In this step-by-step guide, we demonstrate How to Format USB to FAT32 on any Windows PC or Mac computer.
Formatting a USB drive to the FAT32 format is a quick and straightforward process that typically takes less than five minutes.
We have observed many individuals facing challenges when connecting their USB drives to Amazon Firesticks and other Android-powered devices.
The primary reason for this difficulty is that they have not formatted their devices to FAT32.
FAT32 stands for “File Allocation Table” with 32 indicating the 32-bit version of the FAT file system.
The FAT32 format is widely used for USB drives, external hard drives, and memory cards to ensure cross-platform compatibility.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Formatting a USB drive results in erasing all data. It is crucial to backup important files before formatting them to FAT32.
The built-in disk utility in Windows PCs only supports formatting as FAT32 for USB drives of 32GB or smaller. Our tutorial explains how to work around this limitation.
We also provide guidance on using Disk Utility on Mac computers to format USB drives of any size as FAT32.
TROYPOINT SUGGESTION: We recommend watching the informative video below regarding the FAT32 format.
In our demonstrations, we employ a SanDisk 3.0 USB Drive on a Windows 10 PC.
How to Format USB to FAT32 – Video Guide
Format USB Drive to FAT32 on Windows PC
Follow the step-by-step screenshot guide below to format your USB drive to FAT32.
The first set of instructions caters to individuals with a 32GB USB drive, followed by guidance for a 256GB USB drive.
32GB USB Drive
1. Insert your USB drive into your Windows PC; Windows File Explorer should open automatically.
2. Locate and click on your USB drive; in this case, mine is labeled “SANDISK32.”
3. If your USB drive is 32GB or smaller, you can easily format it via Windows Explorer by right-clicking on the drive and selecting Format.
Simply change the File system from “exFAT” to “FAT32” in the dropdown menu and then click Start.
4. A warning message will pop up; acknowledge that all data will be erased by changing your USB drive to the FAT32 format and click OK.
5. The format process is now finished, and the disk is in the FAT32 file system. Click OK.
7. Next, move your cursor to the bottom right-hand corner and click the up arrow. Afterwards, click the USB icon.
8. Then, select “Eject Cruzer Glide.”
9. Now, you can safely remove your USB drive.
That’s it! Your 32GB USB drive is now formatted to FAT32. Continue below for those using a 256GB USB drive.
256GB USB Drive
1. Insert your 256GB USB drive into your Windows PC, and Windows File Explorer should automatically open.
8. After the Rufus tool opens, click Boot Selection.
9. Choose Non-bootable from the dropdown menu.
10. Then click File System. You will notice that the Large FAT32 format is now available. Choose that.
11. Next, click “show advanced format options” and uncheck the box that says “Create extended label and icon files.”
12. Then click the Start button.
13. When this warning message appears, click OK.
14. That’s it! Your 256GB USB drive is now formatted as FAT32. Exit out of the Rufus program.
15. You can now safely eject your 256GB USB drive by clicking the icon on the bottom right of the screen. Choose Eject Ultra.
Format USB Drive to FAT32 on Mac Computers
For those using a Mac computer, follow the step-by-step instructions below for formatting any USB drive to FAT32.
The nice part about formatting USB drives on a Mac computer is its built-in disk utility tool. This will allow you to easily format any size USB drive to FAT32.
1. Open and click Applications from the left menu.
2. Open the Utilities folder.
3. Click Disk Utility.
4. Highlight your USB Drive.
5. Then click Erase in the top menu.
6. Change the format to MS-DOS (FAT) which is actually FAT32.
7. Then click the Erase button.
8. Next click Done.
9. You will notice the USB drive is now formatted to FAT32.
10. As seen in the screenshot below, click the Eject button next to Drive prior to removing your USB drive from your Mac computer.
That’s it! You have successfully formatted your USB drive as the FAT32 format on your Mac computer.
After your USB drive has been successfully formatted to FAT32, you should now be able to use it on Android-powered devices and other systems.
The FAT32 format is an old file system and is recognizable by most Streaming Devices, phones, tablets, and computers.
Using a USB drive with an OTG cable is a great way to Expand Storage on a Fire TV Stick.
This is popular among those using TiviMate and other IPTV players for Recording IPTV.
For more popular streaming tutorials, check out our guides below:
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you Format a USB Drive to FAT32?
You can format any size USB drive to FAT32 on both a Windows PC and Mac computer by following this step-by-step guide.
What is FAT32?
FAT32 stands for File Allocation Table with 32 referring to the 32-bit version of the FAT file system.
Why do you need the FAT32 Format on a USB Drive?
Using the FAT32 format on your USB drive will allow you to pair it with Android-powered devices and other systems.
Will Changing the USB Drive to FAT32 Erase all Files?
Yes. Changing the format on a USB drive will erase all files. It’s important to back up any important files prior to changing to the FAT32 format.