Editing SD card (section)

==Markets==
[[File:Micro-SD-Kartenleser der Nintendo Switch 20230405 HOF09182 RAW-Export.png|thumb|alt=This image shows an internal MicroSD card reader, as it can be found in game consoles like the Nintendo Switch|An internal microSD card reader, taken from a [[Nintendo Switch]]]]
Due to their compact size, Secure Digital cards are used in many consumer electronic devices, and have become a widespread means of storing several gigabytes of data in a small size. Devices in which the user may remove and replace cards often, such as [[digital camera]]s, [[camcorder]]s and [[video game console]]s, tend to use full-sized cards. Devices in which small size is paramount, such as [[mobile phone]]s, [[action camera]]s such as the [[GoPro#HERO cameras|GoPro Hero]] series, and [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|camera drones]], tend to use microSD cards.<ref name="FB">{{cite web |title=4 Features and Benefits of a Micro SD Transflash Memory Card – Steve's Digicams |url=http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/photo-accessories/4-features-and-benefits-of-a-micro-sd-transflash-memory-card.html |website=steves-digicams.com |access-date=2020-11-30 |archive-date=2014-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117070452/https://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/photo-accessories/4-features-and-benefits-of-a-micro-sd-transflash-memory-card.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AD">{{cite web |title=Advantages and Disadvantages of Memory Cards |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016-10-11-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-memory-cards.html |website=Engadget |language=en |date=2016-10-11 |access-date=2020-11-30 |archive-date=2020-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028124543/https://www.engadget.com/2016-10-11-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-memory-cards.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Mobile phones ===
The microSD card has helped propel the smartphone market by giving both manufacturers and consumers greater flexibility and freedom.

While [[cloud storage]] depends on stable internet connection and sufficiently voluminous [[data plan]]s, memory cards in mobile devices provide location-independent and [[privacy|private]] storage expansion with much higher transfer rates and no [[network delay]], enabling applications such as [[photography]] and [[video recording]]. While data stored internally on [[Brick (electronics)|bricked device]]s is [[data loss|inaccessible]], data stored on the memory card can be salvaged and accessed externally by the user as [[mass storage]] device. A benefit over [[USB on the go]] storage expansion is uncompromised [[ergonomy]]. The usage of a memory card also protects the mobile phone's non-replaceable internal storage from weardown from heavy applications such as excessive camera usage and portable [[FTP server]] hosting over [[WiFi Direct]]. Due to the [[#2009–2019: SDXC|technical development]] of memory cards, users of existing mobile devices are able to expand their storage further and priceworthier with time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Understanding Life Expectancy of Flash Storage |url=https://www.ni.com/en-nz/support/documentation/supplemental/12/understanding-life-expectancy-of-flash-storage.html |website=ni.com |language=en |date=2020-07-23 |access-date=2020-11-30 |archive-date=2023-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913042854/https://www.ni.com/en-nz/support/documentation/supplemental/12/understanding-life-expectancy-of-flash-storage.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=12 Advantages & Disadvantages of Using SD Card in Smartphone |url=https://www.datanumen.com/blogs/12-advantages-disadvantages-using-sd-card-smartphone/ |website=Data Recovery Blog |date=23 November 2017 |access-date=30 November 2020 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130140603/https://www.datanumen.com/blogs/12-advantages-disadvantages-using-sd-card-smartphone/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ali |first=Mudassar |title=Benefits of Using an SD Card |url=https://medium.com/@mudassarali143/benefits-of-using-an-sd-card-fc9f3e477e05 |website=Medium |language=en |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2020 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130135021/https://medium.com/@mudassarali143/benefits-of-using-an-sd-card-fc9f3e477e05 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Recent versions of major operating systems such as [[Windows Mobile]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] allow applications to run from microSD cards, creating possibilities for new usage models for SD cards in mobile computing markets, as well as clearing available internal storage space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/inside-marshmallow-adoptable-storage|title=Inside Marshmallow: Adoptable storage|publisher=Android Central|date=2015-11-15|access-date=2016-02-23|archive-date=2016-02-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221152352/http://www.androidcentral.com/inside-marshmallow-adoptable-storage|url-status=live}}</ref>

SD cards are not the most economical solution in devices that need only a small amount of non-volatile memory, such as station presets in small radios. They may also not present the best choice for applications that require higher storage capacities or speeds as provided by other flash card standards such as [[CompactFlash]]. These limitations may be addressed by evolving memory technologies, such as the new SD 7.0 specifications which allow storage capabilities of up to 128&nbsp;TB.{{efn|name="here, 1&nbsp;TB = 1024"}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sdcard.org/consumers/choices/speed_class/index.html |title=Speed Class Standards for Video Recording |website=SD Association |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407123207/https://www.sdcard.org/consumers/choices/speed_class/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many personal computers of all types, including tablets and mobile phones, use SD cards, either through built-in slots or through an active electronic adapter. Adapters exist for the [[PC card]], ExpressBus, [[USB]], [[FireWire]] and the [[parallel port|parallel printer port]]. Active adapters also let SD cards be used in devices designed for other formats, such as [[CompactFlash]]. The [[FlashPath]] adapter lets SD cards be used in a [[floppy disk]] drive.

Some devices such as the [[Samsung Galaxy Fit (smartphone)|Samsung Galaxy Fit]] (2011) and [[Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0]] (2013) have an SD card compartment located externally and accessible by hand, while it is located under the battery cover on other devices. More recent mobile phones use a pin-hole ejection system for the tray which houses both the memory card and [[SIM card]].

===Counterfeits===
[[File:Samsung Pro 64gb micro-SDXC original and falsification front and back.jpg|thumb|[[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]] Pro 64&nbsp;GB microSDXC original (left) and counterfeit (right): The counterfeit claims to have 64&nbsp;GB in capacity, but only 8&nbsp;GB (Class 4 speed) are usable: When trying to write more than 8&nbsp;GB, [[data loss]] occurs. Also used for [[SanDisk]] 64&nbsp;GB fakes.]]
[[File:Decapsulated microSD memory card lineup-genuine, questionable, and fake-counterfeit.jpg|thumb|Images of genuine, questionable and counterfeit microSD (Secure Digital) cards before and after decapsulation. Details [http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?page_id=1022 at source], photo by [[Andrew Huang (hacker)|Andrew Huang]]]]

Commonly found on the market are mislabeled or counterfeit Secure Digital cards that report a fake capacity or run slower than labeled.<ref>{{cite web |last=bunnie |title=On MicroSD Problems |url=https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?page_id=1022 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=bunniestudios.com |archive-date=2024-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911013533/https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/on-microsd-problems/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c't2007">{{cite web |last=Schnurer |first=Georg |title=Gefälschte SD-Karten |language=de |trans-title=Fake SD-cards |publisher=Heise mobile – c't magazin für computertechnik |date=2007-02-28 |url=http://www.heise.de/mobil/meldung/Gefaelschte-SD-Karten-151283.html |access-date=2013-06-07 |archive-date=2013-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623055703/http://www.heise.de/mobil/meldung/Gefaelschte-SD-Karten-151283.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="c't2013-häufiges">{{cite web |url=http://www.heise.de/mobil/meldung/Smartphones-waehlerisch-bei-microSDHC-Karten-1825259.html |title=Smartphones wählerisch bei microSDHC-Karten |publisher=Heise mobile – c't magazin für computertechnik |date=2013-03-18 |access-date=2013-06-09 |last=Feddern |first=Boi |language=de |archive-date=2019-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101010525/https://www.heise.de/mobil/meldung/Smartphones-waehlerisch-bei-microSDHC-Karten-1825259.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Software tools exist to check and detect [[USB flash drive#Counterfeit products|counterfeit products]],<ref name="h2testw">{{cite web |title=H2testw heise Download |language=de |url=https://www.heise.de/download/product/h2testw-50539 |access-date=2016-11-26 |archive-date=2016-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126111115/https://www.heise.de/download/product/h2testw-50539 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="f3">{{cite web |title=F3 by Digirati |url=https://oss.digirati.com.br/f3/ |access-date=2016-11-26 |archive-date=2016-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124080508/http://oss.digirati.com.br/f3/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usbdev.ru/articles/detect_controller/ |language=ru |title=Определение модели контроллера и памяти флешки |date=20 February 2013 |trans-title=Detecting controller model and memory type of flash drive |publisher=usbdev.ru |access-date=2018-01-06 |archive-date=2023-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624000054/https://www.usbdev.ru/articles/detect_controller/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and in some cases it is possible to repair these devices to remove the false capacity information and use its real storage limit.<ref>[http://fixfakeflash.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/about-vid-pid-repairing-counterfeit-flash-drives-steps-to-succeed/ "About VID PID Repairing Counterfeit Flash Drives – Steps To Succeed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109230403/http://fixfakeflash.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/about-vid-pid-repairing-counterfeit-flash-drives-steps-to-succeed/ |date=2011-01-09 }}, fixfakeflash.wordpress.com, retrieved November 16, 2010</ref>

Detection of counterfeit cards usually involves copying files with [[random data]] to the SD card until the card's capacity is reached, and copying them back. The files that were copied back can be tested either by comparing checksums (e.g. [[Md5sum|MD5]]), or trying to [[Data compression|compress]] them. The latter approach leverages the fact that counterfeited cards let the user read back files, which then consist of easily compressible uniform data (for example, repeating [[0xFF]]s).

===Digital cameras===
[[File:Pentax K10D with SanDiskSD card.jpg|thumb|SD card in a [[DSLR]] camera]]

Secure Digital memory cards can be used in Sony [[XDCAM]] EX [[camcorder]]s with an adapter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/cat-accessories/product-MEADSD01/ |title=MEAD-SD01 SDHC card adapter (Sony) |publisher=Pro.sony.com |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2017-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629034942/http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/cat-accessories/product-MEADSD01/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Personal computers===
Although many [[personal computer]]s accommodate SD cards as an auxiliary storage device using a built-in slot, or can accommodate SD cards by means of a USB adapter, SD cards cannot be used as the primary [[hard disk]] through the onboard ATA controller, because none of the SD card variants support ATA signalling. Primary [[hard disk]] use requires a separate SD host controller<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embeddedarm.com/products/board-detail.php?product=TS-7800 |title=TS-7800 Embedded |publisher=Embeddedarm.com |access-date=2010-08-22 |archive-date=2015-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215021402/http://www.embeddedarm.com/products/board-detail.php?product=TS-7800 |url-status=dead }}</ref> or an SD-to-CompactFlash converter. However, on computers that support [[bootstrapping]] from a USB interface, an SD card in a USB adapter can be the boot disk, provided it contains an operating system that supports USB access once the bootstrap is complete.

In [[laptop]] and [[tablet computer]]s, memory cards in an integrated [[memory card reader]] offer an [[ergonomy|ergonomic]]al benefit over USB [[flash drive]]s, as the latter sticks out of the device, and the user would need to be cautious not to bump it while transporting the device, which could damage the USB port. Memory cards have a unified shape and do not reserve a USB port when inserted into a computer's dedicated card slot.

Since late 2009, newer [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] computers with installed SD card readers have been able to boot in [[macOS]] from SD storage devices, when properly formatted to [[HFS Plus|Mac OS Extended]] file format and the default partition table set to [[GUID Partition Table]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3553 |title=About the SD and SDXC card slot |publisher=Support.apple.com |date=2013-06-08 |access-date=2013-11-13 |archive-date=2011-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903100124/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3553 |url-status=live }}</ref>

SD cards are increasing in usage and popularity among owners of [[vintage computer]]s like [[Atari 8-bit computers]]. For example SIO2SD ([[Atari SIO|SIO]] is an Atari port for connecting external devices) is used nowadays. Software for an 8-bit Atari may be included on one SD card that may have less than 4–8&nbsp;GB of disk size (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://retrohax.net/sio2sd-for-atari/|title=SIO2SD for 8-bit Atari|date=May 9, 2016|access-date=October 13, 2019|archive-date=October 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013042823/https://retrohax.net/sio2sd-for-atari/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Embedded systems===
[[File:Arduino Ethernet Shield (pre-production sample).jpg|thumb|A shield ([[daughterboard]]) that gives [[Arduino]] prototyping microprocessors access to SD cards]]

In 2008, the SDA specified Embedded SD, "leverag[ing] well-known SD standards" to enable non-removable SD-style devices on printed circuit boards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Embedded SD|publisher=SD Association|url=http://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/embedded_sd/|access-date=2011-11-30|archive-date=2011-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121065447/https://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/embedded_sd/|url-status=live}}</ref> However this standard was not adopted by the market while the [[MultiMediaCard|MMC]] standard became the de facto standard for embedded systems. SanDisk provides such embedded memory components under the iNAND brand.<ref>{{cite web|title=iNAND Embedded Flash Drives|publisher=SanDisk|url=http://www.sandisk.com/business-solutions/inand-embedded-flash-drives|access-date=2011-11-30|archive-date=2011-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225022347/http://www.sandisk.com/business-solutions/inand-embedded-flash-drives|url-status=live}}</ref>

While some modern [[microcontroller]]s integrate SDIO hardware which uses the faster proprietary four-bit SD bus mode, almost all modern microcontrollers at least have [[Serial Peripheral Interface Bus|SPI]] units that can interface to an SD card operating in the slower one-bit SPI bus mode. If not, SPI can also be emulated by [[bit banging]] (e.g. a SD card slot [[soldered]] to a [[Linksys]] [[WRT54G|WRT54G-TM]] router and wired to [[General-purpose input/output|GPIO]] pins using [[DD-WRT]]'s [[Linux kernel]] achieved only {{Nowrap|1.6 [[Mbit/s]]}} throughput).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G-TM_SD/MMC_mod |title=Linksys WRT54G-TM SD/MMC mod – DD-WRT Wiki |publisher=Dd-wrt.com |date=2010-02-22 |access-date=2010-08-22 |archive-date=2010-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901020001/http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G-TM_SD/MMC_mod |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Music distribution===
Prerecorded microSDs have been used to commercialize music under the brands [[slotMusic]] and [[slotRadio]] by [[SanDisk]] and [[Astell & Kern#Mastering Quality Sound (MQS)|MQS]] by [[Astell & Kern]].