Do you know how to clone SD card on Mac? Does it have a built-in tool that can clone disks, or are there any better options? Check this page to learn more.
Can I make a duplicate of my SD card or clone an SD card on a Mac? Yes. You can clone an SD card on a Mac using Disk Utility or the dd command in Terminal. Disk Utility is a graphical method where you create a disk image from the source card and then restore that image to the new card. The dd command is a command-line method that uses a powerful utility to write the entire contents of one drive to another. But if you're looking for a more powerful, user-friendly way to clone your SD card, EaseUS Partition Master for Mac provides a clearer interface and richer features. Unlike the limited functionality of Disk Utility or the risk-prone command-line approach, EaseUS makes cloning, resizing, converting, and managing partitions on SD cards (and other storage devices) fast, safe, and intuitive.
Cloning an SD card on a Mac is a vital process that ensures data safety and convenience. Whether you're a pro photographer, a Raspberry Pi dev, or a Mac user wanting to back up your data, you must clone an SD card. It's essential. Create a precise duplicate of your SD card and unlock these benefits:
This post from EaseUS will show 3 easy ways to clone an SD card on a Mac. Just follow these easy steps to make your data safe and transferable.
You can clone an SD card on a Mac. Use the native Disk Utility or a third-party app, like EaseUS Partition Master for Mac. Both tools have strengths and weaknesses. They are essential to know before you decide.
Comparison of EaseUS Partition Master for Mac vs. Disk Utility
| Comparison | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | Clean and intuitive | GUI-based but limited features | No UI, command-line only |
| Clone Type | Supports full disk clone, partition clone, and image creation & restore | Creates a disk image (.dmg) and restores it to another device | Bit-by-bit clone of an entire device |
| Device Support | Works with internal disks, external SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards | Supports macOS-compatible disks and removable devices | Works with any detected block device |
| File System Compatibility | APFS, HFS+, HFS, FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and more | Mostly APFS, HFS+, and limited external formats | File-system agnostic (raw copy), but requires careful device selection |
EaseUS Partition Master for Mac is outstanding for three reasons. It is easy to use, fast, and all-inclusive. It especially helps beginners. Disk Utility, on the other hand, though free, needs more technical skill and time. Choose the tool that suits you the most in your comfort.
Cloning an SD card on a Mac is easy. So, we will discuss 3 reliable ways to do it. This section will guide you through both methods. As per your needs, we will help you decide which method is best for you.
When cloning SD cards on a Mac, there is no better option than EaseUS Partition Master. Whether you are new to the process or a professional, its user-friendly nature will guide you. This tool offers an intuitive interface for seamless SD card cloning and navigation.
Step 1. Connect your removable device to Mac and run EaseUS Partition Master.
Click "Clone" at the left pane under the Abilities section, click the "+" icon to select a source external device you want to clone.
Step 2. Select a new target disk as destination to clone the selected removable disk - external HDD/SSD, USB, or SD card.
When both source and target external storage devices are selected, click "Start" to begin.
Step 3. Click "Yes" when EaseUS Partition Master for Mac request you to confirm the operation.
Step 4. Wait patiently to let EaseUS Partition Master for Mac to complete the cloning process.
Besides cloning an SD card, this powerful tool also offers other practical features for Mac users.
Even for beginners, it is easy to clone an SD card with EaseUS Partition Master for Mac. Technically, the program does everything for you and keeps you focused on that which is essential to you: your data.
Those who like using built-in apps and utilities on their Macs can easily clone SD cards with Disk Utility. Of course, this method is preferable to those who want a manual method to do the task. Now, let's consider the way to clone an SD card using Disk Utility:
Step 1. Open Disk Utility. You can find it in "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Disk Utility." Alternatively, you can use the Spotlight search.
Step 2. In the sidebar to the left, find the SD card and select it.
Step 3. Select the destination disk where the SD card has to be cloned. Ensure that the Destination Disk has enough capacity to hold the cloned data.
Step 4. Click "Restore" and select the source disk; then click "Restore" again to clone the disk. (This step will erase all data on the destination disk, so be careful when choosing the target disk.)
Share this post and help more users who are seeking a way to clone an SD card or a micro SD card on a Mac.
If you prefer a more technical, precise method, the Terminal allows you to create an exact bit-for-bit copy of your SD card. This method is ideal for advanced users who want full control over the cloning process.
Step 1. Insert the source SD card into your Mac with a card reader. Make sure it is properly recognized before proceeding.
Step 2. Navigate to Applications > Utilities and open Terminal.
Step 3. Type diskutil list and press Enter to see all connected drives. Carefully note the identifier for your SD card (e.g., /dev/disk2) to avoid overwriting the wrong disk.
Step 4. Type diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX (replace X with your disk number) and press Enter. This ensures the SD card is ready for a safe copy. Next, follow Option 1 or Option 2 based on your needs.
If you want to save a backup on your Mac, you can create a disk image first. Run:
sudo dd if=/dev/rdiskX of=/Users/username/Desktop/my_sd_card.img bs=4m status=progress
Replace rdiskX with your source disk, my_sd_card.img with your preferred file name, 4m with the block size for faster copying, and username with your real username.
After that, insert the new, destination SD card. Make sure it is empty or that you have backed up its contents.
Find its disk identifier using diskutil list and unmount it with diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskY.
Write the image from your Mac to the new card by running:
sudo dd if=/dev/rdiskX of=/dev/rdiskY bs=4m status=progress
Replace rdiskX with your source disk and rdiskY with the destination disk. Be patient—this process may take several minutes depending on the size of your SD card.
Once completed, your new SD card will be an exact clone of the original, ready to use immediately. To see more details, check the video on YouTube from 16 Bits or Higher.
Don't forget to share this page with other Mac users who might benefit from this tutorial on cloning SD card on Mac.
This guide has covered 3 easy ways to clone an SD card on a Mac. Use Disk Utility or EaseUS Partition Master for Mac. Both ways will clone smoothly. But, EaseUS Partition Master wins. It has better features, is easier to use, and clones faster. We suggest EaseUS Partition Master for Mac. It's simple and dependable, ideal for beginners. Simply clone your SD card using the guide above and keep all data safe and transferable. Use the most preferable method to clone your SD card without any hassle.
FAQs on How to Clone SD Card on Mac
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