How to Format eMMC Drive [2024 Complete Guide]

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on Apr 22, 2024

The eMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) drive is a compact and reliable storage solution commonly utilized in various electronic devices. The primary objective of this article is to present a comprehensive guide on how to effectively format an eMMC drive. Upon finishing this content, you will have a clear understanding of the formatting procedure for eMMC drives. We will provide step-by-step instructions on formatting eMMC through both Linux and Windows operating systems using tools.

So, let's learn all about the eMMC Drive formatting process on Windows and Linux.

What Is eMMC Format?

Understanding the format of an eMMC drive is crucial since it allows users to manage their storage and maximize device performance efficiently. The two most widely utilized formats for eMMC drives are EXT4 and FAT format.

1. EXT4 Format: EXT4 is a widely used file system format for eMMC drives across various operating systems, particularly Linux. It provides stability, reliability, and support for larger files and partitions, making it well-suited for devices dealing with substantial amounts of data, like smartphones and embedded systems. The EXT4 format ensures efficient data management and effectively handles frequent reading and writing operations.

2. FAT Format: The File Allocation Table (FAT) format is another widely compatible file system for eMMC drives. It works with various platforms, such as Windows, macOS, and embedded systems. The FAT format is ideal for simpler devices and facilitates easy data exchange between different devices. However, in comparison to EXT4, it might have limitations concerning file size support and system management features.

It's crucial to select the appropriate format based on the specific requirements of the device and its intended application.

How to Format eMMC Drive? To format an eMMC drive, you can follow these general steps. Please note that the process might vary slightly depending on the device you're using (like a computer, smartphone, or tablet). Here's a guide for Windows PC: 1. **Connect the Device**: Connect your device containing the eMMC drive to your Windows PC using a USB cable or an appropriate adapter. 2. **Open File Explorer**: Click on the File Explorer icon usually located on the taskbar or press `Win + E` keys. 3. **Locate the eMMC Drive**: In the File Explorer, find the eMMC drive under "This PC" or "Devices with Removable Storage." It might be labeled with a drive letter like E:, F:, G:, etc. 4. **Right-click and Format**: Right-click on the eMMC drive and select "Format." 5. **Format Settings**: A new window will pop up. Choose the following settings: - **File system**: Select the desired file system (usually NTFS for Windows, FAT32 for compatibility, or exFAT for larger files). - **Allocation unit size**: Leave the default setting unless you have specific requirements. - **Volume label**: Give a label to your drive if you want. - **Format options**: If the option is available, uncheck "Quick Format" to perform a thorough format. 6. **Start Formatting**: Click "Start" to begin the formatting process. A warning message may appear; click "OK" to proceed. 7. **Wait for Completion**: Wait for the formatting to finish. This may take a few minutes depending on the drive size. 8. **Eject Safely**: After formatting, right-click on the eMMC drive and select "Eject" or "Safely Remove Hardware" before physically disconnecting it. For other devices like smartphones or tablets, you might need to use the built-in storage settings to format the eMMC drive: 1. **Go to Settings**: Open your device's settings app. 2. **Find Storage Option**: Navigate to the "Storage," "Memory," or "About Phone" section. 3. **Format eMMC**: Look for an option to format internal storage, which might be labeled as "Format eMMC," "Factory Reset," or something similar. 4. **Follow On-screen Instructions**: Confirm the action, and the device will guide you through the formatting process. Remember to back up any important data before formatting, as this process will erase all data on the drive.

Regardless of whether you're using a Windows or Linux system, we'll walk you through the formatting process on both platforms in this section. Let's start by exploring how to format an eMMC drive on Windows.

Guide 1. Format eMMC on Windows

To format an eMMC drive on Windows, we recommend using the "tools Partition Master Free" tool. tools Partition Master is a user-friendly disk management software that enables you to carry out various operations, such as formatting, resizing, and relocating partitions. With this tool, users can quickly and effortlessly format their eMMC drive to the EXT4 or FAT file system.

With a user-friendly interface for easy navigation, even if you're new to using a PC. You can quickly and easily format an eMMC drive. Follow these steps to format an eMMC drive on Windows using the tool Partition Master: 1. **Download and Install Partition Master**: Visit the official website of tools and download the Partition Master software. Make sure to choose the appropriate version for your Windows system (Windows 10, 8, 7, etc.). 2. **Launch Partition Master**: After installation, open the Partition Master application on your computer. 3. **Connect eMMC Drive**: Connect the eMMC drive to your PC using an appropriate adapter or cable, ensuring it's properly connected and recognized by the system. 4. **Detect the eMMC Drive**: In the Partition Master interface, all the drives connected to your computer will be displayed. Locate and identify your eMMC drive from the list. It might be labeled as "Disk X" or have a specific drive letter assigned to it. 5. **Select the eMMC Drive**: Click on the eMMC drive you want to format, and then click on the "Format" button in the top toolbar. 6. **Choose File System**: A new window will pop up, asking you to select the file system for the formatted drive. Choose from options like NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT, depending on your needs. NTFS is a common choice for most users. 7. **Allocation Unit Size**: You'll also need to choose the allocation unit size. For general use, you can keep the default option. 8. **Confirm Formatting**: Before proceeding, make sure that you've selected the correct drive and file system. Click "OK" to start the formatting process. 9. **Wait for Formatting**: The formatting may take a few moments, depending on the size of the eMMC drive. Do not interrupt the process or disconnect the drive during this time. 10. **Completion and Verification**: Once the formatting is finished, Partition Master will display a success message. You can now safely use the formatted eMMC drive for your storage needs. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the eMMC drive, so ensure you back up any important files beforehand.

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master, right-click the partition on your external hard drive/USB/SD card which you want to format and choose the "Format" option.

Step 2. Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, and then click "OK".

Step 3. In the Warning window, click Yes to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the upper-left corner to review the changes, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting your external hard drive, USB, or SD card.

We highly recommend Partition Master for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive disk management capabilities. Download Partition Master now and easily accomplish routine tasks with its various useful and incredible features!

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Guide 2: Format eMMC on Linux

`fdisk` is a command-line partition editor used for managing and controlling disk drives. To utilize the 8GB eMMC storage as a writable volume in Linux, a sequence of steps needs to be followed. First, you'll need to delete the existing partitions. Then, you can create a new partition, format it, and finally mount it. Here's a detailed guide to accomplish this:

**Step 1.** Start by deleting the existing partitions. Open a terminal and enter the following command:

sudo fdisk /dev/mmcblk1 This command translates to: sudo fdisk /dev/mmcblk1

Step 2. Use the 'p' key to list all existing partitions, then use the 'd' key followed by a partition number to delete each partition. Confirm each deletion and use the 'w' key to save the changes.

Step 3. Next, create a new partition. In the same terminal, enter the following command:

**sudo fdisk /dev/mmcblk1** This command translates to: **Run the "fdisk" utility with superuser privileges on the device file representing the memory card, which in this case is "/dev/mmcblk1".**

Step 4. Use the 'n' key to create a new partition, accept all the default settings, and then use the 'w' key to write the changes.

Step 5. Now, format the newly created partition to the desired file system (in this case, we'll use ext4). Enter the following command:

Create an ext4 file system with the label "emmc" on the partition /dev/mmcblk1p1 using the command: ```bash sudo mkfs.ext4 -L "emmc" /dev/mmcblk1p1 ```

Step 6. Create a mount point directory for the eMMC storage:

sudo mkdir /emmc This command translates to: Create a directory named "emmc" with superuser privileges.

Step 7. Finally, mount the formatted partition to the newly created directory:

sudo mount /dev/mmcblk1p1 /emmc This command translates to: Sudo mount the first partition of the /dev/mmcblk1 device to the /emmc directory.

Follow these steps to use the eMMC storage as a writable volume in Linux on your Orange Pi Plus. If this guide helps you successfully format the eMMC drive, feel free to click the share button to pass it along to others who might need it.

Conclusion

In this article, we delved into the two most frequently employed file systems for eMMC drives: EXT4 and FAT, discussing their benefits and appropriate applications. We also provided step-by-step guidelines for formatting eMMC drives on both Windows and Linux operating systems. For Windows users, we suggested utilizing "tools Partition Master," a user-friendly disk management utility that effectively formats eMMC drives to either the EXT4 or FAT file system.

We offered detailed instructions for Linux users on how to manually format the eMMC drive, guaranteeing that Orange Pi Plus users can efficiently utilize their eMMC storage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formatting eMMC Drive

If you have further questions or concerns about formatting eMMC drives, the following FAQs might be helpful.

Yes, in some cases, it is possible to replace the eMMC storage with an SSD in specific devices. However, this is a complex procedure and necessitates technical knowledge. Not all devices are compatible with SSD upgrades, so it's crucial to verify your device's specifications and compatibility before attempting any modifications.

**2. Does Raspberry Pi have eMMC?**

Standard Raspberry Pi models do not come with built-in eMMC storage. Instead, they rely on microSD cards for storing data. However, certain Raspberry Pi models, such as the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, provide the option for eMMC storage.

3. How to partition eMMC?

To partition an eMMC drive, you can use disk management utilities such as "fdisk" on Linux or "tools Partition Master" on Windows. These tools enable you to create, delete, or format partitions on the eMMC drive, facilitating organization and optimization of your storage space.