How to Format a Seagate External Harddrive to Work with MacOS (and REVIEW!)

[@DELL.ACNT.]

This is amazing. Seagate should give you a link to this video when you buy their hard drives. There's NO WAY I would've figured this out without this guy's help. Thank you!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey my pleasure to help!

[@diligenthandsfinance8326]

Just like everyone else, this video saved me from driving to return the hard drive to Amazon. Can’t believe they’re still selling these without instructions. Thanks!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Ikr! Anyways I’m happy to have helped 🙏

[@the-absolute-light]

I was dumbfounded at how many steps there are to use something as simple as an external hard drive these days, but you explained it well!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Me too! And I’m happy to help 🙏

[@Red.ShutterBuzz-3]

My guy!!! Continue going through those subtle motions like shutting down computer, “hold til” info, its criminal how much info I learn from KZbin and often those tutorials lack those processes. Job well done sir!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure 🙌

[@mongolianporch]

Thank you for making this short, direct video. I was about ten seconds away from this being an amazon return.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Glad it was helpful! Idk why it has to be so complicated lol

[@JoAnnChambers]

I have an imac and cannot hold power down and get this Options link. Fix: shut down, Command-R, let go of after you see Apple Logo - should open up Recovery mode from there

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

🙏🙏🙏

[@loomonda18]

Why do they make these things so complicated though?? Why isn't it a simple plug in and work situation with hard drives? Thanks for the video though - I will try this!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Valid question! Hope my video helps 🙏

[@ImmortalHarmonies]

Exfat format is an easy way to access your hdd on both mac and win as well as almost any and every os

[@AlterYourEgos]

I’ve said this for the LAST HOUR!!! 😤😤

[@harqalada65]

I thought the same thing! It’s so stressful; I just wanted to simply store my videos and concert footage

[@loomonda18]

@@harqalada65 Right!! I also didn't end up using this guy's method, if you google the Seagate hard drive, they actually have easy instructions on their website for how to do it (& you don't need to download programs or anything)

[@serraaahx]

Thank you so much for sharing Nicholas!! I was about to return it but this worked! They overcomplicated but fortunately we have a guy as you to explain how to fix it!! Have a good one

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help!

[@varanisesedauvosotaseruulu1822]

Same for me, when i plugged this hard drive on my tv it says empty folder. Nithing is there but when i use it on my sister’s samsung smart tv, it works but it has two storage options to click on . One has all the folders …one touch w/pw (2).. 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@cassidydeyoung]

When I go to press and hold the power button until the loading startup options nothing happens, it makes the turning on sound but then goes black and nothing happens at all… what am I doing wrong?

[@flaviacamposfreitasvieira]

I’m stuck on that step too. How did you pass that?

[@aaroncampos565]

@@flaviacamposfreitasvieirawhen off.. press the power button then hold command R to go into recovery mode and then follow the same steps.. some things look different with the newer OS versions

[@colindavis1570]

I’m at 5:18 in the video and I am not getting the same message you are. I am getting an error message instead and now I can not see my hard drive when I plug it into my mac. Not sure what to do

[@ProriderCentralTexasYouTube]

Thank you for this video it was very helpful. I have a question. Once I restart my computer will the privacy and security setting go back to the original settings?

[@sunnylanes]

Your video is extremely helpful! Straight to the point and did not ramble on! Thank you!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure 🙂

[@TheLifeOfTT441]

I cannot get to the point of changing the settings to allow for the external hard drive. I hold down on the power button and it just turns itself off again?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Are you following my instructions closely? If you are and it's not working, you could take it to a computer repair shop or perhaps contact a friend who has expertise in these things and they may be able to help you get it to work properly. Sorry I can't be of more help!

[@TheLifeOfTT441]

@@nicholasdemskiproductreviews yes I did. My power button is also finger print operated so I don’t think it works that’s way for my Mac. I contacted the company that made the hard drive and you don’t actually have to do it this way. They gave me instructions on how to re format the hardrive by changing the settings

[@aylon1678]

@@TheLifeOfTT441I’m having the same problem… Can you share the solution please?

[@TheLifeOfTT441]

@@aylon1678 I’ll see if I can find an email of the conversation I had with the person who helped me. It was quite complicated

[@adrianfernandes6840]

Super easy to follow your instructions. Appreciate the help and looking forward to more content!

[@ThenZ6]

I have done different boot up commands and none of them bring up “options”. I get restore from Time Machine, reinstall macOS Ventura, safari, disk utility. Disk utility only asks if I want to reset my password

[@ttv_zombiefetus1710]

I’ve tried everything and I still can’t even see my sea gate in locations or finder or disk utility or anything and I’ve looked at many video and checked everything and even downloaded paragon idk what to do anymore

[@cypnoscypnos7682]

Is there a danger to my privacy and the protection of my computer with the new settings changed for disk installation? Thanks

[@marieflores8551]

I was able to go through everything, even have NTFS for Mac now installed, it still won't let me copy over. It's still displaying as a Time Machine File unfortunately.

[@CateMaher]

Hey I have a MacOS Ventura 13.2.1 and Im not sure what paragon I should use. Is it even compatible?

[@sandyshehata9224]

My laptop is MacBook Pro 2017 with Touch Bar but when I hit the power button it never shows me the same screen to resume the steps , so what I can do?

[@prashprince]

How do I do this on my Macbook pro 2012, can't see the options button

[@MrMorenoMusik]

Hi bro Thks for ur video. I have a desktop iMac 2013 nd I just took out the hard drive, I broke the glass a bit, the harddrive said Seagate barracuda 1000Gb. Do you know what type of adapter should I buy, cause I don’t know. Can u help me plis 🙏🏻

[@irenalawless]

Thank you!!!!! When I bought it, it said it was compatible with Mac! Turns out not really and I had to jump through hoops! But you saved me a trip to the post office to get it returned!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Very happy to help! Thanks for commenting

[@juliekim489]

Thank you for making this video! I've been intimidated by this process and haven't backed up my photos in so long because of it. You made the process so easy to follow :)

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Happy to help and glad u got it done 😁

[@suz8910]

what do i do when the startup screen doesnt show the options icon?? help!!!

[@misrootspodcast]

When I got to the Startup Security Utility screen and attempted to click on the "reduced security" option with the 'allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers', put in my password once again, and I received an error pop up saying "the operation couldn't be completed. (SDErrorDomain error 106.). WHAT DO I DO NOW *help*.

[@Magikdan]

Would it be easier to go to disk utility and format it?

[@rubencravid]

Yes. It would. Saves pointless time/watching time. Which is why there was no response to your comment ONLY from the video uploader but there was to LITERALLY every other comment. Always check information from at least 3 reliable sources and self-analyse before deciding. Or get bounced around like a clueless rag doll and/or overpaying/saying thanks for something that was the hardest possible way to fix something. No offence to the guy, but it's like you asking for directions for a place across the road, and I give you a map with 13 different turns and roundabouts. This dude turned his laptop off and back on what felt like 26 times lol. and everyones like omg thanks so much LOL. Still solves the problem I guess and I just had a lot of fun writing this😂. Just feels like a carrot got dangled in front of a crowd that's all.

[@benjammin99]

So wait, how do you do that?

[@rubencravid]

1. Command + Space 2. Search “Disk Utility” 3. Select your drive and press erase.

[@jacquelinezepe]

This was helpful but for some reason when I get to the startup security & want to change my settings it tells me to shut down my mac all over again! I do it but the same thing keeps popping up 😢

[@yairymendez2447]

i was successful in seting it up and was almost done transfering files from my mac to the drive but then i got a few error codes saying, "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8062)" or "(error code 0)". do you know why that could be happening?? Pls help

[@franciscopaniagua9962]

Wow!!!! You are awesome! I was able to follow you exactly and was able to resolve my concern with ease. Awesome step by step process. Thank you so much!!!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Very happy to help! Glad u figured it out 🙏🙏🙏

[@franciscopaniagua9962]

Thanks again. I was able to transfer my pictures from my iPhone to my Seagate External Hardrive using my MacMini after watching your video 🙏🏼🫡.

[@CaioAdorno-n3d]

This is great! However, do I need to revert the settings on my Mac to their previous configuration?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

I didn’t and never had a problem

[@yawor1]

is there an update to install this on Mac Sonoma? say contact the developer to get them to update the software to be installed.

[@LiveHealthyTVqj6pl]

Thanks so much for this video. I have been struggling with this external for hrs. I couldn’t find a video that could explain the whole process until I find your video. I was about to return this device. Thanks again.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help 🙏🙏🙏 so I’m glad you were able to finally find my video too 😁

[@TheORIGINALSkyScraper]

Probably important to note that you should check your graphics chip and if it’s an intel you can skip the whole startup settings part. You only need to do that if you have apple silicon

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

thank you for sharing, my macbook is relatively newer so its on Apple Silicon of course

[@mm-rw7kw]

@nicholasdemskiproductreviews thanks for this helpful video, Questions: do we Have to reformat the new seagate device (as it mentions in the little guide comes with it) and then start transferring photos from iPhone or there is no need of reformatting it if we are just planning to transfer photos there and not use time machine?

[@jadewolfgame6782]

It’s showing up as a back up drive even after all of these steps, and is not letting me add any files to it

[@MGBNashstreet]

Is it the same process for Mac Mini M2?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

I've never used a Mac Mini...but if you try it out and it works, please let us all know!

[@autumnbelhart7083]

I have a MacBook Pro. I have tried shutting my computer down >> holding the power button and I never get the start up options. Is there another way?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

I’m not sure of another way, sorry

[@marinaandrioti4119]

Thank you for the video. I have one question though, do I have to go back to security policy and change it to full security again, or by doing that my HD won’t work?

[@NataBuena]

Omg!!! Thank you so much, you helped me! Now I can use the hard drive 🙏🏼 you’re a life saver!

[@rebeccaharrison4833]

I had a "theres no user to recover" message on my mac.. the only option was restart .. is that normal?

[@ItalianClasswithGaia]

Big thank you! your video is super clear and has an excellent pace. I subscribed ☺

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

@@ItalianClasswithGaia hey my pleasure to help! Thanks for commenting and subbing!

[@Spacemonkeymojo]

Are your WD drives formatted in NTFS too? And if so can you use them with the Mac just like the Seagate? I have WD external HDDs formatted in NTFS, but I need to buy a new drive and want to buy a Seagate (likely the "Windows" version which will be NTFS by default), I'm wondering if I'll be able to just plug and play like normal using the Paragon software? I bought a Toshiba one a while back and it didn't work.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Yeah and I Can open things from the WDs on my MacBook, but if I want to move things onto the WD external hd then since it’s programmed for my Dell I have to connect it to that

[@pkjnp]

After using it in MacBook, can we use the same drive for windows pc? Will i be able to transfer from my windows pc to hardisk then ? Please reply

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

no they are formatted differently so it wont accept files from Mac and then PC. But you could use one, re-format, and use the other, and vicev-versa. But when you re-format, it completely erases the harddrive so keep that in mind.

[@pkjnp]

@@nicholasdemskiproductreviews thanks for the detailed instructions brother

[@NatashaReznicek]

I believe I formatted my external hard drive wrong for my mac, so I cannot open any of my photos or media on my external hard drive. I have not yet deleted any of my photos or media from my icloud or my mac itself, so should I just erase my external hard drive, reformat it properly, then retransfer my photos and media?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Sounds like a good plan. I’m pretty reformatting the drive will wipe it automatically and then you can load your files onto it

[@Cutiepieemei]

When I plug the seagate hard drive into my MacBook, I don’t see the Seagate device in my finder. Does this mean my adapter might be wonky?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

No, it’s fine. Just watch this video in its entirety about how to format it and it will work

[@kristinjackson7841]

So so helpful! Question- is there a similar process for being able to save from your iPhone to the Seagate?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey I’m not sure I haven’t tried attaching them but I’ll look into it

[@BleuRose-k6u]

Thank you very much. After I followed your instructions everything got squared away! I appreciate it!!!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Awesome happy to help and thanks for commenting!

[@Sammy2012ify]

Hello, I just got a New Seagate external drive for my MacBook as. Christmas gift. I’m wanting to store videos on it. For the life of me I can’t get the external drive to cooperate with the MacBook. Could you please tell me what I need to do?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hello, if you follow this video in detail and do the steps I do, it should be able to work. Is there a certain step you’re getting stuck on?

[@Sammy2012ify]

@@nicholasdemskiproductreviews I had some headway with the external drive and now I’m having trouble with the movie maker. I made an appointment at Best Buy tomorrow for troubleshooting.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

okay i hope they can help you further

[@Sammy2012ify]

@@nicholasdemskiproductreviews It’s finally working again. The Best Buy employee had to have another associate help him troubleshoot my problem. They think when the computer updated itself, that caused it to not recognize the files. It was very strange but at least it’s fixed!

[@garrysingh3337]

1. if we need to format the Seagate hard drive, why not just format to APFS or exFAT (if want to use on windows too)? 2. what if we have a Western Digital WD hard drive?

[@downtowncowboy6554]

So many steps!thank you so much

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure!

[@zackmcstache]

How come you don’t go to disk utility and just reset the driver on that?

[@loganmaier]

Question! Can you delete the “start here, warranty” files on the hardrive or should i keep those on there ?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

I think when you format it, it will clear everything for you already

[@ledgends09]

Will this work for Sonoma 14.4.1??

[@JavierBarreraZarate]

Thanks for this video, Question: Does this process only work for new Seagate harddrive? I have several documents on my Seagate harddrive, if I do this process that you show in the video, there is some risk that I will lose my documents after having the Paragon driver installed in the computer and connecting the Seagate?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Because these are setup for NTFS, this process reformats the hard drive so anything on it will also be deleted if you go through this process

[@wolvros6040]

I just got the Seagate, then was met with the 🚫 when trying to transfer my files…I searched Google then found your video thank god; it’s rare I have to do these things but when I do, I’m always in disbelief that it will work because of all the random (random to me anyway 😅) hoops you have to jump through…low and behold it worked thank you so much! 🙏🏻- Also do I have to switch the Mac back to the original hard drive security setting options in recovery mode? Thank you 🙏🏻

[@KingKale2000]

Up for this, I wanted to know about switching the Mac back to original hard drive security settings option in recovery mode?

[@vslele]

I had no idea that the Paragon driver was available for free for Seagate drives. I checked, WD also offers it for their external drives. Thank you for this information. I was thinking of buying the Paragon driver before I saw your video. Thank you again.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

my pleasure to help and thank you for commenting!

[@Breeze__gaming]

im trying to figure out how to turn my seagate external drive into NTFS so i can capture longer game clips, is it possible to do that with seagate or will i have to get a different external drive? (i hope someone responds cuz ive been trying to figure this out for about a week now)

[@Breeze__gaming]

Also my macbook says its version Ventura 13.6.4. Will this work?

[@GK-wx6xo]

MIne then brought up a disk utility type screen but it wouldn't let me format to APFS ....amazing that all these useful videos never work for me as it doesn't work in the same way. So frustrating.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

im sorry to hear that, i hope u can figure it out or find someone to give you more specific support

[@XPlayzz3]

Thank you for this tutorial, this was super easy and helpful!!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help! Thanks for commenting

[@rityjacob9784]

Hey Nicholas, will it be possible to copy from the HDD to the Mac as well if we do this ?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Yes it will make it so you can transfer files in both directions with the Seagate and the Mac

[@thegundoggirl2071]

Thanks for this guide. Worked first time 😊

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Awesome! Thanks for commenting

[@ForEverMeTori]

@Nicholas De…does switching from full security to reduced security open/set my computer up to hackers? Your video is well planned with step-by-step easy to follow. I am just wiery of the full security to reduced security part. Please kindly respond. Thanks.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Not that I’m aware of. It just lets your computer run signed operating system software that’s previously been trusted by Apple. It seems safe enough to me and I haven’t had any problems. I’m not an expert in what that all might mean in terms of overall security, however, so if you’re still concerned, I would approach someone with an in-depth IT background to give you a better answer 🙏 sorry I can’t be of more help

[@WTF-WatchTheFootball-je9uz]

Whoa Thanks I could not have done this without your video. Huge thnx. Nothing is simple and easy

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey my pleasure, glad it worked for you 🙏

[@fitsarax]

This was EXACTLY what I needed! Thank you!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Glad to help!

[@ThenZ6]

Apparently these options only work if your Mac has a T2 chip according to Apple support. Otherwise, you can’t set secure boot options. So now what?

[@joanhawkins2890]

Will this work for a Mac Sonoma?

[@yawor1]

dont think it does i tried installing it

[@sierralovesdogs]

You are a frickin' lifesaver!!!! Thank you so much. I had no idea what to do. Appreciate this!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure!

[@waleedkourabi9805]

Do seagate external hard drive work on xbox ss?

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

I’ve used mine with Xbox series x

[@sarahfink3959]

Thanks so much for this video, helped a lot! Exactly those infos that I needed, now it works.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help!

[@igoomns]

I used to have a seagate hard drive with a format of Fat32, recently I open it with MacBook. some of the file show up but faded in colour, they can't open write or read at all but some still working fine. do you have any suggestion ? I don't know if it is the format problem or there are a problem with hdd....

[@elklobotomy]

cannot express my appreciation enough, ive been fucking with this all day and no luck till i watched this. thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

my pleasure to help!

[@ItsBrejahnia]

Thanks for your help! This vid was super informative & helpful!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure!

[@gracehorst1075]

You’re a life saver. Thank you for this video.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help!

[@cdirfe947]

Thank you very much. This works on my Mac Sonoma version 14.6.1 with M2 chip.

[@samikshaudan8612]

This is really helpful. Thanks for your video.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure! Appreciate u 🙏

[@angelicaobrador9270]

You are a life saver. Was almost going to rage quit and try to return the hard drive. Thank you!!!!!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey I’m happy to help, glad it worked out for u!

[@glamoroussunset5361]

This was incredibly helpful! Thanks!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure!

[@hgmuldowney]

Thank you, this was very HELPFUL!!!!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Happy to help!

[@April_F]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I was having a damn mental breakdown over this

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help! Glad it worked for you

[@lionandowlapparel]

Amazing! Thank you so much for your help!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to assist!

[@nnennaibekwe4938]

Why did they make it so complicated??? Thank you for this video. Here's hoping it works.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

It comes formatted for NTFS which operates with PC, that’s why all the nonsense here 😎

[@gioka999]

Thanks for making this video, so help full 🔥🔥🔥

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey my pleasure

[@anetaracheva9887]

Bless you for that video, saved me! :)

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

@@anetaracheva9887 happy to help! Thanks for commenting

[@kausing_kommotion]

Mines didn’t work when I did this

[@fantakonneh4139]

Your video helped me a lot thank you.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Happy to help 🙏

[@Nakiyah619]

You just saved me so much time thank you!!❤❤❤

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Happy to help!

[@Lizayud]

This helped me so much! Thanks!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure 🙂

[@messageinabottle-ASMR]

God bless you 👌🏼 so complicated!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure to help!

[@megantalbert1905]

Super helpful!!! Thank you!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey my pleasure to help! Thanks for commenting 😏

[@FLEXIFITNESS1]

hi! when i continue to hold, it just shuts the laptop down again - any reason why?

[@filmic1]

WOW! I have a Seagate that I use for my Time Machine update running on my MacMini Server 2010/High Sierra and I didn't have to go nearly all that. I guess it's older tech.

[@LuckyyChris]

Quick question I just want to use my external hard drive for my Xbox X for Gaming clips… I have a MacBook as well.. if I format it on my Xbox to NFTS will my MacBook still Read and Write the data or should I just do it the way you instructed? Thank you for the video please let me know ❤

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

I think it will be able to read but not write if u do that

[@revelationevents2323]

Bro thanks for this info. Great video

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Happy to help! Thx

[@enn7541]

Omg! Thank you! Thank you! I don't need to buy a new seagate external ❤❤

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Glad I could help!

[@yog.prachar]

Very helpful. Thanks a ton sir

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

My pleasure

[@shayegregan6662]

The press and hold don’t work for me. It just turns my Mac off.

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

do you have an older mac running on intel?

[@TailRotorMafia]

Same here. I have a MacBook Pro 2017 running on Monterey 12.0.1

[@fernandaferraz1822]

It worked. Thank you :)

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

@@fernandaferraz1822 awesome!

[@Daevasuite]

BRO YOU ARE AMAZING THANK YOU!!

[@nicholasdemskiproductreviews]

Hey my pleasure to help 🙏👍