A microSD card allows you to expand the storage capacity of your Fairphone, which gives you more space for your favourite photos, videos and music.

• Choose a microSD card
• Insert your microSD card
• Set up your microSD card
• Format 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.

Please 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.

Set up your microSD card

After inserting your microSD card and starting your Fairphone, a notification will appear.

1. From the top of your screen, swipe down to see your notifications.
2. Tap the SD card detected notification.
   Tip: If the microSD was set up on another device, you may see a different notification.
3. 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.

Format your microSD card

For better compatibility, we recommend formatting your microSD card before using it.

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap This device and select your microSD card.
3. In the top right corner, tap the three dots to show more options.
4. Tap Format.
   
   • For portable storage, tap Format.
   • For internal storage, tap Format another way → Format.

Not sure which option to choose? Read more about Portable and Internal storage.

Reformat your microSD card

Portable and Internal storage

You can format your microSD card as:

Portable (external) storage

• You can use it for media storage (photos, videos and music).
• You can use your microSD card with multiple 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.

or

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 multiple devices.
• May slow down your phone (accessing data on a microSD card can be slower than your internal storage).

Take out your microSD 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 Internal 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.

To take out your microSD card:

1. Go to Settings → Storage.
2. Tap This device and select your microSD card.
3. In the top right corner, tap the three dots to show more options.
4. Tap on Eject to eject the microSD card.
5. Power off your Fairphone.
6. Remove the back cover and take out the battery.
7. 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.
8. Release and take out your microSD card.
9. Reinsert the battery and click the back cover in place.
10. Hold the Power button to turn on the phone.

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