A device for recording information on a record carrier (11) is arranged for formatting a multilayer record carrier. The device has formatting means (16) for formatting the record carrier according which formatting includes de-icing by, in the event that locations in the user data area have not yet been recorded, writing dummy data (60) on the locations. The formatting means (16) determine a first radial position (50) and a first layer (40), which first radial position is indicative of a location on the first layer on which user data will be recorded first according to a predefined recording format. Subsequently said de-icing is started by writing of dummy data on a second layer (41) of the record carrier at the first radial position, opposite the location of the first user data (55). Hence a de-iced area (58) is created opposite the user data (55).