Mac OS X Extended is the file format that’s the most compatible with newer and older Macs. Your drive will have a USB type A cable end. The last thing you want is your Mac running out of power part way through formatting. Particularly if your external hard drive is one powered by its USB cable. Log In And Connect Your External Hard Drive.Ĭharge your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air or connected it to power. Ready for your walk through? Let’s format your drive. Then read my article “ External Hard Drive Compatible with Mac & PC without Reformatting” to find out how to do that. And if they are important files you’ll be seeking the services of a data recovery company to recover data.īut, if you’d prefer not to reformat your drive.

Because after formatting those files will be gone. And you want to use that software.Ĭopy those files off first. Or you know that your brand new external hard drive comes with software installed on it. If the drive you want to format has files on it. Or reformatting an external hard disk for your Mac means you’ll lose any files already on the drive.įor instance.

Mac odd external drive format options