How to Format External Hard Drive on Mac? How to Reset It?

Learn to Format Your External Hard Drive for Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Facing a cluttered external hard drive on your Mac? Slow performance, difficulty locating files, and data loss fears are common concerns. Reformatting your external drive can solve these issues. This guide explains why and how to do it safely.

Quick Formatting with Disk Utility:

1. Open Disk Utility (search via Spotlight).
2. Select your external drive from the left sidebar.
3. Click Erase.
4. Choose FAT32 or exFAT (explained below).
5. Click Erase again to confirm.

Advanced Formatting with Terminal:

For more control, use Terminal:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Use diskutil list to identify your drive.
3. Use diskutil eraseDisk format name /dev/identifier (replace format, name, and identifier with your choices).
4. Execute the command.

Choosing the Right Format:

• APFS (Apple File System): Best for macOS Mojave and later, offering speed and efficiency.
• exFAT: Excellent for cross-platform compatibility (Mac and Windows).
• FAT32: Older format, good for compatibility but with file size limitations.

Before You Begin: Always Back Up!

Formatting erases all data. Back up your external drive to another location before proceeding. Our guide on backing up your Mac offers helpful instructions.

Essential Tips for Success:

• Backup: Always back up your data before formatting.
• File System: Choose the file system that best meets your needs.
• Connection: Ensure your external drive is securely connected to your Mac.

For additional help managing your Mac's storage and performance, consider using MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup. It helps organize files and reclaim disk space.

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