

- #FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC FOR MAC#
- #FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC MAC OS#
- #FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC UPDATE#
- #FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC WINDOWS#
#FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC MAC OS#
Reformatting an external hard drive for use with Mac OS is not as difficult as it might seem.
#FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC FOR MAC#
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility Luckily, there are third-party tools to help you do so. NTFS: As the default file system in Windows, it can only read by Mac OS and writing to it is not available.
#FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC WINDOWS#
Nevertheless, this older file system is limited to no more than 4GB and there might be security issue and disk errors.ĮxFAT: It is similar to ExFAT which can be read by both Windows and Mac, but it can store more than 4GB files. It enables you to regularly share files with your friends. MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32): In addition to Mac, it can also be written and read by Linux and Windows. You can encrypt it so that no one can access the contents on your drive. Mac OS Extended (encrypted) would be an ideal option if you probably carry your laptop or external drive here and there.
#FORMAT AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FOR MAC UPDATE#
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+): If you didn't update your Mac OS to High Sierra, the default file system on your Mac shoule be Mac OS Extended. What's more, it is compatible with SSD and flash storage devices only.

However, it won't be readable and usable on machines that are not running Mac High Sierra, Windows or Linux PCs. Which one is right for your circumstance? We'll describe them here, and you'll be able to make your choice after reading the details.ĪPFS: This is the default file system in Macs with High Sierra. There are a few file formats you can use, but it depends on the purpose you want to use the drive for. The most important, you should decide which format to use. You might also want to check out the best PS5 external hard drives (opens in new tab).Part 1: Which File Format You Should Choose?īefore you begin formatting the drive, there are a few things to do.

So we look not only at the versatility and general performance of the drives - across a number of benchmarks - but also their relevance to specific use cases, after sales and warranty as well as sheer value for money. That however came at the cost of endurance, especially at the lower end of the market and is likely to be an issue if you use our SSD storage extensively.Īll newer MacBook and desktop Macs (iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro) come with one or more Thunderbolt ports which are also compatible with USB Type-C. While we will talk mostly about hard drives as storage device write and read on spinning metal or glass platters, we have to mention SSD (solid state drives) as well as they have grown both in capacity and in performance. Best external hard drives for Mac: How we chose them? There are other things as well, including a rugged build if you plan on taking it out in the field with you, and portability if you plan on traveling around with it. If you’re storing very important files, especially for work, consider getting one that has more robust security features. Many external hard drives have USB 3.0 connections, but since MacBooks and Mac accessories rely on the power and data transfer speed of USB-Cs, USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 or 4 connections are certainly favorable. Finding one that’s not only affordable, but has enough storage space – a minimum of 1TB is highly recommended – for your present and future needs is definitely ideal, even if you have more than enough money to splurge for something expensive.Īnother deciding factor, however, is the connection. Of course, those two things are absolutely vital.

When choosing the best external hard drive for your Mac, you need to consider other things beyond storage capacity and price. What to look for in a external hard drive for your Mac It's more pricey than the other drives of its capacity, but the extra security it offers will be well worth it for many people. When you consider all that extra security, the prices won't scare you away either. What's more, the data is encrypted by the 256-bit AES protocol, with multiple forms of protection in place to ensure the bad guys don't get in no matter how persistent. If someone tries to tamper with your iStorage drive, you can configure it to self-desturct. If you're worried about people getting access to your data if your external hard drive is stolen, than you'll like the iStorage drive here.
