Micro SD cards are essential components for Android devices since they expand the device’s storage capacity. However, at times these cards develop complications, such as becoming read-only. When this happens, you can no longer write or delete files on the micro SD card, making it impossible to save any new data or overwrite old files. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to change a micro SD card from read-only to read-write. This blog post will provide several methods to help you solve this problem.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Change Micro SD Card from Read Only Android
There are several reasons why you may need to change your micro SD card’s read-only status to create new files or delete existing files from the card. Some of these reasons include:
- The micro SD card is almost full, and you need to remove some files to create space for new files.
- The micro SD card has become infected with malware/virus, and you need to delete infected files.
- You need to transfer data from the micro SD card onto another device or computer.
- You need to add new files to your micro SD card.
Method 1: Fixing Micro SD Card from the Settings
In most cases, formatting the micro SD card can help change it from read-only to read-write. Here’s how you can do it:
- Insert the micro SD card into your Android device and power on the device.
- Tap on “Settings” and scroll down to the “Storage” option.
- Select the micro SD card from the storage options.
- Click on “Format the SD card” to format the card. This will remove all data stored on the card, so make sure you have backed up your data in advance.
- Eject the micro SD card from your Android and then reinsert it into your device. The micro SD card should now be formatted and ready for use.
Pros:
- Easy and quick
- It can fix most of the micro SD card-related issues.
Cons:
- All data in the micro SD card will be wiped away during the formatting process.
- Not fixable if your card is physically damaged.
Method 2: Making Changes Manually
This is another method you can try to fix the read-only micro SD card. It involves changing the micro SD card’s properties and settings settings. Follow these steps:
- Turn on your Android device.
- Insert the micro SD card into your Android device.
- Tap on “Settings” and then “Storage”.
- Select the card you want to fix and tap “Unmount”.
- Go to “Settings” and select “Apps”.
- Update/Uninstall the App that is causing the issue of being read-only on your Micro SD card.
- Remove the micro SD card from the device.
- The Android device will now remove the card’s read-only protection by default.
- Reinsert the micro SD card into the device.
Pros:
- Easy and eliminating the hassle of formatting the device.
- It doesn’t erase data on the card.
Cons:
- The micro SD card may be damaged beyond repair, resulting in data loss.
- The method may not work in all cases, depending on the cause of the card’s read-only status.
Method 3: Using a PC/Laptop to Make the Micro SD Card Read-Write
If the first two methods don’t work, and the micro SD card is still read-only, you can try using a PC or laptop to fix the problem. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect the micro SD card to your computer using a card reader and ensure that the computer recognizes the card. You can do this by ensuring that the micro SD card shows up in your file explorer.
- Click on “This PC” to access the SD card’s files.
- Find the file named “command” or “cmd” and right-click on it.
- Select “run as an administrator” in the dropdown option.
- In the command prompt, type “diskpart” and press Enter.
- When the Diskpart prompt opens, type “list disk” in the command line. Press Enter.
- Identify the micro SD card’s disk number from the disk list that shows up on the screen.
- Type the following command: “select disk (disk number of the micro SD card)”. Press Enter.
- Type “attributes disk clear readonly”. Press Enter.
- Exit the command prompt and safely remove the micro SD card from the computer.
Pros:
- Does not need an internet connection
- Fast and effective.
Cons:
- It can be complicated if you don’t have sufficient knowledge of the command prompt.
- It is time-consuming.
What to Do If You Can’t Change Micro SD Card from Read Only Android
If you have tried all the methods above but your micro SD card is still read-only, then your micro SD card may be damaged beyond repair. You may have to buy a new micro SD card, which you can format and use as before.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Micro SD Card Safe and Secure
To prevent your micro SD card from becoming read-only, ensure that you take precautions to keep it safe and secure:
- Avoid installing untrusted applications on your Android device
- Avoid removing the micro SD card while your device is in use
- Always eject the micro SD card from your Android device before removing it from the device
- Do not force the micro SD card into the micro SD card slot; insert it gently
5 FAQs About Changing Micro SD Card from Read Only Android
Q1. My micro SD card is in read-only mode, and I don’t want to lose the data. Can I recover it?
A. Yes, you can use data recovery tools to recover data from read-only micro SD cards. However, its success rate may vary according to the severity and type of the issue.
Q2. Why is my micro SD card read-only?
A. A micro SD card may become read-only when the card gets infected by malware or viruses, becomes damaged or switches into that mode to protect from data loss. It could also read-only due to multiple users handling the card or physically switching the button manually.
Q3. Can I change the read-only setting of my micro SD card back to read-write without harming my data?
A. Yes, ensure to transfer your data onto another device before fixing it so that you may save your files on another storage device. Once your files are safe, you can use the mentioned methods for read-only cards.
Q4. Can micro SD card readers damage your card?
A. Yes, but not every reader. When you use a quality product to insert your micro SD card, there should be no risk of physical damage to your card.
Q5. Can laptops fix micro SD cards?
A. Yes. Read only cards can be fixed through laptops or PCs. You may need a few items, such as a card reader and a laptop that supports a card reader.
Final Thoughts
Micro SD cards offer an easy and convenient way of expanding your Android device’s storage capacity. However, they may develop complications from time to time, such as becoming read-only. The solutions listed in this blog post can help you change your micro SD card’s read-only status. However, sometimes the read-only problem is severe, rendering the card useless, and you have to purchase a new one.