How to Format a Memory Card

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This wikiHow teaches you how to erase and reformat a memory card. Memory cards are often used as storage in things like cameras and tablets; in order to use your memory card with a specific operating system, you may have to format it first. Keep in mind that formatting your memory card will erase everything on it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

On Windows

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  1. If you find a thin, rectangular slot into which your memory card will fit on your computer, you can insert the memory card without an adapter.
    • If you do find a memory card slot on your computer, skip the next step.
  2. Chances are high that your computer doesn't have a memory card slot, so you'll need to use a USB memory card adapter.
    • Memory card adapters can usually support both standard SD cards and microSD cards, though you may need a separate one for larger, non-SD cards.
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  3. Plug your memory card's adapter into one of your computer's USB ports. If a window on your computer opens when you do this, you can close it.
    • If your computer has a memory card slot, make sure that the memory card's label is face-up (gold connector side-down), then push the memory card into your computer angled side first.
  4. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  5. Type in this pc , then click This PC at the top of the Start window.
  6. You'll find your memory card listed below the "Devices and drives" heading in the middle of the This PC window.
    • If you don't see anything listed below the "Devices and drives" heading, double-click the heading to expand it.
  7. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
  8. It's in the middle of the drop-down menu. This will open the Format menu.
  9. This option is in the middle of the menu. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
  10. Click one of the following options (you may also see additional options in the menu):
    • FAT32 — Formats the memory card for most platforms with a 4 GB file size limit (e.g., no file on the card can be over 4 GB in size).
    • NTFS — Formats the memory card for Windows only.
    • exFAT — Formats the memory card for most platforms with no file size limit.
  11. It's at the bottom of the window.
    • If you want to run an in-depth formatting process that deletes and overwrites the entire memory card, uncheck the "Quick Format" box before clicking Start .
  12. Doing so will allow Windows to begin formatting your memory card.
    • The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours depending on the card's size, your computer's speed, and whether or not you're using the "Quick Format" option.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

On Mac

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  1. If you find a thin, rectangular slot into which your memory card will fit on your computer, you can insert the memory card without an adapter.
    • If you do find a memory card slot on your computer, skip the next step.
  2. Chances are high that your computer doesn't have a memory card slot, so you'll need to use a USB memory card adapter.
    • If your Mac doesn't have USB 3.0 ports, you'll need to buy a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter into which you can plug your SD card adapter as well.
    • Memory card adapters can usually support both standard SD cards and microSD cards, though you may need a separate one for larger, non-SD cards.
  3. Plug your memory card's adapter into one of your computer's USB ports. If a window on your computer opens when you do this, you can close it.
    • If you're using a USB-C adapter, plug it into one of your Mac's USB-C ports first, then plug the memory card adapter into the USB 3.0 port on the other end of the USB-C adapter.
    • If your computer has a memory card slot, make sure that the memory card's label is face-up (gold connector side-down), then push the memory card into your computer angled side first.
  4. Click the Spotlight icon, which resembles a magnifying glass, in the top-right corner of the screen.
  5. Type disk utility into Spotlight, then double-click Disk Utility in the resulting menu.
  6. Click the name of your memory card in the upper-left side of the Disk Utility window to do so.
  7. This tab is at the top of the Disk Utility window. A pop-up window will appear.
  8. It's in the middle of the window. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
  9. Click one of the formats in the drop-down box:
    • MacOS Extended (Journaled) — Formats your memory card for use with macOS only.
      • You'll see other MacOS Extended options here (e.g., MacOS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) ). These options are also usable on a Mac.
    • MS-DOS (FAT) — Formats your memory card for FAT, which has a 4 GB file size limit but can run on most platforms.
    • ExFAT — Formats your memory card for use with most platforms.
    • You may see additional options in the "Format" menu as well.
  10. It's a blue button at the bottom of the window.
  11. This allows your Mac to begin formatting your memory card.
    • The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours depending on the card's size and your computer's speed.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

On Android

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  1. Before you can format your Android's memory card (usually a microSD card), the card must be inserted into your Android .
  2. Use two fingers to swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap the gear-shaped Settings
    Android 7 Settings
    icon in the top-right corner of the drop-down menu.
  3. It's near the top of the Settings menu.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, you'll tap Device maintenance instead.
  4. Tap your memory card's name to do so.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, tap Storage at the bottom of the page instead.
  5. This is in the top-right corner of the screen. Tapping it prompts a drop-down menu. [1]
  6. It's in the drop-down menu.
  7. You'll see this near the top of the page.
    • If you just want to erase the memory card, you can tap Format here instead.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, you must first tap your SD card's name. You'll then tap Format instead of Format as internal . [2]
  8. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Doing so will erase and reformat your memory card.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, tap FORMAT here.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

On a Camera

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  1. In order to format your memory card from within your camera's settings, you'll need to have the card in the camera.
  2. Push the camera's Power button or turn its dial to do so.
  3. This is the mode in which you can scroll through your SD card's photos; in most cases, you'll press a button next to a "Play"
    Android 7 Play
    icon to do so.
    • On some cameras, you may have to rotate a dial to open the Playback Mode menu.
    • If you can't figure out how to open Playback Mode, consult your camera's manual or online documentation.
  4. This button will vary from camera to camera, but it's usually a button marked "Menu", "Settings", "Preferences", or an abbreviation of any of those options. Doing so will bring up a pop-up menu.
  5. In most cases, you'll use your camera's arrows to scroll down to and select the Format entry and the press the circle in the middle of the arrows to select it.
    • Again, consult your camera's manual or online documentation for explicit instructions on where to find the Format option.
  6. Doing so will cause your camera to erase and format the SD card. Once it's done, your camera will alert you that you can proceed with using the card.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I need to backup all files?
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    Community Answer
    Keep a backup of only those files which you feel are of the utmost importance. If you create backups of all files, you'll be wasting a truckload of useful memory.
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  • Question
    What do I do if my computer is not recognizing my memory card?
    Community Answer
    It is likely that is faulty or damaged. Try testing it in other computers to see if they recognize it.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Will this erase everything on the card?
    Community Answer
    Yes, everything will be erased. Save any important files elsewhere before you format the card.
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      Tips

      • It's best to format your memory card on the platform on which you're going to use it if possible. For example, if you want to use your memory card on a Mac with exFAT, it's better to use a Mac to format it to exFAT even though a PC can also use exFAT.
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      Warnings

      • Formatting a memory card will erase all of the data stored on the device. Remember to backup all of your data before formatting.
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      • Formatting is irreversible, so be sure it is what you want to do before beginning the steps above.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.androidpit.com/how-to-format-microsd-cards-as-internal-storage
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN-dTDiYj40

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Plug the card into a slot or a USB adapter.
      2. Open the Windows search bar.
      3. Type "this pc" and click This PC .
      4. Right-click the memory card.
      5. Click Format .
      6. Select a file system.
      7. Click Start .
      8. Click OK .

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