The Samsung Galaxy S25 has no microSD card slot
The Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra all ship without a microSD card slot. Samsung removed this feature years ago and continues that design choice with the S25 line. If you need extra storage beyond what comes built into your phone, you will need to use cloud storage, a computer, or an external drive connected through USB-C instead.
This is not a surprise or a recent change. Samsung stopped including SD card slots in its flagship Galaxy S phones starting with the S20 in 2020. The S25 follows the same pattern as every flagship model since then.
Key Takeaways
- The S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra have no microSD card slot, so you cannot expand storage by inserting a card.
- Samsung offers the S25 in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, so you can choose a larger capacity at purchase.
- You can move photos, videos, and files to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service to free up phone storage.
- USB-C external drives and portable SSDs work with the S25 if you need to transfer or back up large amounts of data.
Storage options when you buy the S25
Since the S25 has no expandable storage, your only choice is the built-in capacity you select at purchase. The S25 comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions. Once you buy the phone, you cannot add more internal storage later.
If you regularly store large video files, games, or photo libraries on your phone, the 512GB or 1TB models give you more room without relying on cloud services. The 256GB model works well if you stream most content and back up photos automatically.
Using cloud storage instead of an SD card
Google Drive comes built into every Android phone, including the S25. You can set your phone to back up photos and videos to Google Drive automatically, which frees up phone storage and keeps your files safe. Google One (Google's paid storage plan) offers 100GB, 2TB, or more if you need it.
Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Amazon Photos, and other cloud services also work on the S25. Many people use a combination: automatic photo backup to the cloud, and selective backup of documents or videos to a second service. This approach costs nothing if you stay within free storage limits, or a few dollars per month for more space.
The advantage of cloud storage is that your files are accessible from any device, not just your phone. The trade-off is that you need an internet connection to access files that are not downloaded to your phone.
External drives and USB-C file transfer
The S25 has a USB-C port that supports file transfer. You can plug in a USB-C external drive, portable SSD, or even a USB-C flash drive to move large files on and off your phone. This is useful if you need to transfer a video project, a large photo collection, or backup files without using the cloud.
External SSDs (solid-state drives) are faster than flash drives and more durable. A 1TB portable SSD costs between $80 and $150 and can hold as much data as a 1TB phone. Some people use this method to back up their entire phone before selling it or switching to a new device.
File transfer through USB-C is straightforward: plug in the drive, open the Files app on your S25, and drag files between your phone storage and the external drive. No special software is needed.
Comparing the S25 to older Samsung phones with SD slots
If you own an older Samsung Galaxy phone with a microSD slot (like the S10, S20 FE, or any A-series model), you may be used to expanding storage cheaply. A microSD card costs $10 to $30 and slides into a tiny slot on the phone's edge. The S25 does not have this option.
Samsung's reasoning is that modern phones have fast enough internal storage and cloud services are reliable enough that most people do not need expandable storage. Whether that is true depends on how you use your phone. Heavy video shooters, game players, and people with poor internet connections often miss the SD card slot.
If expandable storage is important to you, Samsung still makes phones with SD slots: the Galaxy A series (A15, A25, A35) and some older models still in circulation. These phones cost less than the S25 and include the microSD slot, though they have slower processors and smaller screens.
What to do if you need more storage
Before you buy the S25, decide how much storage you actually need. If you take photos and videos daily, stream music and movies, and keep a large app collection, aim for 512GB or 1TB. If you mostly use your phone for messaging, social media, and streaming, 256GB is usually enough.
Set up automatic cloud backup for photos and videos right away. This is the easiest way to manage storage without thinking about it. Go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Photos, and turn on "Back up to Google Photos." Your photos will upload automatically when you are on WiFi.
Delete old text message threads, clear app caches, and remove unused apps periodically. These small steps free up gigabytes of space. You can check what is taking up space by going to Settings > Storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a microSD card with an adapter on the S25?
No. The S25 has no SD card slot, so even an adapter will not work. Adapters only work if the phone has the physical slot to insert a card into. USB-C external drives are your only option for physical expansion.
Will Samsung add an SD card slot back to future phones?
There is no official announcement from Samsung about bringing back SD card slots. The company has removed them from flagship phones for over four years, and the trend across the industry is toward cloud storage and larger built-in capacities instead.
How much does it cost to upgrade from 256GB to 512GB on the S25?
The price difference varies by retailer and region. Generally, upgrading to the next storage tier costs $100 to $150 more at purchase. Check Samsung's website or your carrier for current pricing in your area.
Can I move apps to an external drive to save space?
Android does not allow you to run apps from external storage. Apps must be installed on the phone's internal storage. You can move some app data to the cloud (like game saves or documents), but the app itself stays on the phone.
Is 256GB enough for the S25?
It depends on your habits. If you stream music and video, use cloud storage for photos, and do not install many games, 256GB is sufficient. If you shoot 4K video regularly, keep large photo libraries, or play storage-heavy games, 512GB or more is safer.