Homebrew Discussion [POLL] FAT32 vs. exFAT | issue discussion

[Deleted User]

Anyone use Samsung cards? Bought a 256gb. Formatted it to Fat32 and data are still corrupted. Switched to sandisk and everything is working fine

 

[digipimp75]

It might be time for me to reformat my 400gb to FAT32 and get away from exFAT. The only problem is, I'm using emuNAND on it. *gulp* What is the easiest way to reformat to FAT32 and keep using emuNAND?

 

[stitchxd]

Ok I have a question for those who use FAT32. What exactly are you supposed to do in order to get a big ass game like MK11 installed on your switch? Since files have a 4GB limit. How would you split those nsp or xci files? That's my only issue/concern that I've had to deal with and why I use exFAT. Mind you as well. I've only had issues running the PPSSPP emulator via RetroArch. Anything else that I run works well for me.

By default, installed games (NSP or otherwise) on switch are split in system this happens on both exfat and fat32. (Installed NSP through USB of course)

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Anyone use Samsung cards? Bought a 256gb. Formatted it to Fat32 and data are still corrupted. Switched to sandisk and everything is working fine

Samsung 256GB user here. I formatted using a tool separate from Windows' Built in formatting tool: http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm No issues what so ever. Just make sure when you backup your data, that you do not back up what is already corrupt. Because it will be restored in a corrupt state to begin with.

 

[jasonhk]

My friend using exFAT, it crashed today...
I am using exFAT, so far is OK.

 

[gnze796]

There is absolutely no reason to go FAT32 ever since USB and FTP install are a thing.

 

[jasonhk]

DELETED

 

[KirovAir]

There is absolutely no reason to go FAT32 ever since USB and FTP install are a thing.

If you are using homebrew that accesses the SD card you WILL get corruption eventually on exFAT.
https://github.com/switchbrew/libnx/issues/161#issuecomment-419854684

I think you mean no reason to go to exFAT.

 

[jasonhk]

Exfat was fine until I started using retroarch and everything on the card corrupted. Fat32 since and haven't seen any issues.

I am using exFAT and RetroArch, I will delete my RetroArch now.

 

[ShadowOne333]

There is absolutely no reason to go FAT32 ever since USB and FTP install are a thing.

FAT32 has nothing to do with installs.
And yes, there IS a reason to go FAT32.
In fact, FAT32 is always the recommended format for the SD card, since Nintendo's exFAT driver is buggy and can corrupt your SD. more so if you're using it for homebrew.

Never use exFAT, always use FAT32 to avoid SD corruption.

 

[UltimateFight]

Why I can't choose both
exFAT - I had issues ＆ FAT32 - no issues yet

 

[vincentallen2]

I use exfat with emummc as files. Very quick, compared to fat32 and emummc as files. I only have crashes once in a while when using certain homebrew apps, but never during gameplay.

Fat32 with emummc as files was excruciatingly slow, and almost unusable

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

 

[crimpshrine]

I still don't see an answer to this, what is the internal storage on the switch formatted as? Fat32 or Exfat?

 

[ShroomKing]

I still don't see an answer to this, what is the internal storage on the switch formatted as? Fat32 or Exfat?

the user, system and safemode partitions are fat32.

 

[VampireOniX]

I'll throw in my two cents. I use FAT32 as corruption is ALMOST not existent. I have had issues with corruption a few times with FAT32, but I also do a lot of system level modding and hacking... Not your typical user end stuff. The ONLY two times I have ever had corruption with FAT32 is when my SD card started shitting the bed (avoid PNY people; use Samsung or San Disk) and when Skyrim locked up during a loading screen due to too high of a overclock and it corrupted the SEPT folder.

Other than those two times never an issue.