SD cards are considered to be highly reliable when it comes to storing data. They have the capability to store various types of files and are compatible with a wide range of devices.
Similar to any other storage device, SD cards can sometimes encounter errors that can affect their performance. To resolve this issue, users often rely on formatting the card.
Additionally, if you have recently purchased a new SD card, it may be necessary to format it before using it to make it compatible with your device.
If you are not familiar with the process of formatting an SD card on a Mac, you have come to the right place. Below, we provided useful instructions on how to format an SD card on a Mac.

Method 1: Format a Micro SD on Mac via Disk Utility
The quickest way to format a hard drive on your Mac is through the Disk Utility. On your Mac, the Disk Utility lets you manage and make changes on all the internal and external storage devices that are connected to the computer.
Follow the instructions below to get started.
Step 1
Use an SD card reader and insert it into the SD card slot on your Mac.
Step 2
Next, go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Step 3
From there, select the target SD card from the list, it will appear as either “No Name” or “Untitled.”
Step 4
Once the SD card is selected, tick Erase. After that, set a name for the card and choose a file system format. If your SD card has 32GB capacity, you can choose FAT32. If your card is higher than 64GB exFAT.

Step 5
Press Erase again to proceed. After a few minutes, you will see a notification that the formatting process is done.
- You May Also Read: Best Raspberry Pi SD Card Formatter Tools (Effective)
Method 2: Format an SD Card on Mac via the Command Line
Another way to format your SD card is through the Command Line on Mac. To use this method make sure that you know the name and format of the SD card, you will need during the process.
Step 1
Connect the SD card to your Mac, then search and open Terminal.
Step 2
Next, type in “$ diskutil list” and hit Enter, you then see a list of all storage devices connected to your computer.
Step 3
Type in “$ diskutil reformat disk2”, and replace disk2 with the name of the target SD card. This command will erase all the SD card content while keeping the current file system format.

Step 4
If you wish to change the file system format, type in this command: diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2.” Replace FAT32 with your desired format (see method 1, step 4), dev with the location of your SD card, and disk2 with the SD card name.
Step 5
After that, click Enter. Wait for the process to finish, then disconnect the SD card from the computer.
Sometimes, individuals unintentionally erase everything on their SD cards and forfeit all their vital documents and information. Experiencing such a loss is one of the worst scenarios we can imagine.
However, there is no reason to be alarmed as there are software applications available that are skilled at recovering deleted and formatted data from an SD card. To gain further insight, continue reading the following section.
Tip: The Best SD Card Recovery Tool for Mac
If you’re planning to restore files from your SD card, you must use a tool that can do the job properly. One of the best and most reliable data recovery software on the market today is 4DDiG Data Rescue.
This amazing program can effectively retrieve data from formatted SD cards and other storage devices such as hard drives, and flash drives. 4DDiG can still get your data back even if the SD card was formatted for weeks or months. This means that you can conveniently recover your data any time you want!

Apart from that, 4DDiG can restore any data type such as images, videos, documents, bookmarks, links, and more. It also supports numerous data formats like JPEG, MP4, MP3, DOCS, TXT, FLAC, OGG, etc. This feature ensures that no data will be corrupted during and after the process.
In addition, this SD card recovery software protects the integrity of your file. It will recover and retain the file’s original quality. There will be no cases of pixelated images, incomplete document information, or distorted audio. You will get back exactly what you lost, that’s a guarantee!
And if you’re having trouble using other data recovery tools due to their complicated process, then you’ll be pleased to know that 4DDiG offers the opposite.
This recovery software for Mac has an accessible interface that lets you see all the features and buttons easily. It’s made for both beginners and professionals. The whole formatting process only takes a few minutes. You will still have some spare time to do other stuff or bond with your friends.
If you want a program that can recover deleted files from a formatted SD card without any hassle, get 4DDiG now!
- You May Also Read: Quick Solutions: How to Recover A Formatted SD Card
Steps to Use 4DDiG on Mac
Follow all the steps indicated below to restore deleted files from your SD card.
Step 1
Hit the button below to download and install 4DDiG on your Mac.
Step 2
Next, use an SD card reader to connect the SD card to your Mac.
Step 3
Launch the program and on the main interface, select your SD card. On the floating window, choose the data types you want to recover, then press the Scan Selected File Types button.

Step 4
After the scan, locate and pick the files you wish to retrieve then click Recover. When the recovery is done, you may disconnect the SD card from the computer.
- You May Also Read: Recover Deleted Files from SD Card (Memory Card Recovery)
Final Thoughts
Take caution if you plan to format your SD card. Keep a copy of your files so you don’t have to deal with data loss. But, if the inevitable happens, you can always rely on 4DDiG to get your files back. This tool will restore your data without hassle and errors. Try it out!