#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE HOW TO#
#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE FULL#
#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE PORTABLE#
#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE SOFTWARE#

Windows default file system is readable by macOS devices, but your Mac will not be able to write to NTFS files natively. This file type has all the same characteristics – good and bad – as FAT32 but can create and store files larger than 4GB. File size is also limited to 4GB and FAT32 tends to create disk errors more often than other file types.

Just keep in mind FAT32 can’t be encrypted and has no other security features. For those who are often sharing files between operation systems, FAT32 is the best option. This file type can be read and written on Macs, Windows PCs, and Linux machines. But Windows can’t write to HFS+ files, and this file type doesn’t work with Linux. HFS+ hard drives can be encrypted much like APFS, and Windows machines can open HFS+ files with ease. HFS+ is the precursor for APFS, and Macs with macOS older than High Sierra (or OS X, of course) will use HFS+ by default.

#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE SOFTWARE#

But if you’re all-inon the latest and greatest from Apple – hardware and software – APFS is a good choice. APFS only works with High Sierra or later, won’t open on Windows or Linux machines, and only works on SSD, Flash, or hybrid drives. It’s also not the right choice in many cases. It’s efficient, reliable, and can encrypt files. The latest file type from Apple arrived with macOS High Sierra, and is the right choice for users who only use Macs.

#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE HOW TO#

Here are the most popular file types for Mac, and how to choose which is right for you: This choice comes down to how you work, which computers you use, whether others need access to the files, and if older file types are important for your workflow. Older Windows files often require a format external drives simply don’t ship with knowing how to reformat external hard drive Mac and PC computers share is vital in these circumstances.īefore you format Macintosh hard drive or external drives, consider which file type you should use. Those of us who have an external drive shared with Windows machines know formatting can be critical to productivity. The drive may come unformatted, formatted in a way that makes it unusable to your computer, or with a format that makes it difficult or impossible to store your files. For even more of us, knowing how to reformat external hard drive Mac laptops or desktops will use before loading files onto it is critical. We tend to think of external drives as a device to plug into a Mac and start loading files onto. This is one important reason you should know how to format hard drive for Mac. We keep a lot of sensitive personal or work documents on our computers, so it’s important that whomever you sell your Mac to doesn’t get their hands on it.

#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE FULL#

Sure, you can clear all data on your Mac, but it’s not always a full wipe-down of your hard drive. But there are times when formatting or reformatting are the right moves, like these: All too often, people believe they should format or reformat their hard drive to solve minor issues, which just isn’t necessary to solve their problems. You should also consider why you’d want to format HDD for Mac. Not only can hard drives be formatted in several unique formats, there are also a few ways to go about it. Reasons When You Might Need to Reformat a Hard Drive?įormatting hard drives for Mac – your Mac’s built-in drive or an external drive – presents several opportunities to reflect on what you’re doing, and why.

#FORMAT USB DRIVE FOR MAC AND PC USE PORTABLE#

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the key reasons you’d be formatting Mac HD, how to format harddrive on Mac desktops or laptops, how to format a portable hard drive for Mac (an external drive), and ways you can keep your data safe without losing any important documents. Whatever your needs, knowing the proper way to format your hard drive or external drive is key for proper file storage, sharing, and keeping your data safe. There are quite a few reasons you’d want to know how to format a hard drive for Mac. Make your Mac fast and secure with CleanMyMac X.

Format usb drive for mac and pc use