How do I clone my SD card to a new one?

Cloning an SD card is a useful process when you want to upgrade to a larger capacity card, back up your data, or duplicate a system image for devices like Raspberry Pi, cameras, or drones. Cloning ensures that all files, partitions, and boot sectors are copied exactly from the source card to the destination card. Here's how to do it step by step on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

What You Need

• Your original SD card (source).

• A new SD card (destination) with equal or larger capacity.

• An SD card reader or adapter for your computer.

• A cloning tool (software depends on your operating system).

Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Users

1. Insert Both SD Cards

Plug both your source and new SD cards into your PC using card readers. Note the drive letters assigned to them.

2. Download and Install a Cloning Tool

Recommended tools:

• Win32 Disk Imager (for Raspberry Pi or disk image cloning)

• Macrium Reflect Free

• EaseUS Todo Backup Free

For most cases, Win32 Disk Imager is simple and effective:

• Download and install Win32 Disk Imager.

• Launch the software.

3. Create an Image of the Original SD Card

• Select the drive letter of the source SD card.

• Click the “Read” button to create an image file (.img) of the SD card on your computer.

• Save the image file to your hard drive.

4. Write the Image to the New SD Card

• Insert your new SD card.

• In Win32 Disk Imager, select the image file and target SD card drive letter.

• Click “Write” to clone the image onto the new card.

5. Safely Eject and Test

Safely remove the SD card, insert it into your device, and test if it boots or runs properly.

For Mac Users

Use ApplePi Baker or the dd command in Terminal.

Using ApplePi Baker:

• Insert the original SD card.

• Open ApplePi Baker and create a backup image.

• Insert the new SD card and restore the image to it.

Using Terminal (Advanced):

Then to restore:

For Linux Users

Use the dd command:

Replace sdX and sdY with the correct device names (use lsblk to check).

Tips

• Always double-check the target drive to avoid overwriting data.

• If your new SD card is larger, you can expand the partition using a tool like GParted (Linux) or MiniTool Partition Wizard (Windows).

Conclusion

Cloning your SD card is a straightforward process with the right tools. Whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, creating an exact replica of your card helps ensure smooth upgrades, backups, and transfers. Always back up important data before cloning, and verify the results to avoid issues later.