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How to Fix "SD Card Is Not Showing in Mobile" in 5 Minutes
Discover definitive solutions for the sd card is not showing in mobile error. Our expert steps help you determine if the problem is with your Android device or the card itself, fixing the common sd card not detected in android phone problem and recovering your data.
By Delores / Updated on November 3, 2025
SD Card is Not Showing in Mobile!
SD Card Suddenly not found by phone or computer
My SD card was working perfectly in my LG Optimus L90 yesterday and connected to my HP Windows 7 laptop without any issues just 2–3 days ago. However, when I tried accessing media on my phone today, it showed nothing. I checked the phone settings, and it stated that no memory card was detected. To rule out a phone issue, I tested SD cards from three friends, and all of them worked fine on my phone, so the phone itself isn't the problem.
Next, I inserted my SD card into my laptop, but it didn't recognize it either. In contrast, my roommate's memory card was instantly detected and opened on the same laptop. I also tried using the Device Manager, but my SD card wasn't listed, nor did ZAR recovery software detect it.
What steps can I take to recover the data, particularly a crucial video I need by next week?
- Question from forums.sandisk.com
Don’t worry if you're stuck in the same situation as the user above. Most of the time, the ”SD Card is not showing in mobile” issue is fixable. This guide will walk you through every possible solution, from the simplest quick-fixes to advanced data recovery, helping you understand why this happens and how to get your digital life back.
Why SD Card Not Showing in Your Mobile?
When your Android does not recognize the SD card, it means that the handshake has failed. The causes can be broadly split into two categories: software gremlins and physical problems.
⭕ Physical issues, such as dirty or tarnished metal contacts on the SD card, a loose or damaged card slot in your phone, or the card not being fully inserted, can prevent a proper electrical connection, which may cause your memory card to not show up on your phone.
Pinpointing the root cause is the first and most critical step, as it determines which fix you should try first. A software glitch requires a different approach than a physically dirty card.
How to Fix an SD Card Not Showing in Mobile?
Way 1. Restart Your Phone
First, perform a power cycle. Turn your phone completely off, wait for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. This basic reboot can clear out temporary software hiccups that might be causing your external SD card not to be detected in Android. It’s the digital equivalent of turning it off and on again, and it works more often than you’d think.
Way 2. Clean the SD Card
Next, carefully remove the SD card. Check the metal contacts—if they look dirty or dusty, clean them with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using any liquids or abrasive materials.
While the card is out, take a peek inside the SD card slot on your phone for any obvious debris. A can of compressed air can be useful here to gently blow out any dust bunnies.
After cleaning, reinsert the SD card firmly, making sure it clicks into place. Sometimes, the connection just needs to be re-established.
Way 3. Mount SD Card
Another quick fix is to check your phone's storage settings.
1. Navigate to Settings > Storage. Sometimes, the card is recognized by the system but isn't being mounted properly for the user.
2. In the storage menu, see if there’s an option to "Mount SD card" or something similar.
3. If you see that option, give it a tap.
It’s a long shot, but it takes two seconds and could save you a lot of hassle.
Way 4. Try Safe Mode
Safe mode boots your phone with all third-party apps disabled. If your "SD card not detected in Android phone" problem disappears in safe mode, then you know for a fact that a recently installed app is the culprit.
You can then boot normally and start uninstalling apps one by one to find the offender.
To enter safe mode, the process varies by phone, but it usually involves holding the power button until the power off option appears, then long-pressing the "Power off" text on the screen until a safe mode prompt appears.
Way 5. Check Software Update
Another powerful tool is checking for software updates.
1. Go to Settings > Software Update (or System > Advanced > System Update on some devices).
2. Check for any available updates.
Sometimes, a bug in the current version of your phone's operating system can cause SD card recognition issues, and the manufacturer will release a patch to fix it.
Way 6. Format SD Card
Formatting is the nuclear option. It will erase everything on the SD card, but it’s also the most effective way to fix a corrupted file system, which is a common reason why your Android does not recognize the SD card. You should only do this if you have already recovered your data (using a data recovery tool like the one described later with MyRecover) or if the data on the card is not important.
1. To format the card in your phone, go to Settings > Storage.
2. Find your SD card in the list (it might still appear here even if it's not accessible elsewhere) and tap on it.
3. Look for the "Format" or "Format as internal" option.
4. The phone will warn you that all data will be erased. Confirm, and the process will begin.
This will wipe the card clean and set up a new, fresh file system that your phone should have no trouble reading.
Recover Data from An Undetected SDCard with MyRecover
Now, this is the important part: your data. If your memory card is not showing on your phone and you haven't backed up your photos and files, the data is likely still on the card, even if the phone can't see it. This is where professional data recovery software like MyRecover comes into play.
- It's designed to bypass the corrupted file system and read the raw data directly from the memory chip.
- MyRecover offers a straightforward interface that makes data recovery accessible even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
- Its powerful scanning engine can dig deep to find and reconstruct files that seem lost forever.
Here is a step-by-step guide to recovering your data from an SD card that is not showing in your mobile using MyRecover:
1. Connect the SD Card to a Computer. Download and install MyRecover on your computer.
100% Secure2. Launch MyRecover, tap USB/SD Card Recovery, and hit Scan.
3. After the scanning is finished, hit OK.
4. Preview these files to ensure they are intact, and then choose them, hit Recover.
5. Choose a safe location to save these recovered files from this SD card.
- Tips:✎...
- MyRecover provides you with two scan modes: deep scan and quick scan. You can try a deep scan to find every possible file you need to recover.
- You must save these files to a different drive—like your computer's internal hard drive—and not back to the SD card. Saving to the SD card could overwrite the very data you're trying to save.
- Besides, it allows you to recover unlimited files if you lose a large number of files.
- For recovering files from unlimited computers, please try MyRecover Technician to enjoy.
MyRecover- Recover Deleted Files Easily with Simple Clicks
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- Support HDD, SSD, External Hard Drive, USB Drive, SD Card, etc.
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- Preview Files Before Recovering
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100% SecureFAQs about SD Card Not Showing in Mobile
Why did my SD card suddenly stop working on my phone?
A: Sudden failure is often due to improper removal (corrupting the file system), physical damage/dirty contacts, or a software glitch from an update or app.
How can I fix my SD card that is not detected without formatting?
A: First, restart your phone, reinsert the card, and clean its contacts. If that fails, boot into Safe Mode to check for a problematic app, or test the card in another device to isolate the issue.
Can a damaged SD card be repaired?
A: Yes, but only if the damage is logical (file system corruption), which formatting can fix. Physical damage, like a cracked chip, is usually irreparable.
Why is my SD card not showing up even in the card reader?
A: This typically indicates a physical card failure. Test the reader with a different card first. If the original card remains undetected, it has likely failed.
How do I know if my SD card is corrupted?
A: Signs include the card not appearing, "file corrupted" errors, missing data, slow phone performance with the card, or an incorrect storage capacity is being displayed.
What does it mean when my phone asks to format the SD card?
A: It means your phone detects the card but can't read its data due to severe corruption. Do not format immediately; first, recover your files using a computer and software like MyRecover.
The Verdict
Now, you should have fixed "SD card is not showing in mobile" with the above solutions. Besides, if you need to recover important files from the SD card, you can try MyRecover. Furthermore, MyRecover can recover files from an NTFS hard drive, a RAW drive, a formatted SSD, etc.
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