A micro SD card is a tiny memory card that is often used as additional storage media for devices such as cameras, GPS devices, and cell phones. Usually, you can format the micro SD card via on-device commands. However, you can also format via a computer with a Windows or Mac operating system.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Formatting on Android
Step 1. Touch the settings menu (Settings) from the main page or homescreen of your Android device
Generally, the settings menu can be found on the homescreen. You just need to scroll through the menu pages until you find the settings menu.
The settings menu icon on your device may appear slightly different depending on the version of the Android operating system that the device is running. However, on most phones, the settings menu is marked by a gear-shaped icon
Step 2. Tap on 'Storage' or 'SD & Phone Storage' option
In each version of the Android operating system, the label for the option may vary. In essence, look for options marked with the label 'Storage'.
Usually, this option can be identified by the memory card icon next to the option label
Step 3. Select 'Erase SD card' or 'Format SD card'
After you enter the 'Storage' option, you can see information regarding the total space you have on your SD card, information on the available space, as well as the 'Unmount SD Card' and 'Format SD Card' options.
If the 'Format SD Card' option does not work (usually the label is grayed out), you need to disconnect the transfer between the SD card and your device (unmounting). To solve this problem, first touch the 'Unmount SD Card' option
Step 4. Confirm the option to delete all the content stored on your SD card when prompted by your device
After you confirm, your device will start formatting the micro SD card and delete all the content stored on the card.
- You may see several pop up windows asking if you are sure you want to format your memory card. If the format is done, then all the content on the card will be erased.
- Follow the prompts to erase and format your card.
- Once done, your card will be formatted into the FAT32 file system type. All previously saved content will be erased and now, your Android phone has a new formatted memory card.
- Attention: If you are using Android version 6.0 (Marshmallow) on your device, there will be an option to set your SD card as internal storage memory or portable storage memory. If you choose to use a memory card as a portable storage medium, it will be treated like any other portable storage medium. This means that you can disconnect it from your device and send the files on the card to another computer or device. If you set your SD card as the internal storage medium, it will be formatted and cannot be read by the computer. This means that your SD card will be considered the primary storage system on the device it is being used on.
Method 2 of 4: Formatting on Windows Phone
Step 1. Find the settings menu on your phone
This method can be used on Windows phones such as Windows Phone 8 (or later version), HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 635, Nokia Lumia 830, and Microsoft Lumia 735.
- The settings menu can be found on the phone's homescreen (as a tagged app), or in the app list.
- You may be able to find the 'Storage Sense' app in the app list, depending on your phone and firmware.
Step 2. Swipe up on the screen until you find the 'Phone Storage' option, then tap on it
After you enter the settings page, swipe up on the screen to find the 'Phone Storage' option which is between the 'Battery Saver' and 'Backup' options.
- In the 'Phone Storage' option, you can see how much free space you have on your phone and SD card.
- If you open or access the 'Storage Sense' app, you can see the 'SD card' option.
Step 3. Tap on the ‘Format SD card’ option
Once you get to the 'Phone Storage' page, you can see a graph showing how much space in all your phone storage media is already being used. On this page, tap on the 'SD card' option.
When you format the SD card, all content stored on the card will be erased. Make sure you have made a backup file and saved it on another storage media before formatting the card
Step 4. Tap on the ‘Format SD Card’ option
Once you select 'SD card', you can see two options displayed on the screen, one to unmount or disconnect the card and another to format the card. Select the option to format the card.
- Once you touch the 'Format SD card' option, a small window will appear warning you that by formatting the card, all files stored on the card will be deleted. You will also be asked to confirm whether you want to continue the process or not. Select 'Yes' to do the formatting.
- Once the process is complete, your phone will again recognize the memory card and automatically ask you to reconfigure it. You just need to follow the steps shown next.
Method 3 of 4: Formatting a Computer with Windows Operating System
Step 1. Insert the micro SD card into the adapter or card reader that matches your micro SD card
For example, if you have a SanDisk micro SD card, you will need to use the appropriate card adapter or manufacturer from that brand. Card adapters usually look like a regular SD card, but have a hole or slot on the bottom for the card to be inserted.
- Keep in mind that most micro SD cards with a capacity of 32 GB or smaller are usually in the FAT32 format. Meanwhile, the 64GB card has the exFAT file system format. If you need to format the card for use on an Android phone or Nintendo DS or 3DS, you will need to change the format to FAT32. If your Android phone or device has ever been rooted, it's likely that there are many apps or custom recoveries that can't read exFAT card formats.
- The best option is to change the card format to FAT32. However, cards with the FAT32 format do not allow you to transfer or store files larger than 4 GB.
- If you don't have a micro SD card adapter yet, you can purchase a third-party adapter. However, make sure that the adapter fits your card. Some third-party adapters also have a USB component attached to one side and can operate like a flash drive.
Step 2. Insert the card reader or card adapter into the USB port or SD card slot on your computer
You can use either the SD card slot or the USB port, depending on the computer and the type of adapter used.
- If you are using a micro SD card adapter, make sure the lock switch is in the up position or the unlocked position. If the switch is in the locked position, your computer cannot read the card or allow you to make changes to the card. Your card can only be read (read only), and can not be changed.
- It's a good idea to first copy the files stored on the card to your computer. This way, you can save the files on the card and return them to the card after the formatting is complete.
Step 3. Click the 'Start' menu and select 'Computer' or 'My Computer'
This method can be used on Windows 7 or later versions.
- After the 'Computer' window appears, a list of all the disks on your computer will appear on the screen.
- Find your micro SD card in the list. Usually the card can be identified by the brand name of the card, unless you have changed the name of the card before. If you have changed it, identify it by card name.
Step 4. Right-click on your card in the list of disks, then select 'Format'
After that, a format selection window will be displayed on the screen.
If you can't find the 'Format' option, you will need to download and install the Fat32format application in the GUI version
Step 5. Check the box labeled 'Quick Format'
If you can click on the 'Format' option, several options will appear in the window that appears, including the 'Quick Format' option. Put a tick in the box for best results.
- If you are using the Fat32 application, you may also see the same window pop up after you run the 'guiformat.exe' file.
- Before clicking the 'Start' button, make sure the settings on the tabs and other options are correct. In the 'Capacity' section, check if the storage space is at the right amount. Make sure you change to the desired format (usually FAT32).
Step 6. Click the 'Start' button
Your computer will begin to format the micro SD card and delete all content stored on the card.
Once the process is complete, your micro SD card will be blank and will have a new format ready to use
Method 4 of 4: Formatting a Computer with Mac Operating System
Step 1. Insert the micro SD card into the adapter or card reader that matches your micro SD card
For example, if you have a SanDisk micro SD card, you will need to use the appropriate card adapter or manufacturer from that brand. Card adapters usually look like a regular SD card, but have a hole or slot on the bottom for the card to be inserted.
- Keep in mind that most micro SD cards with a capacity of 32 GB or smaller are usually in the FAT32 format. Meanwhile, the 64GB card has the exFAT file system format. If you need to format the card for use on an Android phone or Nintendo DS or 3DS, you will need to convert the format to FAT32. If your Android phone or device has ever been rooted, it's likely that there are many apps or custom recoveries that can't read exFAT card formats.
- Also, keep in mind that if you're using Mac OS version 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) or earlier, you won't be able to use or format an exFAT card because these older versions of Mac OS don't support that file system.. You first need to upgrade your Mac operating system.
- The best option is to format your card to FAT32. However, cards with the FAT32 format do not allow you to transfer or store files larger than 4 GB.
- If you don't have a micro SD card adapter yet, you can purchase a third-party adapter. However, make sure that the adapter fits your card. Some third-party adapters also have a USB component attached to one side and can operate like a flash drive.
Step 2. Insert the card reader or card adapter into the USB port or SD card slot on your computer
You can use either the SD card slot or the USB port, depending on the computer and the type of adapter used.
- If you are using a micro SD card adapter, make sure the lock switch is in the up position or the unlocked position. If the switch is in the locked position, your computer cannot read the card or allow you to make changes to the card. Your card can only be read (read only), and can not be changed.
- It's a good idea to copy the files stored on the card to your computer first. This way, you can save the files on the card and return them to the card after the formatting is complete.
Step 3. Click the search icon in the top right corner of the task bar at the top of the screen
Look for 'Disk Utility', then click on the 'Disk Utility' application that appears in the search results.
- The 'Disk Utility' application will be displayed on the screen. In the application window, all available disks and storage systems will be displayed.
- You can also access this application by going to the 'Application' > 'Utilities' > 'Disk Utility' directory.
Step 4. Click on the name of your micro SD card which is shown in the left pane of the app
In the application window, you can see a pane on the left of the screen that shows all the hard drives on your computer and, at the bottom, partitions or external disks.
- Your SD card will show as a flash drive. In addition, the application window also displays how much storage space your card has.
- Click on your SD card disc to bring up a page with a number of options.
Step 5. Select the radio button labeled ‘Erase’
Once clicked, a new page will appear that will allow you to erase and format the card.
You can see three or four radio button options at the top of the application window: 'First Aid', 'Erase', 'Partition', 'Raid' and 'Restore'. You may also see an 'Unmount' button if you are running the El Capitan application. In this window, select 'Erase'
Step 6. Determine the format you want
Now you can see a drop-down menu that includes several formatting options.
- You have several options such as 'Mac OS Extended' (Journaled), 'Mac OS Extended' (Case-Sensitive Journaled), 'MS-DOS' (FAT), and 'exFAT'. ‘MS-DOS’ (FAT) is an option that can change the format of your card to FAT32. Meanwhile, the exFAT option will format your card to the exFAT file system format, so you can transfer or save files larger than 4 GB.
- Once you have selected the desired format, enter a name for your card.
Step 7. Click on 'Erase' to restore settings and format the card
Once you click on 'Erase', you can see a pop-up window asking if you really want to erase and format your card. The window also contains a warning explaining that the formatting process will delete all the files on the card. Click the 'Erase' button in the pop-up window.
Once you click 'Erase', your computer will format and delete all files from your card. Once the process is complete, your card will be displayed with a new name. Now your micro SD card has a new format
Tips
- Format the card if it stops working, or if you cannot access certain files stored on the card. In addition, often the formatting process that is done can solve technical problems that occur on the card.
- Always copy and save your files on another storage medium before you format the card as this will delete all the files on the card.
- For best results and reduce the risk of technical problems in the future, format your card via the device you are using instead of using a card reader if possible.
