A quick video on how you can convert your HDD partition from the NTFS format to the HFS+ Format that is supported by Macintosh & Hackintosh PC'sConvert Dynam. On the other hand, APFS formatting will erase all the files and folders stored on the external hard drive. If not backed up earlier, APFS formatting on the external drive will cause data loss. Even with the start-up drive, one may delete or lose files from the APFS formatted media.
Summary: This blog is about APFS hard drive conversion through non-destructive approach.
However, in the case of data loss from APFS drive, consider Stellar Data Recovery Professional for file recovery from an APFS storage media.
Free download the best Mac Data Recovery Application from the below:
HFS is the traditional file-system of the Apple's Mac, MacBook, iMac and Mac Mini. And soon, Apple will replace its HFS file system with the latest APFS. With macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 Apple is going to make Mac 64 bit and it is speculated that with 10.14, the Macs will have broader support for APFS which are currently lacking in macOS High Sierra 10.13.
Today's Query!How to Convert Hard Drive to APFS?
There are a few ways to convert your internal or external HFS formatted drive to APFS.
- macOS High Sierra Upgrade for SSDs
So, if you have a Mac that has an SSD as your start-up disk drive then while upgrading to macOS High Sierra, the SSD will get converted to APFS file system automatically.
- macOS High Sierra Upgrade for Hard Drives
When your Mac has a hard drive, and if you upgrade to macOS High Sierra then a confirmation dialogue will appear via installer and it will ask you if you want to convert your hard drive to APFS. This isn't mandatory, and you have the choice to stick with HFS or switch to APFS.
- macOS High Sierra Upgrade for Hard Drives with Recovery Mode
If you upgrade to macOS High Sierra with HFS but later decided to turn to APFS, then you can do the same through Recovery Mode. Restart your Mac and press-hold Command + R to boot into recovery mode. Then, go to Disk Utility << click Edit << click Convert to APFS.
Note: The above processes are non-destructive forms of APFS conversion on your chosen drive which means no data will be lost in converting the drive to APFS from HFS.
Free Download – Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac
- Converting an External Hard Drive to APFS on macOS High Sierra
The first question, is the process of converting an external drive from HFS to APFS non-destructive? Well, the answer is NO. Only bootable drives are allowed to convert to APFS via non-destructive approach. If you are looking to convert an external drive to APFS then follow the procedure:
- Backup all the files from the external drive
- Go to Disk utility << Select External Drive << Click Erase << from the drop-down select APFS
- Click Apply
Allow the process to complete successfully and your drive will be converted to APFS.
Destructive vs Non-Destructive APFS Conversion
Apple provides non-destructive methods for start-up disk drives for APFS conversion, and hence no data (files or folders) will be lost. On the other hand, APFS formatting will erase all the files and folders stored on the external hard drive. If not backed up earlier, APFS formatting on the external drive will cause data loss. Even with the start-up drive, one may delete or lose files from the APFS formatted media.
A solution to APFS Data Recovery
APFS or HFS file system is prone to data losses via file deletion, unplanned formatting or whatsoever reason.
In case data loss on APFS strikes, leverage Stellar Data Recovery Professional to scan the APFS formatted storage drive for data recovery.
Most external hard drives are designed to work for Windows computers. So if you're trying to connect an external hard drive to a Mac, you might have to format the drive before you can use it. Here's how to do that:
How to Format a Hard Drive for Mac
Note: If you already used your external hard drive on a PC, be sure to back up any files on it. Formatting your drive will wipe out all the data in it.
- Connect an external hard drive to your Mac. Some external hard drives need to be plugged into an outlet to work.
- Go to Spotlight Search, type in Disk Utility, and click the first option. This will open the Disk Utility app, where you will find all the internal and external drives that are connected to your Mac.
- Then click View in the top-left corner of the window and select Show All Devices.
- Click the external hard drive you want to format. You can find this on the left-hand side of the screen under External Hard Drives. For the best result, select the disk (the highest option in the external tree).
- On the top menu, click Erase. This will open a small pop-up window with a warning that erasing the drive will delete all data stored on it and that it can't be undone.
- Choose a name, format, and scheme for your drive. You can choose whatever name you want, and you should choose GUID Partition Map for the Scheme in most cases. However, you can choose between the following formats:
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is the best option for most Mac users since it is compatible with all Macs.
- APFS (Apple File System) is only for newer Macs running macOS 10.13 or later.
- exFAT is compatible with both PC and Mac.
- MS-DOS (FAT) is also compatible with Mac and PC, but you can only transfer files smaller than 4GB.
- When you're done with providing the setup details, click Erase. This will immediately wipe the entire drive.
If you get an error message that states, 'Erase process has failed. Click done tocontinue,' don't freak out about it. This is an issue caused by Time Machine running on your externaldrive.
You will need to turn off Time Machine. You can do this by opening System Preferences and unchecking the boxnext to 'Back Up Automatically'.Then click Options beside 'ShowTime Machine in menu bar.' This will open another window. Click Cancel and it will turn off the Time Machine.
After you turn off the Time Machine, redo steps 4 to 6. Microsoft office na maca free.
So, if you have a Mac that has an SSD as your start-up disk drive then while upgrading to macOS High Sierra, the SSD will get converted to APFS file system automatically.
- macOS High Sierra Upgrade for Hard Drives
When your Mac has a hard drive, and if you upgrade to macOS High Sierra then a confirmation dialogue will appear via installer and it will ask you if you want to convert your hard drive to APFS. This isn't mandatory, and you have the choice to stick with HFS or switch to APFS.
- macOS High Sierra Upgrade for Hard Drives with Recovery Mode
If you upgrade to macOS High Sierra with HFS but later decided to turn to APFS, then you can do the same through Recovery Mode. Restart your Mac and press-hold Command + R to boot into recovery mode. Then, go to Disk Utility << click Edit << click Convert to APFS.
Note: The above processes are non-destructive forms of APFS conversion on your chosen drive which means no data will be lost in converting the drive to APFS from HFS.
Free Download – Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac
- Converting an External Hard Drive to APFS on macOS High Sierra
The first question, is the process of converting an external drive from HFS to APFS non-destructive? Well, the answer is NO. Only bootable drives are allowed to convert to APFS via non-destructive approach. If you are looking to convert an external drive to APFS then follow the procedure:
- Backup all the files from the external drive
- Go to Disk utility << Select External Drive << Click Erase << from the drop-down select APFS
- Click Apply
Allow the process to complete successfully and your drive will be converted to APFS.
Destructive vs Non-Destructive APFS Conversion
Apple provides non-destructive methods for start-up disk drives for APFS conversion, and hence no data (files or folders) will be lost. On the other hand, APFS formatting will erase all the files and folders stored on the external hard drive. If not backed up earlier, APFS formatting on the external drive will cause data loss. Even with the start-up drive, one may delete or lose files from the APFS formatted media.
A solution to APFS Data Recovery
APFS or HFS file system is prone to data losses via file deletion, unplanned formatting or whatsoever reason.
In case data loss on APFS strikes, leverage Stellar Data Recovery Professional to scan the APFS formatted storage drive for data recovery.
Most external hard drives are designed to work for Windows computers. So if you're trying to connect an external hard drive to a Mac, you might have to format the drive before you can use it. Here's how to do that:
How to Format a Hard Drive for Mac
Note: If you already used your external hard drive on a PC, be sure to back up any files on it. Formatting your drive will wipe out all the data in it.
- Connect an external hard drive to your Mac. Some external hard drives need to be plugged into an outlet to work.
- Go to Spotlight Search, type in Disk Utility, and click the first option. This will open the Disk Utility app, where you will find all the internal and external drives that are connected to your Mac.
- Then click View in the top-left corner of the window and select Show All Devices.
- Click the external hard drive you want to format. You can find this on the left-hand side of the screen under External Hard Drives. For the best result, select the disk (the highest option in the external tree).
- On the top menu, click Erase. This will open a small pop-up window with a warning that erasing the drive will delete all data stored on it and that it can't be undone.
- Choose a name, format, and scheme for your drive. You can choose whatever name you want, and you should choose GUID Partition Map for the Scheme in most cases. However, you can choose between the following formats:
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is the best option for most Mac users since it is compatible with all Macs.
- APFS (Apple File System) is only for newer Macs running macOS 10.13 or later.
- exFAT is compatible with both PC and Mac.
- MS-DOS (FAT) is also compatible with Mac and PC, but you can only transfer files smaller than 4GB.
- When you're done with providing the setup details, click Erase. This will immediately wipe the entire drive.
If you get an error message that states, 'Erase process has failed. Click done tocontinue,' don't freak out about it. This is an issue caused by Time Machine running on your externaldrive.
You will need to turn off Time Machine. You can do this by opening System Preferences and unchecking the boxnext to 'Back Up Automatically'.Then click Options beside 'ShowTime Machine in menu bar.' This will open another window. Click Cancel and it will turn off the Time Machine.
After you turn off the Time Machine, redo steps 4 to 6. Microsoft office na maca free.
How to Partition anExternal Hard Drive on Mac
If you have formattedyour drive, you can then partition the drive, which will splitthe drive into two formats. This is perfect for anyone who uses Macs and PCsand wants to transfer files between the different operating systems with anexternal drive. Here's how to do that:
- Open Disk Utility and select the drive that you want to partition. It is best to click View > Show All Devices so you can selectthe disk rather than a container.
- In the top menu, select Partition.
- Then click the plus sign at the bottom of the pie chart. Every time you click this plus sign, a new partition will becreated.
- Choose a name, format and size for each partition. You can also change the size of each of the partitions bydragging the white dots at the edge of the circle.
- Finally click Apply.
Why Partition a Hard Drive?
Apfs Drive Format
Partitioning an external hard drive allows youto have separate drives for Mac, PC, and any other operating system. Now youdon't have to go out and buy hard drives for every computer you use.
Formatting Apple Hard Drive Apfs
Firefox 10 0 6 download. A partition also gives you a dedicated space foryour Time Machine back-up files or a bootable backup of your operating system.It also helps protect your data if your drive gets infected with malware, as itwould be contained within one of the partitions.
Format External Drive Apfs
Now that you know how to format an external drive for Mac, check out our blog on the difference between an HDD and an SDD.
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