Solid-state drives (SSDs) are storage solutions of the present and future. They provide many benefits regarding data control, management, and categorization. Many people choose these devices due to their convenience and ease of use. If you have purchased one of the best external SSDs for Mac and need to set up, we are here to help.

Formatting will make your SSD compatible with your Mac computer, so it is an essential step you need to take to use your storage drive. Let's see how to format an SSD for Mac in a few simple steps.

Table of Content
    1. Back up Your Data
    2. Connect Your SSD
    3. Enable TRIM & NVMe Format Your Device
    1. Format an SSD on Mac Using Disk Utility
    2. Format an SSD on Mac Using Terminal
    1. Format an External SSD for Mac Through Windows File Explorer
    2. Format an External SSD for Mac on Windows Through DiskPart

Reasons Some SSDs Can't Work on Mac

If you are experiencing issues with your SSD, it may be a sign that it isn't compatible with your Mac device. Let's check out some of the most common reasons your SSD can't work on Mac:

  • Formats – Mac devices require specific file systems (such as APFS or HFS+). If your SSD doesn't have some of these formats, your computer will not recognize it.
  • Hardware – Not all SSD units are compatible with all devices. For instance, some SSDs are exclusive to Windows devices and won't work on your Mac.
  • Connection – SSDs usually use Thunderbolt, USB A, and USB C connections. If your Mac doesn't have some of these, the SSD probably won't work.

Your SSD won't work on your Mac primarily because of formatting, but we are here to fix the issue.

When To Format Your SSD for Mac

You may wonder in which scenarios you should format your SSD. Here are several examples:

  • Setting up your drive – If you have purchased a new or used SSD, you must format it to make it compatible with your device.
  • Complete data deletion – Formatting will delete everything from your drive, especially if you use the secure deletion option. That will permanently remove the data you don't need anymore.
  • Corruption – Your SSD may become corrupted or show a RAW file system. The best way to fix this issue is to format the drive.
  • Performance – SSDs can start slowing down after some time, which may lead to other problems. If you want to avoid such scenarios, formatting your drive and giving it a fresh start will do the job.

Of course, numerous other scenarios may lead to formatting the drive, but these are the most prevalent.

Which File System Should You Choose for Formatting Your SSD for Mac?

You can choose a file system depending on your needs and preferences. Here are all the file system formats that are compatible with macOS, including what they are perfect for:

File System Format Developer Decription
APFS (Apple File System) Apple APFS is specifically designed for SSDs and is the default file system for macOS High Sierra and later versions. It offers improved performance, better space efficiency, and advanced features like snapshots, clones, and encryption.
HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) Apple The Hierarchical File System Plus is an older version of APFS with fewer features. If you have an older Mac that doesn't support APFS, you should use HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) instead.
FAT32 Microsoft FAT32 is an older file system widely used for its compatibility with various devices and operating systems, but limited by a maximum file size of 4GB and a partition size of 2TB.
exFAT Microsoft exFAT is a universal file system designed for large-capacity storage devices, providing seamless compatibility between Windows and macOS systems, making it ideal for external drives and file sharing.
NTFS Microsoft Mac devices can only read the NTFS (New Technology File System); they can't write to an NTFS drive if they don't have corresponding third-party software. However, it is the perfect system if you use your SSD for professional purposes.

All these options have their purposes, so choose one according to your needs and preferences. In most cases, APFS is the best choice for an SSD on a Mac due to its optimized performance and features. However, if you need cross-platform compatibility with Windows systems or have an older Mac, you may consider using exFAT or HFS+.

What To Do Before Formatting Your SSD for Mac

Before formatting your SSD for Mac, complete the steps below for the best experience.

Back up Your Data

If you have an SSD where you have stored some of your valuable data, backing up that data is crucial. However, corruption or a RAW file system might prevent you from accessing the contents of your SSD. In such scenarios, you can try multiple methods to help you recover data from a RAW drive.

Then, you can start formatting your external SSD drive for Mac; the process will wipe all your SSD contents. Wondershare Recoverit is a safe bet since it covers hundreds of data loss scenarios and can successfully retrieve thousands of file types. You can also use it as a backup plan if things go sideways.

Connect Your SSD

To format your SSD, you must connect it to your computer. The connection will depend on your computer's model and type. You can watch tutorials on connecting your SSD to a specific Mac device or use external adapters to connect your drive.

Enable TRIM & NVMe Format Your Device

TRIM is a program that handles garbage files and speeds up your SSD. However, be careful with this option as it will make all the data non-recoverable. Head to Terminal and input the trimforce enable command to turn on the feature.

How To Format an SSD for Mac on Mac

Way 1. Format an SSD on Mac Using Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a built-in Mac tool for seamless storage management. You can enjoy numerous features within the program, one of which is the formatting option. Here's how to perform an internal or external SSD format on Mac using Disk Utility:

  1. Find Disk Utility on your Mac and run the program.
    format ssd for mac with disk utility
  2. Find your SSD from the list of available options and select it.
  3. Click Erase in the action pane.
    erase the drive to format ssd for mac
  4. Name your SSD and choose a file system format in the dialog box.
  5. Click Erase to finish the process.
    choose macos ssd format in disk utility

This formatting method is quick and easy; it is beginner-friendly and takes only a few minutes.

Way 2. Format an SSD on Mac Using Terminal

Terminal is an application where you can type commands and tell the program what to do with the desired device. It is perfect for formatting internal and external SSDs on Mac but may seem complicated to beginners. We recommend opting for Disk Utility if you haven't used Terminal.

Here's how to use Terminal to format your SSD on Mac:

  1. Press Command and Space keys together, type "Terminal" in the search bar, and open the Terminal app from the search results.
    format external ssd for mac in terminal
  2. Run the diskutil list command.
  3. Find your SSD and remember its name and number.
    list all disks in terminal
  4. Type the diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ diskname diskidentifier command, replacing JHFS+ with the desired file system, diskname with your disk's name, and diskidentifier with your SSD's number. Press Enter to complete the process.

Although it seems complicated, you will quickly get the hang of the formatting experience on Terminal.

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How To Format an External SSD for Mac on Windows

Way 1. Format an External SSD for Mac Through Windows File Explorer

Formatting an external SSD for Mac on a Windows PC can be easily done using the Windows File Explorer. It allows you to format the drive with the exFAT or FAT32 file system, which are compatible with both Windows and macOS. This method is user-friendly and doesn't require any advanced technical knowledge.

  1. Connect your external SSD to your Windows PC using a compatible cable or adapter.
  2. Open This PC or My Computer on the Windows desktop.
  3. Locate the external SSD under Devices and drives.
  4. Right-click on the external SSD, and select Format.
    choose format option
  5. In the Format window, choose exFAT or FAT32 from the File system dropdown menu.
  6. You can also assign a name for the external SSD in the Volume label box. This is optional.
  7. Check the Quick Format option to speed up the formatting process.
  8. Click Start to begin the formatting process.
  9. A warning message will appear, notifying you that all data on the drive will be erased. Make sure you have backed up any important data before proceeding.
  10. Click OK to confirm the formatting process.

Once the process is complete, your external SSD will be formatted for use on a Mac.

Way 2. Format an External SSD for Mac on Windows Through DiskPart

Another way to format an external SSD for Mac on a Windows PC is by using the DiskPart command-line utility. This method is more advanced and requires familiarity with the command prompt. Here's how:

  1. Connect your external SSD to your Windows PC using a compatible cable or adapter.
  2. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and then run the Command Prompt as administrator.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter to launch the DiskPart utility.
  4. Type list disk and press Enter to display a list of all connected drives.
  5. Locate the external SSD based on its size and note its disk number.
  6. Type select disk X (replace X with the disk number of your external SSD) and press Enter.
  7. Type clean and press Enter to remove all existing partitions and formatting on the external SSD.
    select external ssd and clean
  8. Type create partition primary and press Enter to create a new primary partition on the external SSD.
  9. Type format fs=exfat quick and press Enter to format the partition with the exFAT file system.
  10. Type assign and press Enter to assign a drive letter to the external SSD.
  11. Type exit and press Enter to close the DiskPart utility.

Now your external SSD should be formatted for use on a Mac. You can safely eject the SSD from your Windows PC and connect it to your Mac.

How To Recover Data From an Accidentally Formatted SSD

Sometimes, things might go sideways, and you might accidentally format the wrong SSD. That is especially the case with formatting drives in Terminal since you might enter the name of another disk.

If you find yourself in this stressful scenario, don't worry. Wondershare RecoveritHard Drive Recovery is here to save the day and retrieve your data. When you notice you have formatted an incorrect SSD drive on Windows or Mac, stop using it and download Wondershare Recoverit. Follow the steps below to recover your data from SSD on Mac:

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  1. Open Wondershare Recoverit and head to Hard Drives and Locations.
  2. Select your SSD from the available options.
    choose the formatted ssd
  3. The program will scan for lost files. You can pause the process if you find all the files you want to recover.
    scanning for lost files on the ssd
  4. After scanning, preview your files and select those you wish to retrieve. Click Recover.
    preview and recover data
  5. Choose where to save the files.

Wondershare Recoverit is fast and reliable and will return your valuable data to your formatted SSD on Mac.

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FAQs About Formatting SSD for Mac

  • Which file system is the best for formatting an SSD on a Mac?
    Choosing the best file system type will depend on personal preferences. However, to get the most out of your experience and enjoy numerous features, APFS might be the perfect option.
  • Which tools can I use to format an SSD on a Mac?
    Using built-in tools on your Mac device to format your SSD would be best. For instance, Disk Utility and Terminal are the most reliable solutions.
  • Can you recover data from a formatted SSD on Mac?
    Yes, you can recover data from a formatted SSD using Wondershare Recoverit for Mac.
    1. Connect the formatted SSD to your Mac.
    2. Download and install Wondershare Recoverit for Mac.
    3. Open the software and choose External Devices Recovery.
    4. Select the SSD and click Start to scan for files.
    5. After scanning, preview and select the files to recover.
    6. Click Recover and save files to a safe location on your Mac.

Conclusion

SSDs are among the most popular storage solutions in the modern world. Since they offer numerous benefits, you may have decided to use one on your Mac device. If so, you must format the SSD first. Now you know the two most reliable ways to complete this process.

However, have a backup plan if you accidentally format the wrong drive. Wondershare Recoverit is the best solution to retrieve lost files, so check it out to see how it suits your needs.

Eleanor Reed
Eleanor Reed Dec 06, 24
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