What Is the Best File Format for External Hard Drive for Mac [2024 Updated]

When formatting an external drive, you are required to make several crucial decisions that will impact the drive's functionality across both PCs and Macs, among other factors. Indeed, manufacturers often claim that their external drives are instantly compatible with both operating systems. However, the reality is more intricate than that.

You can quickly format the drive, assign it a label, or even partition it to create multiple volumes using the Disk Utility app. Let's explore the optimal format for an external hard drive for Mac and how to set the best format for an external hard drive on a Mac. 1. **Choosing the Best Format for an External Hard Drive on Mac:** - **APFS (Apple File System):** This is the default file system for macOS High Sierra and later. It's optimized for solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash storage, providing improved security, faster performance, and space-saving features. - **ExFAT (Extended File Allocation Table):** This is a cross-platform file system that works well with both Macs and Windows PCs. If you need to share the drive between macOS and Windows systems frequently, ExFAT is a good choice. - **FAT32:** Another cross-compatible option, but it has limitations, like a 4GB file size limit. It might be suitable for older systems or basic needs. - **HFS+ (Hierarchical File System Plus):** This was the standard file system before APFS. While still supported, it's not recommended for new external drives unless compatibility with older Macs is crucial. 2. **How to Format an External Hard Drive on Mac:** - Connect the external hard drive to your Mac via USB or another compatible port. - Open "Disk Utility." You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder, or by searching for it using Spotlight. - In the left sidebar, locate your external hard drive (usually labeled with its brand name or capacity). - Select the drive, then click the "Erase" button at the top of the window. - In the "Format" dropdown menu, choose the appropriate file system (APFS, ExFAT, FAT32, or HFS+). - Enter a name for the drive in the "Name" field. - Click "Erase" to begin the formatting process. This will erase all data on the drive, so ensure you have backups if needed. After formatting, your external hard drive will be ready to use with your chosen file system, tailored to your specific needs.

What Is the Best File System Format for External Hard Drive on Mac?

Before selecting the optimal format for an external drive, you should be aware of the file system formats supported by Mac's Disk Utility.

Disk Utility supports the following file system formats: Apple File System (APFS) FileVault 2 Mac OS Extended (HFS+) ExFAT FAT32 NTFS (read-only)

Apple File System (APFS): macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and later use this file system.

Mac OS Extended (HFS+): Used by macOS 10.12 (Sierra) and earlier.

MS-DOS (FAT): This file system works with both Windows and Mac.

ExFAT is a file system that is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Let's delve into these four file system formats in depth and determine which one suits you best!

Apple File System (APFS)

For Mac machines running macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, the default file system is APFS (Apple File System). It was announced at Apple's Developers Conference in June 2016 that it would succeed HFS+, which had been in use since 1998. APFS boasts attractive features such as snapshots, robust encryption, space sharing, efficient directory scaling, and improved file system fundamentals.

Recent iterations of macOS utilize Flash/SSD storage, which is ideal for APFS. Consequently, it can also be employed on older computers with externally attached storage devices and traditional hard disk drives (HDD). The APFS file system is compatible for use with bootable and data volumes on macOS 10.13 or later versions.

APFS (Apple File System) is an intelligent file system. It enables dynamic allocation of disk space within a partition or container. For example, if your APFS container houses multiple volumes, the available space within the container is shared among them. Whenever any disk needs additional storage to save data, APFS can automatically assign the free space to it.

You can set reserve and quota sizes for each volume as needed. The book uses only a portion of the entire container; therefore, the available Space equals the total container size minus the sum of its volume sizes.

APFS is available in four formats:

It uses the APFS file system.

Choose this format if you don't need encryption or case sensitivity.

It utilizes the APFS (Encrypted) format.

If you format the Mac volume with this file system on your Mac, you can encrypt the disk.

It utilizes the case-sensitive APFS format.

This file system allows for the distinction between uppercase and lowercase in file and folder names. Consequently, the folders "Work" and "WORK" are considered two separate directories.

It utilizes the APFS (Case-sensitive, Encrypted) format.

As mentioned earlier, this file system combines the advantages of the two formats. In other words, it treats file and folder names as case-sensitive, and it allows you to encrypt the volume.

Depending on your requirements, you can choose the optimal format for an external hard drive on a Mac.

Mac OS Extended (HFS+)

Mac OS Extended, occasionally referred to as HFS+ or HFS Plus, is a journaling file system developed by Apple Inc. It is compatible with macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or earlier versions. It served as the primary file system for Mac OS X until it was succeeded by the Apple File System (APFS).

It is available in the following four formats:

It uses the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format for Journaled HFS Plus.

The integrity of the hierarchical file system is preserved. Choose this format if you do not need to encrypt the volume or distinguish between uppercase and lowercase file and folder names.

It utilizes the Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) format

You'll need to enter a password for this file system to encrypt the partition.

The Mac format is used by Mac OS Extended (case-sensitive, journaled) This means that the file system format being referred to is specifically designed for Mac OS Extended, which is a file system utilized by Apple's macOS. It is case-sensitive, meaning it distinguishes between uppercase and lowercase letters in file names, and it employs journaling, a feature that helps maintain data integrity and ensures a consistent file system state.

Folder names are case-sensitive.

It uses the Mac format known as Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted)

As mentioned earlier, it combines the characteristics of the two formats: the folder names are case-sensitive, and the partition must be encrypted with a password.

MS-DOS (FAT) & exFAT

ExFAT and FAT are both file systems compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. The key difference lies in their usage: ExFAT is employed for volumes larger than 32GB, while FAT is utilized for volumes smaller than 32GB.

You can choose one of these two file systems if you intend to use the external hard drive on both Windows and Mac. ExFAT is more compatible in this case.

Usage

What file system works best with an external Mac hard drive? There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and the ideal file system should be selected based on your specific usage scenarios.

Apple File System (APFS)

Best for solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash drives with macOS 10.13 or later: Optimal for solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash drives when using macOS 10.13 or later versions.

Mac OS Extended (HFS+)

Best for mechanical drives and drives used with macOS 10.12 or earlier

MS-DOS (FAT)

Best for external hard drives used with Windows computers. However, if the file size exceeds 4 GB or the volume exceeds 32 GB, this file system is not supported.

exFAT

Best for External Hard Drives Shared with Windows Computers

How to Choose the Best Format for an External Hard Drive on Mac

Make sure you've either extracted the drive's files or created a backup before continuing. There are two different methods to format an external hard drive on a Mac, which are as follows:

Format External Hard Drive Using Disk Utility

Step 1. After connecting the USB drive to the Mac, launch Disk Utility from the Applications menu. You'll find the name of the USB drive listed on the left-side panel.

Step 2. Click on the USB drive name to go to the Erase tab. Here, you must select the MS-DOS (FAT) format and Master Boot Record scheme under the Format option.

Finally, press the Erase button to complete the formatting of the USB device.

Format External Hard Drive Using Terminal

Step 1. Connect the USB drive to your Mac. Then, press CMD + Space to launch Spotlight. Type Terminal into the search box and hit Enter.

Step 2. To identify your USB drive, type diskutil list in the Terminal window after it opens.

Step 3. To erase a disc, use the `sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2` command, where `sudo` grants the user permission to execute the `diskutil` command with elevated privileges.

The command "format FAT32" will erase the disk. Assuming the drive's location is "/dev/disk2," specifying the "MBRFormat" as the file system tells the Disk Utility to use the Master Boot Record method for formatting.

Upon completion of the process, type diskutil list to verify that the formatting was done correctly. The USB drive can now be used on a Mac with the FAT32 file system.

What Is the Best Format for External Hard Drive on Mac and PC

Format your external hard drive using exFAT to make it compatible with both Mac and Windows computers. exFAT can be used with any computer manufactured in the last 20 years and allows you to store files of any size.

FAT32 vs. exFAT

, one of the most ancient file systems still in use, is compatible with all Mac and Windows operating system versions. However, it is not very compatible with modern technologies.

One major limitation of FAT32 is that it can only accommodate files up to 4GB in size. Hence, if you encounter the error message "the file is too large for the destination file system," it indicates that the file you're attempting to transfer or copy to a FAT32 disk exceeds this 4GB limit. Additionally, Windows restricts the creation of drive partitions larger than 32GB using FAT32. Despite Macs being capable of creating a 2TB partition, they also adhere to the same 4GB file size constraint when using FAT32.

ExFAT, the newer version of FAT32, addresses most of the issues with the older format. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, similar to its predecessor. However, due to its novelty, the most up-to-date operating systems might not support it.

Windows XP SP3 is the oldest Windows operating system that exFAT can support, whereas Mac OS X 10.6.5 Snow Leopard is the most outdated Mac operating system. However, it's safe to say that in the FAT32 vs. exFAT debate, there is a clear winner if you've bought your Mac and PC within the last 20 years.

How to Format an External Hard Drive on a Windows PC?

There are 3 distinct methods to format an external hard drive on a Windows PC: 1. Using the built-in Disk Management tool: - Connect the external hard drive to your Windows PC. - Press "Win + X" keys, then choose "Disk Management" from the menu. - Locate the external hard drive in the list of disks and right-click on it. - Select "Format" and choose the desired file system (e.g., NTFS, FAT32, exFAT). - Set the allocation unit size, if needed, and check the "Quick Format" option. - Click "OK" to start the formatting process. 2. Through File Explorer: - Connect the external hard drive to your Windows PC. - Open "File Explorer" and locate the drive in the left pane. - Right-click on the drive and select "Format." - Choose the file system and allocation unit size, then check "Perform a quick format." - Click "Start" to initiate the formatting. 3. With the Command Prompt: - Connect the external hard drive to your Windows PC. - Open "Command Prompt" as an administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)." - Identify the drive letter of your external hard drive by typing "diskpart" and pressing Enter, then "list disk," and press Enter again. - Select the correct disk by typing "select disk X" (replace X with the disk number). - Type "clean" and press Enter to erase all data, then type "create partition primary" and press Enter. - Format the partition with "format fs=NTFS quick" (use FAT32 or exFAT if needed) and press Enter. - Type "exit" twice to close the Command Prompt. After formatting, ensure you have backups of any important data, as the process will erase everything on the external hard drive.

1. Tools Partition Master
2. Disk Management
3. File Explorer

Method 1: Using EPM (tools Partition Master)

Partition Master is a free partition manager. It allows you to easily format any hard drive using the versatile disk management software, which facilitates partition creation, resizing, moving, merging, and cloning.

Method 2: Format a Hard Drive Partition using Disk Management

Windows comes with a built-in program called Disk Management that can be used to manage both internal and external disks. You can also create and format partitions using this tool.

New Partition Format:

Step 1. Right-click "This PC" and select "Manage."

Step 2. Navigate to "Disk Management."

Step 3. Right-click on an empty area of your hard drive and select "New Simple Volume" from the context menu.

Step 4. Follow the New Simple Volume Wizard's instructions.

Step 5. Enter the size of the partition that you want to create, or accept the maximum default size, and then click Next.

Step 6. Accept the default drive letter for the partition, or choose a different one, and then click OK.

Step 7. In the Format Partition dialog box, select one of the following options:

If you don't want to format the volume at this time, select "Do not format this volume," and then click Next.

Click "Next" to format the volume using the default parameter settings.

Existing Partition Format

Step 1. Right-click "This PC" and select "Manage."

Step 2. Proceed to "Disk Management."

Step 3. Right-click on the destination hard drive partition and select "Format."

Step 4. Choose the file system and volume label, then click "OK" to start formatting the drive.

Method 3: File Explorer

Connect your external hard drive to your Windows computer. If the external hard drive is functioning properly, your computer will promptly recognize it, displaying it under "Devices and Drives" in the "This PC" window alongside your internal drives. You can also access it through File Explorer's left sidebar.

Note: Make sure to back up any files on your external hard drive if you've already used it with your PC. Formatting will erase all its contents.

Step 1. External hard drive: right-click, then select Format First, connect your external hard drive to your computer. Then, follow these steps: 1. Locate the external hard drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). It should appear as a drive letter (e.g., E:) on Windows or a disk icon on Mac. 2. Right-click on the drive icon. A context menu will appear. 3. On Windows, choose "Format" from the context menu. On Mac, click "Eject" first, then right-click again and select "Format." 4. A warning message may appear, asking if you're sure you want to format the drive. This is because formatting will erase all data on the drive. Make sure you have backed up any important files before proceeding. 5. In the Format window (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac), choose the file system you want to use. For compatibility with both Windows and Mac, select "ExFAT." If you're only using the drive with one operating system, you can choose "NTFS" for Windows or "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for Mac. 6. Give your external hard drive a name (optional). 7. Click "Start" on Windows or "Erase" on Mac to begin the formatting process. Wait for the process to complete, which may take a few minutes depending on the size of the drive. Once the formatting is done, your external hard drive is ready to use.

Choose a format from the File System menu. Since NTFS (New Technology File System) is the default Microsoft filing system, Windows computers will select it for you automatically. Right-click on the external hard drive and hit "Format."

Step 2. Choose a format from the File System menu

Since NTFS (New Technology File System) is the default Microsoft filing system, Windows computers will automatically choose it. However, if you want your external hard drive to work with a Mac, you should also select exFAT.

Step 3. Click Start after selecting the Quick Format checkbox Click on "Start" after making sure the "Quick Format" option is checked.

This could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the drive and whether or not any files need to be erased.

Step 4. When the Format Complete pop-up window appears, click OK

Partitioning a hard drive is a straightforward way to make it compatible with both Mac and Windows. This involves dividing the drive into two separate formats - one for Mac and one for PC.

Conclusion

In this article, we have delved into the optimal formats for external hard drives compatible with both Mac and PC. By partitioning your external hard drive, you can perform operations in one part without impacting the others. Formatting a partition on a hard drive can be easily accomplished using tools like the Format Tool or Windows Disk Management. However, it's crucial to back up all data on the selected drive before proceeding with formatting, as it will result in data loss. If the partition or device is inaccessible, you can manually transfer files or employ data recovery software to salvage your information.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Formats for External Hard Drives on Mac

If you think you still have doubts, you can read answers to the following questions;

1. Should I use exFAT or macOS Journaled on an external hard drive? When choosing between exFAT and macOS Journaled file systems for an external hard drive, it depends on your specific needs and compatibility considerations: - **exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table):** This file system is designed to be compatible with both Windows and macOS, allowing you to easily share the drive between computers running different operating systems. exFAT is a good choice if you frequently need to exchange files between a Mac and a PC. - **macOS Journaled:** This is Apple's native file system for macOS, offering features like journaling for improved data integrity and performance. If you primarily use the external hard drive with a Mac and don't need to access it from a Windows computer, macOS Journaled would be a suitable option. However, keep in mind that a macOS-formatted drive might not be readable by default on a Windows machine without additional software. In summary, choose exFAT for cross-platform compatibility, or macOS Journaled if you only need to use the drive with macOS devices.

ExFat is only used for computer-to-computer transfers and is not used for active access. If you're using a Mac, select HFS+ (macOS Journaled); if you're using a Windows computer, opt for NTFS.

2. Does Mac use NTFS or exFAT? Mac systems typically use the HFS+ file system for internal storage, but they can read and write to NTFS-formatted drives with the help of third-party software. For external drives, macOS has supported exFAT out of the box since OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) for compatibility with both Mac and Windows systems. However, newer versions of macOS, starting with Catalina (10.15), also support the APFS (Apple File System) for external drives, which is more modern and optimized for flash-based storage.

They are incompatible because Mac OS uses HFS, while Windows operates with NTFS. However, you can format the drive using the exFAT file system to ensure compatibility with both Windows and Mac.

3. What is the best format for an external hard drive?

NTFS is a good option and is likely the best overall choice if you plan to use your external drive with Windows-based computers. However, if you need to use the drive outside the Windows ecosystem, ExFAT would be more suitable.