How to Format MicroSD Card as Internal Storage on Android Devices
Many Android phone users want to format their microSD cards as internal storage for various reasons, such as expanding their device's storage space. However, it's important to understand the implications of this action before proceeding.
Why is my Android phone not allowing me to format a microSD card as internal storage?
There are a few possible reasons why your Android phone might not be allowing you to format a microSD card:
The microSD card may be broken or it may not meet the specifications required by your phone. Your phone might be broken and unable to format any microSD card. You might simply not know how to format a microSD card in your phone.One of these must be true. If you determine that your microSD card should indeed be usable, the issue might lie with your phone or the SD card itself.
Can you format your SD card as internal storage?
Yes, you can format your SD card as internal storage, but it's a serious step that should be taken carefully. Once you format the SD card as internal storage, it becomes inaccessible to any other devices and can only be used with the phone that has been formatted. Before proceeding, you should backup all important data and information from the SD card to another device. Using third-party software for the backup is recommended as it provides a safer and more reliable method.
Steps to Format SD Card as Internal Storage on Android
First, ensure that your Android device supports SD card as internal storage:
Insert an SD card into your device. Open Settings Storage Settings. Select your SD card. Tap the menu icon (usually three dots in the upper right corner). Select 'Storage settings'. Select 'Format as internal'. Select 'FORMAT SD CARD'. Confirm the format by tapping 'FORMAT SD CARD' again. Move content from the SD card to the internal storage.Consequences of Formatting an SD Card as Internal Storage
Formatting an SD card as internal storage involves changing the file system type used by the SD card to match that of the internal storage. However, the operating system still recognizes the SD card's physical connection. Some Android systems have features that allow the phone to seamlessly treat an SD card as an extension of the device's internal storage. The way this integration works can result in different symptoms if the SD card is removed, impacting the overall functionality of the device.
Manufacturers' Decisions on SD Card Integration
Some manufacturers, such as Google and Huawei, have disabled the option to format SD cards as internal storage because it can potentially cause issues. It's generally recommended to use the SD card for storing media files rather than trying to format it as internal storage.
If your phone is so old that it doesn't have enough storage for apps, it might be time to consider purchasing a new phone with better storage capacity.
By following these steps and understanding the implications, you can safely format your microSD card as internal storage on your Android device if the circumstances are right.