Formatting prepares your microSD card for recording and deletes its existing files. Choose the app, dash cam, Windows, or Mac method supported by your model.
Formatting removes the files on your microSD card and creates a new file system to prepare it for recording. Regular formatting helps maintain card performance as the dash cam repeatedly records over older files.
Jump to:
- Format using THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app
- Format using THINKWARE CLOUD app
- Format microSD card directly on the dash cam
- Format microSD card on a Windows PC
- Format microSD card on a Mac computer
Caution: Formatting the microSD card permanently deletes all stored video recordings and data files. Back up all essential video files to a separate storage device before initiating a format.
When your dash cam asks you to format the card
If you hear "Format SD Card for Data Integrity," your microSD card needs formatting. Back up important recordings, then use one of the methods below.
If the message continues after formatting a non-THINKWARE card, the card may have been formatted incorrectly or may be incompatible with your dash cam. Check the file system and allocation unit size using the computer formatting instructions below.
Format microSD card using mobile apps
Required tools: Smartphone running iOS or Android, THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app or THINKWARE CLOUD app.
You can format the microSD card wirelessly using the mobile app connected to your dash cam via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Hotspot.
Format using THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app
1. Turn on the vehicle ignition to power on the dash cam.
2. Open the THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app on your smartphone and connect to the dash cam via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the gear icon [Dash Cam Settings] > [Memory Card Settings] > [Format] > [OK].
Note: Menu and button names may vary by model.
4. The dash cam will disconnect from your smartphone and begin formatting the microSD card.
Format using THINKWARE CLOUD app
1. Connect your smartphone to the dash cam via Wi-Fi or Hotspot.
2. Open the THINKWARE CLOUD app and select [Dash Cam Settings].
3. Select [Memory Card Settings] > [Format].
Note: If using the X800, select [System Settings]
4. The dash cam will disconnect from the smartphone while formatting commences.
Format microSD card directly on the dash cam
For quick maintenance, you can format the microSD card directly on the dash cam by pressing the physical button or the touchscreen in the LCD menu.
Caution: Formatting deletes every file on the card. Back up important recordings before proceeding and keep power connected until formatting finishes.
- U3000 PRO, U3000: Hold the REC and Wi-Fi buttons together for 3 seconds until you hear a beep.
[U3000 PRO, U3000] How to Format MicroSD Card via Dash Cam
- U1000 PRO, U1000 PLUS, U1000: Hold the REC button for 5 seconds until the format announcement.
[U1000 PRO, U1000 Plus, U1000] How to Format MicroSD Card via Dash Cam
- Q1000, ARC 700: Press the Format button to begin formatting the microSD card.
[Q1000, ARC700] How to Format MicroSD Card via Dash Cam
- Q850, Q800 PRO, F800 PRO, F800: Press the Format button to begin formatting the microSD card.
[Q800 PRO, Q850] How to Format MicroSD Card via Dash Cam
- Q200 PRO, Q200, F200 PRO: Hold the REC and Wi-Fi buttons together for about 5 seconds until you hear the first beep, then release the buttons.
[Q200 PRO, Q200, F200 PRO] How to Format MicroSD Card via Dash Cam
- ARC 900: On the left side of the LCD screen, tap [Home menu] (9 dots) > [Memory]. Under [Formatting Memory Card], tap [Format] > [Confirm].
- ARC 800: Swipe down on the Live View screen, tap the gear icon to open the Quick menu, then select [Format memory] > [Confirm].
- ARC, X1000, X800, X700: Open [System Settings] and select the format option. Follow the confirmation shown on your dash cam screen, then wait for formatting to finish before using the dash cam.
- X550, X500, X350, X330: Open [Main Menu] > [Mem Card Settings] > [Memory Format], then select [Format].
- XD200: Hold the REC and Wi-Fi buttons together for 3 seconds. A beep indicates that formatting has started.
- XD100: Hold the REC and Wi-Fi buttons together for 3 seconds to format the microSD card.
- F790: Press the Format button to begin formatting the microSD card.
- F770: Hold the Format button for 3 seconds to start formatting. A voice guide will play.
- F750: Hold the Format button for 3 seconds to start formatting. A voice guide will play.
- FA700: Hold the Format button for 3 seconds to start formatting. A voice guide will play.
- F550: Hold the REC and POWER buttons together for 3 seconds. The left LED alternates green and red while formatting.
- F200, FA200: Hold the REC button for 5 seconds until the format announcement.
- F70 PRO, F70, F50: Hold the REC button for 5 seconds until the format announcement.
- M1: Use the app procedure above. Do not use a reset button combination as a format alternative.
Format microSD card on a Windows PC
Required tools: Windows PC, microSD card reader or microSD card adapter.
To format your microSD card manually using a Windows PC computer, follow these steps.
1. Power off the dash cam and remove the microSD card.
2. Insert the microSD card into a microSD card adapter and connect it to your PC's SD card slot or insert it into a USB reader and connect the reader to a USB port.
3. Open [File Explorer] on your PC.
4. In the left sidebar or under [This PC], locate and select your [MicroSD Card] drive.
5. Right-click the microSD card drive icon and select [Format].
6. Select the correct [File System] and [Allocation Unit Size] based on your microSD card storage capacity:
Select FAT32 with 32 kb allocation size for 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB cards, and exFAT for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB cards.
| SD Card Size | File System | Allocation Unit Size |
|---|---|---|
| 8GB / 16GB / 32GB | FAT32 (default) | 32 kb |
| 64GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | exFAT | Default Allocation Unit size |
7. Click [Start].
8. Click [OK] on the warning prompt to confirm that all files will be erased.
9. Once formatting completes, click [OK] on the success window.
10. Right-click the microSD card drive icon in File Explorer and select [Eject] before removing the reader from your PC.
Format microSD card on a Mac computer
Required tools: Mac computer, microSD card reader or microSD card adapter.
To format your microSD card using a Mac computer running macOS, perform the following steps.
1. Power off the dash cam and safely remove the microSD card.
2. Insert the microSD card into a microSD card adapter or USB reader and plug it into your Mac.
3. Open [Finder] on your Mac.
4. Select [Applications] in Finder, open the [Utilities] folder, and launch [Disk Utility].
5. In the left sidebar of Disk Utility, select your microSD card drive (typically named after your dash cam model, such as U3000PRO).
6. Click [Erase] at the top of the Disk Utility window.
7. Select the appropriate [Format] for your microSD card size:
Select MS-DOS (FAT) for 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB cards, and ExFAT for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB cards.
| SD Card Size | File System |
|---|---|
| 8GB / 16GB / 32GB | MS-DOS (FAT) |
| 64GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | ExFAT |
8. Click [Erase] to start the formatting process.
9. When formatting is complete, click [Done].
10. Click the [Eject] symbol next to the microSD card name in Finder or Disk Utility to safely remove the memory card.
None of the above worked
If your computer does not show the card, check whether the card reader recognizes it.
If formatting fails, replace the microSD card and try again. If the problem continues with the replacement card, please contact THINKWARE support.
Need more help?
Contact the support team for your region by email or phone. We’ll respond to your email as quickly as we can.
North America (US/CA)
Email: support@thinkware.com
Phone: 1-844-865-9273
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Email: support.eu@thinkware.com
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