How to Format SD Card to FAT32 on Mac [2024]

3 Simple Ways to Format SD Card to FAT32 on Mac [100% Work]

You might need to format SD card to FAT 32 on Mac for better compatibility. However, many Mac users often find themselves perplexed, uncertain of where to begin or how to execute this task. Don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will take you through each step, making it super easy. Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to explore other options, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s embark on the journey of formatting SD card to FAT 32 on Mac.

Part 1: Things before Formatting SD Card to FAT32 on Mac

Before we dive into formatting SD card to FAT32 on Mac, ensure you have taken the following preparations:

1.1 Perform Some Basic Checks

Before delving into formatting SD card to FAT32 on Mac, ensure you have taken the following preparations:

• If the SD card is write-protected, you need to locate the switch on the SD card and toggle it to disable write protection. Otherwise, you won’t be able to perform any operations on the SD card.
• Then, check whether your Mac has a built-in SD card slot. If not, consider using an SD card adapter or a memory card reader. Alternatively, you can insert the SD card into the camera. After opening the camera, connect it to your computer using a USB cable.
• As we know, formatting will erase all content on the SD card. Therefore,  make sure to back up important files to a secure location before formatting.

1.2 Recover Data from Formatted SD Card

Many Mac users regret formatting their SD card to FAT32 on Mac because they forget to back up the data to another storage device. However, there is hope. With 4DDiG Mac data recovvery, you can recover lost, hidden, formmatted, corrupted or deleted files in an eye of blink. Here is what it can do:

• Works with Macs and Mac-based devices, including SD cards, USB flash drives, external disks, and more.
• Recovers over 2000 file types, including documents, videos, photos, audio, etc.
• Impressive success rate and user-friendly interface.
• Allows users to preview lost files for free before recovery. Suitable for all data loss scenarios, including formatting, hardware failure, accidental deletion, system crashes, and virus attacks.

The steps on how to recover data from a formatted SD card with the help of 4DDiG Mac data recovery are as follows:

Step 1: Connect and Select Your SD Card

Install and launch the 4DDiG Mac data recovery tool on your Mac. Then, locate and select the formatted SD card from the home interface for scanning.

Step 2: Wait Patiently for the Scan

The program will scan your SD card thoroughly to find lost files. You can use the tree view or file view on the left panel to quickly find the files you need to recover.

Step 3: Recover Lost Files and Save

Before recovery, preview the selected files to confirm their integrity. Then, simply click the ‘Recover’ button to save them on your Mac.

Now, you are well-prepared. Let’s take a look at how to format SD card to FAT32 on Mac.

Part 2: 3 Ways to Format SD Card to FAT32 on Mac

2.1 Convert SD Card to FAT32 using Disk Utility

When you need to convert an SD card to FAT32 on Mac, we highly recommend using the built-in tool, Disk Utility. This method is not only free but also doesn’t require technical knowledge. Additionally, this powerful tool can be used for partitioning, managing disk images, and other disk-related tasks. Here is a guide on how to format SD card to FAT32 on Mac:

Step 1: Connect the SD card to your computer. Then, navigate to “Finder” ＞ “Applications” ＞ “Utilities” ＞ “Disk Utility.”

Step 2: Locate and select your SD card from the left panel.

Step 3: Click on the “Erase” button at the top of the Disk Utility window.

Step 4: In the format options, choose “ExFAT” or “MS-DOS (FAT)” as the format. Both of these formats are compatible with FAT32.

Step 5: Click the “Erase” button to proceed.

Step 6: Once the process is complete, eject your SD card properly.

2.2 Convert SD Card to FAT32 by Terminal

Tech-savvy users prefer formatting their SD cards to FAT32 using Terminal on Mac rather than using Disk Utility. The two tools are neither better nor worse; it’s just that Disk Utility provides a more user-friendly graphical interface. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Make sure the SD card is properly connected to your Mac.

Step 2: Press Command + Space, type “Terminal,” and hit the Enter key.

Step 3: Type the “diskutil list” command to list all connected drives. Then, identify your SD card based on its size and partition information.

Step 4: Enter the “diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX” command. In this step, you need to replace “/dev/diskX” with the appropriate identifier for your SD card. For instance, /dev/disk1.

Step 5: Use the “sudo newfs_msdos -F 32 /dev/diskX” command to format the SD card as FAT32. Replace “/dev/diskX” again.

Step 6: Allow the formatting process to be completed.

2.3 Convert SD Card to FAT32 with Third-party Tool

How to format SD card to FAT32 on Mac? Give SD Memory Card Formatter a try! This free tool is widely praised for its extensive compatibility and user-friendly interface. It is worth noting that if you are using a Mac equipped with Apple’s chip, you will need to install Rosetta additionally to run this program. To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of SD Association and download the tool for Mac.

Step 2: Insert the SD card into your Mac using an SD card reader. Then, install and open SD Memory Card Formatter.

Step 3: Select the SD card you want to format. Then, choose the formatting options you want.

Step 4: This tool will automatically choose the appropriate file system for you. So, you just need to click the ‘Format’ button.

Part 3: Why can’t I format SD card to FAT32 on Mac?

You may be puzzled by the question like ‘how to format 128GB SD card to FAT32 on Mac.’ In fact, Disk Utility may not offer FAT32 as a formatting option when your SD card is larger than 32 GB. This is beacause the FAT32 file system has a limitation related to the maximum size of a single partition it can support. So, when formatting an SD card larger than 32 GB, it’s recommended to choose a file system like exFAT or using the Terminal tool.

In addition, there are several reasons why you may not be able to format an SD card on Mac, including file system corruption, virus attack, physical damage, or bad sectors. If your SD card is only experiencing logical damage, you can easily fix the issue using the Disk Utility on Mac.

FAQs about Formatting SD Card to FAT32 on Mac

Q1: Is exFAT the same as FAT32?

Simple put, exFAT is an upgraded version of FAT32 with better support for large files and volumes. However, FAT32 has better compatibility with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Q2: How to check if my SD card is formatted as FAT32 on Mac?

To check the file system format of your SD card on Mac:

1. Insert the SD card.
2. Lauch Disk Utility by Finder.
3. Select the SD card from the left-hand list.
4. Check the “Format” field; if it says “MS-DOS (FAT)” or “FAT32,” the SD card is formatted as FAT32.

Final Words

Now, you have learned how to format an SD card to FAT32 on Mac. However, for SD cards with a capacity greater than 32GB, we recommend choosing a more advanced file system for formatting, such as exFAT or NTFS. If you have lost any important files due to formatting, Tenorshare 4DDiG can be a lifesaver. The user-friendly tool is designed to recover deleted/formatted files from SD cards of different brands.