Owners smartphones Honor are often faced with the need to change the way they use the memory card. The Adoptable Storage feature allows you to combine internal storage and external storage into a single space, which is convenient, but has its drawbacks. Sometimes it is necessary to return the card to the status of a portable medium for use in other devices or to free up system resources.
The disconnection process adaptive memory on devices with a shell Magic UI or EMUI requires care. You should understand that all data stored on the card in internal storage mode is encrypted and will be inaccessible after formatting. Therefore, preliminary preparation and backup are critical steps that cannot be ignored.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you safely switch the drive mode. We will look at standard methods through system settings, and also discuss the nuances of working with the Android file system.
Differences between portable and internal storage
Before making changes, it is important to clearly understand the difference between the two microSD operating modes. In portable media mode, the card works like a regular flash drive: you can store photos, videos and documents on it, and also easily remove it and insert it into a computer or other phone without losing access to files.
When the card is configured as internal memory, the system formats it in a file system that is only compatible with that specific device. The data is encrypted with a key tied to your Honormotherboard. This means that you won’t be able to transfer such a card to another smartphone and read applications from it.
Disabling this mode is actually a formatting process. The system erases all data to return the card to a universal format. If you plan to leave important files on the card, you must first move them.
⚠️ Attention: The process of changing the operating mode will inevitably lead to the complete deletion of all data from the memory card. Make sure that you have saved important files in cloud storage or on your computer before starting the procedure.
Preparing data for transfer
The most difficult step is freeing the card from encrypted data. Since the system sees the consolidated space, you need to manually move the files back to your phone's main storage or computer. Start with media files, as they take up the most space.
Use the built-in file manager Files to navigate. Go to the storage section that displays the total capacity (internal memory + SD). Select large folders with photos DCIM, downloads Download and documents.
- 📁 Move all personal photos and videos to the device’s internal memory folder.
- 📲 Copy application installation files (APK) to the computer, if they are stored on the card.
- 🔄 Check the messenger folders (WhatsApp, Telegram), as they often save media to external media by default.
Pay special attention to applications. If you installed apps directly onto the memory card in internal storage mode, you will have to reinstall them. Simply moving files is not enough here, since system links will be lost after formatting.
☑️ Preparing to turn off the memory
Step-by-step guide for disabling through settings
After you have freed up space, you can go to the system settings. The interface Magic UI may differ slightly depending on the version of Android, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models. Honor.
Open the menu Settings and find the section Memory or Storage. You will see your microSD card in the list of available storage devices. Click on it to open a detailed control menu.
In the window that opens, find the button with three dots in the upper right corner or the item Storage settings. There should be an option Format or Change storage type. The system will warn you about data loss again.
Settings → Storage → SD card → Menu (three dots) → Storage settings → FormatConfirm the action. The smartphone will perform a quick format, after which the card will become available as a portable storage device. Now you can use it to transfer files between devices.
If the "Format" option is inactive, try removing and reinserting the card while the phone is turned off. Sometimes the contact oxidizes and the system cannot execute write commands.
Using developer mode to force a change
In some cases, the standard menu does not offer the option to change the storage type, especially on older firmware versions. Then you can use hidden settings for developers. This is a more advanced method that requires caution.
To activate the developer menu, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the notification appears, return to the main settings menu, where a new section will appear System and updates → For developers.
Scroll list down to the storage related section. Find the switch Show removable storage as internal or similar option. Disabling this setting may trigger a review of the card usage policy.
| Action | Result | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Standard formatting | The card becomes portable | High (complete removal) |
| Developer mode | Changing write priority | Medium (depending on the OS version) |
| Extract without extraction | Temporary access blocking | Low (data is saved) |
Be prepared for the fact that after manipulations in the developer menu, the phone may require a reboot. Do not skip this step, as the changes take effect only after reinitializing system services.
Possible errors and ways to resolve them
When trying to disable the internal memory, users often encounter a formatting error message. This may be due to damage to the file system or physical defects of the microSD card itself.
If the system says “Unable to format,” try connecting the phone to the computer in file transfer mode (MTP). Run a disk check on your PC through the drive properties. Sometimes correcting logical errors on the computer allows you to complete formatting on the phone.
⚠️ Attention: If the memory card is detected as damaged and cannot be formatted either on the phone or on the PC, it may have exhausted its recording capacity. In this case, it must be replaced.
Another common problem is the process freezing at the “Data Cleaning” stage. In this situation, you should not immediately turn off the phone. Wait 10-15 minutes. If progress does not move, perform a forced reboot by holding down the power button and volume down.
After successful completion of the procedure, be sure to check the recording speed. Insert the card back and try saving a large file to it. If the speed is critically low, the card may not be suitable for working in internal memory mode in the future.
Optimizing memory performance after disconnection
After you have returned the card to the status of a portable drive, it is recommended to set up automatic saving of files. Go to the camera settings and specify the path to save photos and videos to the microSD card so as not to fill up the main memory.
Also check the messenger settings. You can change the folder where you save media files. This will help maintain a balance between system speed (which depends on free internal memory) and the amount of available space. WhatsApp And Telegram You can change the save folder for media files. This will help maintain a balance between system speed (which depends on free internal memory) and the amount of available space.
- 📸 Set the camera to save 4K video to the SD card.
- 🎵 Move your music library to an external partition for ease of access.
- 📂 Regularly clean out the folder
Cachein the internal memory, since the application cache is not transferred there.
Remember that even in portable mode, the card affects the overall performance if it stores active application databases. Try to keep at least 15-20% of free space on the internal memory for the system cache to work correctly.
Why does the card slow down after being turned off?
If the card previously worked in internal storage mode, it could wear out unevenly. After formatting to portable mode, the memory controller may allocate write blocks incorrectly, which reduces speed. It is recommended to perform a full (deep) format via a computer.
Correctly setting up saving paths after turning off the internal memory is critical to prevent the system partition from becoming full and slowing down the smartphone.
Is it possible to recover data after turning off the internal memory?
Restoring data after formatting a card that was in the internal memory extremely difficult to use. Due to Android encryption, the access keys are erased along with the partition table. Specialized file recovery software in most cases is powerless against this type of encryption.
Why does the phone not see the card after switching modes?
This may be due to file system incompatibility. Android formats the card to ext4 or f2fs for internal use, while portable mode requires exFAT or FAT32. Re-formatting through the phone settings usually solves this problem.
Does disabling internal memory affect Honor's warranty?
No, changing storage settings through the standard settings menu is a software operation provided by the manufacturer. This is not considered interference with the operation of the software and does not void the warranty if root access have not been obtained.
What class of memory card is needed for internal storage mode?
For stable operation in internal memory mode, it is recommended to use cards of speed class UHS-I U3 or higher (V30). Cards of class 4 or 6 will cause severe delays in the system and freezing of the interface.
What to do if the format button is gray?
If the button is grayed out, check if the USB debugging function is enabled or if the phone is connected to the computer in file transfer mode. Also make sure that there are no active recording or download processes on the card.