[Columbo]

Shut down the device completely from whatever OS you are currently in.

When the device is off, hold the volume-down button, then while holding it, press the power button for a couple of seconds. You should then see two icons, one for Windows and the other for Android.

Press volume-up for Windows, volume-down for Android. The icon for the OS you have chosen will be flashing.

Press power to boot into your chosen OS.

[Columbo]

I’ve just worked out a slightly quicker workaround.

When switching from Android back to Windows, don’t use the switch OS button.

Instead, power off the device (press and hold the power button until you see the Power Off menu. Tap ‘Power Off.’).

Then when the device is off, hold the volume-down button and (while holding that) press the power button. You should see two icons, one Windows icon, and one Android icon. Press the volume-up button to choose Windows (the chosen icon will be flashing) and then press the power button. Windows should boot without a problem and when you log in, the microSD card should be working.

It’s still not ideal, but it’s less time consuming an extra cold reboot.

[Columbo]

I’ve just worked out a slightly quicker workaround.

When switching from Android back to Windows, don’t use the switch OS button.

Instead, power off the device (press and hold the power button until you see the Power Off menu. Tap ‘Power Off.’).

Then when the device is off, hold the volume-down button and (while holding that) press the power button. You should see two icons, one Windows icon, and one Android icon. Press the volume-up button to choose Windows (the chosen icon will be flashing) and then press the power button. Windows should boot without a problem and when you log in, the microSD card should be working.

It’s still not ideal, but it’s less time consuming an extra cold reboot.

[Columbo]

Many others have reported the same issue. Every time I leave Android and switch OS back to Windows, the microSD card reader disappears.

I found a workaround on Reddit. It was for the Chuwi Vi8, but it seems the Hi8 has the same issue.

To get it back, do the following:

When Windows boots up, immediately shut down Windows (not restart.) This can be done from the login screen. It isn’t necessary to log in to Windows.

Turn the device back on using the power button, wait for Windows to boot up again and then log in as normal.

You should see your SD card again.

Basically, you need to do a cold reboot of Windows, not just a restart.

It’s an annoyance, but it seems to work.

It only seems to be a problem when switching from Android back to Windows. Switching from Windows to Android seems fine.

Credit goes to Reddit user zrikz for this workaround.

Hope it helps.

[Columbo]

I had this problem. Every time I leave Android and switch OS back to Windows, the microSD card reader disappears.

I found a workaround on Reddit. It was for the Vi8, but it seems the Hi8 has the same issue.

To get it back, do the following:

When Windows boots up, immediately shut down Windows (not restart.) This can be done from the login screen. It isn’t necessary to log in to Windows.

Turn the device back on using the power button, wait for Windows to boot up again and then log in as normal.

You should see your SD card again.

Basically, you need to do a cold reboot of Windows, not just a restart.

It’s an annoyance, but it seems to work.

It only seems to be a problem when switching from Android back to Windows. Switching from Windows to Android seems fine.

Credit goes to Reddit user zrikz for this workaround.

[Author]

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