap “Move to” and select your SD card to move all the selected files.
According to Google’s help guide, some Android devices will give you the option to automatically transfer photos and videos to your SD card as you take them. Check your camera app settings to enable this if available.
For more details, refer to this WikiHow guide which provides step-by-step instructions and screenshots for transferring files to SD cards on Android.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing an SD card for your Android device:
- Get a card with a high speed rating like UHS-I or UHS-II for fast performance.
- Choose either SDHC or SDXC depending on your storage needs – SDHC for up to 32GB, SDXC for 64GB and above.
- Format the card to exFAT for compatibility across devices.
- Avoid extremely large or small cards and aim for 16-256GB for a good balance.
- Look at top brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Lexar, etc. for reliable cards.
- Refer to your device manual on how to insert and set up the SD card properly.
- Use the native file manager to safely move files and apps to the SD card.
Following these best practices will ensure you get an SD card that provides ample extra storage space and maximum performance for your Android phone or tablet.