Here's why you choose NTFS over ExFAT for both Windows and macOS use: If this is the case, NTFS is another right option.
This is the case when you want to use the external hard drive for backing up Windows files, but you also need to use the backup files on a Mac computer. NTFS is the Windows-exclusive file system, why do we recommend its use on Mac? Indeed, when you connect an NTFS hard drive to a Mac, the external hard drive is read-only, which means that you can only open and view the files on the drive, however, unable to make changes to the selected files. Primary use on Windows and secondary use on Mac HFS+: The file system used by macOS 10.12 or earlier.Apple File System (APFS): The file system used by macOS 10.13 or later.The final decision for choosing HFS+ or APFS depends on how new your Mac is because APFS is a successor to HFS+, and it's only available on newer Mac models and macOS versions. When you cannot set up your mind to choose a file system when trying to format an external hard drive on Mac, just calm down and ask yourself: "Do I need to use the drive on a second operating system?" If the answer the No, it's a good idea to choose the Apple family file systems to get better trust and encryption protection. Since the two file systems are exclusively developed by Apple, they won't be working on any other type of operating system.
For Mac use only, especially for Time Machine backupĭespite ExFAT being an ideal file format choice for an external hard drive, the standard Apple File System (APFS) and the older HFS+ are good choices.
In a word, FAT32 has the greatest compatibility with any old and new device, but ExFAT can hardly support the older devices like Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. FAT32 is kind of an older file system format than ExFAT, and it's mostly used for moving files to older systems as well as other devices. On top of that, FAT32 is a backup plan, too. Less requirement for data security or data recovery.
Mainly use the external hard drive to transfer files or share files.Let me show more examples for you to consider the ExFAT as the best format for external hard drive use. If this is your purpose, use the external hard drive on both macOS and Windows OS, ExFAT is the prior choice. Since an external hard drive's advantage is portable, it means that you can disconnect it from a Mac at any time, and flexibly put it to use on another Mac or even a Windows machine as well. For the purpose of using the external hard drive on multiple devices and different operating system platforms.
The choices of macOS-compatible file system formats can be NTFS, FAT, APFS, HFS+, or ExFAT. Among the five different file system schemes, which is the best format for an external hard drive for Mac?ĭownload for Mac macOS 12.0 - 10.9 Also Available for Windows Solution 1: ExFAT In this regard, to be able to store, copy, delete or edit a file on an external hard drive on a Mac, this external hard drive has to be formatted with a recognizable file system. Without a file system properly configured on a storage drive, like an HDD or SSD, you won't be able to see the hard drive showing up on a computer, nor to access data contents in it.
Full stepsįive File System Formats for Mac External Hard Drive Connect the external hard drive to your Mac.