3 ways to format an SD card

Table of contents:

Learn how to format an SD card, which is a form of removable storage tool used in cameras, tablets, and smartphones. Formatting deletes all content on the card and you should back up your files (like photos or videos) before doing anything.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Format SD card on Android

Step 1. Make sure your SD card is in place

To insert the SD card, it may be necessary to remove the back of the Android.

Tablets and smartphones use microSD cards which are miniature versions of SD cards found in cameras and the like.
In some cases, you will also need to remove the battery from your Android to access the SD slot.

Step 2. Go to Settings

This is the cogwheel icon in the app launcher.

Step 3. Scroll down

Scroll down and tap Storage. This option is halfway down the page Settings.

If you are using a Samsung device, tap Device maintenance.

Step 4. Tap the name of your microSD card

This option should be under the heading External storage memory.

Step 5. Press ⋮

This option is in the upper right corner of the screen.

Step 6. Tap Storage Settings

This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

Step 7. Tap Format Where Format as internal memory.

If you want to set your SD card as internal storage, tap Format as internal memory. If you just want to format it, press Format.

On a Samsung device, you may need to press Storage at the end of the page.

Step 8. Press Erase and Format

This option is at the bottom of the page. This will initiate formatting your SD card on your Android device.

The process should only take a few seconds. Your SD card has just been formatted successfully

Method 2 of 3: Format SD card on Windows computer

Step 1. Insert the SD card into your computer

Your computer should have a thin and wide slot on its case. This is where the SD card fits.

Insert the truncated portion of the SD card first, label side down.
If your computer does not have an SD card slot, purchase an SD to USB adapter that plugs into a USB port and into which you insert the SD card.

Step 2. Open the Start menu

Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.

You can also press the ⊞ Win key

Step 3. Click File Explorer

This option is on the left of the start window. This will open the file explorer.

Step 4. Click My Computer

This monitor-shaped icon is on the left of the window File Explorer.

Step 5. Click on the name of your SD card

You will find it under the heading Peripherals and drives in the middle of the window This PC. The name of the SD card usually contains “SDHC”.

Step 6. Click on the Manage tab

This is one of the options displayed at the top of the window This PC.

Step 7. Click Format

This icon, located at the top left of the window, looks like a USB drive with a red circular arrow on it. The formatting window will open.

Step 8. Click the File System box

It is under the heading File system at the top of the window. A drop-down menu will appear with the options below.

NTFS. This is the default format for Windows. It only works with Windows computers.
FAT32. A format compatible with many devices. It works with Windows computers and Macs, but has a capacity limited to 32 GB.
exFAT (Recommended). It works with Windows computers and Macs. It is not limited in storage capacity.

Step 9. Click on a format

Click a format to select a formatting type.

If you have already formatted your SD card, check the box Quick format.

Step 10. Click Start

Then click on OK. Windows will format your SD card.

The photos on your SD card will be deleted during the process

Step 11. Click OK when prompted

This window means that your SD card has been changed to support the format you have selected.

Method 3 of 3: Format SD card on Mac

Step 1. Insert the SD card into your computer

Your computer should have a thin and wide slot on its case. This is where the SD card fits.

Insert the truncated portion of the SD card first, label side down.
Most newer Macs do not have an SD card slot, so you will need to purchase an SD to USB adapter to format your SD card.

Step 2. Open Finder

It's the blue face icon in the Dock.

Step 3. Click Go

This menu is located to the left of the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Step 4. Click Utilities

This option can be found in the drop-down menu Go.

Step 5. Double-click Disk Utility

This option is in the middle of the page Utilities.

The utilities on this page are generally listed in alphabetical order

Step 6. Click on the name of your SD card

You will see it in the window on the far left of the page Disk Utility.

Step 7. Click the Erase tab

It sits at the top of the window Disk Utility.

Step 8. Click the box under the Format heading

This box is in the middle of the page. A drop-down menu will appear with the options below.

Mac OS Extended (Journaled). The default format on Macs. It only works on Macs.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted). The encrypted version of the default format on Macs.
Mac OS Extended (Case Sensitive, Journaled). The version of the default format on Macs that treats files with the same name differently if they have a different case (for example "file.txt" and "File.txt").
Mac OS Extended (Case Sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted). A combination of the 3 formatting options above.
MS-DOS (FAT). Works on Windows computers and Macs, but a capacity limited to 4 GB.
ExFAT (Recommended). Works on Windows computers and Macs. Has no storage limit.

Step 9. Click on the format you want to use

The selected format will be used for formatting your SD card.

Step 10. Click Clear

Then, click Clear when prompted. Your Mac will start to erase and format your SD card. Once the process is complete, your card will support the selected format.

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