How to insert and format the SD card in a DJI drone (and Osmo Pocket 3)

On most DJI drones, the microSD card slot is at the tail of the drone, next to the USB-C port. Slide the card in with the contacts facing the way the small diagram by the slot shows, and press until it clicks. To format it, open DJI Fly's camera view, tap ··· > Camera, open the storage settings and choose Format, then select the microSD card. Formatting erases everything on the card.

DJI microSD slots — From DJI's help center guide to drone storage cards. If you're unsure, follow the small diagram printed next to the slot on the drone.

Insert the card

Power off the drone.
Find the slot at the back of the drone, by the USB-C port (see the table).
Check the contact orientation. DJI says the gold pins face up on the Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro, Air 3, Air 3S and Mavic 3 series, and down on the Mini 2, Mini 2 SE, Mini 4K, Flip and Mavic 4 Pro. For the Mini 5 Pro, follow the diagram next to its slot.
Push the card in until it's fully seated.

To remove it: press the card in slightly and release. It pops out. DJI warns never to remove the card while the drone is recording or taking photos.

The DJI Neo records to internal storage and doesn't take a microSD card.

Format the card in DJI Fly

Format every new card in the drone before its first flight, and after copying your footage off.

Insert the card and power on the drone and controller.
In the camera view, tap ···, then Camera.
Open the storage settings. DJI's manuals put card capacity and formatting here; you can also tap the storage indicator at the bottom of the screen to check space.
Choose Format and pick the microSD card, not internal storage.
Confirm. Wait for it to finish before you record.

Menu names shift a little between DJI Fly versions. If you don't see Format, update the app.

Which card to buy

DJI requires a UHS-I Speed Grade 3 (U3) card or better for its drones and recommends specific Lexar, Kingston and SanDisk models. A V30, U3, A2 card of 64 to 256 GB suits most pilots. See Air 3S SD card for DJI's recommended list and recording times.

Osmo Pocket 3: where the SD card goes

The Pocket 3 stores footage only on a microSD card, which isn't included. DJI's parts diagram shows the slot on the lower left side of the handle, below the screen, near the 5D joystick.

Insert: slide the card in as shown on the camera until it clicks. DJI requires a U3 card.
Remove: gently push the card to partially eject it.
Format: swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the settings icon, choose Format and swipe to confirm.