Sony Xperia Z3 Compact: Manage the SD Card / External Storage

Inserting / Removing the SD Card:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the SD card cover


2. Gently insert the memory card in its slot until it clicks into position


3. Refit the cover and restart your smartphone


4. To remove an SD card, go to the phone's "Settings" menu and tap "Storage" > "Unmounts SD card"


5. Turn off the smartphone, remove the cover and press the card to click it off its position

Viewing the Amount of Space on the SD Card:

1. From the home screen, tap "Apps"


2. Tap "Settings" and swipe to "Device"


3. Tap "Storage"


4. The storage values are shown under "SD card"

Set the Default Memory Storage Location:



NOTE: Most pre-loaded applications such as the "Camera" app store data on the internal memory. You can change the app's settings in order to use the SD card instead. Below you will find the steps to change the storage location for the Camera app:

1. Tap the "Camera" icon from the home screen


2. Go to "Settings" and tap "Data storage"


3. Tap "SD card"

Formatting the SD Card:



WARNING! When you format the SD card all data stored on it will be lost. If necessary, back up your data before proceeding. To format the SD card:

1. Open the apps drawer


2. Tap "Settings"


3. Swipe to "Device" and tap "Storage"


4. Tap "Erase SD Card" under "SD card"


5. Tap "Erase SD Card" again to confirm your actions


6. Follow any additional prompts that may follow in order to complete the process

Opening or Deleting Files on the SD Card



Using Your Smartphone:

1. Tap "Apps" from the home screen


2. Launch "File Commander"


3. Tap "Register now" and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the registration. To skip the process, tap "Register Later" instead


4. Open the directory representing your phone's SD card


5. Navigate to and tap a file to open it


6. To delete a file, tap and hold its name, tap "Delete" and press "OK" to confirm

Using a Windows Computer:

1. Use the USB cable to connect your Sony Xperia Z3 Compact


2. From the AutoPlay window on the computer, click to browse the phone's files and folders


3. Locate the desired files stored on the SD card


4. To open a file, double-click it


5. To delete a file, click it and press "Delete" on the keyboard


6. When you're ready, click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the system tray, click "Safely remove mass storage device" > "OK"


7. Safely disconnect your smartphone

File Transfer



Transferring Files from the Internal Memory to the SD Card:

1. Open the apps drawer and launch "File Commander"


2. Locate the desired files stored on the internal memory


3. Mark the boxes associated with the items you wish to transfer


4. Tap "Copy" and navigate to the SD card


5. In the desired target directory, tap "Edit" > "Paste"

Transferring Files Between the SD Card and a Windows PC:

1. Establish a USB connection between the Xperia Z3 Compact and Windows PC


2. Select to browse the phone's files in the AutoPlay window on the computer


3. Navigate to the desired files stored on your PC's HDD, or your phone's SD card


4. Open a second Windows Explorer window and navigate to the desired target transfer location


5. From the first Windows Explorer window, copy the desired files and paste them in the target directory


6. After the transfer is done, click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon located in the system tray


7. Safely eject your smartphone and disconnect it from your PC