You can format external hard disk with an easy way in Windows and Linux. Make a backup of important files before formatting.The formatting external hard drive is not the same on different operating systems. The process of formatting a disk or volume erases all data in it.You can only format an external hard drive to NTFS on a Windows computer or with a third-party hard drive format tool.
How to Reformat External Hard Drive to APFS, HFS+ or ExFAT on Mac
For Mac use only, especially for Time Machine backupĭespite ExFAT being an ideal file format choice for an external hard drive, the standard Apple File System (APFS) and the older HFS+ are good choices.
In a word, FAT32 has the greatest compatibility with any old and new device, but ExFAT can hardly support the older devices like Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. FAT32 is kind of an older file system format than ExFAT, and it's mostly used for moving files to older systems as well as other devices. On top of that, FAT32 is a backup plan, too. Less requirement for data security or data recovery.Mainly use the external hard drive to transfer files or share files.Let me show more examples for you to consider the ExFAT as the best format for external hard drive use.
If this is your purpose, use the external hard drive on both macOS and Windows OS, ExFAT is the prior choice. Since an external hard drive's advantage is portable, it means that you can disconnect it from a Mac at any time, and flexibly put it to use on another Mac or even a Windows machine as well.
For the purpose of using the external hard drive on multiple devices and different operating system platforms.
The choices of macOS-compatible file system formats can be NTFS, FAT, APFS, HFS+, or ExFAT. Among the five different file system schemes, which is the best format for an external hard drive for Mac?ĭownload for Mac macOS 12.0 - 10.9 Also Available for Windows Solution 1: ExFAT In this regard, to be able to store, copy, delete or edit a file on an external hard drive on a Mac, this external hard drive has to be formatted with a recognizable file system. Without a file system properly configured on a storage drive, like an HDD or SSD, you won't be able to see the hard drive showing up on a computer, nor to access data contents in it.
Full stepsįive File System Formats for Mac External Hard Drive Connect the external hard drive to your Mac.