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Its only drawback is that its filing system is limited to 4GB, so you’ll find yourself running out of storage space incredibly quickly.IMPORTANT: This article applies to the following macOS version: It’ll work across Windows, Mac and Linux, so you’ll be able to transfer files with ease. FAT32įAT32 is a default file format for many due to its compatibility.

But if you have a mac with high sierra or later, then this is a great choice if speed is of importance to you.

In saying that, this won’t be compatible with Windows, Linux, or any MacOS before High Sierra, so your options are limited. Introduced as the newer version of Mac OS extended, APFS is all about speed and compatibility with other similar operating systems. The downside of this file format is that it won’t work for Windows or Linux, so if you’re using any other operating systems this one is best missed. It’s the default file format for Mac OS Sierra or anything before, and that’s because it runs great on all macs. If you want something that’ll work really well with your mac, then mac OS extended is going to be your best choice straight out of the gate. Let’s take a quick look at some of the file formats that might be right for you. This differs from person to person, but the file format that you choose is going to largely depend on what operating systems you’ll be using the most. When it comes to formatting an external hard drive, the most difficult part of the process is choosing the file format that you want to use with your external hard drive. First, though, you’ll just need to be able to reformat your external hard drive. This means they’re best used in situations like this, where you just need some added storage. Which just means anything that’s not actually inside of the computer or any other device you’re using. Not to worry! In this article, we’ll be showing you how to format an external hard drive for a mac, so that you can get some much-needed extra storage, without having to fork out for a brand new laptop! What Is An External Hard Drive?Įxternal hard drives are essentially free storage space when it comes to using any laptop or mac in this case.Įxternal drives are different from regular hard drives because their use is intended for external usage.

We’ve all been there, you’ve filled the storage space on your laptop, and need more, so you buy a nice shiny new external hard drive for some extra storage, but what if it’s not compatible with macOS?

Mac format external drive