128GB SD card - how to format for Android use?

DIYhelp76

Hi,

I can't get my Android phone to read/recognise a 128GB SD card. The phone is capable of using 128GB cards.

The card was previously used in a Samsung Galaxy Tablet where it was recognised fine.

I've checked in a Windows laptop and the current format of the SD card is "exFAT".

Googling suggests I need to re-format it to "FAT32".

Does anyone know if this is correct?

Is there free reputable download softward to do this? Seen lots on google but not sure which is best/safest.

If I do this re-format to FAT32 does this mean I won't be able to use the card in the Galaxy tablet afterwards - I may want to use it in both devices.

Could I re-format it again back to exFat if ever needed?

Sorry for so many questions, new to this!

Thx in advance.

fwor

The problem with ExFAT is that it's a Microsoft "owned" proprietary filesystem. It's probably recognised by the Samsung tablet because Samsung are one of the few manufacturers to pay for a licence to support it, but most don't seem to.

Any Android-based device should be able to read FAT32, including the Samsung tablet, but the filesystem has some limitations - for example a maximum file size of 4GB. For most tablet users this should not be an issue.

Yes, you will be able to re-format it again later to ExFAT - provided you don't mind losing all data on it (and provided you don't mind not being able to use it in a typical Android based device).

Quite how Microsoft persuaded the SD Card Association to adopt a proprietary filesystem that they control completely, I don't know - but that's the way it is.

debitcardmayhem

I would suggest ext4 as a format, but which phone although most androids should recognise it whether phone/tablet just not windows pcs (natively) use something like this to format https://gparted.org/livecd.php

But make sure you turn off the journalling off

Carrot007

If it does not recognise the device then you might be out of luck. if you give you the option to format.

Android is fine with exfat on SD above 32gb (such is the standard).

Is your android up to date?

Some cards just do not like certain machines. (See Fire tablets and the samsung issue though at least they do see them).

Sometimes formating in a different machine will work. If possible a full format will be best. Hey even try a differnet phone/tebelt/camera for formatting.

If an android device claims to be able to support cards above 32gb it supports exfat. If it claims up to 32gb then it does not support exfat but cards might work if formatted in fat32.

glennevis

For years I have used a Windows application called fat32format to format 128GB SD cards for use in my Samsung phone which the manufacturer says will only support up to 32GB card.


Here's the link:

http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm

DIYhelp76

Hi

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies.

I reformatted to FAT32 using Glennevis's link and that seems (!) to have done the trick....

Ｇasjer

As you said , all the data of phone can be deleted if you reformatted , i used to do for clean up Android data in this way , but obviously, this method is worry and the data can be recovered back