How to format a MicroSD to work with a Garmin GPS. The disk utility FAT32 format doesnt seem to do it.

FWIW, in the instructions it's not clear you need to switch the view to "Show All Devices" from the View icon at the top left of Disk Utility.

Just to add, make sure you are using Master Boot Record and not GUID.

Ed Daniels wrote:

I have a Garmin GPS unit that requires a MicroSD formatted to FAT32.

The disk utility program on High Sierra 10.13.2 seems to format the disk to FAT32 but the GPS unit still will not recognize it.

Garmin says its an Apple issue and not a Garmin issue.

I've followed the steps in the disk utility program a dozen times with two brands of microSD's. No luck.

Am I missing something?

Thank you

Ed

Are you sure you are formatting it correctly at the device level and not the volume level?

Ed Daniels wrote:

Two places.

1) Garmin has a program called Garmin Express. You connect the GPS to the computer and their software gives lots of information about the unit including the amount of available memory.

2) The unit itself. When I turn it on with the SD card inserted I get a message that it needs to be formatted. I just send a long e-mail to Garmin about this discussion, trying three SD cards, etc. We'll see what they say.

If the device itself without being plugged into your Mac indicates the SD card needs formatting it would seem there is something wrong with the device.

Good luck. Post back.

Partition a physical disk using Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

Scroll down to the section about Erase and repartition a device.

welcome.

well it shouldn't be full. This is an 8GB card?

If you could post a screen shot it would be helpful. Press "command + shift + 4" then the space bar which turns the cursor into a camera icon, then click on the Disk Utility window. When you create a new post, click the camera icon and navigate to the screen shot to add.

Ed Daniels wrote:

Tomorrow I'll call Garmin again.

Ed, FWIW, that is formatted correctly as a FAT32 storage device. I guess you'll have to contact Garmin again because if that's the requirement, that's what you have.

When you select "Garmin 2", what does it say next to "Available"?

Well, it is possible it's not compatible with High Sierra. Was it working before?