Cannot Erase Storage Card

I am trying to clear an external 1GB storage card but am being prevented from doing so.

I have completed First Aid on the card but, when I try ERASE I get the message shown in the attached screenshot after a few seconds.

The content of the card looks OK and I can transfer it from DropBox where it appears. I am presuming therefore that the card is not corrupted so I don't get why I cannot clear ir for future alternative use.

Any advice gratefully received.

MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 2021)

Posted on Jan 24, 2026 10:11 AM

Top-ranking reply

PaulSG Author

Level 1

40 points

Posted on Jan 24, 2026 10:29 AM

Aaagh! Good point, well presented, operator error.

Extract card
Unlock card
Re-insert
ERASE as advertised
Works a treat …. seeemples!!

Many thanks.

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20 replies

PaulSG Author

Level 1

40 points

Jan 24, 2026 12:34 PM in response to MrHoffman

Ok I get that (I think); but, (and excuse my ignorance) if I were to re-format the card would that not delete the content which I am trying to access?