What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To check the space left on a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, open Settings, tap Device care or Device maintenance, then tap Storage. The screen shows internal storage usage and available space; when a supported SD card is inserted, its storage may appear separately. Labels can differ by model, software version, and region, so search Settings for “Storage” if the documented path is not visible.
Check how much Samsung storage is available
- Open Settings.
- Tap Device care or Device maintenance. If neither appears, look for Storage in Settings or use Settings search.
- Tap Storage. If the display is temporarily grey or incomplete, give the phone time to calculate the figures; Samsung says this can take about a minute.
- Read the internal storage used and available figures. If a supported SD card is installed, check its separate figure, which Samsung says may appear at the bottom of the screen.
This is the device’s current storage status, not a measurement of how much space was available when it was new. Samsung’s current UK guide describes the route and the calculation delay: How to check Samsung phone storage space and settings.
Why available space is lower than the advertised capacity
A phone’s specification lists its storage capacity, but that is not all free for personal files. The operating system and preinstalled apps take up part of the internal storage, and software updates can change the amount available. Samsung’s Galaxy S9+ manual makes this distinction explicitly; the manual is model-specific, but the difference between specified capacity and current free space matters when checking any device.
Use the Storage screen’s available-space figure when deciding whether you can save a file or install an update. Do not treat the model’s advertised capacity as the amount of room currently free.
#1 Best Overall
- READ/WRITE SPEEDS UP TO 180/130 MB/S: Load fast and play faster. With read and write speeds of up to 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s¹, you can sprint through load screens and quickly jump between games.
- STORAGE CAPACITIES FROM 128GB TO 1TB: Level up your gaming library with a wide range of storage options, from 128GB to 1TB—including your high-res files, photos, and 4K videos.
- EXTENSIVE COMPATBILITY: Sonic and his friends power up everything you play on from original Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck to action cams and drones. All Sonic the Hedgehog PRO Plus microSD cards include a full size SD adapter.
- 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 10-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: The Sonic the HedgehogTM PRO Plus microSD card stands up to life's biggest bosses—like water and extreme temperatures. ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹
- MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Samsung Magician Software helps you unlock unstoppable Sonic the HedgehogTM PRO Plus microSD card performance. It includes product authenticity verification and drive health monitoring.¹⁰
Understand what an SD card can—and cannot—do
Not every Galaxy phone or tablet has a microSD slot, and supported card types and maximum capacities depend on the exact model. Check the specifications or support information for your device before buying a card. Samsung lists these microSD format ranges: microSD up to 2GB, microSDHC up to 32GB, and microSDXC over 32GB through 2TB. Those are format limits, not a promise that a particular Galaxy supports the largest size. Samsung recommends microSDXC for high-resolution video recording because capacity and read/write speed matter for that use.
An SD card is removable storage, not an expansion that becomes part of internal storage: Samsung Android devices do not support adoptable storage. It can hold compatible files, but it does not make every app movable. See Samsung’s microSD guidance for Galaxy phones and tablets for compatibility and storage details.
Rank #2
- EXTREME ENDURANCE FOR MONITORING DEVICES: Capture your crucial moments in high-resolution, even in harsh conditions; Engineered to deliver long lasting performance, the Samsung PRO Endurance SSD is a perfect fit for CCTV, dash cams and body cams
- BUILT TO LAST UP TO 140K HOURS OF RECORDING: With capacities up to 256GB*, the PRO Endurance records and rewrites up to 140K hours (over 16 years)**; Plus, with a warranty up to 5 years***, you can rest assured that your data endures
- RECORD & PLAY IN FHD/4K: PRO Endurance simplifies large file transfers with read/write speeds up to 100/40MB/s;**** Plus, FHD & 4K resolution support ensures that crucial moments are recorded in high-res so every detail is documented when it matters most
- CRITICAL DATA, SAFEGUARDED: After rigorous testing, it stands up against magnets¹, X-rays², water³, drop⁴, wearout⁵ and stays cool under pressure with operating temperatures ranging from -25°C to 85°C⁶
- WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Experience the performance and reliability from the world's #1 brand for flash memory since 2003;****** All firmware & components, including Samsung's world-renowned DRAM & NAND, are produced in-house
Move files to supported external storage
On compatible models, Samsung’s My Files app can move or copy selected files to an inserted SD card or supported USB storage. The available destinations depend on the device and storage accessory. Some purchased or encrypted content, including certain music, may not be movable to external storage.
- Open My Files.
- Browse to and select the files you want to move or copy.
- Choose Move or Copy.
- Select the destination, such as internal storage, SD card, or supported USB storage, then confirm the action.
Samsung’s My Files instructions cover external-storage handling. Moving ordinary files is different from moving an app, and the app itself may restrict where its data can be stored.
Rank #3
- ALL THE SPACE YOU NEED: Store tons of media on your phone, load games or download more apps on your tablet at top-notch speed, making transfers seamless and reliable
- FAST AND SMOOTH: With superfast U3, class 10 rated transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s¹,²and UHS-I Interface³ big apps load and run smoothly, while 4K video remains sharp with A2, V30, and USH-I Interface
- EXPAND AND STORE BIG: Find your perfect fit from 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB; Select the best capacity for all your memories. Speed class: U3
- YOU'RE FULLY PROTECTED: EVO Select Plus provides reliable storage and takes on life’s adventures with water⁴, temperature⁵, X-ray⁶, ⁷magnet, drop⁸, and wears⁹ out protection; Backed by a 10-year limited warranty; Proofs are for the microSD card and do not include the adaptor
- FLASH MEMORY CARD: Performance and reliability you can count on from the flash memory brand; All firmware and components are produced in-house
Move an app only when its settings allow it
Many apps cannot be transferred to an SD card. For an app that supports it, open Settings > Apps > [app] > Storage and look for Change. If Change is available, choose the supported destination and follow the prompts. If it is absent, that app cannot be moved using this option. Avoid assuming that moving an app will move all of its data or free a predictable amount of internal space.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a Samsung device does not recognize its SD card
- Remove and reinsert the card, making sure it is seated correctly.
- Test the card in another compatible device to help distinguish a phone issue from a card issue.
- Format the card only if needed. Formatting erases its contents, so copy important data elsewhere first.
- If the card remains unrecognized, it may be damaged and need replacement.
Samsung outlines these steps in its SD card troubleshooting guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- READ/WRITE SPEEDS UP TO 180/130 MB/S: Load fast and play faster. With read and write speeds of up to 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s¹, you can sprint through load screens and quickly jump between games.
- STORAGE CAPACITIES FROM 128GB TO 1TB: Level up your gaming library with a wide range of storage options, from 128GB to 1TB—including your high-res files, photos, and 4K videos.
- EXTENSIVE COMPATBILITY: Sonic and his friends power up everything you play on from handheld gaming consoles to action cams and drones. All Sonic the Hedgehog PRO Plus microSD cards include a full size SD adapter.
- 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 10-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: The Sonic the HedgehogTM PRO Plus microSD card stands up to life's biggest bosses—like water and extreme temperatures. ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹
- MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Samsung Magician Software helps you unlock unstoppable Sonic the HedgehogTM PRO Plus microSD card performance. It includes product authenticity verification and drive health monitoring.¹⁰
Rank #4
- EXPAND YOUR STORAGE. Insert your card to add massive storage up to 1.5TB[1] to your Android smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, and laptops.
- SPACE FOR MORE. With expansive capacities up to 1.5TB[1], capture and store hours of Full HD video[4], movies, music, games, photos, and podcasts.
- MOVE FILES FAST. Use your card with the SANDISK QuickFlow microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader[6] to achieve up to 195MB/s[2] read speeds [128GB-1.5TB models] and offload your content fast.
- LOAD APPS IN A SNAP. Rated A1[3], the SANDISK Ultra microSD card is optimized for faster app launch and overall app performance.
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[5].
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
