How to format SD card with apps installed on it?

[WPCentral Question]

I want to format my SD card, I have apps installed on it. How to proceed further with backup? Once formatted will I be able to restore the backup to SD card and use my apps normally like before formatting. My SD card is utilizing around 5GB of "other storage space". Is there any way to recover that 5GB of space apart from formatting?

Thanks for your valuable answers.

 

[N_LaRUE]

When you backup you phone it is saved to the cloud.

Learn about Windows Phone backup | Windows Phone How-to (United Kingdom)

I don't think the apps will restore automatically to your SD card.

As for the 'other' thing. If you have any apps that use files that WP doesn't recognise, that's what the 'other' files are. This could be different audio, video or graphic files or anything app specific.