How to Format an External SSD for Mac [Latest Working Methods]

Are you looking for the best way to format an external SSD for Mac? If so, I hope this article will be of great help to you. This guide will walk you through how to format an external SSD for Mac on both Windows and macOS.

What format should my external SSD be for use with a Mac?

Before we learn how to format an external SSD for Mac, we need to determine the best format for it. There are four formats compatible with macOS: exFAT, FAT32, APFS, and HFS+. Let's compare which is the best format for an external SSD on Mac according to the table below.

All four formats work for external SSDs. APFS, which performs best on a Mac, is ideal for SSDs and flash drives. Both exFAT and FAT32 are compatible with both Windows and macOS, so if you plan to transfer data or share files between a Mac and a Windows machine, format your SSD as FAT32 or exFAT. HFS+ is a file system better suited for hard disk drives.

To learn more about these four differences in detail, click the button below for further information.

With the correct Mac external SSD format in mind, it's time to look at how to format for a Mac.

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How to Format an External SSD on a Mac

If you want to format an external SSD directly on your Mac, you can use a built-in tool. Disk Utility is a simple app on the Mac that you can use to format an external SSD or change its file system. It's also easier than using terminal commands. Here's how it's done.

Step 1. Connect the external SSD to your Mac.

Step 2: In the Mac Finder, open Utilities and then find Disk Utility.

Step 3. Select the external SSD on the left, then click “Erase” on the page.

This image displays a disk utility interface with an option to "Erase."

Step 4. Name your external SSD and choose the format you need.

How to Format an External SSD for a Mac on a PC

If you want to directly convert NTFS to FAT32 for use on a Mac, you can also format the external SSD for use on a Mac from Windows. The easiest way is to use a professional formatting tool on Windows: MiniTool Partition Wizard Free. It can easily format to exFAT or FAT32. Its simple operation makes it suitable for beginners. You can format the external SSD for Mac as follows.

Step 1: Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the external hard drive/USB/SD card partition you want to format and choose "Format Partition".

Step 2. Specify a new volume label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size for the selected partition, then click OK.

(3) Click Yes in the warning dialog to continue.

Step 4. Click on “Run 1 Task” on the top-left corner to check the changes and hit “Apply” to start formatting the external hard drive/USB/SD card.

Do you think it easy to use this tool - Partition Master? As an all-in-one disk performance optimizer, it has more powerful functions. For example, it can check the hard drive, convert primary partition to logical, and rebuild MBR, etc. In addition, if you want to learn more solutions about formatting in Windows, you can click the link below.

How to Format SSD in Windows 11

SSDs don't require formatting every time, but they must be formatted before first use for a reason. You need to format them to clear bad sectors, erase old data, and prepare for new usage.

Conclusions

After reading this guide, how will you format your external SSD for use with your Mac? First, you'll need to choose a format that your Mac can read and write to for your external SSD. Then, you can format it on Windows or macOS. Formatting on Windows is quick and easy with the Disk Management tool. On a Mac, Disk Utility is a good choice.

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**FAQ: How to format an external SSD for Mac** 1. **Q: Why do I need to format my external SSD for Mac?** **A:** Formatting the external SSD makes it compatible with macOS, ensures smooth data reading and writing, and optimizes performance. 2. **Q: What file system format should I choose?** **A:** For most Mac users, it's recommended to use **ExFAT** or **APFS (Apple File System)**. ExFAT is suitable for cross-platform use, while APFS is Apple's new file system designed specifically for macOS, offering better performance and security. 3. **Q: How can I check the current file system of my SSD on a Mac?** **A:** Open "Disk Utility," select your SSD, and view the "Format" in the information panel on the right. 4. **Q: Will formatting delete all the data?** **A:** Yes, formatting will erase all data from the SSD. Backup important files before proceeding. 5. **Q: How do I format an external SSD on my Mac?** **A:** 1. Open "Disk Utility" (found in "Applications" > "Utilities"). 2. Select your SSD from the left-hand list. 3. Click the "Erase" button. 4. Enter a new volume name, choose the format (like APFS or ExFAT), then click "Erase." 6. **Q: Will formatting make the SSD faster?** **A:** If it wasn't previously optimized for macOS, formatting to the appropriate file system may improve read and write speeds. 7. **Q: Can I revert the formatted SSD to its original state?** **A:** Yes, but you'll need data recovery software to attempt to restore non-overwritten data, followed by reformatting. 8. **Q: Will the SSD be usable between Windows and Mac after formatting?** **A:** If you choose the ExFAT format, yes, it will work seamlessly between both operating systems. 9. **Q: What if I encounter issues during formatting?** **A:** If you run into problems, ensure there's no hardware issue with the SSD, then restart your Mac and try again. If the issue persists, seek professional assistance. 10. **Q: Are there third-party tools to help me format the SSD?** **A:** Yes, there are free and paid disk management tools like Paragon Partition Manager or alternatives to Disk Utility that offer additional features and options.

Aside from the detailed steps on how to format an external SSD for Mac, here are some FAQs about external SSDs and Macs.

How do I get my external SSD to work on my Mac?

Most important, your SSD must be formatted for your Mac. Then open System Preferences, choose Startup Disk, and click Restart.

2. Can I format a new external drive for my Mac?

You need to format, erase, or reconfigure a new external hard drive so that your Mac can read from and write to it. Most external hard drives are formatted as NTFS, which isn't readable by a Mac.

3. Should I use APFS or the macOS Journaling File System?

It depends on your version of macOS. APFS is used for macOS 10.13 and later, while Mac OS Extended is used for macOS 10.12 or earlier. APFS is superior for both SSDs and hard drives.