What format to use for an external hard drive?

[bigsmile01]

I am using Mac OS Mojave and have a new WD MyPassport Drive. (It is a non-SSD external drive.)

The drive will load but can't be written, so I need to think I need to format it.


What format should I use?
I plan to update to a future OS one day in the future, so I would like a format that works with both Mojave and future OS.

Disk Utility gives me the following options:
APFS (including encrypted and case sensitive options)
Mac OS Extended Journaled (including encrypted and case sensitive options)
MS-DOS Fat
ExFat

It also asks for a "Scheme"

GUID Partition Map
Master Boot Record
Apple Partition Map
Which scheme do I pick?


What I plan to use the drive for:

It will be used to store a variety of files. I only plan to view the files on my Mac (by copying the files on the mac, so I won't run anything from the drive). I will only access the files a few times a year. Some of the files are very large, so if there is an option that improves speed of copying, that would be good. Because I only plan it to use on Mac, then I don’t need the flexibility of compatibility with other OSes that ExFat brings. However, if the other formats, don’t offer any significant benefit over ExFat, then I guess I should use ExFat for future proofing?

I do not plan to use the drive for Timemachine or to use as a boot drive (as I have another drive for that)

My research
As I understand it, the file formats work like this
APFS: Pros: Faster file system, less corruption. Cons: Only works on newer macs (Although a 3rd party software for reading the drive on older Macs/Win is available)
Mac OS Journaled: Works on all macs. Cons: Doesn't have the same speed benefits/corruption protection as APFS.
ExFat: Works on all OSes. Cons: Slower. No file can bigger than 4GB.

On the basis of this it seems like APFS is the way to go. But I've seen lots of people say Mac OS Journaled, so I'd love some extra opinions.

Thanks!

 

[BrianBaughn]

Being a mechanical, spinner drive you should format it Mac OS Extended Journaled/GUID…and NOT case-sensitive or encrypted.

 

[Madhatter32]

Being a mechanical, spinner drive you should format it Mac OS Extended Journaled/GUID…and NOT case-sensitive or encrypted.

I agree with your assessment and follow this approach personally. I am also on Mojave. My only caveat is if the OP needs the drive to be Windows compatible, the OP should consider exFAT, which is not as reliable/efficient and presents it own issues. Also, if the OP is using an external SSD, I would go APFS -- but that is not the case.

 

[glenthompson]

Will there be anything of a sensitive nature on the drive? If so, then consider encrypting it to protect you in the case it ever is stolen. For your use case it probably won't make much difference whether it's formatted APFS or Mac OS Extended. If you think you might connect it to a Mac that can't run High Sierra or later then don't go APFS.

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't overthink this.

Connect the drive.
Open Disk Utility.

Does Disk Utility have a "view" menu?
If so, choose "show all devices" (this is a VERY IMPORTANT step).
If there IS NOT a "view" menu, don't worry about it.

Now, look on the left.
You should be able to see the WD drive "in the list".
The topmost line (for the WD drive) represents the physical drive itself.
Click it ONE TIME to select it.

Now click "erase"
Choose "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".
(this is the best choice for platter-based drives)
Enter a name for the drive that will be meaningful to you.
Erase the drive -- it shouldn't take long.

Does the drive now show up on the desktop?
Can you copy files to it?
If so, it's ready to use.

I WOULD NOT encrypt the drive.
That's asking for trouble in the future.

 

[pmiles]

Do not use APFS on a mechanical drive under any circumstance whatsoever. It will severely slow down the drive.

If you ever need to access the data store on the drive from a Windows machine, you need to format it in FAT32 or exFAT. exFAT allows for partitions larger than 2GB, FAT32 is limited to smaller partitions. FAT32 requires partitioning the drive up into chunks. exFAT is preferred because you don't have to partition up the drive.

Encryption is only going to make it so that you can't access the data on your drive when something goes wrong. And it will go wrong. You expect the drive to be stolen? Someone to nefariously access the data when you aren't in the room? Wife an internet spy at night loving housewife during the day? Encryption is over-rated. But great at keeping you from your own data.

You will have to remove the contents from the drive in order to change it's format later, so think about how you wish to use the drive now and in the future. If you have zero chance of using it with a Windows device, stick to Mac formats. Since it's a mechanical drive, MacOS Extended is your format. If you wish to some day lock yourself out of the contents of the drive, add encryption.

There you go.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Journaled encrypted is fine.

 

[KaliYoni]

OP: if you will have personal or professional files on the new drive that you would regret having exposed in public or stolen, encrypt the drive. If any of the data is irreplaceable, highly valuable, or mission critical, make and maintain a backup of the drive.

As well, I think that since the drive is not a SSD, you should avoid APFS.

 

[ght56]

I encrypt all drives; macOS extended, encrypted, and not case-sensitive for mechanical hard drives. Without knowing the specifics of what goes on a drive, I recommend almost everyone utilize encryption unless they are unable to keep track of their passwords, in which case they could find themselves unable to access their data.

I recommend avoiding ExFAT at all costs due to corruption issues. It is a truly terrible file system, and macOS is not very good at repairing the corruption it is prone to.

 

[bigsmile01]

Thanks everyone! It's looks MacOS journal is the way to go as AFPS is slower on mechanical drives. Thanks for all the help. And i can skip encryption as it's all stuff that doesn't need to be protected.