Storage expansion card need to be formatted?

The cards come pre formatted so no need to format them, the only time you need to format is if you want delete everything and start again or you sell the card.

Oh it didnt ask me to format it, i plugged it in while the console was off and i turned it on it just worked

Maybe the manufacturer formatted it and it does not need it again. This can happen with some brands.

If it is working fine, you don't need to format it. Rest assured.

I was given an option to format in the settings for it but it seems like it makes it so you can connect it to other consoles

Hello, Mikewhiz. Thanks for reaching out! My name is Lucas, and I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user just like you. I'll be happy to assist you today.

Usually external storages (hard drives or expansion cards) ask to be formatted the first time you connect them to your console. Formatting them on your console deletes everything inside the HD/SSD and configures it to use the proper file system to store and run games.

You can format it on your console from time to time if you want to delete all the games on it, but keep in mind everything installed on the expansion card will be deleted when you format it.

If you have any question, please let me know.