#Reformat a hard drive for mac how to#
#Reformat a hard drive for mac for mac#
#Reformat a hard drive for mac full#
#Reformat a hard drive for mac portable#
#Reformat a hard drive for mac software#

At the top of the Disk Utility window, select вЂњEraseвЂќ.

We discuss the best way to do that below!)

On the left side of the Disk Utility Window, select the external drive you want to format ( Note: You should create a backup of all files before proceeding.

Launch the Disk Utility app on your Mac.

Plug the external drive you want to format into your Mac.

#Reformat a hard drive for mac for mac#

You may be asking вЂњhow do I reformat for Mac external hard drive now that I know which file type I need to use?вЂќ DonвЂ™t worry, weвЂ™ve got you covered! Follow these steps carefully: Windows default file system is readable by macOS devices, but your Mac will not be able to write to NTFS files natively. This file type has all the same characteristics вЂ“ good and bad вЂ“ as FAT32 but can create and store files larger than 4GB. File size is also limited to 4GB and FAT32 tends to create disk errors more often than other file types. Just keep in mind FAT32 canвЂ™t be encrypted and has no other security features. For those who are often sharing files between operation systems, FAT32 is the best option. This file type can be read and written on Macs, Windows PCs, and Linux machines. But Windows canвЂ™t write to HFS+ files, and this file type doesnвЂ™t work with Linux. HFS+ hard drives can be encrypted much like APFS, and Windows machines can open HFS+ files with ease.

HFS+ is the precursor for APFS, and Macs with macOS older than High Sierra (or OS X, of course) will use HFS+ by default.

#Reformat a hard drive for mac software#

But if youвЂ™re all-inon the latest and greatest from Apple вЂ“ hardware and software вЂ“ APFS is a good choice. APFS only works with High Sierra or later, wonвЂ™t open on Windows or Linux machines, and only works on SSD, Flash, or hybrid drives. ItвЂ™s also not the right choice in many cases. ItвЂ™s efficient, reliable, and can encrypt files. The latest file type from Apple arrived with macOS High Sierra, and is the right choice for users who only use Macs.

#Reformat a hard drive for mac how to#

Here are the most popular file types for Mac, and how to choose which is right for you: This choice comes down to how you work, which computers you use, whether others need access to the files, and if older file types are important for your workflow. Older Windows files often require a format external drives simply donвЂ™t ship with knowing how to reformat external hard drive Mac and PC computers share is vital in these circumstances.Д«efore you format Macintosh hard drive or external drives, consider which file type you should use. Those of us who have an external drive shared with Windows machines know formatting can be critical to productivity.

The drive may come unformatted, formatted in a way that makes it unusable to your computer, or with a format that makes it difficult or impossible to store your files. For even more of us, knowing how to reformat external hard drive Mac laptops or desktops will use before loading files onto it is critical. We tend to think of external drives as a device to plug into a Mac and start loading files onto. This is one important reason you should know how to format hard drive for Mac. We keep a lot of sensitive personal or work documents on our computers, so itвЂ™s important that whomever you sell your Mac to doesnвЂ™t get their hands on it.

#Reformat a hard drive for mac full#

Sure, you can clear all data on your Mac, but itвЂ™s not always a full wipe-down of your hard drive. But there are times when formatting or reformatting are the right moves, like these: All too often, people believe they should format or reformat their hard drive to solve minor issues, which just isnвЂ™t necessary to solve their problems. You should also consider why youвЂ™d want to format HDD for Mac. Not only can hard drives be formatted in several unique formats, there are also a few ways to go about it. Reasons When You Might Need to Reformat a Hard Drive?ДЇormatting hard drives for Mac вЂ“ your MacвЂ™s built-in drive or an external drive вЂ“ presents several opportunities to reflect on what youвЂ™re doing, and why.

#Reformat a hard drive for mac portable#

In this article, weвЂ™ll discuss some of the key reasons youвЂ™d be formatting Mac HD, how to format harddrive on Mac desktops or laptops, how to format a portable hard drive for Mac (an external drive), and ways you can keep your data safe without losing any important documents. Whatever your needs, knowing the proper way to format your hard drive or external drive is key for proper file storage, sharing, and keeping your data safe. There are quite a few reasons youвЂ™d want to know how to format a hard drive for Mac. Make your Mac fast and secure with CleanMyMac X.