How can I go to a bigger SD card?

[nickstoyz]

Go to a bigger SD card

Hello, I tried a search but no results. So my SD card if full on my S5. I'm not sure of the gig probably 8. What is the process of going to a bigger SD card? I'd like to go to a 32 or bigger. And I want what is on my SD card transferred to the new card. Thanks Nick

 

[Games4life2016]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Option #1 If you have the old SD card then try transferring the files in there to your phone and then get the new SD card and transfer there.

Option #2 Get the SD Card and insert it to the SD Adapter for micro SD and connect it to your computer and save those files onto a new folder. If your computer doesn't have a slot for an SD Adapter buy one at Amazon.com
I hope I helped!

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

I think Games4life2016's 2nd suggestion would be easiest. Follow these steps:

1. On the phone, go to Settings>Storage, and Unmount the card. Then remove the microSD card.
2. Put the microSD card in a fullsize SD adapter (very cheap to buy, as mentioned above), and insert it into your computer.
3. Use Windows Explorer to copy all contents of the card to your hard drive.
4. Right click the card in Windows Explorer, select Eject, and then remove the card.
5. Now insert the larger capacity microSD card into the computer, and use Windows Explorer to copy the contents of the original card over.
6. Eject the card from the computer, remove the microSD from the adapter, and then insert it into the phone.

 

[Games4life2016]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Well glad I can help.

 

[can3gxw]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

To add to B.Diddy - personally, when I upgraded my card, I shut my phone off completely instead of just "unmounting". Unmounting will do the same thing, but you might have apps on there that the phone is using and those apps might crash and freak you out.

Shut the phone off and take out the SD card.
Put that card in your computer, and copy everything to a specific, empty folder on your PC/laptop
Put your new card in your PC and copy the files back to the new card (COPY - don't move - you'll see why)
Put the new card back in your phone and start it up.
If your phone recognizes your new card, you're done. If not - it may have some strange formatting that the phone doesn't recognize - then you have another step.

- If your phone doesn't see the new card - go into storage and FORMAT EXTERNAL SD CARD
- You will lose everything on your new card (why I said "COPY" above and not move) but it will be formatted the way the PHONE wants it
- Shut phone off and take out SD Card
- Put it back in your computer and RE-COPY your files back to it
- Put it back in your phone and turn it on.

Everything should be intact, any apps that were installed to it shouldn't know the difference

I've done this at least 6-10 times in the past few years and I've never had a problem.

SO - what size are you thinking of going up to?

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Excellent point!

 

[nickstoyz]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Thanks for great responses! not sure of the size yet. I just wanted to understand the switch procedure, and that's what I kinda thought, but I've never done it. Pics and music seem to be my major space taker. What size would you recommend? I would like to also store vids. no room now, everything goes to internal storage.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

How large of an SD card to get depends on how much you plan to store. Flash memory is pretty cheap these days, so you should be able to find 32 GB microSD cards for under $20, and 64 GB cards for maybe $30-40.

 

[can3gxw]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

I would agree with B.Diddy. Don't cheap out on your SD Card though. Amazon has sales ALL the time, on GOOD cards. Stay aware from eBay. You might save a little bit of money on the purchase, but you will "pay" for it in the long run when you start having issues.

Here is one that I would NOT hesitate to buy. 64GB for $25? Sold! (If I didn't already have one... LOL)

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Adapter-SDSQUNC-064G-GN6MA-Newest-Version/dp/B010Q588D4/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1440075326&sr=1-2&keywords=micro+sd+card

(of course this all assuming you're in the US)

Stick with the big, name brands and buy ONLY from reputable sellers like Amazon, Best Buy, etc...

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Very good points by can3gxw. Counterfeit cards abound from online sellers, so only purchase from a site with a good return policy, or from a reputable bricks-and-mortar store. Sandisk is widely regarded as the best manufacturer, and they probably have the best warranty/guarantee in the business as well.

 

[Games4life2016]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

My recommendations are 32GB size SD Card. WARNING I DON'T RECOMMEND SD cards from SanDisk.

 

[nickstoyz]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

My recommendations are 32GB size SD Card. WARNING I DON'T RECOMMEND SD cards from SanDisk.

Please explain why not SanDisk?

 

[Games4life2016]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Well sometimes the SD card can actually drain the battery (That's not Normal) and sometimes it can get corrupted. Buy one from Samsung either way their SD cards can be trusted.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

From what I've seen on these forums, the general experience for Sandisk cards has been good. And they have an excellent warranty.

 

[Games4life2016]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Well, tell me if I'm wrong I like samsung SD Card it's very unique.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

Oh, I'm not doubting Samsung--it's just that Sandisk has a very good reputation as well.

 

[ironass]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

I must say that I have had a problem with using a Sandisk card on both my Galaxy S4 and S5, in the past. Video playing stopped, songs did not load properly and photos were sometimes not read correctly or the card was not recognised. In the end, I opted for a Samsung card and have had no issues since.

This video describes some of the issues...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GATwDqQMwTE

Sandisk have admitted, in the past, that they have produced some bad 32GB and 64GB cards...

SanDisk says it produced some bad 32GB and 64GB microSD cards

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

I see. Sandisk is supposed to be pretty good about replacing or refunding you for defects, though.

 

[ironass]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

I see. Sandisk is supposed to be pretty good about replacing or refunding you for defects, though.

They are indeed. As I mentioned, it was in the past. About a year ago, and I may just have been unlucky enough to get the tail end of that bad batch. Had no problems with Sandisk prior to that.

 

[jshaw42]

Re: Go to a bigger SD card

I have used Sandisk SD cards for many years. There was one incident while traveling where some photos disappeared. However, the current Sandisk card (64gb) I am using has been in my phone for over a year with no problems.