Upgrading the Internal Storage on a Leica T: A Step-by-Step Experiment

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If you’ve ever wished your Leica T had more internal memory, there’s good news: it’s actually possible to upgrade the built-in 16GB of storage. Underneath the rear plastic panel near the camera’s main SD card slot, Leica has placed a hidden micro SD card that can be swapped out for a larger-capacity card. Below is a simple, step-by-step guide on how to do it. Please note that this process likely voids any warranty and carries a certain amount of risk, so proceed with caution and at your own responsibility.

What You’ll Need

• Small Phillips-head screwdriver (such as the one found in an iFixit kit)
• Replacement micro SD card (formatted in the Leica T beforehand, if possible)
• A clean, well-lit workspace and a safe place to keep small screws
• Steady hands and patience!

Important Disclaimer

Performing this upgrade may void your camera’s warranty, and there’s a chance of damaging the camera if not done carefully. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with opening your camera body, consult a professional repair service.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Back Up Your Photos (Optional)

   • Before you open anything, back up any images on the internal memory to ensure you don’t lose your files.

2. Prepare and Format Your New Micro SD Card

   • Insert your new micro SD card into the Leica T’s main SD card slot.
   • Power on the camera and format the card from the camera’s menu. This can help ensure compatibility once the card becomes the new internal storage.
   • Power off and remove the card.

3. Remove the Two Screws on the Plastic Panel

   • On the back of the camera, locate the small plastic panel near the main SD card slot.
   • Using a small Phillips-head screwdriver, carefully remove the two tiny screws holding the panel in place.
   • Set these screws aside somewhere safe so they don’t get lost.

4. Gently Pry Off the Plastic Panel

   • Once the screws are out, use a plastic pry tool or your fingernail to carefully lift the panel.
   • Proceed slowly—there may be small clips or adhesive, so avoid applying too much force. The panel should pop off with gentle pressure.

5. Locate and Remove the Original Micro SD Card

   • With the panel off, you’ll see a micro SD card seated inside—a Toshiba 16GB card in many Leica T cameras.
   • Carefully slide or pop out this card and set it aside as a backup.

6. Insert Your New Micro SD Card

   • Place your formatted micro SD card (e.g., 128GB) into the same slot, ensuring it’s fully seated.
   • Double-check that the card is facing the correct direction.

7. Test Before Reassembling

   • Gently hold the panel in place (or leave it off momentarily), and power on the Leica T.
   • Check the storage capacity indicator. If everything went well, you should see a significantly increased capacity (e.g., thousands of available shots).
   • Snap a few test photos to confirm that images save properly to the new internal storage.

8. Reattach the Panel

   • Once you’ve confirmed it’s working, power the camera off again.
   • Carefully reposition the panel and reinsert the two small screws.
   • Tighten them gently—just enough to hold the panel in place without stripping the screw heads.

Final Thoughts

With the replacement micro SD card installed, you’ve effectively upgraded your Leica T’s internal storage—potentially improving not only capacity but also write speed, depending on the micro SD card you chose. This can be a great way to “modernize” your Leica T and store more images without relying solely on an external card.

Disclaimer: The steps provided here are for informational purposes only. Any damage incurred while performing this upgrade is the sole responsibility of the person attempting it. If in doubt, consult a camera repair professional.