To add storage to your Amazon Fire tablet, you must insert a microSD card into the device's card slot. Locate the slot, typically on the side of the tablet, open the protective flap, and gently push the card in until it clicks into place.
Before you start: Check your current storage and card compatibility
First, check how much space you currently have by going to Settings > Storage. A portion of the tablet's advertised internal storage is always used by the operating system and pre-installed Amazon apps, reducing the space available to you. For optimal performance, Amazon recommends using UHS or Class 10 microSD cards. Most Fire tablets support microSD cards up to 1TB, though specific older models or Fire 7 tablets may have lower limits; always verify your tablet's specifications.
Step 1: Insert the microSD card
To insert a microSD card, locate the slot (typically on the side), open the protective flap, and gently push the card in until it clicks into place.
Step 2: Choose between portable or internal storage
When a microSD card is first inserted, you will be prompted to choose between "Portable storage" or "Internal storage" (also known as "added internal memory" or "Adoptable Storage"). Portable storage allows you to transfer content like files, photos, and videos between devices, but copyrighted media or Kindle books may have limitations when accessed on other devices. Internal storage formats the microSD card to expand the tablet's device storage, allowing compatible apps and games to be stored on it, but the card becomes locked to that specific tablet and cannot be easily removed for use in other devices without reformatting. Formatting the microSD card as internal storage will erase all existing data on the card.
Step 3: Set the SD card as the default download location
To set the microSD card as the default for future downloads, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings, then Storage, then SD Card, and activate switches for Install Supported Apps on Your SD Card, Download Movies and TV Shows on Your SD Card, and Store Photos and Personal Videos on Your SD Card.
How to move existing content to the new SD card
Move existing apps
To move existing apps to the SD card, go to Settings > Apps & Games > Manage All Applications, select the desired app, and tap Move to SD Card.
Move existing music
To move existing music from Amazon Music to the SD card, open the Music app, tap the Menu icon, go to Settings, then Transfer All Offline Music, and tap Transfer All to SD Card.
Move existing photos, videos, books, and Prime Videos
To move existing photos, personal videos, Prime Videos, books, or periodicals to the SD card, you must first delete them from the device and then re-download them after configuring the tablet to save those content types to the SD card.
Troubleshooting: Why does my tablet still say storage is full?
If your tablet still says storage is full, it could be because some apps do not support being moved to an SD card, the card has not been set as the default download location, or the card has a loose connection. If you need to clear out old files, you can delete files from file manager on Amazon Fire tablet to free up space. For a broader approach to reclaiming space, you can also clear storage on Amazon Fire tablet by removing app caches and temporary files. For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to the article "why does my fire tablet say not enough space when I have an SD card."
For the wider topic, see managing Fire Tablet storage.
