# How is a MicroSD used in a Laptop? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [September 4, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762 "2024-09-04T16:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/1 "2024-09-04T16:41:48Z")
I have a Dell Latitude with SD tray. I want to transfer files from my Android phones MicroSd. My Dell has this in the SD slot. It won’t hold a microSD securely? What do I need to buy? 2 photos, top, bottom > **[Amazon.com: Dell DNC65 SD Card Slot Blank Dummy Latitude E5440 E5540 :...](https://www.amazon.com/Dell-DNC65-Blank-Dummy-Latitude/dp/B00THFVG70)** > > Dell DNC65 SD Card Slot Blank Dummy Latitude E5440 E5540 ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/2 "2024-09-04T16:45:53Z")
Sounds like you want to buy a MicroSD to SD Memory Card Adapter, but I’d probably just buy a USB card reader for a few more dollars since it’ll be more flexible. Your phone may also work as a MicroSD card reader if you connect it to the laptop via USB. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/3 "2024-09-04T16:46:07Z")
I am not sure from the info given but this may help: > The SD card slot on the Dell Latitude 7280 laptop only supports micro form factor SD cards. Review the information contained in this article for more details on the Latitude 7280 SD card slot and options for using full-sized SD cards. - [SOURCE](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000125126/latitude-7280-sd-card-slot-supports-only-micro-form-factor-sd-cards) ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/4 "2024-09-04T16:49:34Z")
@Palooka has the answer. I have a drawer full of these, it’s just a plastic adapter with some metal contacts. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/5 "2024-09-04T16:51:43Z")
You can use either of the following options: 1. a cable that connects your phone to the USB slot on your computer. It will make your phone’s memory into an external disk drive, and you can transfer files. You won’t even need to remove the card from your phone. 2. a memory card reader that connects to the USB slot on your computer. [Something like this](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385080748403?_nkw=usb+card+reader&itmmeta=01J6YYXJY9EAHMQ6307BKSJW6W&hash=item59a899e973:g:O-UAAOSwB9JmouSL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmsskDKxoVIqqmdvjBtrhZByJnmzyV7YxEA%2BCf9h8jMAmAvz5KgSSr13%2FEcGG1ZX%2BYjfeCJsPX4hEMyz17LgHM2zTSCPj0Oc0vsYWZKUZDdsOPgNBTu%2FUu4sOE3mNZsE7z11dlC1AappzFDMmvYzGzCwREKDKTO0DgkvhAFysYamUWXErZpl%2FPPWVybAKU5HbYw7ipHC6l9%2B9853Z0%2F8bHeV6AWnY1xKhhjKKXmfpkNZ2UGuFNkz5oS8RVqIDzucyM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR66v9t63ZA). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/6 "2024-09-04T16:57:01Z")
By default the Dell slot is for full size SD cards? I may get a card reader and that phone cable. So I’ll have both options. I’m thinking about getting a 2nd SSD drive. That means pulling out the CD player and buying a drive slot adapter. This Dell only has a 75G drive. I got it used from Ebay for $80. It was from a corporate sale of discontinued laptops. Thank you for the help. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/7 "2024-09-04T17:57:09Z")
There are three ways to read the data, the card ‘sleeve’ that @Palooka referenced (just put the micro SD card into the opening in the SD card & then load that or the other two that @Peter_Morris referenced. Note that if you choose to connect the phone via a cable you may need to change the connection method on the phone. For my phone, that’s swipe down & I typically choose “PTP” & only then does the PC see the data I want it to see because the phone has now given it permission. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/8 "2024-09-04T18:06:33Z")
I’d forgotten that phone setting. Thanks [A few years ago I tried accessing a usb thumb drive](https://www.tomsguide.com/us/connect-usb-drive-to-android,news-21213.html) on my phone. I got it working but the power cable port was too unstable. Just touching the cable would disconnect it. I messed up a audio file that I was playing. Nice idea but you can’t trust the power jack. I quickly gave up that idea. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/9 "2024-09-04T18:06:52Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > a cable that connects your phone to the USB slot on your computer. It will make your phone’s memory into an external disk drive, and you can transfer files. You won’t even need to remove the card from your phone. That’s the easiest and most sensible way of doing it. Unless this is some kind of dinosaur phone that doesn’t do USB 3.0 or something. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/10 "2024-09-04T18:10:29Z")
Brand new Samsung A54 phone and I confirmed the 8 year old Dell running Win 10 has a usb 3.0 port. I only use a laptop for software like Ms Word, Excel, Guitar Pro and Soundslice. A phone screen is too small for serious work. Guitar Pro’s phone App doesn’t support all the features of the Windows software. My CD audio ripper is on my laptop. I rarely use it. Most of my cd’s were transfered to Flac years ago. All my web surfing and music is on my phone. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/11 "2024-09-04T18:12:04Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Unless this is some kind of dinosaur phone that doesn’t do USB 3.0 or something. I think USB came well before SD cards, didn’t it? Any phone that takes an SD card should be USB compatible. (I think) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/12 "2024-09-04T18:13:33Z")
Oh definitely. But USB 3.0 is considerably faster than USB 2.0, and would make any time savings by moving the physical card and copying the data pretty much not worth the effort. But if the phone only does USB 2.0, then moving the card might actually make sense if there is a lot of data to transfer. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/13 "2024-09-05T01:23:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > My Dell has this in the SD slot. > It won’t hold a microSD securely? The thing you pulled out of the slot is just a piece of plastic to fill the slot to keep dust out when it’s not being used. A lot of microSD cards come with an SD adapter. That’s what you need. > **[Amazon.com: SanDisk MicroSD to SD Memory Card Adapter , Black : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-microSD-Memory-Adapter-MICROSD-ADAPTER/dp/B0047WZOOO)** > > Need to use your Micro SD card in an SD card slot? This SanDisk micro SD to SD memory card adapter is designed for use in devices with a standard secure Digital slot! It features a built-in write protection switch to keep your data safe! Order Today!... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/14 "2024-09-05T02:24:58Z")
I was expecting a built-in tray like my phone. But $4 won’t break the bank. My Internet access to Google drive is painful. 10 to 15 minutes to upload 750mb. 8 to 10 to download to another device. Imagine a 6gb video. It’s pathetic. I’m considering an old school external drive with USB. Then only backing up to Google drive. It’s too painful to use. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/15 "2024-09-05T02:48:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But $4 won’t break the bank. Most of the microSD cards I’ve bought recently came with an adaptor. If you ask people you know, some may have several lying around. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/16 "2024-09-05T04:43:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But $4 won’t break the bank. Maybe not, but it’s a high price for an adapter, which should only cost a few cents. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/17 "2024-09-05T05:13:02Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > My Internet access to Google drive is painful. 10 to 15 minutes to upload 750mb. 8 to 10 to download to another device. Imagine a 6gb video. It’s pathetic. OK, if you want to transfer a file from one computer to another, you don’t upload it to the Internet, you just copy it over the local network (via, say, Wi-Fi) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-microsd-used-in-a-laptop/1006762/18 "2024-09-05T05:18:40Z")
Or use a USB stick. You can get a 256GB one for under $20. Certainly doing a WiFi transfer at home is free and fast but the USB will work anywhere with no fuss. (Just do not use USB sticks for long term storage…not reliable for that.)