The largest microSD card your Fire tablet accepts depends on its generation. Amazon lists 200 GB for 5th–6th Generation, 256 GB for 7th, 512 GB for 8th–9th, and 1 TB for 10th Generation and newer. For speed, Amazon recommends a UHS card, or at least Class 4 if the card isn’t UHS. Format it as FAT32. If your tablet runs Fire OS 6 or higher, you can’t install apps and games to the card.
Maximum microSD capacity by Fire tablet generation
These limits come from Amazon’s support page “Troubleshoot Issues with Your Fire Tablet microSD Card.” The page shows no publication year, so treat the figures as Amazon’s current guidance.
| Tablet generation | Amazon-listed maximum microSD capacity |
|---|---|
| 5th–6th Generation | 200 GB |
| 7th Generation | 256 GB |
| 8th–9th Generation | 512 GB |
| 10th Generation and newer | 1 TB |
Amazon’s “Fire Tablet Specifications: Fire HD Models” page shows the same pattern model by model. For example, it lists up to 512 GB for the Fire HD 10 (2019, 9th Generation) and up to 1 TB for several newer models. A 1 TB card therefore works only on 10th Generation and newer tablets, and older models stop at their own ceiling.
Find your tablet’s generation first
Check the product name and generation in the tablet’s settings, on the original packaging, or in the documentation. Don’t guess from screen size or the “HD” label, because the same name has appeared across several generations.
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- Certified “Made for Amazon” accessory SD memory card - the only one tested and certified to work with your Fire Tablet and Fire TV
- Load your Fire Tablet with more fun - by adding space for additional photos, music and movies
- Download your apps and games directly to the SD card
- Class 10 performance for Full HD (1080p) video recording and playback
- Designed to perform multiple simultaneous activities with no lag or delay
Amazon’s “Fire Tablet Quick Start Guides” index lists guides for named models, including Fire HD 10 (13th Generation), Fire Max 11 (13th Generation), Fire HD 8 (12th Generation), Fire 7 (12th Generation) and earlier devices. Match your tablet’s name there, then read the capacity from the table above. For older or regional variants, confirm against the model’s own specification page.
Speed rating: what Amazon actually requires
Amazon’s guidance is to use a UHS card, or at least Class 4 if the card is not UHS. That is a compatibility recommendation. Amazon’s pages don’t say a faster-rated card makes a Fire tablet faster, and they don’t rank brands. Any card that meets the minimum and fits your generation’s capacity limit is within what Amazon documents. Paying for a higher speed tier is not backed by Amazon’s guidance.
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- Exclusive “Made for Amazon” SD memory card - The only one tested and certified to work with your Fire Tablet and Fire TV
- Load your Fire Tablet with more fun - By adding space for additional photos, music and movies
- Download your apps and games directly to the SD card
- Class 10 performance for Full HD (1080p) video recording and playback
- Designed to perform multiple simultaneous activities with no lag or delay
Format and storage modes
FAT32 only
Amazon’s “Tips for Using a microSD Card with Your Fire Tablet” states: “Fire Tablets only support the FAT32 file system.” The card is sold separately; it doesn’t come with the tablet.
Portable or internal storage
When you first insert a card, you can set it up as portable storage or internal storage. Kindle and Prime Video support portable storage only. If you pick internal storage, don’t expect that to get around the app limit described below.
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- Certified “Made for Amazon” accessory SD memory card - the only one tested and certified to work with your Fire Tablet and Fire TV
- Load your Fire Tablet with more fun - by adding space for additional photos, music and movies
- Download your apps and games directly to the SD card
- Class 10 performance for Full HD (1080p) video recording and playback
- Designed to perform multiple simultaneous activities with no lag or delay
Can you install apps on the SD card?
It depends on the software. Amazon says tablets running Fire OS 6 and higher cannot install apps and games to a microSD card. A larger card is therefore mainly useful for media and files, not for app storage, on those tablets. Check your tablet’s Fire OS version in its device settings if you aren’t sure which side of that line you’re on.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Checklist before you buy a card
- Confirm your tablet’s exact model and generation.
- Pick a capacity at or below that generation’s limit.
- Choose a UHS card, or at least Class 4 if it isn’t UHS.
- Make sure it will work as FAT32.
- Decide between portable and internal storage, remembering the Kindle and Prime Video restriction and the Fire OS 6+ app limit.
When shopping, search for a microSD card for your Fire tablet’s generation and compare the listing’s capacity against the table above. This guide is based on Amazon’s documentation; no independent card tests were run.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Up to 128GB to store even more hours of Full HD video (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes)
- Up to 120MB/s transfer speeds let you move up to 1000 photos in a minute
- Securely store all your photos, files, music, and more
- Load apps faster with A1-rated performance. A1 performance is 1500 read IOPS, 500 write IOPS. Based on internal testing. Results may vary based on host device, app type and other factors.
- Compact and Durable
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
