Locate the SD card in the Disk Utility from the left sidebar and click "Erase." Open the Application folder on Mac's dock and then click on "Utilities" (found inside Disk Utilities). Connect the SD card to the Mac using the SD card slot or an SD card adapter. Using the Disk Utility ApplicationĪfter choosing the correct file system, follow the simple steps below to format your SD card with Disk Utility: The ExFat, FAT, and NTFS format types are broadly compatible with other devices. 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. These are USB SD card reader with a slot for standard SD cards. Some Macs do not have an SD card reader - In which case, you'd have to purchase something called an SD card adapter. Do not select any of the OS X Extended versions as this may cause the SD card incompatible with other devices.Ĭheck If There Is a Card Slot on Your Mac
If your SD card is smaller than 64GB or your Mac OS is Snow Leopard or earlier, choose MS-DOS (FAT). If your SD card is 64GB or larger, and you are running Mac OS Lion or later, you can select ExFat. The option you choose depends on the size of the SD card and Mac OS version. 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). Finally, make sure the SD card's switch is unlocked. You should do this because all the content of an SD card gets wiped clean after formatting. 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.īefore heading on to format your SD card, you need to back up all the content of the SD card. What You Should Check Before Formatting an SD Card on Mac
(Compared to a QUICK Format, a FULL OVERWRITE will take a longer time to format the card but this will ensure proper full formatting).Part 1: What You Should Check Before Formatting an SD Card on Mac The following window will open:ĥ: Select FULL (OverWrite) and press OK. It should look like below:ģ: Please ensure that the Drive is pointing to the one belongs to the memory card.Ĥ: Click on Option.
Go to and follow the instructions to download and install the program.Ģ: Launch the SD Card Formatter.
If the windows format tool is unable to perform the format you can try using this tool SD Formatter 4.0
Press the reset, if available, to refresh the internal memory before placing the card back in the camera.Ĭheck card lock tab on SD card, note if lock is sliding freely or with resistance. Please be aware that a slow format will take longer on larger SD cards and will also depend on you PC’s specificationsĦ: Once the SD card has been formatted, put the card back into your RoadHawk camera …while a quick format is handy, it does not always remove bad data which a full format can. (hold Windows key + press E for Windows 8 users and above).Ģ: Put the SD Card into your computer by using an SD card readerģ: When you plug the card in you will see a box like this:Ĥ: Right click on the icon and click on “Format” to open the tool.ĥ: Ensure that the settings are correct for the card you are formatting and un-tick the quick format. Great for routine maintenance of the card and after long recording sessions,Ĭhoose Format SD card option in the RoadHawk software and select relevant card size.Ĭlose the RoadHawk software before ejecting the SD Cardġ: Go to your Start Button (bottom left of windows) and click on “computer” or “my computer” We recommend exploring the card (Windows explorer / MAC Finder) and saving any wanted footage before proceeding because this format process will wipe the SD card of all data. Please ensure your camera Firmware is up to date – This is automatically done via the RoadHawk software for your camera model.