SD card formatting could go wrong in several ways. I occasionally format an SD card on my Mac, and I'd always look out for the correct file system format. A wrong choice of file system during formatting will definitely create an error and render your device incompatible with other devices.
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Although there are quite some options to choose from such as MS-DOS (FAT), ExFat, OS X Extended (Journaled), etc., it is recommended to stick with the ExFat; since this format is compatible with most devices. Once I attempted formatting an SDXC card using my MacBook, but now I know better. I'll explain more about how to format your SD card for Mac in a while.
Method 1. Using the Disk Utility Application
Method 2. Downloading a Free SD Card Formatter
First of all, just download and install AweEraser for Mac on your MacBook/MacBook Air/MacBook Pro, and run this software from Launchpad. You will see three options, you can choose the mode 2 – 'Erase Hard Drive' to help you format/erase hard drive on MacBook/MacBook Air/MacBook Pro.
What You Should Check Before Formatting an SD Card on Mac
It is best to format your SD card using the formatting function of the device you intend to use with - Especially, if your SD card is either an SDHC or SDXC; both of which are not recommended to get formatted on a Mac.
Before heading on to format your SD card, you need to back up all the content of the SD card. You should do this because all the content of an SD card gets wiped clean after formatting. Finally, make sure the SD card's switch is unlocked.
SUBSCRIBE more videos are coming!Stay Tuned: How to Format SD Card on Mac How to. Visit the SD Association’s website and download SD Formatter 4.0 for either Windows or Mac. Follow the instructions to install the software. Insert your SD card into the computer or laptop’s SD card reader and make a note of the drive letter allocated to it, e.g. G:/ In SD Formatter, select the drive letter for your SD card and format it. Steps to restore data from formatted MacBook Pro: Step 1: Install demo version of the software on your MacBook Pro and launch the software. Software will show a main screen with three options as illustrated in figure 1. Click on 'Recover Volumes/Drives' option. NTFS is a commonly used file format for Windows systems and external devices. The format is not used for the internal hard drives in Mac. Thus, if you wish to format NTFS on Mac, then you must be using an external storage unit. For instance, you might wish to format as SD card, pen drive, external hard disk, etc. With an existing NTFS format.
Check Your SD Card Format Type
There are several formats in which an SD card can get formatted including MS-DOS (FAT), ExFat, OS X Extended (Journaled), OS X Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled), OS X Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) and OS X Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted).
The option you choose depends on the size of the SD card and Mac OS version. If your SD card is 64GB or larger, and you are running Mac OS Lion or later, you can select ExFat. If your SD card is smaller than 64GB or your Mac OS is Snow Leopard or earlier, choose MS-DOS (FAT). Do not select any of the OS X Extended versions as this may cause the SD card incompatible with other devices.
Check If There Is a Card Slot on Your Mac
Some Macs do not have an SD card reader - In which case, you'd have to purchase something called an SD card adapter. These are USB SD card reader with a slot for standard SD cards.
How to Format an SD Card on Mac
Memory For Macbook Pro
It is vital to choose a correct file system format when formatting an SD card because a wrong format type could render the SD card incompatible with other devices. The ExFat, FAT, and NTFS format types are broadly compatible with other devices.
Method 1. Using the Disk Utility Application
After choosing the correct file system, follow the simple steps below to format your SD card with Disk Utility:
Step 1. Connect the SD card to the Mac using the SD card slot or an SD card adapter.
Step 2. Open the Application folder on Mac's dock and then click on 'Utilities' (found inside Disk Utilities).
Step 3. Locate the SD card in the Disk Utility from the left sidebar and click 'Erase.'
Mac Memory Card
Step 4. Cad like software free. Rename the SD card.
Step 5. Free voice recording software windows 7. Select ExFat format if it's not already selected, click 'Erase' and wait for the formatting process to get completed.
Step 6. Once the formatting gets completed, press, 'Done.'
Step 7. Navigate to the renamed card at the left sidebar and press the Eject button.
Now, your SD card will get wiped clean and ready for use.
Method 2. Downloading a Free SD Card Formatter
Apart from taking advantage of Disk Utility, there's an alternative method to format an SD card on your Mac, that is using the SD Card Formatter provided by SD Association. It's a free application and will make sure the memory card is formatted correctly and ready for use. Besides, SD Card Formatter is really simple to use with just a single sreen:
Step 1. At the top, select the SD card you want to format.
Step 2. Download media player for macbook. Choose which format option you prefer to use.
There are two options: Quick format and Overwrite format. The default option is Quick format and, in most cases, this will format the SD card well. But If your card is showing signs of damaged data and you want a deep clean, Overwrite format is the better choice.
Step 3. Rename your SD card, then complete the format process.
Bonus: Best Software to Recover Data from Formatted SD Card on Mac
The above two methods will help you format the SD/Micro SD card quickly, but sometimes you may accidentally formatted or reformatted a card, and what's worse, you don't have a back up of the data. Fortunately, now you can fully recover the data by a smart data recovery software called AnyRecover. iMyFone AnyRecover is a powerful tool to restore files in all data loss situations, inluding accidentally formatted SD card.
How To Format Macbook Pro
Features of iMyFone AnyRecover:
It is an all-in-one data recovery tool working seamlessly with from MacBook, iMac, Hard Drives, Virtual Disk, Flash Drives, Memory Cards, Mobile Phones, Cameras, Camcorders, etc.
AnyRecover handles any data loss scenario including accidentally deleted data, partition error, emptied trash, and so on.
It addresses all kinds of lost files: Documents, Emails, Photos, Videos, etc.
It allows you to preview files before recovery and recover files selectively.
Conclusion
We've discussed all you need to know about formatting an SD card on Mac. After reading this guide, you can easily format your SD card on any Mac, and do not need to worry about data loss as the all-inclusive recovery solution - AnyRecover can help. If something is still not clear in this guide, do leave a comment under here, and we will be glad to respond to you.
SD cards are the ultimate little lifesavers in extending the storage space on your smart devices. But, you’ll need to format an SD card on your Mac before you can use it.
We’ll take a look at the steps needed to do this, so you can get back to work. The steps are pretty simple, and require just your SD card and the Disk Utility app. Luckily, Disk Utility is already included with macOS.
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Contents
How To Format Memory Card On Macbook Pro 2020
Related:
These ultra-tiny flash memory cards are used primarily for extra iPhone and camera storage. It’s important to note that you will want to back up any of the files that are already on your SD card. After the formatting process is completed, the card will be completely wiped clean and the files will be deleted.
How to format an SD card on Mac
Once your SD or micro SD card has been backed up, you will be ready to format the storage device. Here are the steps to make it happen:
- Insert the SD card into the slot on your Mac.
- Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities.
- Open Disk Utility.
- In the sidebar, select the SD card that you are trying to format.
- At the top of Disk Utility, press Erase.
After you have pressed the Erase button in Disk Utility, the app will ask you to rename the SD card. Do this, and then tap the Erase button in the bottom right-hand corner.
Additionally, there is a section that asks you which format you want the SD card to be formatted in. We recommend switching this format option to ExFAT if it’s not already selected.
From here, Disk Utility will work its magic and will format your SD card. Once it is completed, you will want to press the “Done” button in the bottom right-hand corner.
Now, you might be a bit excited to have this finished, but don’t just go pulling out the SD card yet. Instead, find the formatted card in the sidebar on the left and press the eject button. Doing so will ensure that something doesn’t get broken, which will usually need a reformat before the card will properly work again.
What if I don’t have an SD card slot?
After Apple decided to redesign the MacBook Pro lineup in 2016, this meant the death of the SD card slot. Most MacBook models previous to this iteration have the slot built into the side, but if not you’ll need an extra piece.
Depending on which version of the Mac you own, you will need to get a USB SD card reader. These are relatively inexpensive, again, depending on which model Mac you are trying to use this with.
How To Format Memory Card On Macbook Pro 2016
What’s next?
After you have completed the steps above, your SD card will be wiped clean, and can then be used for any application that you seem fit. Whether that’s to use it in a digital camera, build a Raspberry Pi system, or any other project that you want to complete.
If you run into issues, let us know in the comments below, and we’ll be sure to help figure out what’s going on. This is a pretty straightforward process, but you’ll need to follow the steps correctly, as Disk Utility can also wipe other connected hard drives.
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.