How to Format SD Card for Switch [What Format You Need]

A microSD card is the best way to increase the memory capacity of your Switch. With only 32 GB of internal storage, the Nintendo Switch makes it difficult to enjoy a variety of games. Popular handhelds and gaming consoles require microSD cards to expand their storage. However, users often get confused whether they need to format an SD card for Switch or not.

Ideally, you shouldn't need to format your SD card for the Switch. However, if the card has been used previously, or it's in a file format that the Switch doesn't support, formatting is recommended. This will delete all previous data on the card, so backing it up is important.

Before using an SD card for your Switch, let's first go through its different format details. We'll also show you how to format an SD card for Switch on devices like PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch itself.

What kind of SD card does the Nintendo Switch use?

You'll need to format the card if you've used it before, or if it has a file system that the Switch doesn't support. The Switch only supports SD cards formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Before formatting your ideal SD card for the Switch, it's important to know the size and type of the card you have.

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The Nintendo Switch supports only one type of external storage: a micro SD card. These can be from brands like Sony, Samsung, SanDisk, or Passport. The Switch is compatible with the following SD cards:

• Up to 2 GB microSD card
• Up to 4 GB to 32 GB microSDHC card
• 64 GB or higher capacity microSDXC card

A MicroSD card with Ultra High-Speed Class 1 (UHS-1) compatibility and data transfer speeds of 60-95 MB/s might be your best bet for the Switch.

Should I format my Switch microSD card as exFAT or FAT32?

What file formats does the Nintendo Switch support? Currently, the Nintendo Switch's SD card format should be FAT32 or exFAT. Additionally, if you have formatted your SD card to the exFAT file system, you will need to update your Switch and download the relevant drivers.

How do I format an SD card for my Switch on a computer?

Having gone through some basic information about Switch SD card formatting, such as the type of SD card and supported file formats, we now delve into the different ways to format it. Using a PC for your Switch offers an ultimate gaming experience, so we'll explore various methods to format the SD card on a PC. These methods include:

• tools Partition Master Free Edition 17.0
• Use File Explorer
• Use Disk Management

tools Partition Master Free Edition

tools Partition Master Free is a free partition management tool with an all-in-one solution. It can clone your operating system and other data to another SSD or HDD. It supports various operating systems, including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

Some of its astounding features make it an ideal choice to format Switch SD card, which include:

• Resize disk space, create new partitions, merge partitions, and manage hard drives.
• Convert file systems from NTFS to FAT32.
• Maximize disk performance with optimization and cleanup for hard drives, external drives, USB devices, etc.
• Offer both a free trial and a paid version with advanced features.

Step 1: Right-click the partition on your SD card that you wish to format and select “Format…”

Step 2: Set a new label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT) and cluster size for the selected partition, then click "OK".

Step 3: Click "Yes" in the dialog box that appears to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Do It Now" button on the toolbar, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting the SD card.

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Use File Explorer

One of the easiest ways to format an SD card on a Windows PC is through File Explorer, which gives Windows users quick access to different files they need. To format your SD card for the Switch using this method on your PC, follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect the SD card to your computer.

Step 2. Open File Explorer or This PC, and look for your SD card under the “Devices with Removable Storage” section.

Step 3. Right-click the "SD Card" option and select "Format."

Step 4. Choose the file format and then click on the "Start" button.

Select file system and format

Utilize Disk Management

The third way to format an SD card is through Disk Management. This is a built-in Windows app used for managing both internal and external storage. It lets you easily create new partitions, defragment a disk, format an SD card, and more. Here's a quick rundown on how to format a Switch SD card using Disk Management:

Step 1: Look for the "Disk Management" option in the Taskbar.

Step 2: Typing the command diskmgmt.msc in the Run prompt is straightforward.

Step 3: Connect the SD card to your system and right-click on the "SD Card" option to format it.

Step 4. Choose the file system for your formatted SD card, and then confirm the format.

## Format an SD Card for Switch on a Mac

After learning how to quickly format a Switch microSD card on a Windows PC, let's discuss the solution for Mac devices. The easiest method is to use the Disk Utility app. This is a built-in application that allows for detailed management of connected devices and the internal drives of your Mac. You can perform various functions with this app, such as formatting SD cards and repairing them. Here are quick steps to use the Disk Utility app on your Mac:

Step 1: Open Disk Utility on your Mac.

Step 2. Select the connected SD card from the options and click on “Erase.” You can name your SD card and choose its format here.

How do I format an SD card on a Nintendo Switch?

After going through the detailed steps of formatting a Switch SD card for PC and Mac users, many might be looking for the same process on the Nintendo Switch console itself. While it's not as straightforward as formatting on a Mac or Windows PC, you can still achieve it by following these steps:

Step 1. Open the SD card slot on the back of the Nintendo Switch, and insert the SD card.

Step 2. Go to the Nintendo Switch system settings

Step 3: Select the option to format your microSD card.

Select Format microSD Card

Step 4. Click on the “Continue” option.

Select the "Continue" option

Last Words

By now, you should have a clear idea about the details of an SD card and the multiple methods to format SD card for Switch. All the steps outlined in the article will help you get the job done. Don't forget that AOMEI Partition Assistant Free is a perfect alternative that supports more users. Hope you have had a full understanding of the tool from all angles.

"Frequently Asked Questions about Formatting SD Cards"

After going through the detailed guide on how to format an SD card on Switch, you might still have some questions. That's why we've prepared a quick FAQ list with relevant inquiries:

1. What file formats does the Nintendo Switch support?

As of now, the Nintendo Switch should format the SD card as FAT32 or exFAT. If your SD card is formatted with the exFAT file system, you'll need to update your Switch and download the appropriate drivers.

Formatting an SD card for the Switch is easy. You just need to check whether it needs to be formatted. If it doesn't, you can use it in your Nintendo Switch right away. If it does, you can format it using any of the methods above.

2. Should I format my new microSD card before using it?

It's recommended that you format a new microSD card to delete any existing files that might be on it. If your microSD card is full and you want to reuse it, formatting it can help free up space and reduce issues with the card becoming damaged. However, it's best to make a quick backup of any microSD card before formatting it, just to be safe.

What happens if I don't format the SD card switch?

Before an SD card can be used with the Switch, it needs to be formatted with a file system. This eliminates issues with data corruption, protects the system from other logical damages, and prevents access to files. Thus, it's necessary to format the SD card to the FAT32 file system before using it on the Switch.

< b > How many times can you format an SD card?

There is no limit to the number of times you can format an SD card. It's also recommended to format an SD card for use with the Switch or anything else to prevent any operational or logical issues.