How to Format SD Card on Mac

You would be asking the question "How to format SD card on Mac?" if you are finding trouble accessing the card. You might also be wondering why there is a need to format the card when it was working well until recently! The major reason for formatting or an operating system such as Mac asking for formatting the card is the corrupted file system. When the SD card misses the file system, the Mac fails to recognize the card and throws the message for formatting the card.

The method through which you can reuse the SD card is by reformatting. Reformatting helps fix the file system and allows you to customize the format you want to use for the SD card. The following are the reasons that cause corruption of the card in the first place:

• Frequent use of the card across different devices
• Improper handling during operation, such as removing the card before the transfer is complete
• You are prompted "'Media/Drive' is not formatted, would you like to format now?" when the memory card is connected to the computer
• Virus attack that erases files or corrupts the file system

If you are using Mac, you will ask the question, "how to format memory card on Mac?" Although the procedure looks simple, it is essential to follow the formatting steps and reuse it carefully.

Step-by-step Guide for How to Format SD Card on Mac

The excellent news about formatting your SD card on the Mac operating system is easy, and you do not need expensive software, as the process is part of the OS. As you can use an SD card in different devices, it is advisable to format in the device that you would be using. Nonetheless, formatting it on the Mac is also preferable.

Step 1: You can connect your SD card to the Mac in several ways. If you have the SD slot, you can insert it in the slot. If you are using a microSD card, use the SD card adapter and then insert it into the slot. If you do not have the slot, you can use the USB SD card reader.

Step 2: Open the "Applications" folder and navigate to the "Utilities" subfolder to open the "Disk Utility" application. Additionally, you can use the "Spotlight" to search for the app by entering its name.

Step 3: To the left side of the screen, you will notice the different drives present on your Mac, including the inserted SD card. You will find the card under the external section. If the file system is corrupt or not formatted before, you will see the SD card name as "UNTITLED" or "NO NAME". Selecting the drive will show you the capacity. Ensure that it matches the card's original storage.

Step 4: The answer to how to format Micro SD card on Mac is straightforward. As you selected the card, you can choose the "Erase" feature from the top of the functions list. You will notice a pop-up message stating that the process will delete all the contents on the card.

Step 5: You can specify the new name to the SD card and choose the format. You will have several file formats to pick from, and you must choose the one that suits your needs. If your card is 64GB or more, then ExFAT is the preferred format.

Step 6: Click "Erase" and wait for Mac to complete the format of the SD card. You will see a pop-up notification stating that the process is complete.

The process that we discussed here will help you format the SD card you are using at the cost of deleting the contents. If it has crucial data or files, then you will lose everything.

A better way to format the card and get back the deleted contents is by using iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac. The software uses the latest technologies and robust algorithms that function together to scan the formatted SD card to recover all the deleted data.

The undelete or unformat tool is a professional program and gives you the easiest method to recover files from the formatted SD card. Now that you learned how to format SD card on Mac know how beneficial it is to use the iBeesoft Data Recovery.

How to Recover Lost Data from Formatted SD Card on Mac

You can browse to the iBeesoft website on your Mac to download the data recovery software's trial copy. It is a standalone program and contains no virus. It does not pose a limitation on the recovery, and therefore, you can try recovering data to understand its performance.

Step 1: After installation, launch the software. The primary window shows you all the file formats that it can recover. You can proceed with all the file formats or tick only the essential one to recover vital files from the SD card quickly. After selection, press the "Start" button to recover deleted files from SD card on Mac

Step 2: The next window will show you all the internal and external drives on the Mac. It will also display the disk's properties, making it easy to select the SD card from the list. Now, choose the card and click the "Scan" button to allow the tool to look for recoverable files.

Step 3: The program will complete the scan for the selected file format and display the files organized according to their file system. You can choose a folder to view the contents, mark the required files, and click "Recover" to retrieve. Choose a location other than the SD card. You can further use the "Deep Scan" mode for retrieving additional files from the card. Remember that this process is time-consuming, as it scans sector-by-sector.