How to Format a SD Card on Mac?

If your SD card memory is full or keeps getting errors, it's time to format it. However, getting a virus on your Mac could cause unwanted problems. MacKeeper is an all-around cybersecurity app. Its Antivirus tool scans your device for viruses and malware in real time, all year round, which makes it difficult to hack.

System Requirements: macOS 10.11 or later

60+ million downloads

i

AV-TEST certified

AV-TEST is an independent lab that checks the effectiveness of antivirus apps against real malware samples.

i

Notarized by Apple

Notarization by Apple is a security measure to check if software is free from malicious components.

i

Trustpilot is an independent digital platform that hosts insightful and honest consumer reviews.

How to Format a SD Card on Mac?
Written by   Aya Masango
Updated: June 06, 2025

Whether you’re a digital creator, a professional photographer, or a beginning designer, your digital (SD) cards must stay in tip-top shape for you to be both productive and successful.

 

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve used your SD card, so you must format it before doing anything else. Or, maybe your reason is a bit different. Below are the instances when you’ll have to format a SD card:

  • You want to gift it to someone else
  • You’ve dug up your SD card to put it to good use again
  • You keep getting errors on your SD card
  • To keep it working optimally
  • Your memory is full
  • Before using it for a big project
  • To reformat your SD card on Mac.

A note from our experts: 

 

Getting a virus on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air could cause unwanted problems, including SD card errors. That’s why it’s important to keep your Mac free of viruses and malware.  Mackeeper's Antivirus tool scans your Mac for threats in real time, also continues to run in the background without interrupting you as you work.

 

Here’s how to use MacKeeper’s Antivirus:

  1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
  2. Select Antivirus in the left pane.
  3. Click the Start Scan button.
  4. Wait for MacKeeper to finish scanning your Mac. Once it’s done, you can either delete any malware found or move it to quarantine.
to keep your MacBook safe and avoid unpredictable malfunctioning, use a reliable protection. Run MacKeeper and select Antivirus from the left sidebar, and click Start Scan.
Step 1. MacKeeper > Antivirus > Start Scan
Delete viruses or malware that were found or move them to quarantine using the on-screen instructions.
Step 2. Delete or move to quarantine any viruses found

Whatever the reason for wanting to format your SanDisk, there are various ways to go about it. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the methods to clear your SD card on Mac. Let’s get started.

Using Disk Utility app

Before completely erasing your memory card on Mac, you’ll have to find it first. In this section, we’ll focus on Mac’s Disk Utility app. It’s part of the Mac's operating system, so it should already be on your Mac.

  1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Alternatively, you can find and open it via Mac’s Spotlight search.
  2. When Disk Utility is open, find your SD card on the left side of the screen and select it. If you’ve never formatted it before or if you haven’t given it a name, it’ll be named No Name or Untitled.
  3. Make sure you’ve selected the right SD card by checking that the information on the screen matches up with what you know. For example, is the storage in line with that of the SD card you want to format? If it shows a different value, you’ve probably inserted the wrong SD card.
  4. Once you’ve confirmed that you’ve got the right SD card, click the Erase button at the top of the screen.
  5. You’ll be asked to enter the Name of the SD card before it’s erased. You don’t have to do this; it just helps you identify your SD card on your Apple device. To rename your SD card, enter a short, simple name in the text box. Next is the Format field, which will already be populated. Use the drop-down arrow to choose the filesystem format (note that MacBook devices running OS X 10.6.6 or older won’t support exFat).
  6. Once you’ve made your selection, click the Erase button and wait a few moments while your SD cleans. When it’s done clearing, you’ll be notified, and your SD card will be ready for use.
Before formatting an SD card, first, you have to find it on your Mac.  In Finder, go to Applications, select Utilities, and press Disk Utility. Then find your SD card on the left side of the screen of the Disk Utility tab.
Step 1. Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility
When you are sure this is the right SD card, press Erase at the top of the window.
Step 2. Click Erase
You have to add an SD card's name before formatting it, and click Erase.
Step 3. Add a name if prompted > click Erase

Want to view hidden files? Learn how to show hidden files on Mac.

Using SD Card Formatter

Your next option for formatting your SD card is using the SD Card Formatter app. This is a free app from the SD Association, which is responsible for SD card designs and controls.  

 

So, if you’re worried about the risks of using a third-party app to tamper with your USB, you’re in good hands, as the app supports SD card specifications. The app is simple to use, and we’ll walk you through it.

 

Follow the steps below to use SD Card Formatter to reset your SD card on Mac:

  1. Download SD Card Formatter for Mac and open the app.
  2. Starting at the top, use the arrows to select your SD card.
  3. Select either Quick format (frees up space while maintaining the raw data) or Overwrite (wipes all the data permanently, leaving your SD card empty). Once that's done, click the Format button.
You may like to use SD Card Formatter to reset your SD card on a Mac. Download and open the app. Select your SD card. Select Quick format (to free up space while maintaining the raw data or Overwrite to wipe all the data permanently. Click the Format button to start the process.

The SD Card Formatter app might be a quicker and more convenient option, as it’s straightforward, with just one screen. It only shows you SD card options, so you don’t accidentally erase the wrong drive.

 

Want to take your photography skills to the next level? Check out the best Mac apps for photo editing.

Using Terminal

Your final option for formatting your SD card is using command lines in Mac’s Terminal app. We know Terminal can be intimidating to some people, so we’ll guide you step by step to simplify the process. Just ensure you follow the instructions carefully to avoid making mistakes and possibly erasing the wrong SD card.

 

Make sure your SD card is inserted in your Mac and follow the steps below to format your SD card on Mac using Terminal.

  1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  2. Type the command: diskutil list and hit Enter.
  3. You’ll see a list with the drives on your system. Identify your SD card (Hint: look for the disk with the storage size of your SD card. In the screenshot, the SD card is disk2 with 15.8GB storage).
  4. To format your SD card without changing the same file system, enter the command: diskutil reformat disk2 and hit Enter. To format the SD card and change the file system, enter the command: sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2 and press Enter.
  5. When the SD card is done formatting, you can confirm the process was successful by entering the command: diskutil list and pressing the Enter key.
Alternatively, you can use Terminal to format your SD card. Open Terminal and enter the command: diskutil list, press Enter, and select your SD card.
Step 1.  Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal > enter the command ‘diskutil list’ >  hit Enter > select your SD card
Once you did it, enter one of the commands: 'diskutil reformat disk2' to format your SD card without changing the same file system or ‘sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2’ to format the SD card and change the file system. Hit Enter.
Step 2. Enter in of the commands: ‘diskutil reformat disk2’ or ‘sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2’ > hit Enter

Format your SD card safely on Mac

Working with hard drives can be tricky because a simple mistake can destroy your disk. But if you follow the methods from this article, you’ll safely and successfully format your micro SD card in Disk Utility, the SD Card Formatter app, or Terminal.  

 

Whatever you do, never neglect to use effective antivirus software. MacKeeper’s Antivirus tool protects your Mac in real-time, all year, while you work. This saves you time, money, and the risk of having your Mac hacked and your personal information subsequently exposed.

Use your Mac to the fullest! Sign up and get:
Effective tips on how to fix Mac issues
Reliable advice on how to stay safe online
Mac-world news and updates

Thank you!

You’ll love exploring your Mac with us.

Oops, something went wrong.

Try again or reload a page.

Here’s another sign you need to upgrade your macOS ASAP:

30% off your MacKeeper subscription

Сopy the code now and use it in the MacKeeper checkout after the upgrade.

Copy Code

Please be aware that this code cannot be combined with any other discounts, offers, or promotions.

Contents

Unlocked

Using an old SD card? Protect your Mac with MacKeeper’s Antivirus.

Try now
PC

MacKeeper - your all-in-one solution for more space and maximum security.

Try Now

Read more

How to Convert PNG to JPG on Mac
How to Convert PNG to JPG on Mac
How to Download iTunes on Mac
How to Download iTunes on Mac
arrow

Run Application

step_1

Click Continue

step_2

Click Install

step_1

Your macOS version is lower than OS 10.11. We’d like to offer you MacKeeper 4 to solve the cleaning, privacy, and security issues of your macOS.