Which format is compatible with both Mac and PC? [Best choice]

Are you looking for a file format that works on both Mac and PC? If you have two different computer systems and need to copy and transfer files between them, it's essential to find a compatible file system format. Most USB drives are formatted by default as NTFS, while the common format used on Macs is APFS. Let's explore which formats are compatible with both Mac and PC.

Which format works on both Macs and PCs?

While there are many file systems, not all of them support both Mac and PC. To format correctly, we need to choose the right one. There are three formats available on a Mac, but there are some differences between them – let's take a look.

1. exFAT: This format is compatible with both Mac and Windows. Both can read and write to exFAT formatted drives, and there are no limitations on file size.

2. FAT32: This format is compatible with all versions of macOS, Windows, and Linux, as well as gaming consoles, but it has a 4 GB limit on the size of individual files.

3. NTFS: This is the default format for Windows. Mac can only read from it, not write to it.

The best file formats for both Mac and Windows are exFAT and FAT32. If you want your drive to be compatible with both systems, you'll need to format the drive for both. FAT32 has size limitations on files, while exFAT supports the largest partitions and also allows for storage of files larger than 4 GB.

?Read Also: How to Format WD Passport for Mac | Free Tips

How to format for use on both a Mac and a PC

Based on the previous sections, do you know which formats are compatible with both Macs and PCs? The formats that both Macs and PCs can read are FAT32 and exFAT. Now, do you know how to format a drive to a file system that's compatible with both? I'll show you two methods.

A format that works on both PCs and Macs could be created. So let's look at a step-by-step guide.

Method 1: Format Using Partition Master Tool on Your Computer

On Windows, there are several ways to convert the format to exFAT. One of the easiest methods is by using a reliable third-party tool like the tools Partition Master Free. This all-in-one free partition manager effortlessly supports converting any format to exFAT. It's perfect for users who are new to this process. With just a few simple steps, you can format a drive that works on both Mac and PC.

1. Right-click the external hard drive or USB device you want to format, and select "Format." 2. Set the Volume label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size, then click "OK." 3. Click "Yes" to proceed. 4. Click the "Perform 1 task" button, then click "Apply" to format the hard drive partition.

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In addition to easily formatting the hard drive, Partition Master tools can also convert NTFS to FAT32 on both Mac and PC or convert MBR to GPT when installing Windows. It's one of the best free disk managers out there. For more solutions on how to format WD My Passport, click the link:

How to Format WD My Passport on Windows 10 [4 Simple Ways]

If you have a WD My Passport hard drive but don't know how to format it on Windows 10, don't worry and keep reading this article. In this post, we'll show you 4 quick and easy ways to format WD My Passport hard drive on Windows 10.

Method 2: Formatting on a Mac with Disk Utility

On a Mac, there are two formats that work for both Macs and PCs. Here, I'll show you the easy way. Disk Utility is a tool on the Mac that can change the file system or format of internal and external drives. Here's how.

Step 1: Connect the external drive to your Mac.

Step 2: Press “Command+Space” to open “Disk Utility.”

Step 3. Select the USB drive on the left, and then click “Erase” at the top.

Step 4: Name the drive and choose either “exFAT” or “FAT” as the format. Then click “Erase.”

Step 5: Create a format that works on both Macs and Windows.

These are the simple steps for doing it on a Mac. If you want to format exFAT using terminal commands on a Mac, click the link below.

How to Format USB to exFAT on Mac [Ultimate Guide]

Do you know why and how to format USB to exFAT on Mac? Since Windows and Mac use different systems, sometimes we need to convert the USB to a format that is compatible with both Mac and Windows for use on a Mac.

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With this guide, you now know which format works for both Mac and PC. Both FAT32 and exFAT are good choices. FAT32 has excellent compatibility, but it comes with a 4 GB file size limit. On the other hand, exFAT supports partitions larger than 2 TB and files up to 4 GB in size. Formatting a compatible drive for both Mac and PC isn't a difficult task. You can use Partition Master on a PC or Disk Utility on a Mac for formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formats That Work on Both Macs and PCs

This article describes formats that work on both Mac and PC, along with some common issues to help you troubleshoot further.

1. Does exFAT work on both Mac and PC?

Yes, exFAT can be used on both a Mac and a PC. Both FAT32 and exFAT are compatible with both Macs and PCs. However, FAT32 does not support files larger than 4 GB, whereas exFAT addresses this issue quite well.

2. How to Format a Hard Drive for Windows and Mac?

Of course, you can format the drive for both Windows and Mac. In Windows, the best formatting tool I recommend is Partition Master, while on a Mac, Disk Utility is a better choice to format the drive to exFAT, so it's usable with both macOS and Windows.

3. Can Mac read NTFS?

Yes, a Mac can read NTFS format. Although NTFS is the default file system for Windows and is not writable by default on a Mac, reading from an NTFS drive is not a problem. You can copy files from an NTFS drive to your Mac.