How Should You Format An External Drive For a Mac?

[@Postdisclosureworld]

This was masterfully done. Concise. Told us what we need to hear, nothing more. Rare on KZbin.

[@maureentaphouse5206]

and very helpful to absolute beginners. We are not all tech geeks!

[@captaingreg8425]

This is one of the best KZbin tutorials I have ever seen. Clear communication, each step explained as to why and how, and anticipates alternative steps depending on your situation.

[@2081dwillis]

Love the way you get right into a topic, state it in simple terms, and then end the video promptly (rather than vloggers who want to tell their life stories along with a plethora of if's and's or but's)

[@warrenmcelroy6998]

Had to change Scheme first to GUID, then I could change Format to APFS. Another great info filled video!

[@NatGreenOnline]

Thanks! I didn't see APFS initially as an option and came to the comments to see if anyone had the same issue. This helped me find it!

[@andrewdanvers7175]

Same, as the options were Journaled, ExFAT, Windows etc in the drop list, but once choose the scheme from Master Boot to GUID the 'Convert to APFS' came up, made 2 500gb partitions 1 for my saved stuff, and 1 for Time Machine, though maybe went too big on the 500gb partition for time machine lol, am sure can reduce it.

[@sixofhgr]

Man! You saved the day! I just got a 2TB SSD and have been trying to move files for two days with no luck. After watching your video for two minutes I knew that I would be able to use my drive. Thank you sir!

[@mirandarutherford1425]

I've spent HOURS trying to fix something you explained in less than 7 mins, plus you taught me a lot. Thank you so much!

[@Skaggins]

Same here. Others were having me download drivers, change startup settings... The answer was already on my mac.

[@Lightnin991]

THANKS A MILLION GARY!!! I've tried 3 different SSDs in my Mac docking station and you're the first person who's told me that they're not being read because they haven't been formatted. In the absence of any other instruction, I assumed they would be Plug and play. My new disc is now working fine.

[@nickmcquade]

For maximum compatibility with Windows and Linux systems (especially legacy versions like Windows 7), if I format a drive with exFAT, I always use the MBR partition scheme. Windows tends to be picky when using GUID, and sometimes throws strange errors or doesn't even show the drive in File Explorer.

[@erniepaniccioli]

Your clarity is a gift, thank you.

[@weirdmark]

I’m glad I listened to the end. I have a brand new drive I was going to use for Time Machine. The information I was watching for was at the end. Great video!

[@desertratPS]

I could not for the life of me figure out how to transfer files from meh old Mac mini to my brand new Mac mini. Using the Time Machine was the answer, since I didn't have a spare monitor and keyboard. The only thing different about your tutorial from my own experience is that my external disc would not show up in Time Machine as an option until I manually formatted it to APFS in Disc Utility. It did not automatically do it nor gave me the option to do it. But it worked after all! Thanks for your great videos. I've learned lots from you since becoming a Mac person a couple of years ago.-

[@macjeffff]

Once again, I learned something I didn't know. I've always pre-formatted Time Machine drives. I had no idea TM would do that on its own, automatically. Amazing. Thanks, Gary.

[@ArifKhan.]

This video should be a template for tech/edu youtubers on how to teach a topic! clear, concise, to the point and most importantly: ACCURATE! Well done, you earned a sub+. :)

[@creacionsterranostra]

As always, very useful information, well explained and with all the information you need. Thank You Gary!

[@SF-mw4lm]

Hi Gary, thank you so much for this easy to follow video. I'd like to add my experience of not seeing APFS in the first instance of trying to reformat an external drive in case others experience it too. When I plugged in my LaCie etxernal drive (came formatted as exFAT), Disk Utility showed Master Boot Record under Scheme, and only Mac OS Extended and FAT were offered under Format. I had to change the Scheme to GUID before APFS (and its variations) was offered under Format. Once both APFS and GUID are selected, I could reformat the drive correctly.

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Very useful. One tip I can add is that if you do wish to encrypt do it at the start because if you later on decide to encrypt a disk it can take days to reformat "on the fly"

[@robertl.4675]

This is the BEST Mac channel on KZbin. Thank you for sharing!

[@369jwillow]

Your channel is the best. Thank you for all your joyful effort.

[@AkiraIntegra]

Just what I needed. Had that problem with my external drive and wasn't able to find anything helpful on their website. Was getting real frustrated when I finally found your video. Thanks a lot!

[@kathysullivan802]

extremely useful. and helpful. clear, precise and to the point. thank you!

[@StephenLyonsMusic]

Extremely helpful, thank you.

[@j2simpso]

APFS case sensitive can be helpful, too! What that option allows you to do is to specify filenames with different cases (i.e. upper case and lower case) and the filesystem would keep track of that case sensitivity. This can be useful if you use case sensitivity to differentiate versions of files for instance (i.e. two files have the same name but different letter casing to indicate version).

[@JohnMHammer]

Be sure that any applications you might wish to use are compatible with a case-sensitive format. Some are not.

[@Tech-geeky]

I really don't get why "case sensitive' existed.. because you can do that anyway even .... do have a "unique" option, just for something you can already do,.. doesn't really do anything difference. Apart from the fact you don't have to manually rename.

[@francisgallozzi2595]

All the videos I have watched thus far, have been extremely useful.

[@onekeiway]

Excellent video! Just purchased a 4 TB NVme for my external enclosure - the reminders at the end helped me format safely. Thanks for the peace of mind!

[@KevinAugelloNewEarthFilms]

Extremely clear instructions, thank you very much - as a fellow KZbinr I’ve just subscribed

[@isshirley123]

thank you for this easy and straightforward video

[@ThirtyOnePickup]

Super helpful and precise video! After much time searching for the right answer, I finally got it here. No issues now with Photoshop and Scratch Disk. Thank You!

[@stangumula9283]

Very, very helpful. My new ADATA HDD was formatted for Windows and Mac Time Machine would not recognize it, though the MacBook Pro did. You made it easy to find how to reformat it. Thank you so much. I am a new subscriber, but have listened to several of your videos. You do a real good job. Kudos!

[@thepurpleufo]

Great stuff, Gary...no one else does it the way you do.

[@eliyahvbreuer]

Thank you so much for a concise and well-put-together video. Really helped me get set up with my hard drive. Feel well-informed and ready to go!

[@2.fit.bros.]

You are a G!

[@ioanailiepiano]

Super video, concise and clear explanation - exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!!

[@carolinemyddelton580]

Invaluable! Thank you, Gary! Good to know that Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is still ok to use-my photos are stored on an external drive with that format. I see I created it in 2013, which probably explains why it's the old format!

[@qwincyq6412]

Yes my drives are formatted with mac os too. It’s been so long I didn’t know there is a newer, better format I should be using now

[@9avedon]

APFS format is not backwards compatible! @@qwincyq6412

[@BellaTheGeekGamer]

I've been trying to utilize an old 2 TB HDD from my PC to fully back up my Mac and this tutorial was so helpful! Thank you!

[@pianoman6639]

Wonderful I stumbled on this channel many thanks and subscribed

[@monig.1843]

Vielen Dank, Dein Video kommt zur richtigen Zeit. Gestern habe ich die externe Festplatte für meinen neuen Mac bekommen.

[@paultartaglia9948]

thanks for a great video. Your delivery is perfect. Straight to the point without a bunch of run on fluff. Thanks for the help!!!

[@cindicrose]

I kept getting an error when I tried this earlier, but you went more in depth than any other tutorial, and I was able to successfully do it. Thank you.

[@Apple55330]

The video was very helpful! Thank you!!!

[@clockwizemusic1]

Thanks for the info! I haven't really used the sequencer in Maschine, mostly just for the sounds but I may start, your vid helped me get a better understanding.

[@janneshimoda]

Thank you very much! I purchased an external drive from Amazon. However, when I tried to install it, I couldn't find it. I had to install Parallels in order to transfer the files, which I didn't want to do. Your video made all the difference.

[@ArcusJet]

Awesome brief and to the point video. THANKS

[@WilliamLaird64]

Thanks for guiding me on how to configure my new 4TB SSD on my new Mac Studio! Excellent instructions and explanation on all the terms and execution! Kudos!

[@nasa69t74]

Always come back !! Thank you for your videos ))

[@benw9949]

Thanks! I wish I'd seen this a few months ago when I needed a new Mac hard drive. But this info sure will help for the future.

[@allenmeador5296]

Thank you Gary, I appreciate your excellent MacMost channel! I was just searching for this information, magically this post popped up. Timely for me! Thank you!

[@kaijupenguin]

Thank you! You are a gentleman and a scholar! I recently updated my Mac OS and all my adobe programs in my external drive wouldn't work and stopped showing up as a scratch disk. Luckily I got a brand new SSD and you really put my mind at ease with formatting it properly.

[@markharding3613]

Short and Helpful! Just what I needed to know.

[@WhatIThink45]

Thanks. I bought a SandDisk flash drive and I thought it was ready for use, the files were copying extremely slow. Your video provided the fix.

[@karanveersinghsasan]

I really appreciate your broad knowledge for making Mac eco-system very beautiful for users 😇

[@JenShea]

Thank you SOOOO much! Everything I needed! Cheers ~

[@kimhamiltonpsychoanalytica2778]

Thank you for all your hard work I use and learn from your videos a lot

[@donaldduke2233]

Clear, concise, informative. Thanks you so much.

[@paulfowler2378]

Thank you, I could not find that Utility and this helped me.

[@rockinrabbi]

Great advice! Loved especially how you mentioned Time Machine at the end, that's exactly what I needed. Made it simple. Thank you!

[@baxDstar]

My go to for all my iMac info. THANKS!

[@Thexcalibur]

Great video. Thank you for the help!

[@Greg-fg1rd]

Yes! Great to be shown some "technical" flows to round out how we interact with the Mac. Thanks!

[@defel1]

Makes me consider all the old thumb drives I have and what to do with them. Thanks.

[@Speedcubenz]

Such a solid video! Exactly the info I needed and no fluff. Nice work! 🙌

[@dandobi]

this is GREAT! thank you for making this!

[@NataGeo83]

Best video !!! Easy to understand

[@michaelschmitt5413]

I love your channel !!! Thanks for all the great content.

[@loisskiathitis8926]

A very useful and informative video tutorial today! I always learn something new to me! Thank you, Gary! 👏❤️

[@sshyne-qy7rz]

Good, though I wish you also explained new Mac and old Mac usage such as NAS usage in a Mac only office, and the what are the particular pros/cons of those other options in that situation. And in the Time Machine window the custom options

[@davidcarbonnel6396]

This really helped! Thank you so much.

[@athenalorraine]

Thank you for this. I am not tech savvy so I appreciate videos like this.

[@LeeStewart]

APFS - If you're using macOS High Sierra or newer. 'Mac OS Extended Journaled' for macOS Sierra or earlier. Typically for external drives I use the latter.

[@alejolense]

Thanks for the info man! I just formatea to APFS

[@apostolis_23]

Amazing video and straignt to the point! Thank you!

[@alpinewander]

Concise and helpful - thank you!

[@middlegermanymusic]

Thank you sir

[@EdLoher]

A very clear and useful video. You’re amazing 🤘🏻

[@Premraj-re8zw]

Thank you , you made it an easy thing to do.

[@abouthomeopathy101]

Hello Gary, thanks again for this very explanatory video, you make everything look so easy! One question, OneDrive installation instructions on an external drive read that the external drive must be "a non-ejectable type and formatted as APFS". How do you make an external drive non-ejectable? Do you have any video or idea on that? Can't find any info anywhere!

[@macmost]

No idea what they could mean by that. You'd have to inquire with OneDrive support. But maybe they just mean that you can't eject it while it is in use, which is how it works normally.

[@abouthomeopathy101]

@@macmost Thank you so much for getting back, they also say in support.miscrosoft page, "If you need to change your OneDrive storage location from your computer to an SD card or other external storage source, you can do so as long as the external drive is non-ejectable. Removable USB drives are not supported". So I think they mean exactly that, I will try to install OneDrive on an external drive and let you know, I hope that just APFS format will work, let's see.

[@LinMar65]

Just purchased a WD external hard drive, so thank you so much for your video. I like th part of using TimeMachine to set it up. Question , I found a short dongle cable usb C to usb3 specified for 5GBPS gen1usb3, will it work to connect MacBook air 2019 to the external hard drive. Also if I use TimeMachine can I choose what to upload to external drive or does it back up everything. Thank you.

[@macmost]

Time Machine backs up everything. You can manually exclude things, but only do that if you really have a good reason and know what you are doing. As for the cable, try it and see.

[@internalbeats6870]

This totally helped me today on with my new M3 with an external hub /SSD. I was formatting the wrong part of the drive. Thank you so much!!!!

[@DatDudeDullah]

Exactly what I needed…thank you!!

[@luisalbertoperez6841]

thanks for you help didn't know what to do when i got a new external drive. it wasn't formatted for a mac that was all.

[@jremi]

Truly excellent video!

[@hugoingelhammar6163]

You saved me! Thought 90% of the storage on my SD-card was permanently lost. But now I have full capacity again

[@BrianKemian]

Thanks Gary. I did notice that I don't get the choice for APFS unless I select the GUiD Partition Map first. Otherwise, I just get the Mac Journaled choice.

[@PatrickSpahr]

yes, extremely useful and perfectly clear. thank you for being great and not wasting time. ;)

[@bran70]

This helped me. Great video. Thanks!

[@peterc2248]

Good stuff. My external time machine drive is nearly full. How do I transfer the 'old' time machine files to my new bigger drive?

[@owenjackson3377]

Thanks! I had a very unique problem with running a program on my computer and this ended up being the key

[@private54321]

The only video you need to watch!!

[@ashoks2411]

Thank you, Gary, for another useful video!

[@Joeyedits_]

Thanks a lot :)

[@DannyPerez-personal]

You were incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@ricochet2273]

1:33 Thanks Gary! Quick question, if I reformat an external drive (say, ExFat to APFS), and I save the existing files to an internal hard disk, will I be able to transfer the same files back to the external drive after it’s been reformatted to APFS?

[@macmost]

Yes, of course. Why wouldn't you be able to?

[@ricochet2273]

@@macmost Thanks Gary! I’m a noob when comes tech / IT😅 I thought maybe the files somehow only recognise ExFat-drives (since that’s where they were initially stored) and that it might not be compatible once the very same drive is reformatted to APFS.

[@macmost]

@@ricochet2273 Files are just containers with data in them. You can put files in any file system. Different file systems will store the files in different ways, but the data is the same.

[@ricochet2273]

@@macmost Thanks for clarifying Gary! I appreciate it👍🏼

[@ptvsoph]

THANK YOU!! this was so helpful, i was scared i was going to have to download dodgy drive readers but this works perfectly!

[@DesaiPlasticSurgery]

Amazing review!

[@bobbyoctaviano2661]

Thanks for the comprehensive breakdown Sir. Best... Bobby :) :) :)

[@matoflynn]

Thank you for your wonderful explanations of everything.

[@callmeNeno]

You’re Godsend! Love your video content. Just bought Samsung T7 ssd going to use it for Time Machine for my Mac mini Pro.

[@macmost]

SSD? See kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnmTlGaBbteSnMk

[@Steph-hr4ec]

This is exactly the info I needed! Thanks!

[@WilliamHenryAlbert]

Thank you for your thorough explanation.

[@adittoraian]

Thank you very much for this detailed video. You made my life eaasier.

[@tuomasholo]

This was very helpful. Thanks

[@danielwalstad7634]

Thnx :) Have a good day and weekend :) very useful