When to Format and When to Reformat
In everyday terms, format and reformat mean the same things. The difference is “format” refers to the first time an SD card is formatted, while “reformat” refers to the subsequent times the SD card is formatted. In technology terms, format and reformat have slightly different meanings. SD cards, like all types of removable disks and other media, need to be formatted before they’ll work as a form of storage. This formatting process creates a file system, or directory structure, to store files. When the SD card is formatted a second time, the formatting uses the same file system but deletes the files. SD cards are reformatted to change the type of file system used by the card. For example, an SD card from a Windows PC needs to be reformatted to work on a Mac computer. Here’s when you should consider formatting or reformatting an SD card:
If you take a lot of pictures and regularly delete or transfer these images to your computer, format the SD card once a month or so. Regular formatting keeps your SD card operating at peak performance and reduces the chance of your files becoming corrupted. If you encounter a problem or receive an error message when using the SD card, the SD card may have a corrupted file system or a computer virus. Format the SD card to restore it to its original state. If you want to give the SD card to someone else, format it twice and be sure your files cannot be recovered. Format the SD card, fill it with public domain images, and format it again. Or reformat the SD card if the other person uses a different operating system.
How to Format Camera SD Card
The most efficient way to format the camera SD card is with your camera. The camera’s formatting process minimizes the chance of errors.
How to Format the SD Card in Your Android
Many Android phones, tablets, and cameras have a microSD card. If the SD card shows signs of problems, format the SD card with your Android device.
How to Reformat SD Card Using Windows
When you want to reformat an SD card to change the file system type, insert the SD card into your Windows computer and perform a high-level format.
