> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.ellipal.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.ellipal.com/docs/features-and-advanced-usage/device-usage-and-maintenance/how-to-format-an-sd-card-to-fat32.md).

# How to Format an SD Card to FAT32?

The SD card used for the upgrade must be formatted as FAT32. Follow the steps below (this will erase all data on the card, please back up first).

Use this guide for a replacement or non-original microSD card, or when troubleshooting a card that cannot be read. The original ELLIPAL microSD card is already formatted as FAT32 and normally should not be reformatted.

Download firmware files from [How to Update the Firmware on ELLIPAL Titan?](/docs/features-and-advanced-usage/device-usage-and-maintenance/how-to-update-the-firmware-on-ellipal-titan.md). This page only explains how to format a card.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Formatting permanently erases all data on the microSD card. Back up any files you need before continuing.
{% endhint %}

### Windows Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Format Dialog

Insert the SD card into your computer and open **This PC**. Right-click the removable disk (e.g. `Removable Disk (E:)`) and select **Format...**.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2Futj7JXUBtAkcDmt8xGN4%2F1.png?alt=media&amp;token=f4d48324-9e7f-4369-9f6f-b9964a3f537c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Set Format Options

In the Format window:

* Set **File system** to `FAT32 (Default)`
* Keep **Allocation unit size** as `32 kilobytes`
* Check **Quick Format**

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2Fhb3OFnv3GpVCQVXa1T4d%2F2.png?alt=media&amp;token=7608ec5f-c3db-4fc6-8c58-b50684feaaf7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm Warning

Click **Start**. A warning dialog will appear: “WARNING: Formatting will erase ALL data on this disk.” Click **OK**.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2FPyTyfnuK8yD1sv5q5hlb%2F3.png?alt=media&amp;token=e47f181d-6b4e-499d-9de6-d8ab6bb40503" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Wait for Completion

Wait for the formatting process to finish. When the **Format Complete.** message appears, click **OK**.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2Fn06XzCgt5juMT6UeLgHz%2F4.png?alt=media&amp;token=f1ab98c1-02f9-4bf4-ba1e-7136442891fd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Finish

The format is complete. You can now close the Format window.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2Fbn2B84GUDOwB33b1DXVh%2F5.png?alt=media&amp;token=bb51ea0f-101a-432a-93d7-fc5771cc8600" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

### macOS Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Select the Disk

Insert the SD card into your computer and open **Disk Utility**. Select the external disk on the left (e.g. `disk5s1`).

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2FfioEueRssl5wz7Qr3dyX%2F1.png?alt=media&amp;token=1b57fba1-caae-44fb-a789-a2fa6700e463" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open Erase Dialog

Right-click the disk and select **Erase...**.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2F1oyYJyfJ3JheUT4VrilR%2F2.png?alt=media&amp;token=cb9f3dac-0faa-4c26-bf79-f45dc25b6595" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open Format Menu

In the Erase dialog, the current format is shown (usually ExFAT). Click the **Format** dropdown.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2FQTrymxSnhzpLk5x2tAnn%2F3.png?alt=media&amp;token=69e57e21-eb28-46a8-bfa1-6d4cc02e3bfe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select MS-DOS (FAT)

Select **MS-DOS (FAT)** from the list.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2F9FPSsjgbQSyf13ESoXje%2F4.png?alt=media&amp;token=7afa8a9d-8665-4556-80a1-7d9fcf4741ce" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Start Erase

Confirm the settings (Name can stay as default or be changed), then click **Erase**.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2FmlfCMOwSu2OVhLr0jUzu%2F5.png?alt=media&amp;token=92a19719-1fdf-437e-99a7-f3a83ac8d127" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Finish

Wait for the process to complete. When you see “Erase process is complete.”, click **Done**.

The disk will now show as **MS-DOS (FAT32)**.

<figure><img src="https://492016447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrfIWENBmR9S66qnWd68o%2Fuploads%2FFkMIf9c8Dx9crPj221Us%2F6.png?alt=media&amp;token=54b2cc0f-942e-4e58-a65b-1ece48a44e5e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}