Mac users prefer to use the external hard drive to manage storage needs. However, not all users have detailed knowledge about the file format for the external hard drive, which is compatible with Mac. Therefore, it is essential to use the best format for an external hard drive Mac for optimized performance.
Let us help you with all details about the best format for Mac external drive. First, we’ll go through all the formats based on the macOS version, followed by detailed steps to set the best format. Not to miss is a quick introduction to the data recovery tool if you accidentally format an external hard drive on Mac.
Part 1. Which Is the Best Format for External Hard Drive on Mac?
Before jumping to the best formats for the external hard drive on Mac, it is essential to have a brief overview of the file formats. But even before the file formats, you must stay sure about using the external hard drive on Mac.
Part 2. Why Go for an External Hard Drive on Mac?
Some of the top reasons to go for an external hard drive on Mac include:
- Transferring Mac data to the other system.
- Increase the storage capacity if your Mac is running out of space.
- Save the Time Machine backups on the external hard drive.
Part 3. What is a File Format?
After going through the need for an external hard drive on Mac, let us discuss the file formats. The file format is the method that which Mac recognizes any external hard drive. Hence, your Mac looks at the file system to read what is stored in the external storage device. Multiple file formats are available for Mac users, so you need to select the best format for external hard drive Mac and PC.
Best format for Mac external drive
Let us start with a quick introduction to the different file formats available for the external hard drive on Mac. These are:
- Apple File System or APFS: It is the default file system for Mac machines running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later.
- macOS Extended (HFS+): It was the primary macOS X file system before APFS and works with macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or previous versions. It is available in different types:
• macOS Extended (Journaled): It is a hierarchical file system without any encryption or case-sensitive discrimination.
• macOS Extended (Journaled, Extended): It requires a password to encrypt the drive.
• macOS Extended (Case Sensitive, Journaled): It makes folder names case sensitive.
• macOS Extended (Case Sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted): It is the combination of the two file formats and offers improved benefits to users.
- MS-DOS (FAT): This file format is compatible with Windows and Mac and is used for data volumes smaller than 32 GB.
- ExFAT: This file format is compatible with Windows and Mac and is used for data volumes larger than 32 GB.
The following is the table having details of the best file format and the macOS versions:
MacOS version |
Best format for external hard drive Mac |
Best format for external solid state drive Mac |
| Pre 2016 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or iMac | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) |
| After 2017 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or iMac | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) | APFS |
| Mac Running Sierra- macOS 10.12 | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) |
| Mac Running High Sierra- macOS 10.13 | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) | APFS |
| Mac Running Mojave- macOs 10.14 | HFS+ (macOs Extended Journaled) | APFS |
| Mac Running Catalina- macOS 10.15 | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) | APFS |
| Mac Running Big Sur or Monteray- Since macOS 10.15 | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) | APFS |
| Mac For a Time Machine Backup Since macOS Big Sur | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) or APFS | HFS+ (macOS Extended Journaled) or APFS |
Part 4. How to Set the Best Format For External Hard Drive on Mac?
For macOS X 10.10 - macOS 13
For Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11
It is easy for Mac users to select the best format for external hard drive Mac and PC based on the table mentioned above. However, it comes down to set the selected format for your external hard drive. There is no need to seek any external help when you can set the best format individually easily and precisely. The following are the quick steps for the top methods used globally to set the best format for Mac external drive.
Top two methods to set the best format for external hard drive on Mac:
1. Set the Best Format For External Hard Drive on Mac Using Disk Utility
The disk utility manages different internal and external storage devices on Mac. It is the system utility used to perform different disk and disk volume-related tasks in the macOS operating system. The quick steps to set the best format for Mac external drive using disk utility are:
Step 1. Launching disk utility on Mac
- Connect the external hard drive with Mac.
- Open the applications menu and select “Disk Utility.”
Step 2. Formatting the external hard drive
- Go to the “Erase” tab.
- Select the format type as required from the options and the Scheme as the ‘Master Boot Record.”
- Press the “Erase” button.
2. Set the Best Format For External Hard Drive on Mac Using Terminal
The terminal command can be understood as the text input and output environment. It allows the users to enter commands for different computer processes. Hence, it facilitates the quick, easy, and accurate setting of the best format for external hard drive Mac. The detailed steps for the same are:
Step 1. Opening the terminal command
- Connect the external hard drive to the Mac
- Launch Spotlight by pressing “CMD + Space.”
- Type “Terminal” and press “Enter.”
Step 2. Entering the commands
- Type “diskutil list” to identify the hard drive disk.
- Use the “sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat/ dev/ disk2 command.” Here,
• sudo is the user’s right-click diskutil call command.
• format FAT32 erases the disk.
• MBRformat helps disk utility to utilize Master Boot Record to format.
• dev/ disk2 is the location of the external hard drive.
- Type “diskutil list” to confirm if the formatting was done correctly.
Part 5. How to Recover Data from an External Hard Drive on Mac?
Using an external hard drive on Mac can be the best storage solution. However, you may accidentally format these hard drives resulting in the loss of crucial data. All you need is a leading data recovery tool like Wondershare Recoverit. This dedicated data recovery software can handle more than 1,000 file types and 2,000+ storage devices.
Wondershare Recoverit for Mac has an amazing success rate of 95%, improves system performance with 66% lower memory consumption, and is certified with more than 35 patents. In addition, Mac users can quickly filter specific file types, preview the files before recovery, and use the Quick or Deep scans for recovering data from an external hard drive on Mac.
Let us go through the detailed steps to recover lost data from the external drive using this amazing software:
Step 1. Launch Recoverit and select the external hard drive on Mac
- Start by downloading and launching Recoverit app on your Mac.
- You can set password protection on the app for enhanced protection.
- Connect the external hard drive to the Mac.
- Select the external hard drive as the target location for data scanning and searching.
For macOS X 10.10 - macOS 13
For Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11
Step 2. Scan the external hard drive
- The all-around scan of the external hard drive starts, which may take a few minutes only.
- It is easy to filter and locate the required files for restoring.
Step 3. Preview and recover the files
- Preview the files before moving ahead with the quick data recovery.
- You can select one or more files and click “Recover” to get your data back.
Conclusion
Hope it is clear everything about the best format for an external hard drive on Mac. You can select the best format based on your needs and macOS version from the above mentioned options. Users looking to set the best format for Mac external drive can use Disk Utility or Terminal command with help of detailed steps. No need to worry when it is easy to recover data from the external hard drive on Mac using Wondershare Recoverit.
For macOS X 10.10 - macOS 13
For Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11