The Fairphones have a Micro SD card slot.

Android OS (Operating System) manages the interactions between the apps installed on your Fairphone and the Micro SD card. We do not have control over these third-party products (downloaded apps and SD cards). Thus we will not be able to help you retrieve your data in case of malfunctioning. So, if you experience issues, we advise performing a Factory reset, and then you can restore your data on the Fairphone.

Fairphone does not test 3rd party hardware. To receive advice on the best Micro SD card to use with your device and your needs, we recommend asking on the Fairphone forum.

To see the specifications for the Micro SD card slot, select your phone model below. Note that the real-life performance may vary significantly depending on many factors.

Portable storage and Phone storage

You can use a Micro SD card as Portable (external) storage or Phone (internal) Storage.
The first time you insert a Micro SD card into your Fairphone, Android will ask you to make a choice. Both options have pros and cons, so take a moment to evaluate them.

Portable storage (External storage)

Advantages

• You can use it for media storage (photos, videos, music).
• You can use the card on multiple devices.
• You can use the card to transfer content between devices (e.g., a computer, another phone, etc.).

Limitations

• CAN NOT store apps.
• NOT encrypted. It is possible to read all data saved on it.

Phone storage (Internal storage)

Advantages

• Bigger device storage capacity. Android will move apps and games that meet the requirements to the Micro SD card.
• Encrypted. Your data will be safe if you lose or phone or if it gets stolen.

Limitations

• You CAN NOT recover data. In case of malfunctioning of the card or an Android software fault, it is impossible to access the data from any other device (e.g., a computer, another phone, etc.).
• You CAN NOT use it to transfer content.
• It might slow down your phone (accessing data on the Micro SD Card is often slower than accessing the information on the phone).

Insert SD card

To insert a Micro SD card into your Fairphone, read the instructions below.
You can also watch our short video tutorial for more info.

1. Power off the phone.
2. Open the back of your phone.
3. Take the battery out. Underneath, you'll see two or three icons outlined in white.
   
   • Depending on the phone, the Micro SD card slot can be above of below the SIM card slot. Just keep in mind that the icon is different and looks like the SD card .
4. Insert your Micro SD card into the Micro SD card slot.
   
   -IMPORTANT-
   Do NOT force a Micro SD card into the SIM card slot. You'll void the warranty! If you're not sure if you're doing it right, gently remove it and try again.
5. Press all the way gently in until the Micro SD card clicks in place. You might feel a little pressure building up by the spring: continue until you feel the click.
6. Insert the battery again.
7. Put the back cover back on.
8. Press the Power button to restart your phone.

Set up your Micro SD card

After inserting your Micro SD Card and starting your device, a notification icon on the Status bar will show you that an SD card is working.

1. Swipe down with one finger from the top of the screen to open the Notification panel.
2. Tap on the SD card notification Tap to set up.
3. A new page will open, letting you choose how to format the card.
4. Select Phone storage or Portable storage according to your preferences.
   See the first section in this support article to read about the advantages and limitations of Portable storage and Phone storage to choose the option that fits your needs.

Format your Micro SD card from settings

Before to start using it, for better compatibility, we advise you to reformat the SD card.

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the drop-down under "Storage" and select the SD card.
3. Tap on the More options button (3 vertical dots) in the top right corner.
4. Depending on your software version, the next step varies:
   • On Android 12 or lower:
     • Tap on Format to wipe the SD card without changing the format.
     • Tap on Format as internal or Format as portable to change the format.
   • On Android 13:
     • Tap on Format.
     • Select Internal storage or Portable storage according to your preferences.
       See the first section in this support article to read about the advantages and limitations of Portable storage and Phone storage to choose the option that fits your needs.

Convert your existing Micro SD card to Phone storage

If you are already using a Micro SD Card in your Fairphone as Portable storage, it is also possible to convert it to Phone storage.

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the drop-down under "Storage" and select the SD card.
3. Tap on the More options button (3 vertical dots) in the top right corner.
4. Depending on your software version, the next step varies:
   • On Android 12 or lower:
     
     • Tap on Format as internal to change the format.
   • On Android 13:
     • Tap on Format.
     • Select Internal storage.
5. After the formatting is complete, you can choose whether to move some content, such as files, media and some apps to the SD card. We don't recommend using this option, as it can create problems for some apps.
   If you d choose to move apps, you can always change your mind and move the data back to the phone's storage (see below).

Convert your existing Micro SD card to Portable storage

If you are already using a Micro SD Card in your Fairphone as Phone storage, it is also possible to convert it to Portable storage.

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the drop-down under "Storage" and select This device.
3. Tap on the More options button  (3 vertical dots) in the top right corner if it is available (if not, skip to step 5).
4. Tap on Migrate data.
   1. Confirm by tapping on Move Content. This will move your data from the SD card back to the phone's internal storage. The migrated data will not be deleted during reformatting.
   2. Once done, re-enter the Settings → Storage menu.
5. Tap on the drop-down under "Storage" and select the SD card.
6. Tap on the More options button  (3 vertical dots) in the top right corner.
7. Select Format or Format as portable.
   -IMPORTANT-
   This step will wipe the data stored on your Micro SD card. Make sure the data was migrated correctly in step 3 or create an additional backup.

Take out your Micro SD card

If you need to take out the Micro SD card, make sure you back up the data stored.

• If you use the Micro SD card as external Portable storage, a backup is all you need to do in preparation.
• If you use the SD card as internal Phone storage, you must migrate the apps and games stored on it, as well as reformat it as Portable storage. Otherwise, your data may be lost.

See the first section in this support article about the advantages and limitations of Portable storage and Phone storage before you continue.

To take the Micro SD card out:

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the drop-down under "Storage" and select the SD card.
3. Tap on the More options button  (3 vertical dots) in the top right corner/
4. Tap on Eject to eject the SD card. While not strictly necessary, we have found that this step prevents some data errors.
5. Power off your Fairphone.
6. Remove the back cover of your Fairphone.
7. Take out the battery. Underneath, you'll see two or three icons outlined in white.
   
   • Depending on the device, the Micro SD card slot can be above of below the SIM card slot. Just keep in mind that the icon is different and looks like the SD card .
8. Push the visible part of your Micro SD card further into the Micro SD card slot. 
   
   -IMPORTANT-
   Do NOT use any metal tools to retrieve a Micro SD card from the SD slot. Metal may damage the Micro SD card, and damage to the SD card slot will void the warranty!
9. Continue pressing until you feel the Micro SD card is at the end of the slot.
10. Release the pressure so that the spring can eject the SD card.
11. Take the SD card out.
12. Insert the battery again.
13. Put the back cover back on.
14. Press the Power button to power on your phone.

If after reading the article you need more help, contact our Customer Support.