Android: SD card is not recognized - what to do?

If the SD card is not recognized on Android, it can be quite annoying. But do not panic: In this practical tip you will read helpful tips that will make the SD card operational again.

SD card is not recognized on Android - you can do that

Follow the tips below if the SD card is not recognized by the Android smartphone:

• First, make sure that the SD card is compatible with your smartphone. This mainly affects the size of the card, as some smartphones only accept up to 16 or 32 gigabytes of cards. For information on which cards are compatible, see the manual for the device.
• Also check that the SD card is connected correctly. Some brackets require a fuse to be activated - usually by pushing the bracket up. Therefore, make sure that the card and, if applicable, the fuse are properly engaged.
• Dirty contacts can also ensure that the card is not recognized or is recognized incorrectly. You can clean up smaller dust by blowing gently. If the contact is heavily soiled, you can carefully clean it with a cotton swab, for example.
• You can also try removing the SD card and then reconnecting it to the phone. Problems can often be solved this way.
• A simple restart of the smartphone can also help. The SD card may not be recognized correctly, which can be rectified after a restart.
• New SD cards should be formatted first. Therefore, first connect this to your PC and open the "Computer". Right-click on the SD card and select "Format ..". You must select "FAT32" as the file format. The process is started with "Start". Wait for this to finish and then remove the SD card.

In our next practical tip, we will explain what you can do if the SD card cannot be formatted.