Galaxy s20+ sim card files hidden

[Anon1983]

After the recent update at the beginning of December I have problems with my sim card. The phone reads it fine and the basic file structure is there, but i can no longer see the files that are on it. The sim card still shows as nearly full, but I can't view the videos and pictures that are on it. They aren't just hidden either, I can't search them at all. Any ideas?

[ironass · Accepted solution]

A SIM card is from your carrier.

Do you mean your MicroSDXC card?

Copy the files from it to a PC and then format it in your phone and then copy the files back. 

[kenners]

Could be that it's misread them as system files, so this might be worth a try:

1. Open 'My Files' app > three dots menu > Settings > scroll down & enable the 'Show hidden system files' toggle (see attached screenshot).

But, if that doesn't work:


2. Make sure 'My Files' app is closed (clear it from Recent Apps/Task Changer), then find app in App Drawer (use Search bar if it's not visible), press + hold on 'My Files' app icon > 'App info' > 'Force Stop' (bottom right corner) > then press 'Storage' > 'Clear cache,' then 'Clear data.'

Note: this WON'T erase data photos etc. from your card. All you're doing at this stage is resetting the 'My Files' app, as the app might be causing the issue.

Re-open 'My Files' app & see if you can open any of the files on your card. If not, proceed to the next step:


3. Eject card from phone, insert into a card reader & into a PC, & when it shows up, go to 'My PC' > right click > Properties > click on 'Tools' tab > under 'Error Checking,' click 'Check now...'

Follow on-screen prompts, which may be 'Repair' or 'Scan & Repair' (etc.). After it's finished, make sure the files are okay (open a few, just to check), then (in My PC folder) right click on Micro SD card > 'Eject.' Re-insert card into phone, boot up.

- It could be that when you insert the card reader into your PC/laptop, a pop-up message appears to say that it's not readable: "USB Drive (F:)... There's a problem with this drive. Scan the drive now and fix it."

Click that notification bubble, and then on the pop-up dialog box, click on 'Scan & Repair Drive' - hopefully, this should clear the issue, and should make it work again. 'Eject' card properly from PC (right click on card in My PC folder view > Eject). Re-insert card into phone, boot up.


4. If it still cannot read files, back-up data to PC: turn phone off, remove card with sim ejector tool, & insert into a card reader. First, format card on PC (right click > 'Format') then insert card into phone, & format it again (Settings app > Device Care > Storage > Advanced > under 'Portable Storage,' click on your Micro SD card > Format.

Re-insert card into PC & copy over data back onto card. Then re-insert card into phone, & boot up. Fingers crossed, it should now work again.

[kenners]

Could be that it's misread them as system files, so this might be worth a try:

1. Open 'My Files' app > three dots menu > Settings > scroll down & enable the 'Show hidden system files' toggle.

But, if that doesn't work:

2. Make sure 'My Files' app is closed (clear it from Recent Apps/Task Changer), then find app in App Drawer (use Search bar if it's not visible), press + hold on 'My Files' app icon > 'App info' > 'Force Stop' (bottom right corner) > then press 'Storage' > 'Clear cache,' then 'Clear data.'

Note: this WON'T erase data photos etc. from your card. All you're doing at this stage is resetting the 'My Files' app, as the app might be causing the issue.

Re-open 'My Files' app & see if you can open any of the files on your card. If not, proceed to the next step:

3. Eject card from phone, insert into a card reader & into a PC, & when it shows up, go to 'My PC' > right click > Properties > click on 'Tools' tab > under 'Error Checking,' click 'Check now...'

Follow on-screen prompts, which may be 'Repair' or 'Scan & Repair' (etc.). After it's finished, make sure the files are okay (open a few, just to check), then (in My PC folder) right click on Micro SD card > 'Eject.' Re-insert card into phone, boot up.

- It could be that when you insert the card reader into your PC/laptop, a pop-up message appears to say that it's not readable: "USB Drive (F:)... There's a problem with this drive. Scan the drive now and fix it."

Click that notification bubble, and then on the pop-up dialog box, click on 'Scan & Repair Drive' - hopefully, this should clear the issue, and should make it work again. 'Eject' card properly from PC (right click on card in My PC folder view > Eject). Re-insert card into phone, boot up.

4. If it still cannot read files, back-up data to PC: turn phone off, remove card with sim ejector tool, & insert into a card reader. First, format card on PC (right click > 'Format') then insert card into phone, & format it again (Settings app > Device Care > Storage > Advanced > under 'Portable Storage,' click on your Micro SD card > Format.

Re-insert card into PC & copy over data back onto card. Then re-insert card into phone, & boot up. Fingers crossed, it should now work again.