Quickly Format a Micro SD Card in 4 Easy Ways

PDF download Download Article
Formatting a Micro SD: Know-How for Every Device
PDF download Download Article

Did you know that sometimes reformatting your micro SD card can clear technical issues and get it working again? While that's not the only case for reformatting a card, it's the most common. Read on to learn more about using Windows 10/11, Mac, and Android to reformat your micro SD card, with tips from computer and tech expert Luigi Oppido.

Quick Steps

  1. Insert your micro SD card into your computer or an adapter.
  2. Open File Explorer and go to This PC .
  3. Right-click your SD card.
  4. Click Format .
  5. Select exFat or FAT32 .
  6. Check "Quick Format."
  7. Click OK .
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Windows 10/11

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some computers will only have a full-sized card slot, so you will need a micro SD card adapter or reader compatible with your micro SD card. For example, if you own a SanDisk micro SD card, you should have a micro SD card adapter that came with it. The adapter looks like a regular SD card with a slot at the bottom where you insert your micro SD card.
    • Formatting to FAT32 is usually your best option, however, FAT32 formatted cards won’t let you transfer or store a file more than 4 GB.
    • You can also purchase a third-party micro SD card adapter if you don’t already have one. Just make sure that it is compatible with your micro SD card. Some third-party adapters also use a USB component on one end and operate like a flash drive.
    • If you are using a micro SD card adapter with your computer, make sure that the lock toggle is up and in the unlocked position. If it is in the locked position your computer may not read the card or let you make any changes. It may be “Read-only”.
    • It’s a good idea to copy the files currently on the card over to your computer to save. This will allow you to keep your data and files for transferring back after you format.
  2. This keyboard shortcut opens File Explorer.
    • If you don't see your micro SD card on the left, click This PC .
    Advertisement
  3. You can identify it since it will have the name of the manufacturer, for example, a SanDisk card will have "SanDisk" in the drive name.
  4. A window displaying formatting options will display on-screen.
    • If you don't see "Format," click "Show more options."
  5. You'll see the option for FAT32 if your SD drive is less than 32 GB.
    • If you won't be moving files larger than 4 GB, use the FAT32 format; use exFAT if you plan on copying or transferring larger files. Many short videos for dash cams or personal security cameras use FAT32 formatting. [1]
  6. As explained by Microsoft, the "Quick Format" option does not run the scan that a normal format does; a normal format can take hours to complete, whereas a quick format takes a few seconds. [2]
  7. You can change the name of your micro SD card if you'd like. Skip this step if the default label is ok.
  8. The process will start and you might get a pop-up that formatting also erases all the content from your card. Press OK to close that window and proceed.
    • Once the process is done, you'll have a blank and newly formatted SD card. [3]
    • If the card won't format, it might be locked into a "Read-Only" state . You can try formatting the card with Disk Management.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. For example, if you own a SanDisk micro SD card, you should have a micro SD card adapter that came with it. The adapter looks like a regular SD card with a slot at the bottom where you insert your micro SD card.
    • Note that most Micro SD cards that are 32 GB or less come formatted as FAT32. Cards above 64 GB are formatted to exFAT file system.
    • Note that if you are using Mac OS 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) or earlier, you won’t be able to use or format an exFAT card as these older versions of Mac OS don’t support this file system. You will have to upgrade your OS.
    • Formatting to FAT32 is usually your best option, however, FAT32 formatted cards won’t let you transfer or store a file more than 4GB.
    • You can also purchase a third-party micro SD card adapter if you don’t already have one. Just make sure that it is compatible with your micro SD card. Some third-party adapters also use a USB component on one end and operate like a flash drive.
  2. Depending on your computer and type of adapter you will either need to use your SD card slot or a USB port.
    • If you are using a micro SD card adapter, make sure that the lock toggle is up and in the unlocked position. If it is in the locked position your computer may not read the card or let you make any changes. It may be “Read-only”.
    • It’s a good idea to copy the files currently on the card over to your computer to save. This will allow you to keep your data and files for transferring back after you format.
  3. You can find it in the Applications folder in Finder.
    • The Disk Utility application will display on-screen. It will show you all of your available drives and storage systems.
  4. You will see a panel on the left that shows your computer’s hard drive, and below it, any partitions and external drives.
    • Your SD card will show up as a removable disk and display how much space it can hold.
    • Click on your SD card drive to bring up a page with a list of options.
  5. It's an icon in the top left corner between First Aid and Unmount . This will bring up a page that lets you erase and format your card. [4]
  6. You can change the name of the removable drive if you want to.
    • Select exFAT or MS DOS (FAT). You want exFAT if your card is 64 GB or higher and ms-DOS(fat) for 32 GB or lower.
  7. You should see a pop-up when the formatting process completes. Click Done to close that window.
    • When the process is completed, you'll have a blank, newly formatted SD card! [5]
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. Your “Settings” app will be somewhere on your home screen. Scroll through your pages until you find it.
    • Your “Settings” app may look slightly different depending on which version of Android you run, but for most phones it can be identified by the gear icon.
    • Alternatively, swipe down to open the Quick Settings panel and tap the gear icon.
  2. Each version of Android may have a different name for this area. Look for the option that has the word “Storage” in it.
    • You can identify the right option by the SD card icon.
    • On Samsung phones, tap Device Care > Storage > â‹® > Advanced > SD card .
  3. According to Oppido, you will see info on your total SD card space, your available free space, and an option to “Unmount SD Card” and “Format SD Card”. [6]
    • If the “Format SD Card” option is grayed out, you will first have to unmount your SD card. Tap on “Unmount SD Card” in this case.
  4. Your Android device will begin to format your micro SD card, and erase all its contents. [7]
    • You may see several screens that ask you if you are sure that you wish to format your SD card. Doing so will erase all the content on the card.
    • Follow the prompts to erase and format your card.
    • Once you have formatted, your card will be formatted to FAT32 filesystem type. All your content will be cleared, and you will have a new card formatted to your Android phone.
    • Note: If you are using Android 6.0 Marshmallow, you will have the option to treat your SD card as either internal storage or portable storage. If you choose to use it as portable storage your SD card will be treated like any other removable storage, allowing you to remove it and transfer files to your computer or another device. If you make it internal, it will be formatted and not be allowed to be read by your computer. Your SD card will be treated as your main storage system. [8]
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Windows Phone

PDF download Download Article
  1. This method works if you have a Windows phone like the Windows Phone 8 or later; the HTC One M8; Nokia Lumia 635; Nokia Lumia 830; Microsoft Lumia 735.
    • You can find your “Settings” app either through the pinned tile on your home screen or from the app list. [9]
    • Depending on your phone and the firmware you are using, you may have to locate the “Storage Sense” app in the App list. [10]
  2. Once in your “Settings” screen, scroll down to find the option for “phone storage” in between “battery saver” and “backup”.
    • The “phone storage” option should show you how much free space you have on your phone and on your SD card.
    • If you clicked on “Storage Sense”, you will see an option for “SD card”.
  3. Once in your “phone storage” page, you will see a graph that shows how much memory all your storage areas are taking up. You want to tap on “SD card”.
    • Formatting your SD card will erase all of the contents of it. Make sure that you have backed up your data elsewhere.
  4. Once you have tapped on the “SD card” option, you will see a screen that has two options, one for removing the card and one for formatting. You want the formatting option.
    • Once you tap on “format SD card” a prompt will appear that warns you that formatting your SD will erase all of your data and files on the card. And it will ask you if you wish to continue. Tap “yes” to format.
    • After the process is complete, your phone will again recognize the card and automatically ask you to reconfigure it. Follow the prompts.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do you have to format a micro SD card before you can use it in an Android device?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Most of the time if you turn off the device, plug in the SD card, and turn the device back on, it will install the SD card on its own, and you don't have to do anything. If it doesn't, you'll need to go into your storage settings and format the card.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How can I format a Microsoft computer?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    You can follow the steps on this article to effectively format your computer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How can I do this on a Nintendo Switch?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    Check out How to Format an SD Card on the Nintendo Switch for step-by-step directions.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Format your micro SD card if the card has stopped working, or if you can no longer access certain files on your SD card. Formatting the micro SD card will often correct any technical problems you’ve been experiencing with your card.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Always save your files somewhere safe before formatting your card. Formatting will erase all data.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • For the best results and to reduce your risk for future technical problems, format your micro SD card in your device instead of a card reader whenever possible.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Keep in mind that formatting a micro SD card will erase and remove all contents. Take steps to back up your personal data prior to formatting your micro SD card if you want to save photos, music, and all other data.
        Thanks
        Helpful 6 Not Helpful 4
      • iPhones do not have slots for SD cards, so you cannot use them to reformat your card.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      2 Simple Ways to Erase and Format a USB Flash Drive
      How to
      Make a Bootable USB Drive on Windows & macOS
      4 Simple Ways to Format and Clear an SD Memory Card
      6 Ways to Repair a USB Flash Drive
      A Guide to Disabling Write Protection
      How to
      Save Files to a USB Flash Drive
      How to
      Copy Documents to a USB Flash Drive from Your Computer
      3 Quick Ways to Permanently Remove Write Protection from an SD Card
      How to
      Reformat an External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac
      How to
      Boot from an External Hard Drive
      How to
      Transfer Music to a Flash Drive
      How to
      Partition a Thumb Drive
      Easily Remove the “Read Only” State from a USB Drive on PC
      How to
      Add an External Hard Drive
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/235596/whats-the-difference-between-fat32-exfat-and-ntfs/
      2. ↑ https://www.seagate.com/support/kb/lacie/explanation-of-the-normal-and-quick-formats-available-on-windows-006222en/#:~:text=If%20you%20choose%20the%20Quick,hard%20disk%20is%20not%20damaged.%22
      3. ↑ https://support-en.sandisk.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/9063/~/instructions-to-format-a-memory-card-on-windows
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na9dLlYNFOs
      5. ↑ https://support-en.sandisk.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/35101/~/steps-to-format-a-memory-card-on-macos
      6. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 March 2021
      7. ↑ http://www.gazelle.com/thehorn/2013/05/28/how-to-back-up-and-format-your-microsd-card-on-your-galaxy-smartphone/
      8. ↑ https://liliputing.com/android-6-0-can-treat-sd-cards-as-internal-storage-at-a-cost/
      9. ↑ http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/37811/windows-phone-8-format-sd-card/
      1. ↑ http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/phones-and-hardware/use-an-sd-card-to-add-space

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The right way to format a micro SD card depends on the device you're using. If you're using an Android, go to your settings and tap on "Storage." Then, tap on the "Format SD card" button and confirm that you want to erase the contents of the card. If you're using a Windows phone, go to your settings and tap on "phone storage." Then, tap on the "Format SD card" option. To learn how to format a micro SD card on a Windows or Mac computer, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 440,436 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Nov 8, 2016

        "Concise and factual for an Android newbie. Thanks, and keep up the good work!"
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement