You can transfer files, photos, music, and other data from one Android device to another with a microSD card. A microSD card for Android allows you to load more apps, music and movies onto your phone, which is particularly useful if it doesn’t have a lot of storage. What are the best ones? These are just a few of the many options available.
Get the best microSD cards Android for expanding your horizons
Android Central: Why Android Central can be trusted
Our experts spend hours evaluating and comparing products and services to help you choose the best. Learn more about the testing process.
Samsung EVO Select 128GB MicroSD Card
Staff pick
This card is our favorite because it is reliable, fast and often on sale. This card offers lightning fast speeds of up to 130MB/s read speeds and a 10-year limited warranty.
SanDisk 200GB Ultra MicroSDXC
Ultra affordable
SanDisk makes more powerful cards but the Ultra is the best choice for most. It can read at speeds up to 100MB/s. This card is SanDisk’s most widely used, so there are many storage options.
PNY 128GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC
Profession
This card is a great choice for power users who plan to store app data and record 4K video. PNY also offers an SD card adapter that can be used with DSLR cameras to transfer footage.
Samsung PRO Endurance MicroSDXC Memory Cards 256GB 256GB
For constant use
This card is ideal for loop recording in security cameras and dash cams. It also works well with memory-strapped smartphones. This card is estimated to last almost 140,000 hours of 4K recording, playback and playback by Samsung.
Lexar Professional 1066x MicroSDXC 256GB Lexar Professional
Best for video
Although it is expensive, this card can be used to shoot lots of video and store lots of game data. It is ideal for drones, tablets, and even action cameras compatible with it. Because of the card’s lightning fast speeds, you can even transfer some of your apps.
SanDisk Extreme 64GB A2 microSDXC
Optional high-capacity models
This card is optimized for apps and can be snagged in sizes up to 1TB, if you need to store your entire digital life. You can transfer all your files as fast as you like with the Extreme’s 160MB/s read speed.
SanDisk High Endurance 64GB microSD
Heavy duty
This card is perfect for those who take their phones to the beach or ski slopes. This card is great for your security system as it can withstand all elements.
Verbatim 64GB Premium MicroSDXC
Super resistant
It’s capable of handling 1080p videos with ease thanks to its V10 video speed and 80MB/s write/read speeds. It is also weather-resistant, shockproof and temperature-proof.
Bargain bin wonder
This card can withstand water, shock, extreme temperatures, X-ray radiation, and other harsh conditions. There are many storage options available, starting at 32GB up to 512GB.
What do these classes translate into for your card’s use?
There are many ways to classify microSD cards speeds. Most cards have at most two of these classifications, as well as the straight read/write speeds. This is your guide to the best formats and which are better than others.
- Video Speed Class: Indicated by a stylized V followed by numbers from 6 to 90, this class is one of the newer classification systems and was developed specifically for shooting ultra-high-definition video. V30 is 30 MB/s while V60 is 60 MB/s. V90 is 90 MB/s. However, unless you shoot 8K video with your phone, you won’t need a V90.
- UHS Speed Class: This class is indicated with a 1, 2, or 3, inside a U. U1 has a write speed of 10MB/s while U3 has a write speed of 30MB/s. Both are adequate for most Android smartphones.
- Speed Class: Indicates the number in a C. This is the original classification system of SD cards. This was the highest class, at 10 MB/s. Practically every card that is worth purchasing today is much faster than this speed.
You may notice that all of these specs focus on write speed — that tends to be the lower of the two rates on an SD card — so if you see a card with a “transfer” speed of 100MB/s but only a U3 class, chances are that card has a read speed of 100MB/s and a write speed of 30MB/s.
A U1 or U3 card, such as the Samsung EVO Select, will suffice for most users. You might need a U3/V30 (30MB/s), V60 card (such as the Lexar Professional 1000x) if you intend to use a microSD to take a lot of photos or 4K videos.
Check your device before you buy
It is gone now that almost every Android smartphone or tablet came with a microSD Card. Although the microSD card is no longer required for most Android smartphones and tablets, it can be used to store data. Best Android AppsLike the Galaxy Tab S8, the microSD card slot is available on the Galaxy Tab S8. However, this cannot be said for the Galaxy Tab S8. best Android phones. You will need to ensure that your device has one before you purchase a microSD.
As with most things in a tablet or phone, manufacturers must license software to allow certain microSD card formats to be used in their devices. That’s why phones such as the Nokia 6 are available. OnePlus Nord N300 5GAnd Samsung Galaxy A53 5GThey can store up to 1TB cards. Others might say that they only use 128GB cards.
A phone that’s only rated for 128GB can hold a 256GB SD card. But in most cases you won’t have to worry about it. I try to stick to the rated sizes of Android microSD cards. Support can’t fault you if you use too much. Don’t buy a phone that can hold a 1TB card unless it is specifically stated.
