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Are you facing compatibility issues while using an external hard drive on your Mac? The issue may lie in the format of the external hard drive. Mac’s use a different format than Windows, and if you have been using the hard drive on Windows, it won’t work smoothly on your Mac. Changing the format of the external hard drive is the solution to fix this problem. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to change the format of an external hard drive on Mac.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed?
Before you begin the process, here are a few things that you need to know:
– Changing the format of the external hard drive will erase all the existing data. Therefore, it’s important to backup all the data before you start the process.
– Make sure the external hard drive is connected to your Mac.
– If you have installed any software or apps on the external hard drive, it may not work after changing the format, so make sure to backup your software too.
What Requires Your Focus?
The process of changing the format of an external hard drive is simple, but you need to focus and follow the steps carefully to avoid any data loss. A slight mistake can cause you to lose all the data stored in the hard drive. So, read and follow the steps carefully to avoid any issues.
3 Methods to Change Format of External Hard Drive on Mac
Here are three methods to change the format of an external hard drive on Mac:
Method 1: Using Disk Utility
Disk utility is a built-in feature in Mac that can be used to format the external hard drive. Below are the steps to format the external hard drive using Disk Utility.
Step 1: Open "Finder" and go to the "Applications" folder.
Step 2: Click on the "Utilities" folder and open "Disk Utility."
Step 3: From the left-hand side, select the external hard drive that you want to format.
Step 4: Click on "Erase" from the top of the utility window.
Step 5: Name the new disk and select the format that you want to use (ExFAT or Mac OS Extended).
Step 6: Click on "Erase" to confirm.
Pros:
– This method is easy to follow and doesn’t require any technical expertise.
– No additional software is required to complete the process.
Cons:
– All the existing data on the external hard drive will be deleted when you format it.
Method 2: Using Terminal
Terminal is another built-in feature that can be used to format the external hard drive. Below are the steps:
Step 1: Open "Terminal" from the "Utilities" folder.
Step 2: Type "diskutil list" and press Enter.
Step 3: Identify the external hard drive in the list.
Step 4: Type "diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN" and press Enter (replace "N" with the appropriate number).
Step 5: Type "sudo newfs_exfat -v NAME /dev/diskN" and press Enter (replace "NAME" with a name for the disk and "N" with the appropriate number).
Step 6: Type "diskutil mountDisk /dev/diskN" and press Enter.
Pros:
– Terminal is a built-in feature and doesn’t require any additional software.
– This method is faster than Disk Utility.
Cons:
– An incorrect command in Terminal can cause data loss.
– It’s relatively complex and requires some technical expertise.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software
You can use third-party software to format the external hard drive. One such software is Paragon NTFS for Mac. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Install and open the Paragon NTFS for Mac software.
Step 2: Select the external hard drive that you want to format.
Step 3: Choose the format that you want to use (ExFAT or Mac OS Extended).
Step 4: Click on "Format" to start the process.
Pros:
– Paragon NTFS for Mac is easy to use and doesn’t require any technical expertise.
– It can format the external hard drive without erasing the data.
Cons:
– Paragon NTFS for Mac is not a free software.
– The software may not work with all external hard drives.
Why Can’t I Change the Format of My External Hard Drive?
There can be several reasons why you cannot change the format of an external hard drive:
1. The external hard drive is write-protected.
Fix: Disable write protection.
2. The external hard drive is damaged or corrupted.
Fix: Use disk utility to repair the disk.
3. The disk is in use.
Fix: Close all applications using the disk before formatting.
Implications and Recommendations
Changing the format of an external hard drive means you will be losing all the existing data on the disk. Therefore, it’s important to back up all the data before you format the disk. You can use cloud storage or an external drive to backup your data.
Furthermore, it’s recommended to format the external hard drive to "ExFAT" format as it’s compatible with both Mac and Windows. If you’re only using the disk on Mac, use the "Mac OS Extended" format.
5 FAQs
Q: Can I change the format of my external hard drive without formatting it?
A: No. Changing the format of the external hard drive means you have to format it.
Q: Can I format an external hard drive on Windows and use it on Mac?
A: Yes. You can format the external hard drive to "ExFAT" format on Windows and use it on Mac.
Q: Can I use external hard drives to install software or games on Mac?
A: Yes, you can use external hard drives to install software and games on Mac. However, make sure the format of the external hard drive is compatible with Mac.
Q: How long does it take to format an external hard drive?
A: The time taken to format an external hard drive depends on the size of the disk.
Q: Can I use Time Machine with an external hard drive that’s formatted to ExFAT?
A: No, you cannot use Time Machine with an external hard drive that’s formatted to ExFAT.
In Conclusion
Changing the format of an external hard drive on Mac is important for compatibility issues. Formatting the external hard drive means you will lose all existing data, so make sure to backup your data before formatting the drive. Mac’s built-in feature Disk Utility and Terminal can both be used to format the external hard drive, but Paragon NTFS for Mac is also a great option. Be sure to format the disk to ExFAT to ensure compatibility with both Mac and Windows.
