How to Delete Photos from SD Card on Mac

The SD card is the lifeblood of their workflow. However, these small storage devices fill up quickly, especially when shooting in high resolution or 4K. To keep shooting, you eventually need to clear space. While this sounds simple, many Apple users encounter unexpected hurdles where files refuse to be deleted, or the "Move to Trash" option is greyed out.

Knowing how to delete photos from SD card on mac properly is essential not just for freeing up space but for maintaining the health of your file system. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the standard methods for removing media, explain how to wipe a card completely, and provide an authoritative solution for when your Mac refuses to let you delete photos from SD card on Mac due to file system restrictions.

Why Can't I Delete Photos from SD Card on Mac?

Sometimes, you might follow the steps to delete photos from SD card on Mac, but when you right-click a photo, the "Move to Trash" option is missing or greyed out. You can open the photos, view them, and copy them, but you cannot delete them.

1. Physical Lock: Check the physical lock switch on the side of the SD card. If it is slid down to "Lock," the card is read-only. You can slide the tab to the other end to unlock your SD card.
2. NTFS Format: This is the most common technical reason. If you use your SD card with a Windows PC or certain cameras, it might be formatted as NTFS. Mac OS allows you to read NTFS drives, but Apple restricts you from writing to them. This means you cannot save changes, delete files, or empty the trash on that card natively.

3 Way: How to Delete Photos From SD Card on Mac

Here we offer you 3 ways to fix can't delete photos from SD card on Mac error.

Way 1. Change Permissions on Mac

The first method involves changing permissions on your Mac. The process can be a bit complicated for beginners, so here are some easy steps on how you can do this:

Step 1. Right-click on the SD card icon on your desktop and choose the "Get Info" option.

Step 2. In the next window that pops up, look at the bottom right corner. If it says "Locked," deselect that option.

Step 3. Now, look at the "Sharing & Permissions" tab at the bottom of the "Info" window. Just click on the arrow icon, and some new options should pop up.

Step 4. You'll be asked to enter your administrator password. Once you're done, change the permissions to "Read & Write."

Step 5. Your SD card should now be unlocked, and you can try deleting the photos now.

Way 2. Professional Fix – PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac

If your card is not physically locked, but you still cannot delete files, it is likely an NTFS permission issue. Instead of reformatting the card and losing all data structure, the authoritative solution is to use PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac.

PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is a powerful utility designed to bridge the compatibility gap between Windows and Mac file systems. It enables full Read-Write access to NTFS drives, allowing you to delete unwanted photos and videos without reformatting the card.

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⭐ Tip: You need to configure Security Policy in iOS Recovery Mode. All third-party tools need this step to access the Mac OS.

Step 1. Install and launch PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac and connect your SD card to Mac. You can click "Enable Writable" to adjust the state to Read & Write.

Now your SD card is writable. You can copy, delete, and rename photos from your SD card to Mac.

Once you have finished all tasks, click "Eject" to safely remove the external hard drive from your Mac.

Way 3. Reformat SD Card o Mac

When the above solutions have worked for you, another option that you might need to consider is to format your SD card. Remember, this process will wipe your SD card clean and is not recommended.

Step 1. Connect your SD card to your Mac and open the "Disk Utility" tool. You can find this in the "Utilities" folder found in your "Applications" tab.

Step 2. In the "Disk Utility" sidebar, select your SD card and click the "Erase" button at the top of the window.

Step 3. Fill out the details for the format. Choose a format compatible with your devices (for most users, MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT are good choices).

Step 4. Now, click on the "Erase" button, and the SD card is formatted.

Step 5. Try adding new photos and then deleting them to check if the problem persists.

To sum up

Managing storage effectively is critical for any creator. While deleting files via Finder is the standard method for Apple-formatted cards, it often fails when dealing with cross-platform storage. Knowing how to delete photos from SD card on Mac involves understanding these file system limitations.

If you are stuck and unable to delete photos from SD card on Mac due to NTFS formatting, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is the superior solution. By granting full write access on modern mac OS systems, it allows you to clean up your SD cards, remove specific video clips, and manage your media library without the destructive process of reformatting.

FAQs

Q1: Why does the deleted photo come back after I eject and reinsert the SD card?

A: This happens if you didn't Empty Trash before ejecting. On a Mac, deleting a file just moves it to a hidden folder. Trashes folder on the card. The space isn't freed until you right-click the Trash icon in the dock and select "Empty Trash" while the card is connected.

Q2: Can I delete photos from my SD card without formatting it?

A: Yes. You can delete individual files using Finder. However, if the card is formatted as NTFS (Windows format), macOS will prevent you from deleting individual files. In this case, use PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac to enable file deletion without formatting.

Q3: Is it safe to delete photos using third-party software?

A: Yes, provided you use reputable software like PartitionAssistant. It uses stable drivers to interact with the file system, ensuring that only the files you select are removed and the rest of your data remains intact.

Q4: How do I delete videos from SD card on Mac if they are large (4GB+)?

A: You delete them the same way as photos (Move to Trash + Empty Trash). However, if you are trying to move large files onto the card and it fails, the card might be FAT32. To delete large files that are stuck, ensure your trash is empty. If the card is read-only, use PartitionAssistant to unlock write access.