Formatting SD (Mac)

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This is an add-on section for formatting an SD card to work with the 3DS.

If the 3DS already recognizes the SD card, this guide is not required.

This page is for Mac users only. If you are not on Mac, check out the Formatting SD (Windows) or Formatting SD (Linux) pages.

Insert your SD card into your computer
If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer
Run the Disk Utility app
In the top-left “View” menu, choose “Show All Devices”
Select your SD card in the left panel

Make sure you choose the correct device, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!
Click “Erase” at the top
Enter anything for “Name”
Ensure that “Format” is set to “MS-DOS (FAT)”
Ensure that “Scheme” is set to “Master Boot Record”
- If “Scheme” does not appear, click “Cancel” and make sure to choose the device instead of a volume
Click “Erase”
Wait for the format to finish
Click “Close”
If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer

Insert your SD card into your computer
If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer
Run the Disk Utility app
Select your SD card in the left panel

Make sure you choose the correct device, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!
Click “Partition” at the top
- If “Partition” does not appear, make sure to choose the device instead of a volume
Ensure that “Partition Layout” is set to “1 Partition”
Enter anything for “Name”
Ensure that “Format” is set to “MS-DOS (FAT)”
Click “Options” below the partition table
Choose “Master Boot Record”
Click “OK”
Click “Apply”
Click “Partition”
Wait for the format to finish
Close Disk Utility
If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer