Set up a microSD card
Important
- These steps only work if your Fairphone has Android 13 or above. Learn how to Check and update your software version.
- Always back up your data before inserting, removing or formatting a microSD card.
- Facing an issue with not being able to use your apps or cannot store your photos? Take a look below at Reformat your microSD card.
A microSD card allows you to expand the storage capacity of your Fairphone, which gives you more space for your favorite photos, videos and music.
- Choose a microSD card
- Insert your microSD card
- Set up your microSD card
- Reformat your microSD card
- Portable and Internal storage
- Take out your microSD card
Choose a microSD card
Select your phone below to see which type of microSD card is supported.
| Type | microSD (SD 3.0) |
| Speed | UHS-I |
| Maximum capacity | 2TB |
| Type | microSD (SD 3.0) |
| Speed | UHS-I |
| Maximum capacity | 2TB |
| Type | microSD |
| Speed | Class 10 |
| Maximum capacity | 400GB |
Keep in mind:
- Some amount of storage space will always be reserved for system files.
- microSD cards age like any other electronic circuit and may cause unexpected issues. If necessary, purchase a new microSD card.
- Fairphone does not test third-party party products. For advice on the best microSD card to use, ask the Fairphone Community Forum.
Insert your microSD card
Select your phone below to see how to insert your microSD card.
- Power off your Fairphone.
- Remove the back cover and take out the battery.
- Inside the battery compartment, look for the MicroSD icon.
Important: The SIM slot is intended for SIM cards only. Don't force a microSD card into the SIM slot. Doing so may cause damage and void the warranty of your Fairphone. - Align your microSD card to match the MicroSD icon, paying attention to the cut corners.
- Insert your microSD card slowly, pressing gently until it clicks in place.
- Reinsert the battery and click the back cover in place.
- Hold the Power button to turn on the phone.
- Power off your Fairphone.
- Remove the back cover and take out the battery.
- Inside the battery compartment, look for the MicroSD icon.
Important: The SIM slot is intended for SIM cards only. Don't force a microSD card into the SIM slot. Doing so may cause damage and void the warranty of your Fairphone. - Align your microSD card to match the MicroSD icon, paying attention to the cut corners.
- Insert your microSD card slowly, pressing gently until it clicks in place.
- Reinsert the battery and click the back cover in place.
- Hold the Power button to turn on the phone.
- Power off your Fairphone.
- Remove the back cover and take out the battery.
- Inside the battery compartment, look for the MicroSD icon.
Important: The SIM slot is intended for SIM cards only. Don't force a microSD card into the SIM slot. Doing so may cause damage and void the warranty of your Fairphone. - Align your microSD card to match the MicroSD icon, paying attention to the cut corners.
- Insert your microSD card slowly, pressing gently until it clicks in place.
- Reinsert the battery and click the back cover in place.
- Hold the Power button to turn on the phone.
Set up your microSD card
Important: The following steps will permanently delete any data stored on your microSD card. Always back up your data before proceeding.
After inserting your microSD card and starting your Fairphone, a notification will appear.
- From the top of your screen, swipe down to see your notifications.
- Tap the SD card detected notification.
Tip: If the microSD was set up on another device, you may see a different notification. - To set up your SD card for:
- Portable storage, tap Format.
- Internal storage, tap Format another way → Format.
Not sure which option to choose? Read more about Portable storage and Internal storage.
Reformat your microSD card
Important: The following steps will permanently delete any data stored on your microSD card. Always back up your data before proceeding.
Reformatting your microSD card can be helpful if you're experiencing software or storage issues.
Reformat your existing microSD card from Internal to Portable storage
- On your Fairphone, go to Settings → Storage.
- Tap This device and select your microSD card.
- In the top right corner, tap the three dots to show more options.
- Tap Format → Format card.
Reformat your existing microSD card from Portable to Internal storage
- On your Fairphone, go to Settings → Storage.
- Tap This device and select your microSD card.
- In the top right corner, tap the three dots to show more options.
- Tap Format.
- For portable storage, tap Format.
- For internal storage, tap Format another way → Format.
During this process, you can move files, media and certain apps to your microSD card. This will free up your phone's storage, but some apps won't work.
Portable and Internal storage
Whether to format your microSD card as portable or internal storage depends on your specific needs and priorities.
Portable (external) storage
- Fewer compatibility issues.
- You can use it for media storage (photos, videos and music).
- You can use your microSD card with other devices, for example, to transfer data between your laptop/PC and your Fairphone.
- You won't be able to install apps on your microSD card.
- Your data is not encrypted.
Internal (phone) storage
- You can install apps on your microSD card.
- You can use it for media storage (photos, videos and music).
- You won't be able to use your microSD card with other devices.
- May slow down your phone (accessing data on a microSD card can be slower than your internal storage).
- May cause compatibility issues.
Take out your microSD card
Important:
- Always back up your data before taking out your microSD card.
- If your microSD card is formatted as internal (phone) storage, make sure you move any important data back to your Fairphone's internal memory before taking out your microSD card.
To take out your microSD card:
- Go to Settings → Storage.
- Tap This device and select your microSD card.
- In the top right corner, tap the three dots to show more options.
- Tap on Eject to eject the microSD card.
- Power off your Fairphone.
- Remove the back cover and take out the battery.
- Gently push your microSD card into the microSD slot, until you hear a click.
Important: Don't use any metal tools to retrieve a microSD card from the microSD slot. Doing so may cause damage and void the warranty of your Fairphone.
- Release and take out your microSD card.
- Reinsert the battery and click the back cover in place.
- Hold the Power button to turn on the phone.