What is disk formatting in Mac Terminal, and how to format a disk? [Best Solution]

One of the best ways to format a disk on Mac is by using the Terminal app. It's not something users employ often, but it's still an important utility. That's why we decided to dedicate this article to the Terminal and how you can use it to format a disk.

The other option is to use Disk Utility. In this guide, we'll delve into the details and steps of how to format a disk using the Terminal on your Mac.

What is the Mac Terminal, and how do I open it?

Mac Terminal is the CLI (Command Line Interface) in the Mac operating system. It's similar to the Windows Command Prompt on other PCs. It's primarily used by power users and network administrators when actions required cannot be performed through a graphical user interface.

In short, Terminal is one of the most powerful apps on a Mac, providing root-level access and an array of features. It gives users backdoor access, allowing them to make changes via the command line. With it, you can launch new apps, alter settings, and even format your hard drive for optimal Mac performance.

It is important to understand why most users would not even attempt to use the terminal, with its rigid commands and air of intimidation. And once a command is entered, there is no immediate way to undo or change it. Used carelessly, it can have disastrous consequences.

Want to open Terminal on your Mac? Check out these simple steps –

Step 1: Click the Launchpad icon in your Dock, then type “Terminal” into the search field.

Step 2: Alternatively, open the "Finder." Click "Go" at the top menu.

Step 3: Click “Utilities.”

Step 4: Here, you will need to select the “Terminal” option.

Now that you know how to open Terminal on your Mac, let's proceed. To format a disk using Terminal, you must input the correct command. The most basic one is: diskutil eraseDisk FILESYSTEM NAME DISKIDENTIFIER

If it's still unclear, open Utilities from your Applications folder, then launch Terminal and type diskutil list. Press Return and wait for the list of disks connected to your Mac to appear. You should be able to easily identify the name or file system of the drive you want to format.

How do I format a disk on Mac using Terminal?

Do you want to know how to format a disk from the Mac Terminal? If so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Terminal

First, you need to open the Terminal on your Mac. If you're using macOS X, click on the "Go" menu and then choose "Go to Folder" and type /Applications/Utilities/Terminal/.

Step 2: Open the TextEdit application

It is very important that you get the command line commands right when typing them into the terminal. The safest way is to write them down in advance in the TextEdit application.

To do so, you would need to follow these steps:

1. Click the "Go" menu in Finder.

2. Click “Go to Folder.”

3: Type in /Applications/TextEdit and press "Enter".

4. Click the TextEdit icon. This will launch the TextEdit app.

Third step: Enter the command

Now, you need to input the necessary command. The basic command is `diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ diskname diskidentifier`. You will need to edit this command according to your needs.

Step 4: Make the necessary changes

You can make many changes in the basic command line. For example, if you want to format or erase a disk securely, replace `eraseDisk` with `secureErase`.

Step 5: Copy and paste the command

Now that you've written the command, copy it by pressing Command-C. Then, switch to Terminal and paste the command with Command-V.

Step 6: Confirmation

After pasting the command in the terminal prompt, press Enter. You might be asked to provide your administrator credentials. If prompted, confirm.

Additional Tip: Formatting a Disk on a Mac Terminal

The complexity of the Mac Terminal is not a new problem, and it is probably the main reason most users avoid it. But knowing at least the basics is wise.

If you're still not comfortable using the Terminal on your Mac, you can opt for an alternative method to format the disk. Disk Utility on Mac is a handy macOS app that offers various functionalities. With this application, you can format different storage devices on your system.

You can format the disk to exFAT or FAT file system using Disk Utility. Please follow these steps:

1. Launch the Disk Utility application. You can find it in your “Applications” folder, then in “Utilities.”

Step 2: You'll see a list of storage devices on the sidebar. Select the one you want to format.

Step 3: Click the “Erase” option. You'll now need to name your volume.

Step 4: Choose "exFAT" as the format for the drive. Click "Erase."

That's how you format a disk on a Mac using Disk Utility. If you're unable to format a USB drive on your Mac, or if your external hard drive only shows up as "read-only," click the button below to fix the issue.

Conclusions

Did you enjoy the tutorial? Well, it was fun compiling this information for Mac users. As an avid Mac user myself, I've always appreciated the importance of the Mac terminal. However, the lack of knowledge about it among the masses is quite concerning.

Even if you're not keen on using the Mac Terminal, knowing the basics is essential. That's what this article is for.

Mac Terminal is a powerful application that grants root-level access to macOS. However, performing tasks requires specific commands, and entering them requires great care. Once input, undoing or modifying them can be quite challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formatting Disks with Mac Terminal 1. What is Mac Terminal? Mac Terminal is an integrated command-line interface that allows users to perform various operating system tasks, including disk management, by entering text commands. 2. Why format a disk in Terminal? Formatting a disk in Terminal offers advanced control and flexibility, especially when customizing file system types or dealing with disks that cannot be formatted through the graphical user interface. 3. How do I find a disk in Terminal? Use the "diskutil list" command to list all connected disks and volumes on your Mac. 4. How do I format a disk? Use the "diskutil eraseDisk" command, like this: "diskutil eraseDisk ExFAT [VolumeName] /dev/diskX", where ExFAT is the file system type, [VolumeName] is the volume name, and /dev/diskX is the identifier of the disk you want to format. 5. Will formatting delete data? Yes, formatting will remove all data from the disk. Make sure to back up important files before proceeding. 6. What if I encounter error codes or issues? If you experience problems in Terminal, try examining the error message for more information or search for the specific error code to find a solution. 7. Can I format the system startup disk? It's not recommended to directly format the startup disk in Terminal, as it may render the operating system unbootable. If necessary, create a recovery drive or backup first. 8. Which file system types are supported? Mac Terminal supports various file system types, such as HFS+, APFS, ExFAT, and FAT32, among others. 9. How do I verify the disk after formatting? Use the "diskutil verifyDisk /dev/diskX" command to verify the formatted disk for any issues. 10. Is it suitable for beginners to format disks using Terminal? Terminal might be challenging for inexperienced users. If unsure, consider seeking professional assistance or using a graphical interface tool.

This guide provides essential information about formatting disks through the Mac Terminal and explains the process in detail. However, if you have more questions about formatting disks via the Mac Terminal, please read through the frequently asked questions and answers below.

**1. How to format a damaged hard drive on a Mac?** To format a damaged hard drive on a Mac, follow these steps: 1. **Launch Disk Utility:** - Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and choose "System Preferences." - In System Preferences, click "Disk Utility." 2. **Select the hard drive to format:** - In the left-side window of Disk Utility, locate and select the hard drive you want to repair or format. 3. **Run Disk Repair (optional):** - In the right-side pane, click the "First Aid" button to attempt repairing any disk errors. This might help restore the drive to a working state, but it may not solve all issues. 4. **Format the hard drive:** - If First Aid fails or doesn't resolve the issue, click the "Erase" button. - In the pop-up window, assign a new name, format (such as APFS, Mac OS Extended (Journaled), etc.), and scheme (usually GUID Partition Map) for the hard drive. - Carefully confirm that you have selected the correct drive, then click "Erase." This will permanently delete all data on the drive. 5. **Verify and use the hard drive:** - After formatting, Disk Utility will automatically verify the new file system. Once verified, the drive can be safely used for storing new data. Please note that formatting will erase all data on the drive, so make sure to back up any important information beforehand. If the hard drive has physical damage, professional assistance might be required for repair.

To format a damaged Mac hard drive, you first need to check the SATA/IDE USB connection and mount it. After that, several repair options are available. These include "First Aid," "Erase," the FSCK command, and the Terminal. 1. "First Aid": This is a feature within the Disk Utility application that attempts to fix logical errors on the disk. 2. "Erase": This option completely deletes all data from the hard drive and reformats it. 3. FSCK Command: File System Check (File System Verification) is a command-line tool used to check and repair file system errors. 4. Terminal: In the Mac's Terminal, you can use more advanced commands to format the hard drive, but this requires some technical knowledge. Before proceeding with any of these actions, ensure that you have backed up important data, as these processes can result in data loss.

**2. What is the formatting command for the Mac Terminal?**

The formatting command in the Mac Terminal can vary depending on several factors. The most basic form is `diskutil eraseDisk FILE_SYSTEM DISK_NAME DISK_IDENTIFIER`. Here's what each parameter means: - `FILE_SYSTEM`: Specifies the file system type you want, such as APFS, HFS+, FAT32, etc. - `DISK_NAME`: Assigns a new name to the disk. - `DISK_IDENTIFIER`: The unique identifier of the disk, which can typically be seen after running the `diskutil list` command, e.g., `/dev/disk2`. A complete example might be: ```bash diskutil eraseDisk APFS MyNewDisk /dev/disk2 ``` This command would format the disk at `/dev/disk2` with the APFS file system and name it "MyNewDisk". Be sure to back up important data before executing this, as it will permanently delete all content on the disk.

How do I format a partition in the Terminal on a Mac?

When formatting a partition in the Mac Terminal, you need to consider different parameters. For example, `diskutil eraseVolume "Tuxera NTFS" my-ntfs disk0s4`. This command signifies that the user wants to format the partition to NTFS format in the Mac Terminal. "Tuxera NTFS" is the file system type, "my-ntfs" is the name you want to assign to the partition, and "disk0s4" is the identifier of the partition. Make sure to replace these parameters correctly according to your specific needs.