Troubleshoot: SD card undetected issue

If Files by Google doesn't show your SD card:

1. On your device, tap Settings. 
2. Tap Device maintenance 👁 and then
    Storage. 
3. Check if your SD card is recognized. 

If the SD card isn’t detected in Settings, remove and re-insert the SD card. Once it's detected in Settings, follow the steps listed below to format the SD card to portable.

If the SD card is recognized in Settings but not in Files by Google, that SD card might be formatted as internal storage. We recommend that you format your SD card as portable storage.

Android offers 2 ways to format SD cards:

• Portable storage: When you format an SD card as portable storage:
  • You can load files, like pictures and videos, on the SD card.
  • You can’t install apps on the SD card.
  • You can transfer the SD card between devices.
• Adoptable storage: When you format an SD card as adoptable storage:
  • You can load files, like pictures and videos, on the SD card.
  • You can install apps on the SD card.
  • You can’t transfer the SD card between devices.
  • The SD card replaces internal storage. A 32 GB SD card replaces 32 GB internal storage. The SD card storage isn’t added to the internal storage.

1. On your Nokia device, open the Settings app.
2. Select Storage 👁 and then
   SD card.
3. To open the SD card with Files, select Just once.
   • If you want to open the SD card with a different app, select from your list of apps.
4. At the top right, select Menu 👁 More
    👁 and then
    Storage settings.
5. To format the SD card, select Format 👁 and then
    Format SD card.

1. On your Lenovo, open the Settings app.
2. Select Storage & USB 👁 and then
    SD card.
3. To format the SD card, select Format 👁 and then
    Erase & format.

1. On your Xiaomi, open the Settings app.
2. Select Storage 👁 and then
    SD card.
3. To open the SD card, select Files 👁 and then
    Just once.
4. At the top right, select Menu 👁 More
    👁 and then
    Storage settings.
5. To format the SD card, select Format 👁 and then
    Format SD card.

1. On your device, open the Settings app.
2. Select Storage 👁 and then
    SD card.
3. At the top right, select Menu 👁 More
    👁 and then
    Format as portable.
4. To format the SD card, select Format.
5. Once all content is moved to the SD card, select Done.
6. At the top of the home screen, swipe down the “Notification” menu.
7. In the Settings notification, select Set-up.
8. To transfer your files to the portable storage, select Portable storage 👁 and then
    Done.