Micro-SD are small storage media, often used to provide additional storage space in portable devices - for example in cameras, GPS, smartphones and tablets. In most cases it is possible to format these storage media directly from the device on which they are installed through the use of native tools. However, you can format these memory cards using a computer running Windows or OS X (Mac).
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Android
Step 1. Tap the "Settings" icon located on the "Home" screen of the device
The "Settings" application should be visible somewhere on the "Home" of the smartphone. Scroll through the pages that compose it until you find this icon.
The "Settings" application icon may vary depending on the Android version installed on your device. However, in most cases it is represented by a gear
Step 2. Select the option labeled "Memory" or "SD Card" from the menu that appeared
Each version of Android may have a different wording for this section or menu item. As a general rule, look for a menu item that contains the word "Memory".
The correct item is marked with an SD memory card icon
Step 3. Choose the "Erase SD Card" or "Format SD Card" option
Inside the screen that appears you will find information on the use of the SD card and the free space still available, as well as the options "Unmount SD card" and "Format SD card".
If the "Format SD card" option is grayed out, it means you need to unmount the card first. To do this, tap the "Unmount SD card" option
Step 4. When prompted by the Android operating system, select the option to confirm your willingness to format the SD card installed in the device
The operating system will format the micro-SD card and delete the entire content.
- Before the procedure begins, several confirmation messages may appear on the screen, asking you if you are really sure you want to continue. Remember that this procedure deletes all data on the memory card forever.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen of your device to proceed with formatting the storage media.
- After formatting is complete, the memory card will use the "FAT32" file system format. All the data it contained has been erased and the card appears to be as good as new.
- Note: If you are using the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) operating system, you have the option to manage the SD card as a smartphone internal memory or as a removable storage device. By choosing the latter mode of use, the SD card will be handled by Android like any other removable storage device, allowing you to extract it from your phone to use it on your computer or any other device suitable for the purpose. Conversely, if you decide to use it as your smartphone's internal memory, it will be formatted with a file system that is not compatible with your computer.
Method 2 of 4: Windows Phone
Step 1. Locate the "Settings" application
This procedure works on devices with a Windows operating system - for example, Windows Phone 8 or later, HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 635, Nokia Lumia 830, and Microsoft Lumia 735.
- You can access the "Settings" application using the icons located on the main screen of the device or from the list of installed apps.
- Depending on your device and installed firmware, you may need to search for the "Storage Sense" app instead of the "Settings" app.
Step 2. Scroll through the list that appears until you locate and select the "Phone Memory" option
It is located between the "Battery saver" and "Backup" items.
- The "Phone memory" option should show the amount of free space on the device and the SD card installed in it.
- If you have chosen the "Storage Sense" item, the "SD Card" option will be displayed.
Step 3. Tap the "Format SD Card" option
Once you have landed on the "Memory sensor" or "Phone memory" screen, a graph will be displayed showing the occupation of the device's internal memory. At this point you have to select the "SD card" item.
Formatting the SD card installed on your phone deletes all data stored in it. So make sure you've made a backup copy of this information, then keep it in a safe place
Step 4. Tap the "Format SD Card" option
After accessing the "SD Card" section of the menu, two options will appear on the screen: one relating to removing the card from the phone, the other relating to formatting the media. In our case you have to select the latter.
- After choosing the "Format SD card" menu item, a warning message will appear on the screen, indicating that formatting the memory card will delete all information contained within. At this point you will be asked to confirm your willingness to continue; to proceed, press the "Yes" button.
- At the end of the process the phone will detect the SD card again, automatically asking you to proceed with the configuration. To do this, simply follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
Method 3 of 4: Windows
Step 1. Insert the micro-SD card into an adapter or directly into a card reader compatible with the micro-SD format
For example, if you have a SanDisk micro-SD card you should also have its SD adapter included with your purchase. This type of adapters are in all respects identical to normal SD memory cards and are equipped with a slot, located at the bottom, in which to insert the card in micro-SD format.
- Note: Most micro-SD cards have a capacity of 32GB or less and are formatted with the "FAT32" file system. Cards with a memory capacity greater than 64 GB are formatted with the "exFAT" file system. If you are formatting a micro-SD card for use in an Android device or Nintendo DS or 3DS handheld systems, you must use the "FAT32" file system. On Android systems, most third-party applications, programs and versions of the operating system do not support the "exFAT" file system format.
- Normally, formatting the media with the "FAT32" file system is the best option, although it does not handle files larger than 4GB.
- If you don't have an SD adapter for micro-SD cards, you can purchase one at any electronics store or online. Just make sure it is compatible with your micro SD card. Some third-party adapters use the USB connection, functioning just like any USB stick.
Step 2. Insert the card reader or SD adapter into a USB port or SD slot on your computer respectively
Depending on the communication ports on your system and the type of adapter you are using, you will need to use one or the other.
- If you are using an SD adapter for micro-SD cards, make sure the write-protect switch is not in the "Lock" position. Otherwise, the computer may not be able to read the contents of the card or make the required changes. In other words, the card would be accessible in "read only" mode.
- It is always advisable to copy the contents of the card to a folder on your computer to have a safety backup. This trick allows you not to lose any data, giving you the opportunity to transfer them back to the media at the end of the formatting.
Step 3. Go to the "Start" menu, then choose the "Computer" icon
This procedure is applicable on Windows 7 and later systems.
- Once the "Computer" window appears, you will be able to see the entire list of all memory drives and devices connected to the system.
- Find the volume for the SD card. You can do this via the name of the company that makes the device, unless you have renamed it. In the latter case it should be even easier to identify it.
Step 4. Select the icon that identifies the SD card with the right mouse button, then choose "Format" from the context menu that appeared
A new window for configuring the formatting settings will appear.
If the "Format" option is not visible, you may need to download and install the "fat32format" tool in its GUI version
Step 5. Select the "Quick Format" checkbox
If in your case the "Format" option is available for selection, a window should appear containing the settings for formatting the media, including the entry "Quick Format". For best results, enable this option.
- If you had to install the "fat32format" program, you will find the same option when the application window will appear after running the "guiformat.exe" file.
- Before hitting the "Start" button, make sure all settings are configured correctly. Check that the "Capacity" field indicates the correct value for the amount of memory space available on the media. Also, make sure you are using the correct file system format, which is normally "FAT32".
Step 6. Once the checks are complete, press the "Start" button
The operating system will start formatting the SD card by deleting all the data inside it.
Once the formatting is complete, you will have a completely empty and as good as new SD card
Method 4 of 4: Mac
Step 1. Insert the micro-SD card into an adapter or directly into a card reader compatible with the micro-SD format
For example, if you have a SanDisk micro-SD card you should also have its SD adapter included with your purchase. This type of adapters are in all respects identical to normal SD memory cards and are equipped with a slot, located at the bottom, in which to insert the card in micro-SD format.
- Note: Most micro-SD cards have a capacity of 32GB or less and are formatted with the "FAT32" file system. Cards with a memory capacity greater than 64 GB are formatted with the "exFAT" file system. If you are formatting your micro-SD card for use within an Android device or Nintendo DS or 3DS handheld systems, you must use the "FAT32" file system. On Android systems, most third-party applications, programs and versions of the operating system do not support the "exFAT" file system format.
- Also, remember that using a Mac with OS X 10.6.5 (codenamed Snow Leopard) or an earlier version installed, you will not be able to access or format a memory card with the "exFAT" file system format, as older versions of OS X do not support it. In that case, the only thing you can do is update your Mac to the latest version of the operating system.
- Normally, formatting the media with the "FAT32" file system is the best option, although it does not handle files larger than 4GB.
- If you don't have an SD adapter for micro-SD cards, you can purchase one at any electronics store or online. Just make sure it is compatible with your micro SD card. Some third-party adapters use the USB connection, functioning just like any USB stick.
Step 2. Insert the card reader or SD adapter into a USB port or SD slot on your Mac respectively
Depending on the communication ports on your system and the type of adapter you are using, you will need to use one or the other.
- If you are using an SD adapter for micro-SD cards, make sure the write-protect switch is not in the "Lock" position. Otherwise, the computer may not be able to read the contents of the card or make the required changes. In other words, the card would be accessible in "read only" mode.
- It is always advisable to copy the contents of the card to a folder on your computer to have a safety backup. This trick allows you not to lose any data, giving you the opportunity to transfer them back to the media at the end of the formatting.
Step 3. Select the search field located in the upper right corner of the screen on the menu bar
Search using the keywords "Disk Utility", then select the relevant application icon from the list of results.
- The "Disk Utility" program window will appear on the screen. It will list all storage media connected to your Mac (hard drives, partitions and removable devices).
- You can start the "Disk Utility" tool by accessing the "Utilities" folder, located in the "Applications" directory, and selecting its icon.
Step 4. Click the name associated with your micro-SD card located in the left pane of the application's graphical interface
This pane lists the system hard drive, any partitions, and all removable storage media in order.
- The micro-SD card will be displayed as a removable disk, along with the available memory capacity.
- Select the micro SD drive to view the available options in the right pane of the window.
Step 5. Choose the "Initialize" tab
A list of options related to formatting and initializing the memory card will be displayed.
The graphical interface of the "Disk Utility" application consists of 5 tabs that can be selected at the top: "S. O. S.", "Initialize", "Partition", "RAID" and "Restore". If you are using the latest version of the OS X "El Capitan" system, there will also be a sixth tab: "Enable / Disable". In our case select "Initialize"
Step 6. Choose the desired file system format
The "Format" drop-down menu is displayed in the right pane, relative to the choice of the file system with which to perform the formatting.
- You can choose from the following file systems: "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)", "Mac OS Extended (case sensitive, Journaled)", "MS-DOS (FAT)" and "exFAT". The "MS-DOS (FAT)" format is the option to choose if you want to format your micro-SD card with the "FAT32" file system. Instead, choose the "exFAT" option if you want to format the media with the "exFAT" file system, which can handle and store files larger than 4GB.
- After choosing the desired file system, type in the name you want to assign to the memory card.
Step 7. To proceed with formatting the media, press the "Initialize" button
A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm your willingness to proceed with formatting the selected drive. The message that appears will also warn you that all data on the memory card will be deleted. To proceed, press the "Initialize" button located in the pop-up window.
After pressing the "Initialize" button, the system will format the micro-SD card. Once the formatting is complete, you will have a completely empty and as good new storage medium
Advice
- If your micro-SD memory card is malfunctioning or if you are no longer able to access some of the files it contains, formatting it may solve the problem. This operation, in most cases, is able to solve any technical problem that arises.
- Before formatting the storage media, always make a full backup of the contents. Initializing a memory card completely removes all the data it contains.
- For best results and to reduce the risk of running into technical problems, format directly from the device that will use the micro-SD card instead of using a normal computer card reader.
