What is APFS Format? [Full Information]

When you format your Mac, do you encounter an option to choose the format? Depending on what you pick, your Mac will format accordingly. Two common formats that people use are Mac OS Extended and APFS. Mac OS Extended, also known as HFS and HFS+, is meant for older versions of the Mac OS disks. It works best with hard disk drives and has faster write speeds. On the other hand, APFS can be considered an optimized version of Mac OS Extended. Needless to say, it comes with better specifications. So, while Mac OS Extended is a good choice, it falls short when compared to APFS. So, what exactly is the APFS format?

What is APFS Format?

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New versions begat new versions, and the current support system will eventually need more updates. APFS (Apple File System) is a new file system for Macintosh created to replace the old Mac OS Extended. It's an upgrade of HFS+ with better encryption features. This format has always been the best choice for SSDs and flash drives, and it's even more reliable. Why? Because its advanced encryption features greatly reduce the possibility of file damage during formatting.

### Advantages of APFS

• Enhanced Security: It features more secure data encryption, which is beneficial for file sharing and transfer. Users who frequently share files will find this option advantageous. APFS employs multi-key encryption to safeguard all data.
• Faster Encryption: Both processing and formatting encryption are incredibly fast. This is great news for users with a large number of files. With its impressive speed, copying and pasting files becomes more convenient. This is also why APFS is one of the better choices when it comes to disk formatting.
• Crash Protection: System crashes are a nuisance wherever they occur. And a system crash typically leaves you frustrated. Imagine if you're in the middle of something that shouldn't be interrupted. APFS offers better crash protection, meaning your computer will run smoothly even after formatting.
• Reduced Risk of File Corruption: APFS is an optimized file system and is regularly updated. As such, the likelihood of file corruption during backup or recovery is almost negligible. While there are many reasons for file corruption, the probability of it happening is now close to zero.

How to Format a Drive as APFS on a Mac

When formatting a Mac, you'll want to decide whether your goal is to keep the Mac for yourself or to erase it in preparation for giving it away. So, let's get started:

Step 1: Restart your Mac

Restart your Mac, and as soon as you hear the startup sound, hold down the ;

• Press Command+R if you plan to keep using it yourself.
• Press Command+Option+R if you plan to format it and give it away to someone else.

Step 2: Open Disk Utility

Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo and a loading bar beneath it. Select “Disk Utility” from the four options that appear in Recovery Mode.

Step 3: Select the drive and erase its contents

Note that the disk to be formatted is “Macintosh HD,” and the folder to erase is “Macintosh HD DATA.” Selecting anything else could damage your system. Select “Macintosh HD” and click “Erase.”

Select the disk and Erase it

Step 4: Format as APFS

Macs running 10.13 and later use the APFS format. Click it and continue. If you see a partition with "-DATA" at the end, click the FileVault icon (a locked briefcase), then click the minus button to remove it.

Step 5: Restart

Click Disk Utility at the top of the screen, then click Quit Disk Utility. In the Recovery window, click Reinstall macOS. Follow the prompts to reinstall your new Mac's operating system. If you don't plan on using it anymore, shut down the computer after the reinstall is complete.

Final Award

In this article, we got to know what APFS format is and some of its most attractive features. However, this doesn't mean that HFS+ is not good for disk formatting; it's just that APFS is a more reviewed and optimized file system format. Also, one should be careful while formatting the system.

FAQ: About APFS (Apple File System)

1. Is APFS Better Than macOS Journaling?

Yes, in a sense – because the upgrade is certainly better than any previous version.

Why is Apple moving to APFS?

As an upgrade to their system, APFS provides more file protections than the older Mac OS Extended. The new system update requires that they be mostly encrypted and modified to accommodate these updates.

How do I know if my Mac is using APFS?

Essentially, any system running 10.13 or later has APFS. Here's a simple way to check if your system has APFS.