- How To Erase An Sd Card On Mac Without
- How To Erase An Sd Card On Macbook Pro
- Can't Erase Sd Card
- How To Erase An Sd Card On Mac Desktop
Summary: Was the SD card you inserted not readable by the Mac? This post will offer you solutions to fix the Mac not reading the SD card issue without or without formatting. Before formatting the SD card to make it readable again, you can recover lost data from it with iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to avoid data loss.
When we delete files or folder from SD card, only file entry is deleted from file system of SD card and marked as available to store new data on it. And data still exist there which can be recovered by means of recovery tool. Connect the memory card reader to your Mac, and insert the SD card. The memory card will be. In the left side of the disk utility page, you will find your SD cards name. Click on your SD card name. Click on the Erase Below the format heading, you will find a box and click on it.
To fix the unreadable SD cards on Mac, you can try the following solutions:
- 1. Try a different SD card reader or slot
- 2. Connect the SD card to another device
- 3. Update disk driver
- 4. Check if the SD card is encrypted
- 5. Run First Aid to repair the unreadable SD card
- 6. Format the unreadable SD card
Overview of the SD card not readable on Mac
When you connected an SD memory card to Mac, the error message 'The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer' popped up, leaving you three options ' Initialize', 'Ignore' and 'Eject'. Then you knew that you encountered the SD card not readable by this computer issue.
In this situation, you might see the SD card shows up in Disk Utility but SD card is not mounted in Mac Finder nor access the files on the SD card. However, formatting the SD card is not the only option to make your SD card readable again. This post will explain how an SD card gets unreadable and how to fix the Mac not reading the SD card without data loss.
How does an SD card get unreadable?
Unreadable SD memory cards result from various causes, from hardware problems to inner logic corruptions. We list some most common causes for unreadable SD cards on Mac:
- Corrupted partition table. A partition table on an SD memory card contains the information about the beginning and the end of a partition. When a partition table is corrupted, the operating system can't locate the partition and can't read the data in a certain partition either.
- Corrupted file system. A file system contains the location, size, name and other fundamental information of files. When the file system is corrupted, the logic for the Mac operating system to follow is damaged so that SD card is not recognized by macOS.
- Virus and malware infection. Some aggressive virus and malware can attack the data on your SD memory card, making partition table, file system and real data corrupted or lost.
- Human error. A lot of times, people remove the SD card from the slot or card reader without ejecting it safely first but by pulling it out violently. This operation will even cause physical damage to the SD card, resulting in SD card not showing up on Mac.
There are many other causes that might lead to an unreadable SD card such as an out-of-date disk driver, encrypted SD card and more. No matter what has made your standard SD cards, miniSD cards or microSD cards unreadable, it is urgent to fix the unreadable SD card and get back data from it.
Read ahead to know how to fix the unreadable SD memory card.
How to repair an unreadable SD card on Mac?
Not many people like to format their external drives unless they have to, so as you. If you are looking for solutions for repairing the unreadable SD card without formatting, you will learn 5 methods in this section. We will walk you through the solutions one by one.
Fix 1: Try a different SD card reader or slot
A damaged SD card reader or slot can make the SD card not recognizable nor readable. At times, simply changing a card reader or slot can solve the problem.
If the solution doesn't work, move forward to the next one.
Iphone virtual machine mac. • What to do if SD card reader is not working? Drafting application for mac.
Fix 2: Connect the SD card to another device
Now you need to check if it is the problem of the memory card or your Mac computer.
- 1. Disconnect the SD card from Mac.
- 2. Connect the SD card to another device, i.e. a Mac or a camera.
If it is readable on another device, then your Mac may have some encryption or driver-related issue with the SD card. On the other hand, if your SD memory card still doesn't work right on another device, then it is corrupted very possibly.
Check the next method to see how to make the SD card readable on your Mac by updating the disk driver.
Fix 3: Update disk driver
A disk driver is a group of files that enable the disk to communicate with the operating system. Therefore, if the driver is too old on a Mac, the macOS can't send nor receive data correctly to the up-to-date memory card.
Here is how to update the disk driver on Mac:
- 1. Click on the Apple icon at the top menu bar and select 'System Preferences…'.
- 2. Choose 'Software Updates'.
- 3. Click on 'Update Now ' or 'Update All' if you have multiple updates.
After having updated the disk driver, your SD card should be readable now. If this doesn't solve the SD card not readable by Mac, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro or Mac mini problem, it might be because the SD card is encrypted. Check the next solution.
Fix 4: Check if the SD card is encrypted
This solution will tell you how to check whether the SD card is encrypted and solve the unreadable SD card problem on Mac. If your memory card is protected by third-party encryption software or non-Mac native encryption programs, then it can't be recognized on Mac. For example, if your memory card is encrypted by BitLocker, an encryption program developed by Microsoft and not supported by macOS, it will appear unreadable on Mac. Therefore, you will need to decrypt the SD card first using the according decryption software. Then reconnect the SD card to the Mac and your SD card should be readable on Mac.
• BitLocker Data Recovery: Recover deleted/lost files from BitLocker encrypted drives
Fix 5: Run First Aid to repair the unreadable SD card
If the methods above fail to fix the SD memory card that is not readable on Mac, the SD card may have some file system errors. Luckily, macOS has a built-in utility called First Aid to check disk error and repair the corrupted file system.
Here is how to repair a non-readable SD card using First Aid in Disk Utility:
- 1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
- 2. After launching Disk Utility, choose 'View' from the upper right menu bar. From the drop-down menu, select 'Show All Devices'.
- 3. Choose the unreadable SD card at the left sidebar and click on 'First Aid'.
- 4. Click 'Run'. This will start the verification and repair process.
If Disk Utility reports that the disk appears to be OK or has been repaired, you're done. You can click 'Done' to exit and then you can use your SD card as usual.
However, First Aid can only fix minor file system issues. If the First Aid fails to repair the disk, the SD card has been corrupted seriously. Fixing the unreadable SD card by formatting could be your last option.
Fix 6: Format the unreadable SD card
Before you format your SD card, you should note that formatting a disk will write in new file system on the disk and make your disk appear blank.
In this situation, you might see the SD card shows up in Disk Utility but SD card is not mounted in Mac Finder nor access the files on the SD card. However, formatting the SD card is not the only option to make your SD card readable again. This post will explain how an SD card gets unreadable and how to fix the Mac not reading the SD card without data loss.
How does an SD card get unreadable?
Unreadable SD memory cards result from various causes, from hardware problems to inner logic corruptions. We list some most common causes for unreadable SD cards on Mac:
- Corrupted partition table. A partition table on an SD memory card contains the information about the beginning and the end of a partition. When a partition table is corrupted, the operating system can't locate the partition and can't read the data in a certain partition either.
- Corrupted file system. A file system contains the location, size, name and other fundamental information of files. When the file system is corrupted, the logic for the Mac operating system to follow is damaged so that SD card is not recognized by macOS.
- Virus and malware infection. Some aggressive virus and malware can attack the data on your SD memory card, making partition table, file system and real data corrupted or lost.
- Human error. A lot of times, people remove the SD card from the slot or card reader without ejecting it safely first but by pulling it out violently. This operation will even cause physical damage to the SD card, resulting in SD card not showing up on Mac.
There are many other causes that might lead to an unreadable SD card such as an out-of-date disk driver, encrypted SD card and more. No matter what has made your standard SD cards, miniSD cards or microSD cards unreadable, it is urgent to fix the unreadable SD card and get back data from it.
Read ahead to know how to fix the unreadable SD memory card.
How to repair an unreadable SD card on Mac?
Not many people like to format their external drives unless they have to, so as you. If you are looking for solutions for repairing the unreadable SD card without formatting, you will learn 5 methods in this section. We will walk you through the solutions one by one.
Fix 1: Try a different SD card reader or slot
A damaged SD card reader or slot can make the SD card not recognizable nor readable. At times, simply changing a card reader or slot can solve the problem.
If the solution doesn't work, move forward to the next one.
Iphone virtual machine mac. • What to do if SD card reader is not working? Drafting application for mac.
Fix 2: Connect the SD card to another device
Now you need to check if it is the problem of the memory card or your Mac computer.
- 1. Disconnect the SD card from Mac.
- 2. Connect the SD card to another device, i.e. a Mac or a camera.
If it is readable on another device, then your Mac may have some encryption or driver-related issue with the SD card. On the other hand, if your SD memory card still doesn't work right on another device, then it is corrupted very possibly.
Check the next method to see how to make the SD card readable on your Mac by updating the disk driver.
Fix 3: Update disk driver
A disk driver is a group of files that enable the disk to communicate with the operating system. Therefore, if the driver is too old on a Mac, the macOS can't send nor receive data correctly to the up-to-date memory card.
Here is how to update the disk driver on Mac:
- 1. Click on the Apple icon at the top menu bar and select 'System Preferences…'.
- 2. Choose 'Software Updates'.
- 3. Click on 'Update Now ' or 'Update All' if you have multiple updates.
After having updated the disk driver, your SD card should be readable now. If this doesn't solve the SD card not readable by Mac, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro or Mac mini problem, it might be because the SD card is encrypted. Check the next solution.
Fix 4: Check if the SD card is encrypted
This solution will tell you how to check whether the SD card is encrypted and solve the unreadable SD card problem on Mac. If your memory card is protected by third-party encryption software or non-Mac native encryption programs, then it can't be recognized on Mac. For example, if your memory card is encrypted by BitLocker, an encryption program developed by Microsoft and not supported by macOS, it will appear unreadable on Mac. Therefore, you will need to decrypt the SD card first using the according decryption software. Then reconnect the SD card to the Mac and your SD card should be readable on Mac.
• BitLocker Data Recovery: Recover deleted/lost files from BitLocker encrypted drives
Fix 5: Run First Aid to repair the unreadable SD card
If the methods above fail to fix the SD memory card that is not readable on Mac, the SD card may have some file system errors. Luckily, macOS has a built-in utility called First Aid to check disk error and repair the corrupted file system.
Here is how to repair a non-readable SD card using First Aid in Disk Utility:
- 1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
- 2. After launching Disk Utility, choose 'View' from the upper right menu bar. From the drop-down menu, select 'Show All Devices'.
- 3. Choose the unreadable SD card at the left sidebar and click on 'First Aid'.
- 4. Click 'Run'. This will start the verification and repair process.
If Disk Utility reports that the disk appears to be OK or has been repaired, you're done. You can click 'Done' to exit and then you can use your SD card as usual.
However, First Aid can only fix minor file system issues. If the First Aid fails to repair the disk, the SD card has been corrupted seriously. Fixing the unreadable SD card by formatting could be your last option.
Fix 6: Format the unreadable SD card
Before you format your SD card, you should note that formatting a disk will write in new file system on the disk and make your disk appear blank.
• How to format an SD card on Mac?
If you don't have any important files on it, go ahead to format it. But if you do have important data that you don't want to lose, remember to recover lost data from unreadable SD card.
• How to recover data from an unreadable SD card on Mac?
After the formatting process completes, you just reconnect the SD card to the Mac and it should be readable by now.
If the SD card can't be formatted, it means the card has been physically damaged. Unfortunately, there is no software can help you fix any hardware problem of an SD card. You can only send it to a local repair shop or replace it with a new one.
Effective tips to prevent SD memory cards from being corrupted
What is an SD card?
An SD card or a Security Digital card, is a type of removable flash memory cards used for storing documents, media and other files. According to the physical sizes, SD cards include standard SD cards (32 mm X 24 mm), miniSD cards (21.5 mm X 20 mm) and microSD cards (15 mm X 11 mm). The capacity of an SD card ranges from 1MB to 128 TB by now.
How To Erase An Sd Card On Mac Without
It is designed to provide high-capacity storage in a small size and can be added in many small portable devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, audio players, digital video camcorders, tablets, etc. It has been the most popular and efficient way to expand the storage space of a device.
Effective tips to prevent SD cards from being corrupted
It is very convenient to use an SD card as extra memory storage, but SD cards are prone to be corrupted. We list some nice tips for you to prevent corrupted SD cards.
- Shut down the device completely when you take the SD card out.
- Don't use SD cards when devices' battery is low.
- Leave some free space on SD cards.
- Use high-quality card readers.
- Safely eject SD cards on computer.
- Remove SD cards before the computer turns off or restarts.
- Handle SD cards carefully to avoid physical damage.
When you encounter the Mac not reading the SD card issue, do not click on 'Initialize' button to format the SD card. Try the methods in this post to fix the unreadable SD card. If all fixes fail and you have to format the SD card to make it readable again, you had better recover lost data from it first with iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to avoid data loss.
'Hi, I am a Mac user – I am planning to sell my digital camera. Before selling the digital camera, I want to permanently delete my private photos from the memory card on my Mac. I hope no data recovery software can recover my photos. What should I do?' – Luris
Sometimes we want to erase those old and shameful photos from our memory cards permanently. But we all know that simply emptying the card doesn't mean that the photo files are gone forever. Actually, data recovery softwares are a tendency these days and you can rescue almost any file from any device, even when deleted.
But of course, the internet always offers the solution; now there's also the counterpart of these recovery programs, Mac file shredders or erasure softwares. If you own a Mac, these programs are the perfect answer for how to permanently delete photos from memory card on Mac.
Permanently delete photos from memory card on Mac with AweEraser
How To Erase An Sd Card On Macbook Pro
Now, just find reliable data erasure software for Mac for you to permanently delete photos from memory card on a Mac. Don't worry! Here, we have found the best Mac data eraser – AweEraser for Mac. It can help you securely erase photos from memory card on Mac.
With international data erasure algorithms, AweEraser for Mac ensures permanently deleting anything from memory card under Mac OS. Once the photos or any other files on the memory card are deleted by AweEraser for Mac, the photos/other files will be lost forever – can't be recovered by even the most powerful data recovery software. In order to permanently delete photos from memory card on Mac, just download and install AweEraser for Mac on your Mac computer, then run it from Launchpad.
Disc full on mac. AweEraser for Mac offers three options for permanently deleting photos from memory card on Mac:
Option 1: Permanently delete photos from memory card on Mac.
This allows you to permanently delete photos from memory card on Mac by specifically selecting the ones you want to delete. This way you can erase only what you really want out of your memory card forever. It is very simple, just select the photos from the memory card and click on 'Erase' button. Then the selected photos will be permanently erased.
Option 2: Wipe all photos from memory card on Mac.
Can't Erase Sd Card
This option will permanently destroy all the data on the memory card, including photos, files, audio, video, etc. without exception. This option is not recommendable if you are going to sell/donate your memory card.
Option 3: Erase deleted photos from memory card on Mac.
Delete already deleted photos from your memory card permanently: if you've already deleted those photos from your memory card but you are afraid they can be recovered with data recovery software, this is the right option for you! By selecting this option, only already deleted files will be erased. It will not affect the existing photos or other data on your memory card.
AweEraser for Mac can help you securely and permanently delete photos from memory card under Mac OS. It offers fast way to destroy targeted photos from your memory card. Please back up your important photos because once the photos are deleted by AweEraser or the memory card is wiped by this software, the photos or data will be lost forever – can't be recovered by any data recovery method.
How To Erase An Sd Card On Mac Desktop
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