Door Zach Lazzari Updated January 29, 2019
If you use your device's SD card to store images, audio files, documents, and even email messages, your SD card may contain files that are hidden. A simple click and delete process is sufficient for most applications, but does not guarantee that the files will be permanently deleted. In some cases, a recovery process can still bring them back to life. Make sure it is completedry SD cardsto delete sensitive information.
If you want to completely erase SD card and delete both visible and hidden data, format it without using Quick Format feature. Microsoft Windows can perform this task, but you will need an SD card reader to connect the card to your computer.
Micro SD vs SD Card
Micro SD and regular SD cards serve the same purpose, but they have different sizes. Both are storage devices with different capacity ratings. The Micro SD and SD card can both hold an impressive amount of data.
The SD card fits into the SD port of your standard computer and acts as the standard format used by ports and readers. Digital cameras and camcorders use SD cards to store your photos and videos. They are quickly and easily transferred to a computer port where you can access this information.
Micro SD cards are especially popular in cameras and camcorders. Action and other small format camcorders use these cards regularly. Transferring information to a computer remains simple. You can place the micro version in an adapter that plugs into any standard SD card port. You also have the option to connect most devices directly to your computer with a USB cable.
PC formatting to remove
Deleting the files on your PC only removes them from view and does not delete the data completely. You need to format the SD card to erase everything. Fortunately, the process is very simple on a PC.
Insert the SD card into the SD card reader. Windows will detect the SD card as an external storage device and assign it a drive letter. Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Computer" to launch the native Windows file manager.
Locate the drive assigned to your SD card by Windows, right-click on it and select "Format" from the drop-down menu. Disable the Quick Format option to ensure everything is deleted. Click "Start" to begin erasing and formatting the SD card. This may take some time depending on the size of the card.
Format SD card on MAC
The process for MAC systems is different than for PC, but it remains very simple and straightforward. Open your disk utility to start the process. If you don't know where to use this feature, search through your magnifying glass to find the program.
Go ahead and locate the SD card and click on it in Disk Utility. click onTo deleteoption to activate a drop-down menu of delete options. At this point, most people will just do a simple removal. It will not permanently delete all data from SD card.
ClickFormatdan VET ofeFATdepending on the option available. Finally, clickTo deleteto completely erase the SD card. The process will take some time on entire cards with large video and audio files. Be patient and wait a few seconds for the computer to do thisErase SD carddata complete.
FAQs
In Windows: Open File Manager, right-click your SD card, select Format, choose a file system and click Start. In macOS: Open Disk Utility, select your SD card, click Erase, select your desired format, and click Erase.
How do you securely erase a microSD card? ›
How do you securely erase an SD card? To secure erase an SD card, you can just wipe its storage a few times or use a dedicated data shredder tool. This will make sure that your data won't be recovered later on.
Does formatting a SD card delete everything? ›
Yes, formatting an SD card deletes everything. Therefore, in order to format an SD card without erasing data, you must first back up the data.. The answer is Yes. The SD memory card or USB flash drive asks you to format it if you want to keep the data.
How do I deep clean my SD card? ›
How to Clean Memory Cards?
- Step 1 – Use a compressed air duster or a camera lens blower to get rid of any loose dust and tiny sand particles.
- Step 2 – Dip a foam bud into +90% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and use it to gently clean the connectors. ...
- Step 3 – Wipe the rest of the card using the same isopropyl alcohol.
Formatting permanently erases all data on the SD / memory card.
- Insert the SD / memory card into the computer's internal card reader. ...
- Open. ...
- From Windows Explorer, locate then right-click the appropriate removable storage drive.
- Click. ...
- From the "Format" screen, ensure that the following options are configured as desired:
A quick format will mark an SD card as empty, but not erase anything. A full/complete format or a secure erase will also overwrite any data on the SD card, rendering it unrecoverable.
How do you remove stuff off your SD card? ›
You can clear an SD card by formatting it, which is the best way to free up space on a card. To format an SD card, you can use the File Explorer app on a PC, or the Disk Utility app on a Mac. If you get an error message when trying to clear the SD card, its "write-protect" tab might be locked.
Why is my SD card full after deleting everything? ›
The data you deleted from the SD card and moved to the Trash is not really erased, but it will still occupy storage space on the SD card. This is one of the reasons why the SD card says full, but you won't be able to find any files on it.
How do you physically destroy a micro SD card? ›
The best way to destroy the SD Card is to smash it and burn the pieces. You can also Deep Scratch the Memory Card. Data contained on the card is not destroyed by simply scratching the card surface, you have to do it properly. But first, you should take the backup of all your data to another location to avoid data loss.
How to factory reset micro SD card? ›
Performing a Factory Reset Using microSD Card
- Copy the Factory Reset zip file to the root of the microSD card. Copy the zip file to a microSD card using a host computer and then installing the microSD card into the device. ...
- Press and hold. Power. ...
- Touch. Restart. ...
- Press and hold. P3. ...
- Press. + ...
- Press. Power. ...
- Press. + ...
- Press. Power.
Can you erase and reuse SD cards? Yes, you can erase (format) your SD card and use it again as a fresh SD card. Formatting your card means emptying it from the inside removing all the available data to make it look like a fresh-out-of-the-box SD card.
Can a SD card be erased? ›
Tip 2: Erase SD Card in Disk Management
Another way to delete the SD card is Disk Management.
What format to choose when erasing SD card? ›
Open the “Disk Utility” application (can be found in the “Utilities” folder). Select your SD card from the list on the left and then click “Erase”. From the format drop-down menu, choose your desired file system (usually choose MS-DOS (FAT) for FAT32, or ExFAT for SD cards larger than 32GB) and then click “Erase”.
Should I wipe my SD card? ›
It is a good idea to format your memory card occasionally to prevent file errors from building up. You may also want to format when you buy a new card, or when you switch a card from one camera to another, especially if the cameras are different brands.
Does factory reset erase SD card? ›
located in your internal storage device. For devices that support external memory, a Factory data reset will not delete data saved to an SD card. As such, when selling or transferring ownership of your device, make sure to disconnect your account and remove your SD card.
How do I clear internal storage on my SD card? ›
Android - Samsung
- From any Home screen, select Apps.
- Select My Files.
- Select Device storage.
- Navigate inside your device storage to the files you want to move to your external SD card.
- Select MORE, then select Edit.
- Place a check next to the files you wish to move.
- Select MORE, then select Move.
- Select SD memory card.
Can you erase and reuse SD cards? Yes, you can erase (format) your SD card and use it again as a fresh SD card.
