This article explains how to format a memory card. SD memory cards are often used to store data on digital cameras or tablets. In order to use the storage media on a particular operating system, it must first be formatted. Remember that the process of formatting any memory unit completely deletes its contents.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Windows
Step 1. Check if your computer has an SD card reader
If you find a thin rectangular slot in which you can insert the SD card, it means that the computer has a reader and in this case you will not have to buy a suitable adapter.
If your computer has an SD card reader, skip the next step
Step 2. Insert the memory card into an adapter
The chances of your PC not having an SD card reader are high, so you will need to use a USB adapter.
USB memory card adapters usually support standard SD cards and microSD cards. However, you may need to purchase a specific adapter for other types of non-SD cards
Step 3. Connect the card to the PC
Insert the adapter into one of the USB ports on the computer. If a Windows dialog box opens automatically, close it.
If your computer has a memory card reader, insert the card into the slot with the marked side facing up (the side with the gold metal connectors should be facing down). Now insert the card into the computer slot with the bevelled corner facing the SD reader
Step 4. Access the "Start" menu
Click on the icon depicting the Windows logo located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 5. Launch the "This PC" app
Type the keywords this pc, then click on the app This PC which will appear at the top of the search results list.
Step 6. Locate the memory card
The memory drive will be listed in the "Devices and Drives" section located in the center of the Windows "File Explorer" window.
If there is no content displayed in the "Devices and Drives" section, double-click the corresponding header to expand it
Step 7. Click on the SD card icon with the right mouse button
A context menu will be displayed.
Step 8. Click on the Format… option
It is listed in the center of the context menu that appeared. The "Formatting [drive_name]" dialog box will appear.
Step 9. Click on the "File system" drop-down menu
It is visible in the center of the appeared window. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 10. Select a file system
Click on one of the following options (there may be more options than listed):
- FAT32 - is compatible with most hardware platforms, but has a maximum file size limit of 4GB. This means that files larger than 4 GB cannot be stored on a FAT32 memory drive;
- NTFS - this is the Windows proprietary file system and is only compatible with this operating system;
- exFAT - is another file system supported by many hardware platforms and has no file size limit.
Step 11. Click the Start button
It is located at the bottom of the dialog box.
If you want to perform a complete and thorough format that overwrites the data on the SD card, uncheck the "Quick Format" checkbox before clicking the button Start.
Step 12. Click the OK button when prompted
This will allow Windows to format the SD card.
The formatting process may take from a few seconds to several hours to complete depending on the size of the SD card, the processing speed of the computer and whether or not "Quick Format" is selected
Method 2 of 4: Mac
Step 1. Check if your computer has an SD card reader
If you find a thin rectangular slot into which you can insert the SD card, it means that your computer has a reader and in this case you will not need to purchase a suitable adapter.
If your computer has an SD card reader, skip the next step
Step 2. Insert the memory card into an adapter
The chances of your PC not having an SD card reader are high, so you will need to use a USB adapter.
- If your Mac doesn't have USB 3.0 ports, you'll need to purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter to connect the SD card USB adapter.
- USB memory card adapters usually support standard SD cards and microSD cards. However, you may need to purchase a specific adapter for other types of non-SD cards.
Step 3. Connect the card to the PC
Insert the adapter into one of the USB ports on the computer. If an operating system dialog box opens automatically, close it before continuing.
- If you are using a USB-C adapter, insert it into one of the USB-C ports on your Mac and only then connect the one you inserted the SD card into to the USB-C adapter.
- If your computer has a memory card reader, insert the card into the card slot with the marked side facing up (the side with the gold metal connectors should be facing down). Now insert the card into the computer slot with the bevelled corner facing the SD reader.
Step 4. Open the Spotlight search bar
Click on the corresponding icon characterized by a magnifying glass. It is located at the top right of the screen.
Step 5. Launch the "Disk Utility" app
Type the words utility disk into the search bar, then double-click the app icon Disk Utility appeared in the list of results.
Step 6. Select the SD card
Click on the memory card name listed in the left pane of the "Disk Utility" window.
Step 7. Click on the Initialize tab
It is visible at the top of the "Disk Utility" window. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 8. Click on the "Format" drop-down menu
It is displayed in the center of the window. A list of options will appear.
Step 9. Select a file system format
Choose one of the following options:
-
MacOS Extended (Journaled) - in this case the SD card can only be used on Mac;
There are other file system formats MacOS Extended (for instance MacOS Extended (Journaled, Encoded)). They are all specific file systems for Mac systems.
- MS-DOS (FAT) - in this case the FAT file system will be used, which is compatible with many hardware platforms, but which has a maximum file size limit of 4 GB;
- ExFAT - it is a file system compatible with most hardware platforms;
- There may also be other options in the "Format" menu.
Step 10. Click the Initialize button
It is blue in color and is positioned at the bottom of the window.
Step 11. Click the Initialize button again when prompted
In this way the Mac will format the SD card using the indicated settings.
The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours to complete depending on the size of the SD card and the processing speed of your computer
Method 3 of 4: Android devices
Step 1. Make sure the SD card is installed in the Android device
Before you can format a memory card (usually a microSD card) with an Android device, the memory medium must already be present in the smartphone or tablet.
Step 2. Launch the Device Settings app
Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers, then tap the icon Settings
depicting a gear placed in the upper right corner of the panel that appeared.
Step 3. Select the Memory option
It is listed at the top of the "Settings" menu.
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, you will need to select the option Device maintenance.
Step 4. Select the SD card
Touch the name of the memory card displayed on the screen.
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy device, tap the option Storage memory listed at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Press the ⋮ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Choose the item Storage settings
It is one of the options listed in the menu that appeared.
Step 7. Choose the Format as internal storage option
It is listed at the top of the screen.
- If you only need to erase the contents of the SD card, you can simply select the option Format.
- If you are using a Samsung Galaxy device, you must first select the SD card name and then choose the option Format, rather than Format as internal memory.
Step 8. Hit the Erase and Format button
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. This will erase the contents of the memory card and format the media.
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy device press the button Format.
Method 4 of 4: Digital Camera
Step 1. Make sure the SD card is installed in the camera
To be able to format the memory media directly from the device settings menu, the SD card must already be present in the camera.
Step 2. Turn on the camera
Press the "Power" button on the device to turn it on.
Step 3. Activate "Playback" mode
This is the camera operating mode you use to be able to review photos stored on the SD card. In most cases it is necessary to press the button characterized by the "Play" button icon
- In some cases it is necessary to rotate a selection dial in order to activate the "Playback" operating mode.
- If you do not know how to activate your camera's "Playback" mode, please refer to the instruction manual or consult the manufacturer's website.
Step 4. Press the button to enter the main camera menu
The icon and name of this button vary according to the make and model of the device. In some cases, the key to press is characterized by the words "Menu", "Settings", "Preferences" or similar. A menu will appear on the camera display.
Step 5. Select the Format option
In most cases you will need to use the directional arrows or the camera d-pad to scroll through the menu items and be able to select the option Format. To confirm your choice, you will need to press the button located in the center of the d-pad.
Again refer to the camera manual or the manufacturer's website to understand how to get to the menu Format.
Step 6. Select the OK option or Yes when asked.
In this way the camera will format the SD card by deleting its contents. At the end of this operation you will be notified when you can start using the camera and the SD card it contains.
Advice
If possible, it is always best to format a storage medium using the platform that will be using it. For example, if you want to use an SD card formatted with exFAT file system on Mac, it is better to use the Mac directly for formatting instead of a Windows computer
Warnings
- When you format a memory card, all the data on it is erased. Before formatting, make sure to back up any data you want to keep.
- The process of formatting a storage medium is irreversible, so before starting make sure that it is indeed the operation you want to perform.
