How to Format an SD Card in a Cell Phone

By Ann Mapleridge

An SD card must be formatted before it can be used in a cell phone.
i sd cards image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com

Secure Digital memory cards are used in a wide variety of mobile phones to store everything from contact information to music and movies that you can play on your phone while you're on the go. Before you can use an SD card, it must be formatted for your particular device. Formatting may also be necessary for cards that have been used for some time or were used previously in other devices. The formatting process varies slightly from one mobile phone to another, but the basic process is the same.

Step 1

Insert the SD card into your mobile phone. Depending on your phone model, the SD card slot will be located on the side of the phone or inside the phone under the battery.

Step 2

Go into the "Settings" menu of your mobile phone and select "Memory" from the available options.

Step 3

Select "Memory Card" from the menu options and then tap "Format SD Card" to begin formatting the card. This process will take from a few seconds to several minutes.

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