Yo just got a new external hard drive and want to use it on your Mac. However, the Mac OS does not allow you to write data to the drive. You may wonder how to reformat an external hard drive on Mac. Follow the tutorial below, you'll get everything covered.
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility. Formatting an external hard drive would erase everything on it. Hence, you must backup your important files before reformatting the drive if you want to save them. The easiest way is to drag it from one drive to another. All is set, then you can go ahead to format the drive on your Mac. Insert your NTFS drive or USB stick and click to highlight the disk name in the white box on the left-hand side of the window. Select the ‘Erase' tab. Under ‘Format' choose ‘(MS-DOS FAT)'.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
Reformatting an external hard drive for use with Mac OSX is not as difficult as it might seem. In a few simple steps you are ready to go and can save your back-up files to the external drive, keeping your information safe and giving you peace of mind. Keep in mind that a MAC can generally read other file formats, but for the best performance and to create a bootable disk, formatting exclusively for MAC is required.
Part 1: Which File Format You Should Choose?
Before you begin formatting the drive, there are a few things to do. The most important, you should decide which format to use.
There are a few file formats you can use, but it depends on the purpose you want to use the drive for. Which one is right for your circumstance? We'll describe them here, you'll know your choice after reading the details.
APFS: This is the default file system in Macs with High Sierra. It is efficient and reliable. However, it won't be readable and usable on machines that are not running Mac High Sierra, and Windows or Linux PCs. What's more, it is compatible with SSD and flash storage devices only.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+): If you didn't update your Mac OS to High Sierra, the default file system on your Mac shoule be Mac OS Extended. Mac OS Extended (encrypted) would be an ideal option if you probably carry your laptop or external drive here and there. You can encrypt it so that no one can access the contents on your drive.
MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32): In addition to Mac, it can also be written and read by Linux and Windows. It enables you to regularly share files with your friends who own a PC. Nevertheless, this older file system is limited to no more than 4GB and there might be security issue and disk errors.
ExFAT: It is similar to ExFAT which can be read by both Windows and Mac, but it can store more than 4GB files.
NTFS: As the default file system in Windows, it can only read by Mac OS, writing to it is not available. Luckily, there are third-party tools to help you do so.
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility
Formatting an external hard drive would erase everything on it. Hence, you must backup your important files before reformatting the drive if you want to save them. The easiest way is to drag it from one drive to another.
All is set, then you can go ahead to format the drive on your Mac. Disk utility - the MacOS utility application can help you with this. Just follow these steps below:
Step 1. Connect the external drive or the USB drive to the MAC.
Step 2. Start the Disk Utility, located under Applications > Utilities.
Step 3. Find the name of the drive in the left side of the Utilities window and select it. And click Erase button.
Step 4. Follow on-screen prompts to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system and allow the disk to format.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
In case you forgot to backup files before formatting the external drive. Here comes the cure - iMyFone AnyRecover - a one-stop solution to recover deleted, lost or formatted files from Mac.
Follow these simple steps using AnyRecover to get your files back!
Get Ready!
First, download and install AnyRecover, following on-screen prompts to accomplish the task.
AnyRecover 20% off Coupon Code: ANY-ART-D20
Don't miss the opportunity to get AnyRecover license at the lowest price on the market. Don't know how to apply it, check the instructions here:
Get Set!
1. After loading AnyRecover, plug your external hard drive into your Mac directly or via USB.
2. Next select the drive under 'External Removable Devices' tab, click 'Start' to begin scanning lost files on the drive.
Go!
1. AnyRecover takes a moment to scan your drive. Once done, it will list out all scanning results by file type.
2. Double click a single file to preview it before recovery.
3. Select the files and press Recover to get them back.
What If?
What if my files were not found? Fear not. We can take this a step further. Enable 'Deep Scan' to try one more time, follow the steps above just as before to locate and recover your files.
It is plain to see that AnyRecover for Mac is a tool worthy of top shelf treatment in your arsenal of items that are used to defend, recover and keep your system up and running. Don't get caught without the file you need for that meeting or stumbling looking for baby photos that were stored on disk and suddenly 'hid' from your view. Allow AnyRecover to find and recover your lost files. AnyRecover is easy to use but provides sophisticated results that mean you know what you're doing!
Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
If you have tried partitioning a hard drive without any previous experience then you understand that it is a daunting task. Handling the Mac partition manager is not as easy as it sounds. Once you learn the process, it gets pretty easy. The good thing is that you don't need any external or third-party tools for partitioning.
So, in this article, we are going to guide you through partition and un partition on Mac without any hassle.
Part 1. What Does Other Mean in Mac Storage?
Before you step into detail, first you need to understand what exactly the term partitioning means.
By Partitioning your Mac drive, you split the hard drive in two or more separate, usable systems. This feature allows the users to run multiple OS on the same system/device such as Windows and macOS simultaneously. You can even run two versions of macOS on the same system. The partitioning also divides the storage space on the hard drive. And a specific portion goes to each partition. So, if you are running out of storage, it is advised that either you extend the storage or avoid partitioning at all.
Here are some advantages of Partitioning that will convince you that it is beneficial for the users.
- You get to switch between different versions of OS X including Tiger, Leopard, or Snow Leopard at the same time.
- The users can use the Boot Camp Assistant to run Windows OS on the Mac system. This way, you get to save some bucks and efforts to maintain two separate systems for your needs.
- During the startup Volume disk errors, it is needed that the repair program is run from another volume to fix the errors. Partitioning of Mac allows the users to keep a disk where the bootable copy of OS X is stored and it can be used to run Disk Utility.
- You can share your iPhoto Library between two or more user accounts on Mac after partitioning.
- Partitioning also allows Mac users to manage their backups efficiently. You can use Mac Time Machine without using an external hard drive.
If you opt-out for partitioning, make sure that your Mac has enough space otherwise the disk performance would decline and you might experience some working issues in both drives.
Part 2. How to Partition a Hard Drive on Mac?
There are two methods that allow the users to create a partition on Mac. The first method is using Disk Utility and the second one is using Boot Camp. Both these methods work great to partition hard drive on Mac.
Method 1. Disk Utility:
The Disk Utility is used when you wish to partition Mac and wants to install a different version of the same OS. As we all know, Disk Utility can perform various tasks on Mac including repair and partition. The Mac partition Manager is used for this process. Before you initiate the process, it is advised that you create a full backup of your device data in case some fault arises. This way, if anything goes wrong, you will still have a copy of your data files.
Now, follow the steps given below to partition your Mac drive:
- Press Command + Shift + U keys from the keyboard or access the Utilities in the Application folder. Open the Disk Utility application and select the Mac Internal drive.
- You will see two options in the window, i.e. First Aid and Partition. Click on the Partition option and hit the '+' icon.
- A new partition will appear on the screen and you can set the storage space according to your requirements.
- Give a name to the new drive and tap on the Apply button. You might have to click on a lock symbol to finalize the actions.
You can make changes to the drive even after you've created the partition. When the process is finished, the partition will be visible on the main drive. The partition size can also be modified later when required.
Method 2. Boot Camp:
Remember that you cannot partition hard drive on Mac using Disk Utility if you want to install Windows on the other partition. The Boot Camp Assistant is a handy application for partitioning your Mac drive so that you can run and operate macOS and Windows altogether. In the later version of Mac, this application is pre-installed, so you only need to open it and follow the steps below:
External Disk Drive Mac
- Open Application and go to Utilities. There you will find the Boot Camp Assistant. Double-click on the option to open the Boot Camp and print a copy of the installation and setup guide.
- Click on the Create or Remove a Windows Partition option and Continue with the steps.
- Now, you have to select a hard drive for partition. If you already have multiple drives, you can select any one which you prefer.
- Determine the size of the partition for Windows OS. You can't make a partition smaller than 5 GB and it is recommended that you at least keep 20GB of space for your partitions.
- Click on the Partition button at the bottom of the interface and your new partitions will be ready to use.
Now all there is left to do is to insert the Windows installation disk and you will have multiple OS working on the same Mac system.
By following the same methods you can partition an external hard drive on Mac whenever you want.
Part 3. How to Delete Other Storage on Mac?
We have learned how to create a partition but knowing how to un partition hard drive on Mac is also crucial. The good thing is that the steps are not much different from the above procedure.
Using Disk Utility:
If you wish to erase or remove the macOS partition, then you'll have to use Disk Utility. You need to follow the steps as:
- Launch Disk Utility and click on the Partition which you want to delete from the volume.
- Here, select 'Go'>' Go to Folder' or you can use 'Shift + Cmd + G' shortcut.
- Switch to the Erase tab and ensure that the Mac OS X Extended is chosen. Tap on the Erase button to delete the partition.
- After that, choose the app folder you want to get rid of it. Next, drag it to trash to delete them from your Mac.
Within a while, the reallocated space will be distributed and you will be able to close Disk Utility.
Hard Disk Drive For A Dell Inspiron Desktop
Using Boot Camp:
As you used Boot Camp Assistant to create the Windows partition, you'll also have to use the same app for removing the partition.
- Boot your Mac into Mac OS X and open the Boot Camp Assistant. As the application interface opens up, you will see the Install or remove the Windows option.
- Continue and choose the Restore Disk to a single Mac OS partition option from the screen. Finalize the changes and hit the Restore button to begin the removal process.
It will take a while to remove the partition and when it is done, you can exit the Boot Camp.
Part 4. How to Recover Lost Data When Partitioning Mac?
The most common reasons why data get lost from a drive are given below:
- During hard drive partition
- Drive format
- System crash
- Virus attack
Apart from these, there are other reasons too but these are the reasons which mainly affect the Mac hard drive. And as a result, data gets lost from the system. But you don't have to worry about that now as Recoverit is here.
Hard Disk Drive For Mac And Windows Pc
Recoverit - The Best Software to Recover Word Files:
Whenever you experience a data loss situation, Recoverit Data Recovery Mac will help you to retrieve it. This data recovery software will come in handy even when you've never made a backup of your device. You now know how to partition Mac hard drive and un partition it. But knowing how you can recover the lost or deleted files from the drive is also necessary.
How to Recover Lost Word Files on Mac:
Step 1: Select a Location
Launch the software and select the drive from where the data files are lost. If you don't know which drive to search, tap on the 'I can't find my partition' option, and hit the Start button.
Step 2: Scan the Location
Typically, the software will run an All-Around Recovery scan and search for the lost and deleted files on the entire drive.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
Reformatting an external hard drive for use with Mac OSX is not as difficult as it might seem. In a few simple steps you are ready to go and can save your back-up files to the external drive, keeping your information safe and giving you peace of mind. Keep in mind that a MAC can generally read other file formats, but for the best performance and to create a bootable disk, formatting exclusively for MAC is required.
Part 1: Which File Format You Should Choose?
Before you begin formatting the drive, there are a few things to do. The most important, you should decide which format to use.
There are a few file formats you can use, but it depends on the purpose you want to use the drive for. Which one is right for your circumstance? We'll describe them here, you'll know your choice after reading the details.
APFS: This is the default file system in Macs with High Sierra. It is efficient and reliable. However, it won't be readable and usable on machines that are not running Mac High Sierra, and Windows or Linux PCs. What's more, it is compatible with SSD and flash storage devices only.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+): If you didn't update your Mac OS to High Sierra, the default file system on your Mac shoule be Mac OS Extended. Mac OS Extended (encrypted) would be an ideal option if you probably carry your laptop or external drive here and there. You can encrypt it so that no one can access the contents on your drive.
MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32): In addition to Mac, it can also be written and read by Linux and Windows. It enables you to regularly share files with your friends who own a PC. Nevertheless, this older file system is limited to no more than 4GB and there might be security issue and disk errors.
ExFAT: It is similar to ExFAT which can be read by both Windows and Mac, but it can store more than 4GB files.
NTFS: As the default file system in Windows, it can only read by Mac OS, writing to it is not available. Luckily, there are third-party tools to help you do so.
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility
Formatting an external hard drive would erase everything on it. Hence, you must backup your important files before reformatting the drive if you want to save them. The easiest way is to drag it from one drive to another.
All is set, then you can go ahead to format the drive on your Mac. Disk utility - the MacOS utility application can help you with this. Just follow these steps below:
Step 1. Connect the external drive or the USB drive to the MAC.
Step 2. Start the Disk Utility, located under Applications > Utilities.
Step 3. Find the name of the drive in the left side of the Utilities window and select it. And click Erase button.
Step 4. Follow on-screen prompts to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system and allow the disk to format.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
In case you forgot to backup files before formatting the external drive. Here comes the cure - iMyFone AnyRecover - a one-stop solution to recover deleted, lost or formatted files from Mac.
Follow these simple steps using AnyRecover to get your files back!
Get Ready!
First, download and install AnyRecover, following on-screen prompts to accomplish the task.
AnyRecover 20% off Coupon Code: ANY-ART-D20
Don't miss the opportunity to get AnyRecover license at the lowest price on the market. Don't know how to apply it, check the instructions here:
Get Set!
1. After loading AnyRecover, plug your external hard drive into your Mac directly or via USB.
2. Next select the drive under 'External Removable Devices' tab, click 'Start' to begin scanning lost files on the drive.
Go!
1. AnyRecover takes a moment to scan your drive. Once done, it will list out all scanning results by file type.
2. Double click a single file to preview it before recovery.
3. Select the files and press Recover to get them back.
What If?
What if my files were not found? Fear not. We can take this a step further. Enable 'Deep Scan' to try one more time, follow the steps above just as before to locate and recover your files.
It is plain to see that AnyRecover for Mac is a tool worthy of top shelf treatment in your arsenal of items that are used to defend, recover and keep your system up and running. Don't get caught without the file you need for that meeting or stumbling looking for baby photos that were stored on disk and suddenly 'hid' from your view. Allow AnyRecover to find and recover your lost files. AnyRecover is easy to use but provides sophisticated results that mean you know what you're doing!
Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
If you have tried partitioning a hard drive without any previous experience then you understand that it is a daunting task. Handling the Mac partition manager is not as easy as it sounds. Once you learn the process, it gets pretty easy. The good thing is that you don't need any external or third-party tools for partitioning.
So, in this article, we are going to guide you through partition and un partition on Mac without any hassle.
Part 1. What Does Other Mean in Mac Storage?
Before you step into detail, first you need to understand what exactly the term partitioning means.
By Partitioning your Mac drive, you split the hard drive in two or more separate, usable systems. This feature allows the users to run multiple OS on the same system/device such as Windows and macOS simultaneously. You can even run two versions of macOS on the same system. The partitioning also divides the storage space on the hard drive. And a specific portion goes to each partition. So, if you are running out of storage, it is advised that either you extend the storage or avoid partitioning at all.
Here are some advantages of Partitioning that will convince you that it is beneficial for the users.
- You get to switch between different versions of OS X including Tiger, Leopard, or Snow Leopard at the same time.
- The users can use the Boot Camp Assistant to run Windows OS on the Mac system. This way, you get to save some bucks and efforts to maintain two separate systems for your needs.
- During the startup Volume disk errors, it is needed that the repair program is run from another volume to fix the errors. Partitioning of Mac allows the users to keep a disk where the bootable copy of OS X is stored and it can be used to run Disk Utility.
- You can share your iPhoto Library between two or more user accounts on Mac after partitioning.
- Partitioning also allows Mac users to manage their backups efficiently. You can use Mac Time Machine without using an external hard drive.
If you opt-out for partitioning, make sure that your Mac has enough space otherwise the disk performance would decline and you might experience some working issues in both drives.
Part 2. How to Partition a Hard Drive on Mac?
There are two methods that allow the users to create a partition on Mac. The first method is using Disk Utility and the second one is using Boot Camp. Both these methods work great to partition hard drive on Mac.
Method 1. Disk Utility:
The Disk Utility is used when you wish to partition Mac and wants to install a different version of the same OS. As we all know, Disk Utility can perform various tasks on Mac including repair and partition. The Mac partition Manager is used for this process. Before you initiate the process, it is advised that you create a full backup of your device data in case some fault arises. This way, if anything goes wrong, you will still have a copy of your data files.
Now, follow the steps given below to partition your Mac drive:
- Press Command + Shift + U keys from the keyboard or access the Utilities in the Application folder. Open the Disk Utility application and select the Mac Internal drive.
- You will see two options in the window, i.e. First Aid and Partition. Click on the Partition option and hit the '+' icon.
- A new partition will appear on the screen and you can set the storage space according to your requirements.
- Give a name to the new drive and tap on the Apply button. You might have to click on a lock symbol to finalize the actions.
You can make changes to the drive even after you've created the partition. When the process is finished, the partition will be visible on the main drive. The partition size can also be modified later when required.
Method 2. Boot Camp:
Remember that you cannot partition hard drive on Mac using Disk Utility if you want to install Windows on the other partition. The Boot Camp Assistant is a handy application for partitioning your Mac drive so that you can run and operate macOS and Windows altogether. In the later version of Mac, this application is pre-installed, so you only need to open it and follow the steps below:
External Disk Drive Mac
- Open Application and go to Utilities. There you will find the Boot Camp Assistant. Double-click on the option to open the Boot Camp and print a copy of the installation and setup guide.
- Click on the Create or Remove a Windows Partition option and Continue with the steps.
- Now, you have to select a hard drive for partition. If you already have multiple drives, you can select any one which you prefer.
- Determine the size of the partition for Windows OS. You can't make a partition smaller than 5 GB and it is recommended that you at least keep 20GB of space for your partitions.
- Click on the Partition button at the bottom of the interface and your new partitions will be ready to use.
Now all there is left to do is to insert the Windows installation disk and you will have multiple OS working on the same Mac system.
By following the same methods you can partition an external hard drive on Mac whenever you want.
Part 3. How to Delete Other Storage on Mac?
We have learned how to create a partition but knowing how to un partition hard drive on Mac is also crucial. The good thing is that the steps are not much different from the above procedure.
Using Disk Utility:
If you wish to erase or remove the macOS partition, then you'll have to use Disk Utility. You need to follow the steps as:
- Launch Disk Utility and click on the Partition which you want to delete from the volume.
- Here, select 'Go'>' Go to Folder' or you can use 'Shift + Cmd + G' shortcut.
- Switch to the Erase tab and ensure that the Mac OS X Extended is chosen. Tap on the Erase button to delete the partition.
- After that, choose the app folder you want to get rid of it. Next, drag it to trash to delete them from your Mac.
Within a while, the reallocated space will be distributed and you will be able to close Disk Utility.
Hard Disk Drive For A Dell Inspiron Desktop
Using Boot Camp:
As you used Boot Camp Assistant to create the Windows partition, you'll also have to use the same app for removing the partition.
- Boot your Mac into Mac OS X and open the Boot Camp Assistant. As the application interface opens up, you will see the Install or remove the Windows option.
- Continue and choose the Restore Disk to a single Mac OS partition option from the screen. Finalize the changes and hit the Restore button to begin the removal process.
It will take a while to remove the partition and when it is done, you can exit the Boot Camp.
Part 4. How to Recover Lost Data When Partitioning Mac?
The most common reasons why data get lost from a drive are given below:
- During hard drive partition
- Drive format
- System crash
- Virus attack
Apart from these, there are other reasons too but these are the reasons which mainly affect the Mac hard drive. And as a result, data gets lost from the system. But you don't have to worry about that now as Recoverit is here.
Hard Disk Drive For Mac And Windows Pc
Recoverit - The Best Software to Recover Word Files:
Whenever you experience a data loss situation, Recoverit Data Recovery Mac will help you to retrieve it. This data recovery software will come in handy even when you've never made a backup of your device. You now know how to partition Mac hard drive and un partition it. But knowing how you can recover the lost or deleted files from the drive is also necessary.
How to Recover Lost Word Files on Mac:
Step 1: Select a Location
Launch the software and select the drive from where the data files are lost. If you don't know which drive to search, tap on the 'I can't find my partition' option, and hit the Start button.
Step 2: Scan the Location
Typically, the software will run an All-Around Recovery scan and search for the lost and deleted files on the entire drive.
Step 3: Preview and Recover
When the scan completes, the files will be listed on the screen. The software will sort out the files according to format to make the search easier. You can select multiple files at a time and have a preview at them.
Part 5. Tips for Deleting Other Files on Mac
Maybe you even know how to un partition a hard drive on Mac; you still have to be careful during carrying out the procedure. So, here are some tips worth keeping mind to make sure that you don't end up with some random error using partitioning or un-partitioning.
- The most important thing that you should do before starting is to create a backup of your Mac data.
- Keep this in mind when you are creating and removing the partition that the partition created by Disk Utility can only be removed by Disk Utility. And the partition created by Boot Camp will only be deleted by Boot Camp Application.
- After you create a partition, you'll also have to install the other version of OS you want to run.
- You can also create a partition on the system using the external drive.
- It is recommended that you keep a standard amount of 50 GB space for the partition.
Hard Disc Drive For A Computer
Conclusion
It can be concluded that creating and removing a Mac drive partition is not that tough. You just have to careful during the process. And in case of a mishap, Recoverit is always here for your help so that you don't have to suffer from data loss situation.
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