How to make Windows 11 laptop recognize MicroSD card (inserted in model A15) when connected into usb-c port

[SKKY64]

Hi. My A15 model Samsung phone offers microSD card feature. I use it to keep my music folders (albums). Different music apps give me the ability to select any folder I want. Easy, peasy.

When I add/delete some folders, I need to take the phone out of its case, open the sim tray, take the card out, use a card reader, attach it to pc's usb port and add folders. Not too hard to do, but very time consuming. Also, my concern is that I might break the sim tray if I do this often.

So today, I used a usb c cable and connected the phone into usb-c port. Windows 11 file explorer recognized the phone as a device. However, I don't see the card as an external drive/device. If I did,  I would easily make copies of new music folders (as I did with portable mp3 players that use microsd card in the past). 

I click the phone device icon on pc screen. It shows it is empty. 

Is it possible that pc shows me the card as an external drive? I had this question with Samsung music app support. Somebody suggested that it be easy to do with a usb-c cable. 

A15 is a budget model without all the bells and whistles. I am very satisfied with it though.

Thanks in advance.

[GaryB82]

Normally all you have to do it open explorer on your pc and select the phone that pops up in the directory and it will say Internal or Sd Card 

they won't be a separate drive listed in Explorer like C: D : E: it will be C: then your phone 

[Dan2023]

Not sure of your model, but I can pug my s23U directly into my laptop and/or PC and access the phone storage directly. It was the same with my s10+, which had an SD card.

Your phone may be encrypting your SD card so that it can only be read by your phone, for security reasons. Try plugging the phone into your PC directly and see if you can access it then.

[SKKY64]

Thanks to you both.
Gary; as you said I connect the phone to usb c port, click my PC icon, Explorer opens a window and shows all the drives. In my case, C and 2 partitions I created D and E on SSD. Also the phone A15. When I select A15 a new windows opens and it is empty. I expected to see internal and external (sd card) storage.
Dan; I once took the card out and inserted into PC port with a card reader. It showed all the folders. So, the card has no encryption. Unless this budget Samsung phone has limitations I should be able to see the micro card and add more files into them. I can't figure out if the phone or windows is causing the problem.

[realaud]

When my A54 is connected to my laptop, when I open explorer, it shows the SD card as a subfolder of internal storage. The storage is not listed as internal storage and SD card, its listed as storage with a numbered folder within it.  The numbered folder is the SD card.

[SKKY64]

Hi realaud; I don't see that at all. the phone's internal storage has the factory installed apps and the ones I downloaded from store. 

The sd card is Sandisk, not some junky brand. I wonder Samsung brand phone will show only Samsung cards.

Instant text messaging and calling Samsung support did not help. They kept telling me their dept was not responsible for such matter. Great way to get rid of you!!!

[realaud]

I am not using a Samsung SD card.  I don't remember what brand it is - probably Sandisk (I've had it for about 13 years, transferred from phone to phone). However, you can download the Asus file manager from the Play store. It has a connect to PC option, it will connect wirelessly through your wi-fi connection - no cable or BT required.  When you select PC file transfer, it will provide a URL to enter into your web browser on the computer.  You can see the internal and the SD storage and transfer files between the phone and PC. For most purposes, it doesn't matter which file manager I use, but for file transfers, I prefer the Asus.

[GaryB82 · Accepted solution]

Don't know where my reply went to from earlier but check out this video 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBKr6AycG1w

[SKKY64]

Thanks Gary. I will.

[SKKY64]

Gary; that Youtube video was very helpful.

I was able to see the card and transfer new files directly!!!

This is what happened........

I changed the screen time on phone to max.

I used a different usb c cable (Both ends the same as before) and inserted it into same usb c port.

I paid attention to phone screen and noticed the request for permission. I cannot remember the exact words. But it was related to data transfer permission. I selected 'apply'. A window on pc screen popped up. It showed both phone internal storage and the sd card. I easily transferred (copied actually) new folders.

So, everything is good. I appreciate all the help. Take care everybody.