This article shows you how to format an SD memory card. It is a small removable storage device that is typically used inside cameras, tablets or smartphones. Formatting any storage device will permanently erase all the data it contains, so be sure to make a full backup of all data on your SD card (such as photos and videos) in your possession before formatting.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Android systems
Step 1. Make sure the SD card is properly installed in the Android device
If you haven't already, you may need to remove the back cover of the device to gain access to the card slot.
- Usually tablets and smartphones use memory cards in microSD format which represent a miniature of normal SD cards, which for example are installed in cameras.
- In some cases you will need to remove the battery from the device in order to access the card slot and proceed with the installation.
Step 2. Launch the Android device's Settings app by selecting the icon
It features a gear and is located inside the "Applications" panel.
Step 3. Scroll through the list to locate and select the Memory item
It should be located approximately in the middle of the "Settings" menu.
If you are using a Samsung device, select the option Device maintenance.
Step 4. Tap the name of the microSD card installed in your device
It should appear within the "Device Memory" section.
Step 5. Press the ⋮ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 6. Choose the Storage Settings option
It should be located at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 7. Select the Format item or Format as internal memory.
If you need to configure the SD card to be used as internal storage by the device, choose the option Format as internal memory. If you just want to format it, just choose the item Format.
If you are using a Samsung device, you may need to press the button first Memory located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 8. Hit the Erase and Format button
It is located at the bottom of the screen. In this way the SD card installed in the device will be formatted and all the data inside it will be deleted.
The formatting process should only take a few seconds. Once complete the SD card will be completely empty and ready to use
Method 2 of 3: Windows systems
Step 1. Insert the SD card into your computer
To do this, the latter should be equipped with a memory card reader characterized by a small rectangular slot (in the case of a desktop computer it is positioned in the front of the case, while in the case of a laptop it should be along one of the sides).
- Make sure you insert the SD card into the SD card reader in the correct direction: the beveled corner should be the front right and the side with the label should be facing up.
- If your computer doesn't have an SD card reader, that's no problem, you can buy a USB SD card adapter or USB reader to plug into your computer to install the card into. Normally these are devices with an extremely low cost.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by pressing the button
It is located in the lower left corner of the desktop and features the Windows logo.
Alternatively, you can press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard
Step 3. Select the icon
It is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu. This will open the "File Explorer" window.
Step 4. Click the This PC icon
It features a small monitor and is located in the tree menu on the left of the "File Explorer" window.
Step 5. Select the SD card icon
It is located within the "Devices and Drives" section located at the bottom of the right pane of the "This PC" window. Normally you should see "SDHC" in the device name.
Step 6. Go to the Manage tab
It is located at the top of the "This PC" window in the menu ribbon.
Step 7. Select the Format icon
It is located within the "Manage" group of the ribbon tab of the same name, located at the top of the window, and looks like a removable storage device with a small red circular arrow at the top. This will bring up the "Format" window.
Step 8. Select the "File System" drop-down menu
It is located at the top of the formatting window. A drop-down menu will appear with the complete list of all file systems available for formatting:
- NTFS - is the default file system of all Windows systems. This format is only compatible with computers and devices running the Windows operating system.
- FAT32 - this is the file system format that guarantees the highest level of compatibility. It can be read by both Windows computers and Mac systems, but can handle memory units with a maximum capacity of 32GB.
- exFAT (recommended format) - it is compatible with Windows and Mac systems and has no limits to the memory capacity that can be managed.
Step 9. Select the file system format you prefer, based on your need
If you have already formatted the card before, you can select the check button Quick format to speed up the whole process.
Step 10. Press the Start buttons successively And OK.
This will automatically format the SD card based on your chosen settings.
All data on the memory card will be erased during the formatting process
Step 11. Press the OK button when prompted
The SD card has been successfully formatted and is now able to operate according to the chosen file system format.
Method 3 of 3: Mac
Step 1. Insert the SD card into your computer
It must be equipped with a memory card reader that has a small rectangular slot.
- Make sure you insert the SD card into the SD card reader in the correct direction: the beveled corner should be the front right and the side with the label should be facing up.
- Many modern Macs don't come with an SD memory card reader, so you'll need to purchase a USB adapter in order to connect the card to your computer.
Step 2. Open a Finder window
It features a blue stylized human face icon located on the Dock.
Step 3. Enter the Go menu
It is located at the top left of the screen, exactly on the menu bar.
Step 4. Choose the Utility option
It's located at the bottom of the drop-down menu Go appeared.
Step 5. Double click on the Disk Utility icon
It is located in the middle of the list of icons in the "Utilities" folder.
The icons are organized alphabetically, so you shouldn't have a hard time locating the one indicated
Step 6. Select the SD card you connected to the Mac
You should find it in the left pane of the "Disk Utility" window.
Step 7. Go to the Initialize tab
It is located at the top of the window.
Step 8. Access the "Format" drop-down menu
It is located in the center of the box relating to the "Initialize" tab. Within the drop-down menu that appeared you will have the following options available:
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled) - this is the default file system format of Mac systems and is compatible with Mac systems only.
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) - is the encrypted version of the default file system of Mac systems.
- Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled) - it is the "case-sensitive" version of the default file system of Mac systems. In this case the operating system will differentiate uppercase from lowercase letters, so the "file.txt" and "File.txt" files will be treated as separate entities and distinct.
- Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted) - this is the combination of the three previous file system formats.
- MS-DOS (FAT) - it is a file system that guarantees compatibility between Windows and Mac systems, but has a limit of 4 GB on the memory capacity that it can address and manage.
- ExFAT (recommended format) - it is compatible with Windows and Mac systems and has no limits to the memory capacity it can handle.
Step 9. Choose the ideal file system format for your needs
This will be used to format the SD memory card.
Step 10. Press the Initialize buttonthen, when prompted, press the button again Initialize.
This will start the SD card formatting procedure, based on the selected configuration settings; after which the device will be ready for use.
