SD Memory Card Formatter: When the SD card is not working properly

If the SD card is not working properly, the end device repeatedly displays error messages or does not save sufficiently, then the memory card does not have to be broken. Maybe you just need to format them to fix a formatting error. Taking my post too microSD memory cards for the GoPro MAX 360 ° camera pointed out such a problem to my reader Ewald. And he also showed the solution: the program SD Memory Card Formatter from the SD Association (SDA). This is an official and secure app for macOS on the Apple Mac and Windows on the PC, developed by Tuxera.

TL; DR: Click here to go directly to the program and download

SD Memory Card Formatter - better than Disk Utility

The SD Memory Card Formatter App for Mac and PC formats SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards and SDXC memory cards according to the specifications of the SD data system, which have been established by the SDA. The SDA also recommends using your own program over the preinstalled solutions under Apple macOS (hard disk utility) and Microsoft Windows. This is because these programs are mainly designed for hard drives and flash memories such as USB sticks. 

The Association's software, on the other hand, which was developed by Tuxera, is designed directly for SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, including those in micro format, of course. But regardless of whether SD or microSD - with encrypted cards (for example with BitLocker To Go under Windows) the encryption must first be canceled. You can find further requirements and the download below.

System requirements under macOS and Windows

As noted, the SD Memory Card Formatter is available for both large computer systems; for use with permanently installed card slots as well as with reading devices connected via USB (USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 and USB-C). In order to use it, however, you need administrator rights on the relevant system. Then you can run the app and of course format microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC in addition to the large cards mentioned above. The software is compatible with these operating system versions (as of June 25, 2020):

Apple Mac, iMac, MacBook

• Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
• Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
• Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
• Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
• Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
• macOS 10.12Sierra
• macOS 10.13 High Sierra
• macOS 10.14 Mojave
• macOS 10.15 Catalina

Windows PC and laptop

• Windows 7 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 8 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1511 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1607 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1703 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1709 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1803 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1809 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1903 (32/64-bit)
• Windows 10 Version 1909 (32/64-bit)

SD Memory Card Formatter - Official Download

As mentioned so many times here in the blog, you should only download apps from the App Store or directly from the developers' websites. Because with download portals (Softonic, CHIP, etc.) you often get additional programs that nobody needs, and sometimes even malware in the form of advertising garbage or even viruses / Trojans. That's why the SD Memory Card Formatter relies on the official download from the SDA website: Here you go right there. How you can also use other programs that you can download from the Internet to ensure that you don't put any nonsense on the hard drive you read that in this guide.

These SD errors and error messages can be eliminated

An SD and microSDmemory card can be used in various devices: digital camera, DSLR or SLR camera, action cam, 360° camera, Android smartphone and tablet, Raspberry Pi computer, Nintendo Switch, as Memory expansion in the MacBook and so on. Depending on the type and location of use, various errors can appear or formatting errors can be interpreted differently. Here are a few errors and error messages that you can eliminate by formatting the memory card (if the card is not physically damaged and is therefore actually inoperable):

• SD card was removed unexpectedly
• SD card is damaged, you may need to reformat your card
• Read error or write error or read / write error on the SD card
• SD card empty / SD card cannot be written to
• SD card has an unsupported system
• The SD card is not formatted
• SD ERR or NO SD as error messages in GoPro cameras
• The microSD card is not recognized / not displayed (in mobile phone, camera, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
• Recordings abort, videos are not completely saved
• Devices or individual functions / apps crash
• Only a fraction of the actually available memory is used

Further memory card advice from Sir Apfelot

Here in the blog you will find many more articles, instructions and advice on the subject of memory cards in SD and microSD format. In my purchase advice you can read, for example, why I only advise SanDisk models. I also go into the right storage media for various devices such as cameras, consoles, but also drones. You will find a lot of advice, tips, instructions and test reports here, especially on DJI drone models. A small selection on the topic:

• SD card designations: What are Class, SDHC, SDXC, UHS, I, A, V and Co.?
• Buying an SD card - you should pay attention to these points!
• What is a TF card?
• The right memory cards for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite
• The right SD card for the DJI Mavic Air 2

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.