Let’s embark on a journey through the digital labyrinth of hard drive formatting. Welcome to How to Format Your External Hard Drive for Mac, an article created to guide you effortlessly through the process of preparing your new external hard drive for use with your Mac. This guide is your compass in the sometimes confusing world of file systems and formatting.
In the unfolding chapters of our digital exploration, we will demystify the various hard drive formats compatible with Mac, dissecting their individual characteristics and advantages. Our intention is to help you make an informed choice on the best format for your Mac.
So, buckle up, dear reader. Let’s dive in!
What is Best Format for Mac External Hard Drive?
Before you plunge into formatting your drive, some preparatory steps are essential. Foremost among these is determining the most suitable format for your drive.
Your choice of file format will largely hinge on what you intend to use the drive for. To guide you in this crucial decision, we’ve detailed some of the common formats below. After reviewing their characteristics, you’ll be better equipped to pick the one that aligns with your needs.
FAT32 (MS-DOS FAT)
This versatile format is readable and writable on Mac, Linux, and Windows, making it an excellent choice if you regularly share files across different systems. However, its age shows in its limitations – each file can’t exceed 4GB, and it is more prone to security issues and disk errors.
Learn how to format any SD card to Fat32 with Mac>>>
ExFAT
Resembling MS-DOS FAT, ExFAT is compatible with both Windows and Mac, but it surpasses FAT32 by accommodating files larger than 4GB.
NTFS
This is the default file system for Windows, and while Mac OS can read it, it doesn’t support writing to NTFS-formatted drives natively. However, third-party tools can bridge this gap and enable you to write to NTFS drives on your Mac.
APFS
As the standard file system for Macs operating on High Sierra or later, APFS offers reliability and efficiency. However, its utility is limited to these Macs; it isn’t accessible on Windows or Linux PCs, or older Mac versions. Plus, it’s only compatible with SSD and flash storage devices.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+)
If your Mac OS hasn’t been updated to High Sierra, your default file system will likely be Mac OS Extended. If you frequently transport your laptop or external drive, you might opt for Mac OS Extended (encrypted) for enhanced security. This format protects your drive’s content by encrypting it.
By the way, check out 12 Best External Hard Drives for PC and Mac.
How Do I Format an External Hard Drive on a Mac?
Taking the leap to reformat your external hard drive for Mac OS compatibility may seem like a daunting task, but fear not. The process is straightforward, and in a few easy strides, your drive will be primed for back-ups, ensuring your digital treasures are safe and sound. Just keep in mind that although Mac OS can interact with various file formats, optimizing for your Mac version will yield the best results and enable the creation of a bootable disk.
Please remember, though, the reformatting process will completely wipe the external hard drive clean. If your digital trove contains irreplaceable data, make sure you’ve backed it up prior to reformatting. A simple way to do this is to drag and drop files from one drive to another.
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to dive in and format your drive using your Mac’s built-in Disk Utility.
Just follow the guide below, and you’ll have your drive ready in no time:
Step 1: Plug your external or USB drive into your Mac.
Step 2: Navigate your way to Disk Utility, which is tucked away under Applications > Utilities.
Step 3: Within the Utilities window, locate the name of your drive on the left-hand side and select it. Now, simply click on the ‘Erase’ button.
Step 4: Heed the on-screen instructions to select the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system and give the green light to format the disk.
And there you have it – your drive is now ready to seamlessly cooperate with your Mac.
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Is exFAT or NTFS better for Mac?
When determining which file system is better for a Mac between exFAT and NTFS, it is essential to understand how Mac interacts with each of them.
exFAT
By default, Macs have full read and write access to exFAT formatted drives. This means you can seamlessly write data onto the drive or read the data on it without any issues. exFAT does not have the file size restrictions of the older FAT32, enabling it to handle larger files, a definite advantage when working with high-resolution videos or large databases. Additionally, it works with all versions of MacOS and is also compatible with Windows. This makes exFAT an excellent choice if you plan to use the drive interchangeably between Macs and PCs.
This format is also popular for SD cards. If you need to format an SD card, read: How to format micro SD Card Using Computer or Mobile.
NTFS
On the other hand, NTFS is the default file system for Windows. While Macs can read NTFS drives, they cannot write to them without additional software or drivers. So, if you plan on using an NTFS drive with a Mac, you’ll need to install a third-party tool to enable write access. Even with these tools, the performance and stability are often not as good as with native support, as is the case with exFAT.
If you’re primarily using the drive with a Mac, or moving files between Mac and Windows computers, exFAT is generally the better choice. It provides full, native read/write access on Mac, handles large files, and is compatible with Windows systems. While NTFS can be used with third-party tools, the added complexity and potential performance issues generally make it less suitable for use with Macs unless there is a specific requirement for the NTFS format.
Is FAT32 or exFAT better for Mac?
When choosing between FAT32 and exFAT file systems for use with a Mac, it’s crucial to consider the particular characteristics and limitations of each system.
FAT32
FAT32 is one of the oldest file systems, compatible with virtually all operating systems, including Mac, Windows, Linux, and even game consoles. This compatibility makes it a convenient choice for a drive that you plan to use across multiple platforms. However, FAT32 comes with a significant drawback: it cannot handle individual files larger than 4GB. For many modern applications, especially involving high-definition video or large databases, this file size limit can be a prohibitive constraint. Additionally, FAT32 drives also have a maximum capacity of 8TB, which might be limiting for some uses.
exFAT
Contrastingly, exFAT is a more modern replacement for FAT32, designed to overcome the limitations of its predecessor. exFAT can handle files of virtually any size, and it doesn’t limit the total capacity of the drive. Like FAT32, exFAT also enjoys broad compatibility across Mac, Windows, and other platforms, so it shares the convenience of the older format without its limitations. This means you can use it to store and transfer large files between different systems without worrying about the file size restrictions.
When using with a Mac, exFAT is generally a better choice over FAT32. It offers the same broad compatibility as FAT32 but without the restrictive file size and capacity limits. Therefore, unless you have a specific device that only supports FAT32, exFAT will likely serve your needs more effectively and flexibly.
Ready to Format Your External Hard Drive on Mac?
Having journeyed through this guide, you’re now proficient in the art of formatting an external hard drive on a Mac. Furthermore, you’ve acquainted yourself with the myriad hard drive formats suitable for different situations on a Mac.
If you wonder how to clone your hard drive, consult: 4 Best FREE Hard Drive Cloning Software (Mac & Windows)
This newfound knowledge enables you to handle data storage on your Mac with finesse, allowing for a more efficient and personalized digital experience. Be it backing up essential data, transferring files, or simply expanding your Mac’s storage, you’re now well prepared to meet these tasks head-on.
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