@MacHeritage it sounds like you use something different from Veracrypt when you encrypt an Elements drive?
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My quest: Get a good backup of my 8 TB MBP before upgrading to 26
- Thread starter MareLuce
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True. The only encryption I've bothered using is Apple's built in AES-128 and 256 encryption. I don't need more then that. I keep my drives and data with me so I am not concerned too much and I don't have very much data that I am concerned about anyone seeing or getting ahold of since they would need physical access. Another whole issue.
And if I do have a set amount of data that needs to be encrypted and is not a whole drive worth or doesn't grow that much, I use a Disk Utility and make an encrypted disk image.
It all depends on a persons needs and requirements (whether it is government, business or personal requirements).
Edit: The thing about disk images are that they are movable and can span across macOS versions without any software or issues. My oldest encrypted disk image was created 16 years ago and still going strong and can be moved across almost any version of macOS older or newer if needs be. Handy if newer modern hardware fails and you have to go back to an older macOS.
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Doh! This is what I’m using for the NVMe sticks! For some reason I wasn’t picturing that working with the larger drives! Glad I don’t need to bring a third-party solution into the mix.
I do also need to use a think pad extreme, but I sync that data with GoodSync peer 2 peer to my MBP. So when backing up, everything will come from my MBP.
Regarding what level of encryption I need,
I just want to make sure that if the drives are stolen from my house or go missing during the move, no one can easily get at the data. I believe I should be happy that Apple’s built-in encryption should do that. Thank you!
You are very welcome. Yes, for what you are trying to do, Apple's should be fine. Since you are already using it, it should be simple too. 
@MacHeritage which brand / type cable do you use to connect your WD Element drives to your MBP?
ex: This looks like a USB type A port (@ USB 3.2 speeds) going into the back of the Element.
https://www.newegg.com/wd-elements-24tb-black/p/N82E16822234576
The "What's in the box?" says
Edit: This looks like an amazing deal from Seagate
On Backblaze's 2025 annual drive report, the higher capacity Seagates performed well.
Not sure if the drives are the same. (Can't be positive which drive model is in the Seagate external product I guess.)
ex: This looks like a USB type A port (@ USB 3.2 speeds) going into the back of the Element.
https://www.newegg.com/wd-elements-24tb-black/p/N82E16822234576
The "What's in the box?" says
- SuperSpeed USB-A cable (5Gbps)
So I'd guess it's USB type A on both sides of the cable.
Edit: This looks like an amazing deal from Seagate
Seagate External Hard Drive
Ideal for the home, office, or dorm, Seagate Expansion desktop drive offers enormous desktop storage for photos, movies, music, and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy—just drag and drop! To get set up, connect the USB hard drive to Windows or Mac—no software required. Fo...
a.co
Not sure if the drives are the same. (Can't be positive which drive model is in the Seagate external product I guess.)
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@MareLuce I use the cable that comes in the box, nothing else. If I wanted a USB-C cable then I would have to look into that.
External's for WD normally are white label Red drives but Seagate's I don't know. Externals can be anything for any company, unless stated when buying.
Seagate externals are what they are. I haven't used them since there have been some really bad batches in past years and reviews were not good for what I was needing. Plus, Hitachi drives are what I purchased the most and were/are like tanks. I still have all my 3TB & 4TB Hitachi's fully operational mostly 24/7 in the Mac Pro and in an external (12-15 years and still going strong). WD bought them out and carried the line on with WD Ultrastar which are virtually the same as WD Gold.
External's for WD normally are white label Red drives but Seagate's I don't know. Externals can be anything for any company, unless stated when buying.
Seagate externals are what they are. I haven't used them since there have been some really bad batches in past years and reviews were not good for what I was needing. Plus, Hitachi drives are what I purchased the most and were/are like tanks. I still have all my 3TB & 4TB Hitachi's fully operational mostly 24/7 in the Mac Pro and in an external (12-15 years and still going strong). WD bought them out and carried the line on with WD Ultrastar which are virtually the same as WD Gold.
Done: Ordered that Seagate 24 TB cos the price was amazing and I had 2 BestBuy gift certificates.
Your inclination was correct. Arrived today. Dead on arrival. 😭
Now looking for a similar power adapter (12 Volts @ 1.5 Amps) in hopes that maybe it's just the adapter and the drive is fine.
Seagates seem to work well according to Backblaze's drive report though:
"There were positive outliers as well, with five drive models having zero failures for the quarter: a 4 TB HGST (HMS5C4040ALE640), Seagate 8 TB (ST8000NM000A), 14 TB (ST14000NM000J), 16 TB (ST16000NM002J), and 24 TB (ST24000NM002H).
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The only problem with this inference is that we don't ultimately really know *what* the drives really are until we get 'em.
BB shares the M# of the drives they use. The M# is not usually listed on the spec page of the Externals we see on product pages (and only become evident after the Purchase). If we are lucky, intrepid explorers have hard-data to share, and we can therefore verify our assumptions.
I purchased six WD Externals a few years ago when BestBuy (additional BB Ilk) had a fire-sale of beneficial proportions for the WD Elements (or whatever-the-fsck they called these external drives). It turned-out that inside of each was a separable 3.5" HGST unit; each of which I was able to extract, and place into a slot appropriate to my needs.
None are at-capacity; none have failed.
If a person were to ask me if I would a) like to be a millionaire, or b) survive on USD31K/yr, I admit to preferentially choosing a)
If said person shared that I would (therefore) have to experience 1.2Kx the grief achieving a), I might find myself choosing b)
Our choice.
Agree with your post. I should’ve mentioned that in a review may be on Best Buy. I actually did see that someone shucked(?) them and replied with the model number, and it was the same as on the Backblaze report.
I also have a fondness for Hitachi drives though. Maybe I’ll just get two naked massive Hitachi‘s if they go on sale during prime days.
Since I don't have any USB-C ports at the moment, nope. I have several USB hubs though, if I need them.
Yes, I think the 28TB drive looks great, price wise. But I know better and read reviews. Tons of DOA's with those products regardless of size. Plus the enclosure doesn't look like it would let the drive last long because of heat. WD at least have some kind of air flow. You have to buy naked drives from Seagate, your own enclosure, and even then, test them to make sure they will work. OWC have moved to Toshiba drives, it looks like. They also were part of the Hitachi group and seem to be making good drives. Theirs tops out at 24TB.
WD Ultrastar's are the best though (26TB max currently), but WD Gold will do. Practically the same. Meant for servers that is worth the money. Always have a backup though.
Love those 4TB HGST! Have four of them and still going strong to this day. They do need a fan though as they run hot and all the good drives seem to run on the hot side and need some kind of fan which you need to buy your own enclosure for.
New Time Machine backup of a M1 Max. 7.7 of 8 TB used.
Looks like it will end out taking ~ 2.5 days.
Looks like it will end out taking ~ 2.5 days.