Question :

I need to reformat a USB-stick in FAT32 MBR.

Is it possible to do that on a Mac ?

Answer :

Yes, you can.

To (re)format a drive, like a USB-stick, external HardDisk or external SSD in FAT32 MBR (MBR = Master Boot Record) do this :

• plug the drive (USB-stick) into you Mac
• make sure that there are no files or documents you need to keep left on the drive (USB-stick)
  • copy all files and documents you are not willing to lose to your internal disk space, or to another external drive
• goto Applications –> Utilities –> Disk Utility
• double-click on the application’s icon to startup Disk Utility
• in the window that opens, click on the View-button (top-left) and select “Show Alle Devices”
• then, select the drive (USB-stick) from the list of drives on the left
  • it should be listed in the “External” chapter
  • make sure you select the drive itself, not the formatted partition that is on it
    • drives are listed entirely on the left (and have a small triangle in front if they are formatted)
    • partitions are listed shifted slightly to the right of the devices list
• then, click on the Erase-button (top-center, just below the Disk Utility name)
• in the pulldown window that opens, select these settings :
  • Name : Untitled [ …or any name you prefer, the choice is up to you ]
  • Format : MS-DOS (FAT)
  • Scheme : Master Boot Record
• then click on the Erase-button
• now, wait for the process to complete
• then, click on the Eject-icon (underlined triangle) next to the name of the drive (USB-stick) in the list on the left
• when de drive (USB-stick) disappears from the list, you can unplug the USB-stick (or external HD or SSD)
• close the Disk Utility app

That’s it !

enjoy 😉