23-04-2021

Hdd For Mac Format



  • Backup your hard drive. Before formatting the drive, it's a good idea to back up the drive and save.
  • Jul 10, 2017 If you’re lucky, you can just right-click each partition on the Mac drive and select Delete Volume to remove the partitions. You can then right-click in the empty space and select New Simple Volume to create a partition and format it with the Windows NTFS or FAT32 file systems. The Mac drive may have an “EFI System Partition” on it.
  • Aug 28, 2020 How to Format a Hard Drive on Mac: Formatting is a very simple procedure that is operated in a similar way for all sorts of storage media. So, whether you wish to format the internal hard drive, external drive, or a USB flash drive, the procedure is the same for all. Here is the step by step guide you need to follow to format the hard disk on Mac.

Apr 14,2020 • Filed to: Hard Drive Recovery • Proven solutions

“I need to reformat my Mac and just wondering which best hard drive format is for Mac. And is it possible to recover a drive that I’ve lost?”

May 21, 2020 Why Need to Format External Hard Drive for Mac and PC. To put it simply, if you want to share external hard drive between Mac and PC, you need to format an external hard drive for Mac and PC. Currently, hard drives for Windows PC are always formatted with NTFS, while hard disks for Mac are formatted with HFS+.

The simplest way to add storage to Mac is by buying an external hard drive. And most of the external drive comes formatted for Windows or both Windows and Mac. If you want to ensure maximum efficiency, it might require you to format a hard drive for Mac compatibility.

Even though the formatting of a drive is necessary at some point, you may, also, mistakenly erase some data that you didn’t intend to. And it happens in a flick of time. Yes, losing a drive is the most painful part especially when you are handling a delicate document. But technological advances are slowly easing this pain. There are ways to recover formatted hard drive Mac. But before looping to how to do a successful recovery, let’s see the plenty of other reasons you might want to reformat the hard drive for Mac.

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Part 1: What Causes to Format Hard Drive for Mac?

Formatting hard disk for Mac is particularly necessary for purchases of generic PC drives, which nearly all come preformatted for Windows rather than Mac OS.

And even though connecting the preformatted hard drive for Windows will work fine on Mac, it is important highly recommendable you format the hard drive exclusively for Mac compatible file system. This is important if you aren’t going to use it on another platform.

In fact, here are some occasions that will force you to format Mac compatible File System:

  • When you want to use the drive with the Time Machine.

  • When you want to make a disk bootable on Mac.

  • When you want to resolve corruption or unreadable error of storage drive.

  • Format the startup disk to reinstall macOS.

  • Format the storage drive incase Disk Utility fails to repair it.

Part 2: What is the Best Format for Mac Hard Drive?

When the time comes, it will require you to format HDD for Mac. Because most of the new drives come already formatted—most likely in NTFS for Windows, or FAT32 for maximum compatibility.

Format Hdd For Mac Using Windows

While the Mac system can open both, none of the two above is desirable for Mac User. For maximum performance, you’ll need to reformat the drive to one of Mac’s file systems.

And there are several file systems that Mac can support. But which one is the best?

Let’s explore 4 file systems—Apple File System (APFS), Mac OS Extended (HFS+), exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table), and MS-DOS (FAT) to give a detailed take of each of the 4, and correctly identify which one you should pick.

Apple File System (APFS)

It is the most recent file system from Apple intending to replace the Mac OS Extended file system. Today, all new Macs come with macOS preinstalled on an APFAS file system.

Mac Format External Drive

Apple optimizes this file system for use with solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash storage, but you can still use it on the traditional mechanical hard disk drive (HDD) too.

This file system is appropriate when you have an SSD or a new flash drive that you do not intend to use on the Windows system.

The best part of this new system is that it is speed-optimized. You can execute common functions almost instantaneously due to the flawless data organization.

Better yet, the file system focuses on data encryption and advanced metadata handling.

The only problem is that you cannot use the APFS file system to backup with Time Machine yet.

Mac OS Extended (HFS+)

It was the main file system used for Mac system storage from 1998 until Apple launched APFS.

This file system is suitable for both SSDs and HHD. Besides, it works efficiently with all Apple’s operating systems and allows back up on the Time Machine. In fact, this is the best file system you can use for Mac.

ExFAT

ExFAT is a file system by Microsoft that provide compatibility on both Windows and Mac platform.

The only problem with exFat is that it is more prone to fragmentation than using an Apple-based file system. This system file is more stable than third-party NTFS or HFS+ drivers the reason why many consumer devices, like media playback devices and TV, natively supports it.

MS-Dos (FAT)

This option offers near-universal interoperability with either Mac or Windows operating systems. When your drive is formatted this way, it can easily transfer data from your Mac device and other PCs. Furthermore, it becomes easy to transfer files to video game systems such as Xbox. The only drawbacks are that this format does not support the transfer of larger files ranging from 4 GB and neither can you create a startup drive for your Mac OS device using this option.

Of the 4, which is the best file system for Mac? The correct question, however, is:

Why do you want to format the hard drive for Mac? Answering this question right directs you to the right file system to opt-in.

Part 3: How to Format a Hard drive for Mac without Data Loss

Now that you know the best File System for Mac, how do you format hard drive for Mac compatibility without data loss?

Hdd For Mac Format Download

The procedure is simple, similar on all drives, and the same through all connections.

But note that:

Formatting a drive removes all reference to the data stored on it, it is wise you back up the drive before you format it.

Back up the Mac start-up drive to an external storage medium to ensure you lose no data. Alternatively, you can use the Time Machine for backup.

Step-by-Step Guide to Format Hard Drive for Mac Using the Disk Utility

  1. Launch the Disk Utility. You have 2 options to execute this step. One, head to Applications and advance to Utilities. Alternatively, tap Command and Space simultaneously and start typing Disk Utility.

  2. On the Disk Utility windows, you’ll see a listing of the available drives on the left pane.
  3. Hit the Erase option. Then advance to selecting the Name, Format, and Scheme in the respective field and click Erase.

  4. Your drive will format with the File System you’ve opted in.

Part 4: How to Recover Data from Formatted Mac Hard Drive

Suppose you didn’t create a back for your data, and you’ve lost your data, you might want to recover them. And you’ll require a recovery tool to get your data back.

And online, there are plenty of data recovery options to get your data back. But not all deliver excellent recover solutions. So, we are going to focus on one that delivers powerful results for Mac.

Introducing Recoverit (IS) Tool This is a recovery tool for all Mac devices and the best solution to un-format data. The tool comes with a well-knitted resource that deep-scan your drive to deliver a 98% chance of bringing your data back.

Recoverit (IS)

Features

  • Unlimited Data Recovery for Mac: Retrieve all formatted files regardless of the file type even from the latest encrypted APFS file system.
  • The tool comes with a lineup of sophisticated utilities to that scrap deeper into your hard drive to bring back photos, videos, documents, audio, emails, archives, and even more format files.
  • Data Recovery on Any Storage Device on Mac: Recover any data from any storage media on Mac starting with the Mac itself, memory cards, digital devices like (camera, iPod, Player,) hard drives, removable drives, and even more.
  • Effortless Data Recovery: Besides the recovery of formatted data, you can recover nearly all types of data loss—from mistaken deletion, disk formatting, hard drive corruption, macOS reinstall, hardware failure, system crash, and even more in simple three-step. No codes. No-fuss. Just a three-step simple procedure—Start, select, and preview before recovery.
3,165,867 people have downloaded it

User Guide: How to Recover Formatted Hard Drive for Mac Using iSkyoft Data Recovery

Step 1 Select the Formatted Hard Drive

Hdd For Mac Format External Drive

On the home screen of the Recoverit (IS)y tool, select a location or a partition where your lost files were initially in. Next, hit the ‘Start’ button to let the software commence the recovery process.

Step 2 Scan for the formatted Data

Hit the ‘Scan’ button to execute the scan and wait while the tool crawls deeper into your formatted storage device.

Step 3 Preview and Recover

Hit the ‘Preview’ feature to preview data before recovery. You can keenly select your recoverable files by checking the boxes against them.

After the file preview process, click on the ‘Recover’ button to retrieve data from your formatted hard drive for macOS device.

Conclusion

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to format a hard drive for Mac. Fortunately, Disk Utility—built right into macOS is readily available to help you execute the formatting.

The way you’ll format your hard drive depends on how you want to use it.

If you want to format the drive to use on both Mac and Windows systems, you’ll choose the ExFAT from the list format options.

If you want to format it for use with the time machine, it will require you to select the HFS+ option from the format list available.

Video editors will often find that they need to share files between a PC and a Mac. Use these steps to format external hard drives for both operating systems.

Top Image via Hard Drive Labels

As a video editor or Digital Imaging Technician, you will often need to share files with others. Eventually you will find out that you may not be working on the same operating system (OS) as others. If you work solely on a Mac, but need to send files to someone working on a PC, your external hard drive needs to be set up for both operating systems. Let’s take a look at the different types of formats, and which are best for video production.

Formatting the Hard Drive

A vast majority of video production will be done on a Mac or Windows operating system, so we aren’t going to cover Linux. Hard drives set up for use on Windows machines only will often use NTFS, while Macs will use HFS+. That said, if you are using both a PC and Mac in the workflow, you’ll need to use a different format.

Image from Shutterstock

You may be using only Macs or PCs in your own office, but you will also need to take into account what type of machines your client is using. If you need to send them RAW files or an edited sequence, you will need to make sure the external hard drive is set up for both operating systems. To do this, you will need to use either exFAT or FAT32 formats. This will allow you to use the hard drive on both a Mac and PC.

FAT32 is often used among general users, but FAT32 has limitations that can affect filmmakers. FAT32 has a maximum file size of 4 GB per file. The limitation affects both Mac and PC users. A single high resolution file can easily go over 4 GB, so Fat32 may not the best format. The best format for video production is exFAT. The maximum individual file size for exFAT is 16 EB. 1 EB, or exabyte, is 1 billion GB. That said, if you are using smaller file sizes — FAT32 can suffice.

Format Hard Drive (Mac)

1. Connect the external hard drive to the computer.

2. Click Go on the top tool bar, and select Utilities.

3. Open Disk Utility.

4. Select the external hard drive on the left-hand side.

5. Click the Partition tab.

6. Change the Partition Layout from Current to 1 Partition.

7. Click Options, Select Master Boot Record, and click OK.

8. Name the hard drive with a name of your choice.

9. Click the Format drop-down menu.

10. Select exFat (or MS-DOS FAT for a FAT32 format).

11. Hit Apply, then click on Partition.

Formatting Hard Drive (Windows)

Image from Shutterstock

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1. Right-Click on the Windows icon in the lower left-hand corner.

2. Select Disk Management.

3. Right-Click on the external hard drive in the Volume tab.

4. Click Format.

5. Name the hard drive.

6. Select exFAT (or FAT for FAT32).

7. Click OK.

Naming and Labelling Hard Drives

If you will be using multiple external hard drives on a project, you’ll want to make sure to keep them organized. This includes the way you name the drive and how you label it.

One of my personal tricks is naming all drives after an actor. For instance, one project had several external drives, all of which were named after different Will Ferrell characters — Mugatu, Megamind, Lord Business, and Ron Burgundy. Another project used Tom Hanks characters — Forrest and Woody.

Remember that external drives should be used temporarily — and all footage should be backed up elsewhere. Use checksum verification to make sure everything is copied correctly.

Macformat

There are plenty of ways you can label your drives. You can simply use some masking tape or gaff tape, and then write the name of the drive. You can also use hard drive labels, which are the awesome stickers featured above. You easily put them on your external drive to keep track of them.

Format Hdd For Mac And Pc Use

If you are a parent, like myself, you can also use any stickers you have lying around the house. I recently had Kermit the Frog and Optimus Prime hard drives.

No matter how you label your hard drives, just make sure you keep track of them. You never know when you will need that footage from a three-year-old project.

Format Usb For Mac And Pc

Got any hard drive organizational tips to share with the community? Let us know in the comments below!