diff --git a/src/big-picture/src/components/pages/game/game-settings-modal/cloud-tab.tsx b/src/big-picture/src/components/pages/game/game-settings-modal/cloud-tab.tsx
index c4b61c0efc..55fef88b9f 100644
--- a/src/big-picture/src/components/pages/game/game-settings-modal/cloud-tab.tsx
+++ b/src/big-picture/src/components/pages/game/game-settings-modal/cloud-tab.tsx
@@ -75,15 +75,24 @@ function EmulationRestoreModal({
   onClose: () => void;
   onRestored: () => void;
 }>) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation("settings");
   const { showErrorToast, showSuccessToast } = useBigPictureToast();
+  const unformattedKey =
+    platform === "ps2"
+      ? "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2"
+      : "cloud_restore_unformatted";
   return (
     <EmulationCloudRestoreModal
       save={save}
       platform={platform}
       onClose={onClose}
       onRestored={onRestored}
-      onRestoreSuccess={() => showSuccessToast("Cloud save restored")}
-      onRestoreError={() => showErrorToast("Failed to restore cloud save")}
+      onRestoreSuccess={() => showSuccessToast(t("cloud_restore_success"))}
+      onRestoreError={(reason) =>
+        showErrorToast(
+          t(reason === "unformatted" ? unformattedKey : "cloud_restore_failed")
+        )
+      }
       regionId={RESTORE_MODAL_REGION_ID}
       actionsRegionId={RESTORE_MODAL_ACTIONS_REGION_ID}
       pickButtonId={RESTORE_MODAL_PICK_BUTTON_ID}
diff --git a/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/cloud-saves-section.tsx b/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/cloud-saves-section.tsx
index 75448425e2..99008e6172 100644
--- a/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/cloud-saves-section.tsx
+++ b/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/cloud-saves-section.tsx
@@ -84,7 +84,12 @@ function RestoreModal({
   onClose,
   onRestored,
 }: Readonly<RestoreModalProps>) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation("settings");
   const { showErrorToast, showSuccessToast } = useBigPictureToast();
+  const unformattedKey =
+    platform === "ps2"
+      ? "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2"
+      : "cloud_restore_unformatted";
   return (
     <EmulationCloudRestoreModal
       save={save}
@@ -92,10 +97,13 @@ function RestoreModal({
       onClose={onClose}
       onRestored={onRestored}
       onRestoreSuccess={() =>
-        showSuccessToast("Cloud save restored", SETTINGS_TOAST_OPTIONS)
+        showSuccessToast(t("cloud_restore_success"), SETTINGS_TOAST_OPTIONS)
       }
-      onRestoreError={() =>
-        showErrorToast("Failed to restore cloud save", SETTINGS_TOAST_OPTIONS)
+      onRestoreError={(reason) =>
+        showErrorToast(
+          t(reason === "unformatted" ? unformattedKey : "cloud_restore_failed"),
+          SETTINGS_TOAST_OPTIONS
+        )
       }
       regionId={RESTORE_MODAL_REGION_ID}
       actionsRegionId={RESTORE_MODAL_ACTIONS_REGION_ID}
diff --git a/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-cloud-restore-modal.tsx b/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-cloud-restore-modal.tsx
index de07bea028..5bfa55b47d 100644
--- a/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-cloud-restore-modal.tsx
+++ b/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-cloud-restore-modal.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import type {
   EmulationCloudSave,
   EmulationSavePlatform,
+  MemcardFormatState,
+  MemcardRestoreErrorReason,
   MemcardRestoreTarget,
 } from "@types";
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from "react";
@@ -38,7 +40,7 @@ interface EmulationCloudRestoreModalProps {
   onClose: () => void;
   onRestored: () => void;
   onRestoreSuccess: () => void;
-  onRestoreError: () => void;
+  onRestoreError: (reason?: MemcardRestoreErrorReason) => void;
   regionId: string;
   actionsRegionId: string;
   pickButtonId: string;
@@ -65,19 +67,54 @@ export function EmulationCloudRestoreModal({
   const { setFocus } = useNavigation();
   const [targets, setTargets] = useState<MemcardRestoreTarget[]>([]);
   const [selectedTarget, setSelectedTarget] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [selectedFormat, setSelectedFormat] =
+    useState<MemcardFormatState | null>(null);
   const [isBusy, setIsBusy] = useState(false);
 
+  const unformattedKey =
+    platform === "ps2"
+      ? "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2"
+      : "cloud_restore_unformatted";
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!save) return;
 
+    let cancelled = false;
     void globalThis.window.electron
       .getMemcardRestoreTargets(platform)
       .then((foundTargets) => {
+        if (cancelled) return;
         setTargets(foundTargets);
         setSelectedTarget(foundTargets[0]?.cardFilePath ?? null);
       });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
   }, [platform, save]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!selectedTarget) {
+      setSelectedFormat(null);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    let cancelled = false;
+    setSelectedFormat(null);
+    globalThis.window.electron
+      .inspectMemcard(platform, selectedTarget)
+      .then((state) => {
+        if (!cancelled) setSelectedFormat(state);
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (!cancelled) setSelectedFormat("unreadable");
+      });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [platform, selectedTarget]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!save) return;
 
@@ -134,7 +171,7 @@ export function EmulationCloudRestoreModal({
         onRestored();
         onClose();
       } else {
-        onRestoreError();
+        onRestoreError(result.reason);
       }
     } finally {
       setIsBusy(false);
@@ -207,6 +244,10 @@ export function EmulationCloudRestoreModal({
           )}
         </div>
 
+        {selectedFormat === "unformatted" && (
+          <p className="emu-save-modal__hint">{t(unformattedKey)}</p>
+        )}
+
         <HorizontalFocusGroup
           regionId={actionsRegionId}
           className="emu-save-modal__actions"
@@ -228,7 +269,11 @@ export function EmulationCloudRestoreModal({
               selectedTarget
             )}
             loading={isBusy}
-            disabled={!selectedTarget}
+            disabled={
+              !selectedTarget ||
+              !selectedFormat ||
+              selectedFormat === "unformatted"
+            }
             onClick={handleRestore}
           >
             {t("cloud_restore_confirm")}
diff --git a/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/styles.scss b/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/styles.scss
index 70a9681831..8c8ddb7697 100644
--- a/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/styles.scss
+++ b/src/big-picture/src/pages/settings/emulation/styles.scss
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
+.emu-save-modal__hint {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: var(--warning, #e3b341);
+  font-size: 13px;
+  line-height: 1.4;
+}
+
 .emulator-detail,
 .emulation-settings__scan-modal,
 .emu-save-modal__restore,
diff --git a/src/locales/en/translation.json b/src/locales/en/translation.json
index 7f6cc3e002..8d7fb78d31 100755
--- a/src/locales/en/translation.json
+++ b/src/locales/en/translation.json
@@ -1078,6 +1078,8 @@
     "cloud_restore_no_cards": "No memory cards detected. Pick a card file to restore into.",
     "cloud_restore_success": "Save restored to your memory card",
     "cloud_restore_failed": "Could not restore this save",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted": "This memory card isn't formatted yet. Format it in your emulator's memory card manager before restoring a save into it.",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2": "This memory card isn't formatted. Create a save on it so PCSX2 formats it automatically.",
     "cloud_more_actions": "More actions",
     "cloud_delete": "Delete",
     "cloud_delete_title": "Delete this cloud save?",
diff --git a/src/locales/es/translation.json b/src/locales/es/translation.json
index 069c5f49f8..44a97a4553 100644
--- a/src/locales/es/translation.json
+++ b/src/locales/es/translation.json
@@ -1034,6 +1034,8 @@
     "cloud_restore_no_cards": "No se detectaron tarjetas de memoria. Elige un archivo de tarjeta en el que restaurar.",
     "cloud_restore_success": "Partida restaurada en tu tarjeta de memoria",
     "cloud_restore_failed": "No se pudo restaurar esta partida",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted": "Esta tarjeta de memoria aún no está formateada. Formatéala en el administrador de tarjetas de memoria de tu emulador antes de restaurar una partida en ella.",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2": "Esta tarjeta de memoria no está formateada. Crea una partida guardada en ella para que PCSX2 la formatee automáticamente.",
     "cloud_more_actions": "Más acciones",
     "cloud_delete": "Eliminar",
     "cloud_delete_title": "¿Eliminar esta partida en la nube?",
diff --git a/src/locales/pt-BR/translation.json b/src/locales/pt-BR/translation.json
index e5f30a9c69..0441503752 100755
--- a/src/locales/pt-BR/translation.json
+++ b/src/locales/pt-BR/translation.json
@@ -989,6 +989,8 @@
     "cloud_restore_no_cards": "Nenhum memory card detectado. Escolha um arquivo de card para restaurar.",
     "cloud_restore_success": "Salvamento restaurado no seu memory card",
     "cloud_restore_failed": "Não foi possível restaurar este salvamento",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted": "Este memory card ainda não está formatado. Formate-o no gerenciador de memory cards do seu emulador antes de restaurar um salvamento nele.",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2": "Este memory card não está formatado. Crie um salvamento nele para que o PCSX2 o formate automaticamente.",
     "cloud_more_actions": "Mais ações",
     "cloud_delete": "Excluir",
     "cloud_delete_title": "Excluir este salvamento na nuvem?",
diff --git a/src/locales/ru/translation.json b/src/locales/ru/translation.json
index 3e2d4993eb..a940ef351b 100644
--- a/src/locales/ru/translation.json
+++ b/src/locales/ru/translation.json
@@ -1083,6 +1083,8 @@
     "cloud_restore_no_cards": "Карты памяти не обнаружены. Выберите файл карты для восстановления.",
     "cloud_restore_success": "Сохранение восстановлено на вашу карту памяти",
     "cloud_restore_failed": "Не удалось восстановить это сохранение",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted": "Эта карта памяти ещё не отформатирована. Отформатируйте её в менеджере карт памяти вашего эмулятора, прежде чем восстанавливать на неё сохранение.",
+    "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2": "Эта карта памяти не отформатирована. Создайте на ней сохранение, чтобы PCSX2 отформатировал её автоматически.",
     "cloud_more_actions": "Больше действий",
     "cloud_delete": "Удалить",
     "cloud_delete_title": "Удалить это облачное сохранение?",
diff --git a/src/main/events/emulators/index.ts b/src/main/events/emulators/index.ts
index 3e0a5ce120..c9a6c89b46 100644
--- a/src/main/events/emulators/index.ts
+++ b/src/main/events/emulators/index.ts
@@ -28,4 +28,5 @@ import "./ps1-memcard-saves";
 import "./export-ps1-save";
 import "./upload-emulation-save";
 import "./restore-emulation-save";
+import "./inspect-memcard";
 import "./emulation-saves";
diff --git a/src/main/events/emulators/inspect-memcard.ts b/src/main/events/emulators/inspect-memcard.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5929bdc4bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/events/emulators/inspect-memcard.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import { registerEvent } from "../register-event";
+import { emulators } from "@main/services";
+import type { EmulationSavePlatform, MemcardFormatState } from "@types";
+
+const inspectMemcard = async (
+  _event: Electron.IpcMainInvokeEvent,
+  platform: EmulationSavePlatform,
+  cardFilePath: string
+): Promise<MemcardFormatState> =>
+  platform === "ps2"
+    ? emulators.inspectPs2Card(cardFilePath)
+    : emulators.inspectPs1Card(cardFilePath);
+
+registerEvent("inspectMemcard", inspectMemcard);
diff --git a/src/main/events/emulators/restore-emulation-save.ts b/src/main/events/emulators/restore-emulation-save.ts
index 98f53a1090..aed0faa4d6 100644
--- a/src/main/events/emulators/restore-emulation-save.ts
+++ b/src/main/events/emulators/restore-emulation-save.ts
@@ -37,7 +37,14 @@ const restoreEmulationSave = async (
       platform === "ps2"
         ? await emulators.importPsuIntoCard(targetCardFilePath, bytes)
         : await emulators.importMcsIntoCard(targetCardFilePath, bytes);
-    return { ok: result.ok, error: result.error };
+    if (!result.ok) {
+      logger.error(
+        "Failed to restore emulation save",
+        { platform, saveId, targetCardFilePath, reason: result.reason },
+        result.error
+      );
+    }
+    return { ok: result.ok, error: result.error, reason: result.reason };
   } catch (err) {
     logger.error("Failed to restore emulation save", err);
     return {
diff --git a/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card-writer.ts b/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card-writer.ts
index 85f3e6655e..3faa6aee69 100644
--- a/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card-writer.ts
+++ b/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card-writer.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { promises as fs } from "node:fs";
 
 import {
   findDataOffset,
+  inspectPs1Card,
   listPs1Saves,
   readPs1SaveContents,
 } from "./ps1-memory-card";
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@ const chainFrom = (directory: Buffer, firstBlock: number): number[] => {
 export interface Ps1ImportResult {
   ok: boolean;
   error?: string;
+  reason?: "unformatted";
   identifier?: string;
 }
 
@@ -192,6 +194,14 @@ export const importMcsIntoCard = async (
   const mcs = parseMcsBuffer(mcsBuffer);
   if (!mcs) return { ok: false, error: "Invalid .mcs data" };
 
+  if ((await inspectPs1Card(cardFilePath)) === "unformatted") {
+    return {
+      ok: false,
+      reason: "unformatted",
+      error: "The memory card is not formatted",
+    };
+  }
+
   const backupPath = `${cardFilePath}.hydra-bak`;
   try {
     await fs.copyFile(cardFilePath, backupPath);
@@ -212,7 +222,11 @@ export const importMcsIntoCard = async (
     const dataOffset = findDataOffset(fileBuf, fileBuf.length);
     if (dataOffset === null) {
       await restore();
-      return { ok: false, error: "Not a writable PS1 memory card" };
+      return {
+        ok: false,
+        reason: "unformatted",
+        error: "Not a writable PS1 memory card",
+      };
     }
     const applied = applyMcsToCard(fileBuf.subarray(dataOffset), mcs);
     if (!applied.ok) {
diff --git a/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card.ts b/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card.ts
index fdabedcf4f..4b2de793ea 100644
--- a/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card.ts
+++ b/src/main/services/emulators/ps1-memory-card/ps1-memory-card.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,32 @@ export const findDataOffset = (
   return null;
 };
 
+export const inspectPs1Card = async (
+  cardFilePath: string
+): Promise<"formatted" | "unformatted" | "unreadable"> => {
+  let fh: FileHandle | null = null;
+  try {
+    fh = await fs.open(cardFilePath, "r");
+    const stat = await fh.stat();
+    if (stat.size < PS1_BLOCK_BYTES) return "unformatted";
+
+    const probeLen = Math.min(
+      stat.size,
+      (HEADER_OFFSET_CANDIDATES.at(-1) ?? 0) + PS1_BLOCK_BYTES
+    );
+    const probe = Buffer.alloc(probeLen);
+    await fh.read(probe, 0, probeLen, 0);
+
+    return findDataOffset(probe, stat.size) === null
+      ? "unformatted"
+      : "formatted";
+  } catch {
+    return "unreadable";
+  } finally {
+    if (fh) await fh.close().catch(() => undefined);
+  }
+};
+
 const readFilename = (frame: Buffer): string => {
   const raw = frame.subarray(
     PS1_FILENAME_OFFSET,
diff --git a/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card-writer.ts b/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card-writer.ts
index 9f99d30a64..b46dadb9d8 100644
--- a/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card-writer.ts
+++ b/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card-writer.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   FAT_ALLOCATED_BIT,
   FAT_VALUE_MASK,
   detectEcc,
+  inspectPs2Card,
   listSaves,
   parseDirEntry,
   readSaveContents,
@@ -501,6 +502,7 @@ class Ps2CardWriter {
 export interface Ps2ImportResult {
   ok: boolean;
   error?: string;
+  reason?: "unformatted";
   folderName?: string;
 }
 
@@ -533,6 +535,14 @@ export const importPsuIntoCard = async (
   const psu = parsePsuBuffer(psuBuffer);
   if (!psu) return { ok: false, error: "Invalid .psu data" };
 
+  if ((await inspectPs2Card(cardFilePath)) === "unformatted") {
+    return {
+      ok: false,
+      reason: "unformatted",
+      error: "The memory card is not formatted",
+    };
+  }
+
   const backupPath = `${cardFilePath}.hydra-bak`;
   try {
     await fs.copyFile(cardFilePath, backupPath);
diff --git a/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card.ts b/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card.ts
index 803f9f758b..b8dc98be24 100644
--- a/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card.ts
+++ b/src/main/services/emulators/ps2-memory-card/ps2-memory-card.ts
@@ -135,6 +135,21 @@ export const readSuperblock = async (
   };
 };
 
+export const inspectPs2Card = async (
+  cardFilePath: string
+): Promise<"formatted" | "unformatted" | "unreadable"> => {
+  let fh: FileHandle | null = null;
+  try {
+    fh = await fs.open(cardFilePath, "r");
+    const sb = await readSuperblock(fh);
+    return sb ? "formatted" : "unformatted";
+  } catch {
+    return "unreadable";
+  } finally {
+    if (fh) await fh.close().catch(() => undefined);
+  }
+};
+
 export const detectEcc = (
   fileSize: number,
   sb: Superblock
diff --git a/src/preload/index.ts b/src/preload/index.ts
index 38bca0be64..2e640494e5 100644
--- a/src/preload/index.ts
+++ b/src/preload/index.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import type {
   EmulationBackupProgress,
   EmulationCloudSave,
   EmulationSavePlatform,
+  MemcardFormatState,
   MemcardRestoreResult,
   MemcardRestoreTarget,
 } from "@types";
@@ -359,6 +360,11 @@ contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld("electron", {
     platform: EmulationSavePlatform
   ): Promise<MemcardRestoreTarget[]> =>
     ipcRenderer.invoke("getMemcardRestoreTargets", platform),
+  inspectMemcard: (
+    platform: EmulationSavePlatform,
+    cardFilePath: string
+  ): Promise<MemcardFormatState> =>
+    ipcRenderer.invoke("inspectMemcard", platform, cardFilePath),
   restoreEmulationSave: (
     platform: EmulationSavePlatform,
     saveId: string,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/declaration.d.ts b/src/renderer/src/declaration.d.ts
index 8ae4adabb5..b423028677 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/declaration.d.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/declaration.d.ts
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ import type {
   DetectedRom,
   EmulationCloudSave,
   EmulationSavePlatform,
+  MemcardFormatState,
   MemcardRestoreResult,
   MemcardRestoreTarget,
 } from "@types";
@@ -544,6 +545,10 @@ declare global {
     getMemcardRestoreTargets: (
       platform: EmulationSavePlatform
     ) => Promise<MemcardRestoreTarget[]>;
+    inspectMemcard: (
+      platform: EmulationSavePlatform,
+      cardFilePath: string
+    ) => Promise<MemcardFormatState>;
     restoreEmulationSave: (
       platform: EmulationSavePlatform,
       saveId: string,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.scss b/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.scss
index 8e55cc28c7..91700b482c 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.scss
+++ b/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.scss
@@ -57,6 +57,13 @@
     font-size: 13px;
   }
 
+  &__hint {
+    margin: 0;
+    color: var(--warning, #e3b341);
+    font-size: 13px;
+    line-height: 1.4;
+  }
+
   &__actions {
     display: flex;
     justify-content: flex-end;
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.tsx b/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.tsx
index 1974f382f2..d6fb433641 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/pages/settings/emulation/emulation-save-modals.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { useToast } from "@renderer/hooks";
 import type {
   EmulationCloudSave,
   EmulationSavePlatform,
+  MemcardFormatState,
   MemcardRestoreTarget,
 } from "@types";
 
@@ -58,16 +59,48 @@ export function RestoreModal({
   const { showSuccessToast, showErrorToast } = useToast();
   const [targets, setTargets] = useState<MemcardRestoreTarget[]>([]);
   const [selected, setSelected] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [selectedFormat, setSelectedFormat] =
+    useState<MemcardFormatState | null>(null);
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!save) return;
+    let cancelled = false;
     window.electron.getMemcardRestoreTargets(platform).then((found) => {
+      if (cancelled) return;
       setTargets(found);
       setSelected((prev) => prev ?? found[0]?.cardFilePath ?? null);
     });
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
   }, [save, platform]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!selected) {
+      setSelectedFormat(null);
+      return;
+    }
+    let cancelled = false;
+    setSelectedFormat(null);
+    window.electron
+      .inspectMemcard(platform, selected)
+      .then((state) => {
+        if (!cancelled) setSelectedFormat(state);
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (!cancelled) setSelectedFormat("unreadable");
+      });
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [selected, platform]);
+
+  const unformattedKey =
+    platform === "ps2"
+      ? "cloud_restore_unformatted_ps2"
+      : "cloud_restore_unformatted";
+
   const handlePickFile = useCallback(async () => {
     const result = await window.electron.showOpenDialog({
       properties: ["openFile"],
@@ -97,7 +130,13 @@ export function RestoreModal({
         onRestored();
         onClose();
       } else {
-        showErrorToast(t("cloud_restore_failed"));
+        showErrorToast(
+          t(
+            res.reason === "unformatted"
+              ? unformattedKey
+              : "cloud_restore_failed"
+          )
+        );
       }
     } finally {
       setBusy(false);
@@ -106,6 +145,7 @@ export function RestoreModal({
     save,
     selected,
     platform,
+    unformattedKey,
     showSuccessToast,
     showErrorToast,
     t,
@@ -149,6 +189,10 @@ export function RestoreModal({
           )}
         </ul>
 
+        {selectedFormat === "unformatted" && (
+          <p className="emu-save-modal__hint">{t(unformattedKey)}</p>
+        )}
+
         <div className="emu-save-modal__actions">
           <Button theme="outline" onClick={handlePickFile} disabled={busy}>
             {t("cloud_restore_pick_file")}
@@ -156,7 +200,12 @@ export function RestoreModal({
           <Button
             theme="primary"
             onClick={handleRestore}
-            disabled={busy || !selected}
+            disabled={
+              busy ||
+              !selected ||
+              !selectedFormat ||
+              selectedFormat === "unformatted"
+            }
           >
             {busy ? t("cloud_restoring") : t("cloud_restore_confirm")}
           </Button>
diff --git a/src/types/emulator.types.ts b/src/types/emulator.types.ts
index dea6ce6ae3..6d79acbf21 100644
--- a/src/types/emulator.types.ts
+++ b/src/types/emulator.types.ts
@@ -146,10 +146,15 @@ export interface EmulationCloudSave {
   updatedAt: string;
 }
 
+export type MemcardFormatState = "formatted" | "unformatted" | "unreadable";
+
+export type MemcardRestoreErrorReason = "unformatted";
+
 /** Result of writing a downloaded cloud save back into a local card. */
 export interface MemcardRestoreResult {
   ok: boolean;
   error?: string;
+  reason?: MemcardRestoreErrorReason;
 }
 
 /** A local memory card a cloud save can be restored into. */