This wikiHow teaches you how to erase and reformat a memory card. Memory cards are usually used as storage in tablets and cameras. In order for a memory card to work with certain operating systems, you may need to format it first. Remember that all data on the memory card will be erased when you format it.
Step
Method 1 of 4: On Windows Computer
Step 1. Check if the computer has a memory card slot
If there is a small square slot that fits the size of the memory card, then you can plug in the memory card without using an adapter.
Skip the next step if your computer has a memory card slot
Step 2. Insert the memory card into the adapter
Your computer most likely does not have a memory card slot. If this is the case, use a USB memory card adapter.
Memory card adapters usually support standard SD and microSD cards, although you may need a different adapter for larger non-SD cards
Step 3. Insert the memory card
Plug the memory card adapter into one of the USB ports on the computer. If the computer opens a window while you perform this action, close the window.
If your computer has a memory card slot, make sure the label on the memory card is facing up (the gold-colored connector is facing down). Next, push the memory card into the bevelled side of the computer first
Step 4. Open Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower-left corner.
Step 5. Open This PC
Type this pc, then click This PC that appears at the top of the Start window.
Step 6. Locate the memory card
The memory card appears under the " Devices and drives " heading in the middle of the This PC window.
If there's nothing under the " Devices and drives " heading, double-click the heading to expand it
Step 7. Right-click the memory card
This will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click Format… in the middle of the drop-down menu
The Format menu will open.
Step 9. Click the " File system " drop-down box in the middle of the menu
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 10. Select a file system
Click one of the options below (there may be other options in the menu):
- FAT32 - The memory card will be formatted for most platforms with a maximum file size of 4 GB (memory cards cannot store files larger than 4 GB).
- NTFS - The memory card will be formatted for Windows only.
- exFAT - The memory card will be formatted for almost all platforms without limiting the file size.
Step 11. Click Start located at the bottom of the window
If you want to perform an in-depth format that will erase and overwrite the entire contents of the card, uncheck the "Quick Format" box before clicking Start.
Step 12. Click OK when prompted
Windows will start formatting the memory card.
The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours depending on the speed of the computer, the size of the card, and whether or not you selected the "Quick Format" option
Method 2 of 4: On Mac Computer
Step 1. Check if the computer has a memory card slot
If there is a small square slot that fits the size of the memory card, then you can plug in the memory card without using an adapter.
Skip the next step if your computer has a memory card slot
Step 2. Insert the memory card into the adapter
Your computer most likely does not have a memory card slot. If this is the case, use a USB memory card adapter.
- If you don't have a USB 3.0 port on your Mac, buy a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter so you can plug an SD card adapter into your computer too.
- Memory card adapters usually support standard SD and microSD cards, although you may need a different adapter for larger non-SD cards.
Step 3. Insert the memory card
Plug the memory card adapter into one of the USB ports on the computer. If the computer opens a window while you perform this action, close the window.
- If you're using a USB-C adapter, first plug it into the Mac's USB-C port. Next, 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 the label on the memory card is facing up (the gold-colored connector is facing down). Next, push the memory card into the bevelled side of the computer first.
Step 4. Open Spotlight
Do this by clicking the Spotlight (magnifying glass) icon in the top right corner.
Step 5. Run Disk Utility
Type disk utility into Spotlight, then double-click Disk Utility in the menu that appears.
Step 6. Select the memory card
Do this by clicking the memory card name in the upper left of the Disk Utility window.
Step 7. Click the Erase tab at the top of the Disk Utility window
This will bring up a pop-up window.
Step 8. Click the " Format " drop-down box in the middle of the window
A drop-down menu will open.
Step 9. Select the desired format
Select one of the formats in the drop-down box:
-
MacOS Extended (Journaled) - The memory card will be formatted for macOS only.
Here will be listed some options MacOS Extended others (such as MacOS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted)). This option can also be used on Mac computers.
- MS-DOS (FAT) - The memory card will be formatted to FAT. Although it can be used on all platforms, the file size is limited to a maximum of 4 GB.
- ExFAT - The memory card will be formatted for almost all platforms.
- You'll also find some additional options in this "Format" menu.
Step 10. Click Erase
It's a blue button at the bottom of the window.
Step 11. Click Erase when prompted
The Mac computer will begin formatting the memory card.
The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours depending on the speed of the computer and the size of the card
Method 3 of 4: On Android Device
Step 1. Make sure you have inserted the memory card into the Android device
Insert the card into the device before you format the memory card for Android (usually a microSD card).
Step 2. Open Settings on Android device
Swipe down from the top of the device screen using two fingers, then tap the icon Settings
in the form of a gear in the upper-right corner of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Tap Storage at the top of the Settings menu
On a Samsung Galaxy, tap Device maintenance.
Step 4. Select the memory card
Do this by tapping the memory card name.
If using a Samsung Galaxy, tap Storage which is at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Tap located in the top right corner
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Tap on Storage settings
This option is in the drop-down menu.
Step 7. Tap Format as internal located at the top of the page
- If you only want to delete the content on the memory card, you can tap Format here.
- On the Samsung Galaxy, first tap the name of the SD card. Next, you have to tap Format, no Format as internal.
Step 8. Tap ERASE & FORMAT
It's in the lower right corner. The memory card will be erased and reformatted.
Tap FORMAT if you are using Samsung Galaxy.
Method 4 of 4: On Camera
Step 1. Make sure you have inserted a memory card into the camera
Insert a memory card into the camera so you can format it from within the camera settings.
Step 2. Turn on the camera
Do this by pressing the Power button on the camera or turning the dial.
Step 3. Switch to Playback Mode
This mode can be used to scroll through the photos on the SD card. Usually, you can do this by pressing the button near the " Play " icon.
- On some cameras, you may have to turn the dial to open the Playback Mode menu.
- If you still can't get to Playback Mode, read the camera's manual or visit the help page on the manufacturer's website.
Step 4. Press the "Menu" button
The buttons will vary depending on the camera you're using, but are usually named " Menu ", " Settings ", " Preferences ", or an abbreviation for one of these options. After you press the button, a pop-up menu will be displayed.
Step 5. Select Format
Usually, you have to use the arrows on the camera to scroll through the screen and select an entry Format, then press the circle in the middle of the arrow to select it.
Again, consult the camera manual or the help page on the manufacturer's website for instructions on where to choose Format.
Step 6. Select Yes or OK when prompted.
The camera will erase and format the SD card. When the process is complete, the camera will let you know that you can use the card.
Tips
If possible, we recommend that you format the memory card on the platform you want to use it on. For example, if you want to use a memory card on a Mac in exFAT format, we recommend using a Mac computer to format it in exFAT, although Windows can also use exFAT
Warning
- All data in the device will be deleted when you format the memory card. Make sure you have backed up all data before formatting.
- Formatted memory cards cannot be recovered. So, make sure you are absolutely sure to do it before performing the steps described above.
