Samsung T7 SSDs, considered among the best external SSDs for Mac, come pre-formatted as exFAT. Although Mac devices can read and write to an exFAT-formatted Samsung T7 SSD, you may want to format it to another file system, such as APFS, to ensure seamless functionality, speed, and reliability.
In this article, we will discuss the best format for your Samsung T7 to work optimally with a Mac device and guide you through the process of formatting your Samsung T7 for Mac.
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What File System Format Should I Use for Samsung T7 for Mac?
Before formatting your Samsung T7 or T5 external drive for macOS, you must understand the available file system formats and their characteristics. There are four file systems: APFS, HFS+, exFAT, and FAT 32.
| macOS Formats | Compatibility and Features |
| APFS | APFS is short for Apple File System, and it's the default file system for all Apple devices using MacOS 10.13 or newer. This file system was introduced in 2016 as a replacement for HFS+, which has been used since 1998. APFS introduced various new features, including:
|
| HFS+ | HFS, HFS+, or HFS Plus is a Mac OS Extended file format developed by Apple. It was used in macOS 10.12 and earlier versions as a default file system. APFS replaced HFS+, and it's an older version of the APFS. HFS+ is the best option for mechanical or macOS drives up to 10.12 or earlier. |
| exFAT & FAT32 | exFAT and FAT32 are file systems compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. FAT or FAT32 is used for devices with up to 32 GB storage space. In other words, this option is best for USB flash drives that have less space. On the other hand, exFAT is best used for devices that have storage over 32 GB. You should use exFAT for your Samsung T7 if you want to use that device on Windows without using any special tools or formatting the drive every time. |
Different Ways You Can Format Samsung T7 for Mac
Here are two methods to format a Samsung T7 external drive on a Mac. In the example, we will format the Samsung T7 to APFS for optimal performance with a Mac.
Before you start formatting your Samsung T7 on Mac, plug in your drive to your USB port and ensure that the drive is visible on your device. If it's not visible, consider looking into solutions for external SSD not showing up on Mac.
Way 1. Format Samsung T7 for Mac Using Disk Utility
Disk Utility is a built-in macOS application that helps manage drives and partitions on your Mac. It's a simple and effective way to help you format your Samsung T7 SSD for Mac. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Open Finder, go to Applications > Utilities and double-click Disk Utility.
- In the Disk Utility window, you will see a list of connected drives on the left side. Select your Samsung T7 from the list. You should see two entries for it: a first-level entry and a second-level entry.
- If you can only see one level, as shown in the picture below, click on the View option and select Show All Devices from the dropdown menu. This step is crucial, as you won't be able to format your Samsung T7 without choosing this option.
- Now, you will see the second-level entry. You need to click on your Samsung T7 at the first-level entry and then click Erase on the toolbar.
- Name your drive
- Select the output format for your Samsung T7 SSD. Always select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) the first time you format it on your Mac. Even if you prefer having your Samsung drive in a different format like APFS, you should know that APFS is not an available option during the initial formatting process.
- Now, set the scheme for your Samsung T7 SSD. Choose GUID Partition Map from the options and click Erase. Your Mac will proceed with formatting your Samsung Portable T7 SSD, and in a short while, the process will be completed.
- If you wish to format your Samsung T7 to APFS, you will need to repeat Steps 1 through 6 after completing the initial formatting. This time, in Step 5, you will see APFS appear as an option in the Format list.
Your Samsung T7 external drive is now formatted to APFS for use with your Mac. You can begin transferring files and using the drive as needed.
Way 2. Format Samsung T7 for Mac Using The Terminal
Formatting your Samsung T7 SSD for Mac using Terminal is an alternative method for those who prefer using command-line interfaces. Terminal is a built-in macOS application that allows you to execute commands directly to your system. Here's how to format Samsung T7 to APFS using Terminal:
- In Finder, click on Applications, then Utilities, and double-click Terminal.
- In the Terminal window, type the following command to list all connected drives and their identifiers:
diskutil list
- Locate your Samsung T7 external drive in the list and note its identifier (e.g., disk2).
- To format the drive, type the following command, replacing "X" with the identifier noted in the previous step:
sudo diskutil eraseDisk APFS "SamsungT7" GPT /dev/diskX.- This command will format the Samsung T7 drive as APFS with the name SamsungT7 and using the GUID Partition Table (GPT) scheme.
- If you prefer to use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) instead of APFS, replace APFS with JHFS+ in the command.
- Press Enter to execute the command. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password.
- Enter your password and press Enter again. The Terminal will format your Samsung T7 drive according to your chosen settings.
- Once the formatting is complete, a success message will appear in Terminal.
Your Samsung T7 external drive is now formatted for use with your Mac. You can begin transferring files and using the drive as needed.
How To Recover Data From Samsung T7 if You Lose Files After the Formatting
If you've accidentally formatted your Samsung T7 without backing up your files or the drive was read-only, and you couldn't extract the files, don't worry. A professional data recovery tool can get your data back even after formatting, and Wondershare Recoverit is a highly recommended option for hard drive data recovery.
Here's how you can do this using Wondershare Recoverit:
- Download Wondershare Recoverit for Mac from the official website and install and launch the program.
- Click on Hard Drives and Locations and select your Samsung T7.
- Wondershare Recoverit will automatically scan the drive for lost files.
- Select the files you want to recover and preview them. Click on Recover when you're ready.
Final Words
Knowing how to format your Samsung T7 for Mac is essential for ensuring a seamless and efficient experience when using your external drive with macOS. Whether you choose to use Disk Utility or Terminal, following the step-by-step guides provided in this article will ensure that your Samsung T7 is properly formatted and compatible with your Mac system. By selecting the appropriate format (APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)), you can optimize your drive's performance and reliability.
Before formatting, take the time to figure out which file system is the best option for your needs. Good luck!
