What is the macOS Extended Journaled File System? [Updated for 2024]

When you attempt to format a hard drive or an SSD on a Mac, Disk Utility provides several options.

We'll discuss one of them: macOS Extended (Journaled). If you're like most people, you probably have no idea what that means, or why you would choose it as the preferred format for your drive.

Don't worry; I've got you covered. In this article, you'll learn all about file systems and how they compare to the new option. You'll also get a step-by-step guide on formatting your disk setup.

So, what is macOS Extended (Journaled)?

What is the macOS Extended (Journaled) format?

First, you need to understand what a file system is. It's a method that an operating system uses to define how data is stored and retrieved on storage devices like solid-state drives, hard disk drives, flash drives, and CDs.

On a Mac, common file systems include Apple File System (APFS), MacOS Extended, and exFAT.

From 1998 to 2017, macOS Extended (also known as HFS+) was the default file system for Macs, supplanted by APFS with the release of macOS 14. It remains the default file system for mechanical and hybrid hard drives.

Mac OS Extended (Journaling) has been supplanted by the more advanced APFS. But it will be around for a while, for a good reason.

Since 2017, Apple has released six major OS versions, including the latest, macOS 13 Ventura, which debuted in June 2022. Yet many Macs still run earlier versions of the operating system. This means, for example, that if your MacBook is running El Capitan or Yosemite, you will not be able to access data on a connected drive formatted with APFS.

Furthermore, if your Mac uses a hard disk, it will default to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). This doesn't mean it can't use the new file system, but the older one is better optimized for these kinds of mechanical drives.

Can Windows read Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format disks?

If you use both Macs and Windows computers (or switch between them frequently), you might want to format a drive for use with both. This way, you can avoid platform-specific issues when you unplug an external hard drive from your MacBook and copy files to a Windows laptop.

Unfortunately, the default macOS Extended (Journaled) format is only readable on Mac computers. This means that Windows will not be able to read an HFS+ file system. Instead, you'll get a prompt to format the drive.

There's a catch, though: Windows might not be able to read macOS Extended (Journaled) format on its own, but you can use some third-party tools to do so.

The easiest way to do this is to format the drive with a file system, such as exFAT or FAT32, that works seamlessly on both. That way, you can avoid the hassle of reformatting every time you switch, and you will not need to purchase third-party software. But there are some differences to keep in mind.

APFS vs MacOS Extended Journaled: Differences and How to Format?

If you have a modern Mac with a solid-state drive that was released in 2017 or later, your computer uses the APFS file system. The Apple File System name is quite fitting, as the tech giant developed this format to run exclusively on its devices. As a successor, APFS offers some improvements over the older macOS Extended (Journaling).

First, everything should be faster and more efficient. APFS is much quicker at handling data and performing tasks like copying and pasting than the previous default system was. It is also more reliable, reducing the likelihood of file corruption.

In addition, APFS can almost instantaneously calculate the size of a folder. That's because the new file system has a different way of querying the size of a folder and its subitems.

While APFS is a nice upgrade over macOS Extended (Journaled), the latter has better backwards compatibility.

How to format macOS Extended (Journal)?

Follow these steps to format as macOS Extended (Journaled) on a Mac:

Note: This process will erase all data on the drive. Back up all important files before you begin.

Step 1: Open Disk Utility on your Mac

Click the Dock, click Launchpad, type “Disk Utility” in the search bar, and then click the icon.

Step 2: Click on "View" in the top left corner, and then choose "Show all devices."

Step 3: Choose the device you want to format.

This is a non-indented entry that should be followed by the word "Media."

Step 4: Click “Erase.”

The “Clear” button is in the title bar of the window.

Step 5: Enter a name for the volume in the provided field.

Use the name that matches the drive you want to format.

Step 6: Click the dropdown next to “Format” and choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled).”

Step 7: Click the dropdown next to “Scheme,” and choose “GUID Partition Table.”

Step 8: Click “Erase.”

Disk Utility now formats the volume as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Final Award

For 19 years, up to 2017, Macs used Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the default file system for disks. It has an heir, but Apple has not deprecated it.

While APFS brings speed and performance improvements, macOS Extended (Journaled) still has its uses. For example, it's recommended as the file system format for Macs running older operating systems or using mechanical hard drives.

If you have a newer Mac, you should choose APFS when formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the difference between macOS Extended (Journaled) and APFS?

In macOS High Sierra, Apple introduced APFS to replace macOS Extended (Journaled) as the default file system for solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash storage. It offers several improvements over the old system, such as faster performance and greater reliability.

What is the best Mac disk format?

The best format depends on what you're working with. For example, if you need to format an SSD on a Mac, you should choose APFS. On the other hand, if you're formatting an external hard drive that might be used on older Mac systems, it's recommended to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaling).