Samsung Galaxy: 2 Step-by-Step Methods for Mounting an SD Card

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Learn how to add an SD card to your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet
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This wikiHow teaches you how to mount or re-mount an SD card on your Samsung Galaxy. If you’re inserting a new card into your phone or tablet, you’ll need the SIM ejection pin that came in its box.

Quick Steps

  1. Turn off your phone or tablet.
  2. Eject the card tray using the ejection pin or the tip of a safety pin.
  3. Place the SD card into the tray with the label facing up.
  4. Insert the tray back into the device.
  5. Turn your device back on.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Mounting a New Card

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    To do this, press and hold the power button, then tap Power Off .
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    It’s on the top, bottom, or side edge of your phone or tablet. The tray will pop out.
    • If you don’t have the ejection pin, you can get one from an electronics store, or use the tip of a safety pin—just make sure to insert it gently.
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    Again, this motion should be gentle.
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    If there are two slots, insert this card into the one that’s free. You should not have to apply pressure to fit the SD card into the appropriate slot.
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    The tray should slide in easily.
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    Once your Galaxy restarts, the SD card will mount automatically and be ready for use.
    • To browse the SD card, open the My Files app in the app drawer.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Mounting a Card that was Unmounted

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    Tap the square made of smaller squares (sometimes dots) at the bottom of the home screen. If you’re using a Galaxy 8, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen instead.
    • Use this method if you previously unmounted the SD card without removing it from your phone or tablet.
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    If you don’t see it, type settings into the search bar, then tap it in the results.
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    It’s at the top-right corner of the screen.
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    It’s under the “Portable storage” header.
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    The SD card is now mounted and ready to use.
    • To browse the SD card, open the My Files app in the app drawer.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My Samsung Galaxy does not store stuff on the 16GB SD card I mounted. My internal storage is almost full and I can't open the picture gallery as the phone says I have to delete files first. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    I think that what the phone is saying is right. Since your internal storage is almost full, you might not be able to store stuff on the SD Card or open some apps. Trying freeing up your Internal Storage.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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