Can you preformat the file system on the drives or cards?
Yes. We can preformat to FAT32 or exFAT as part of production, which is what most buyers want because the unit works the moment it is plugged in. FAT32 is the safe default for broad compatibility but it caps a single file at 4GB; exFAT removes that limit and is the right choice when the drive carries large video or image files. For embedded use the file system may be set by your host instead. Tell us the format in the specification and we apply it during the build, not as a manual step after packing.
FAT32 vs exFAT
FAT32: maximum compatibility across devices, but a single file cannot exceed 4GB.
exFAT: no 4GB file limit, widely supported on modern hosts; better for video and large backups.
When to specify
If the drive only needs to work on plug-in, name the format in the quote. If your host formats the part itself, leave it to the device and we ship unformatted or as your host requires.
Sources
Figures quoted on this page are from the published reporting listed above. Where a number is an estimate rather than a published figure, it is described as approximate.
Frequently asked questions
Why does FAT32 cap files at 4GB?
It is a limit of the file system design, not the drive. A 64GB card can hold far more than 4GB total; it just cannot hold one file larger than 4GB. exFAT removes that ceiling.
Will preformatting use up my capacity?
A small amount, the same as when you format any drive yourself. The usable space after formatting is what we quote, not the raw nominal size.
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