Even when formatting external drives, it is a better option to go for Mac OS Extended than APFS. Another advantage that this file system has over APFS is its compatibility with Time Machine. Thus, Mac OS Extended is the most suitable file system to be used for formatting backup drives. APFS is the short form of Apple File System. It was introduced by Apple in the year 2006 and is now the default file system of the latest Mac operating system, macOS High Sierra. This new file system replaces the previous file system, Mac OS Extended or HFS+, which was used by all the Mac OS. Aug 01, 2018 Backstory. I've been successfully using an external Samsung 1tb - EVO SSD via USB3 with macbook pro for over 6 months. I boot to this device. Last week the usb cord came disconnected - (at the time, I was troubleshooting other macs and wasn't paying close attention) I fatally plugged it back into usb port only on other side of mac causing drive to fail.
In 2018, Apple released macOS Mojave. It was instantly loved by many. However, there was a minor problem. One of its noteworthy and newest features was nearly invisible: the new file system.
If Mojave is installed on a Mac with a solid-state drive (SSD), the underlying file system is automatically switched from Mac OS Extended or the HFS+ to the new Apple File System (APFS). This is something that not everyone knows about.
Although there were a few ways that things could have gone wrong, for many Mac users, the shift was almost seamless. They were unable to notice that their Macs were already running APFS.
In case you wanted to find out and confirm if your Mac is running APFS, open Disk Utility, select your startup disk, locate your disk name, and click on it. All the information about your disk will be shown on your screen, including the file system type.
What Are HFS+ and APFS?
At this point, the concepts of HFS+ and APFS may still seem a bit vague. So, we’ll try to differentiate both.
HFS+
HFS+ was the default file system of Apple devices in the years 1998 to 2017. Eventually, APFS replaced it. Still, HFS+ is used as the default file system of Apple devices that use hybrid and mechanical hard drives.
It is preferred by some Mac users because it supports different macOS versions and is compatible with fusion drives. However, it only has limited native file support for some file systems.
APFS
APFS is the latest file system of Apple. It was released in 2017 as a replacement for HFS+. Unless specified or changed by the user, this is automatically set as the default file system of an Apple device.
But why should you use APFS? This file system allows full-disk encryption with multi or single-key encryption for an added layer of security. It also prevents metadata corruption because it creates new records instead of overwriting those that already exist. The most important downsides of using APFS are that compression is not available and that it does not support Fusion drives.
![Drive Drive](/uploads/1/2/7/2/127252014/981079910.jpg)
Apfs Vs Mac Os Extended External Drive Mac
Can HFS+ Be Used in Mojave Instead of APFS?
Now, if you have just recently upgraded to Mojave but still want to keep using HFS+, of course, you can. The only problem is that the command that is used to avoid APFS conversion won’t work all the time.
To avoid the APFS conversion, you have two options. We listed them below:
Method #1: Use an External Installer Media and Install Mojave on Your SSD Drive.
One of the easiest and most popular ways to prevent APFS conversion during the installation of Mojave 10.14 on your SSD drive is to create a macOS installer media. Don’t worry because it’s easy to do and won’t take much time.
![Apfs vs hfs+ hdd Apfs vs hfs+ hdd](/uploads/1/2/7/2/127252014/517085900.png)
However, before you proceed with this method, we suggest you back up all your data using Time Machine or any of the other data backup methods for Mac. This way, you can quickly restore your settings and data in the event that errors arise along the way.
Moving forward, here’s how you can create a macOS Mojave installer media:
- Switch off your Mac.
- Connect your preferred macOS installer media.
- Switch on your Mac.
- While your Mac is starting up, press the Option key continuously to enter the Boot menu.
- Once the Boot menu appears, use the arrow keys to select macOS Mojave USB installer.
- Hit Enter.
- Format your SSD drive using Disk Utility.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions and proceed by selecting your newly formatted SSD drive.
- Your Mac will start to reboot. Make sure you continue pressing the Option key or F12 to enter the Boot menu again.
- Choose your installer media from the menu.
- Allow your computer to boot.
- Go to Utilities.
- Launch the Terminal app.
- Input the ls –l Volumes command into the command line.
- Take note of the name of the SSD where you will install macOS Mojave.
- Into the command line, input the cd /Volumes/SSD_Drive_NAME command and hit Enter.
- Replace SSD_Drive_Name with the real SSD volume name.
- Next, input the following commands:
- cd “macos install data”
- vi minstallconfig.xml
- Press the l key and move your cursor to the ConvertToAPFS You should notice that the value is set to true. Remove it using the Delete key and replace the value with false.
- Press the l key again and input :wq to close the editor.
- Close the Terminal window and reboot your Mac.
Method #2: Install MacOS Mojave on an External HDD or SSD Using a USB Installer Running APFS.
Another easy way to skip APFS conversion while installing Mojave 10.14.4 is to install macOS Mojave on an external SSD or HDD using a USB installer that is running APFS.
To do this, follow the instructions below:
- Boot macOS Mojave from your external SSD or HDD.
- Download and install trustworthy backup software for Mac.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select your internal drive.
- Click Erase.
- Rename your internal drive.
- Choose macOS Journaled.
- Hit Erase.
- Run the backup software you installed.
- Select Source Drive as the external disk and destination.
- Click Start to begin cloning macOS.
- Wait for a few seconds until the cloning process is completed.
- Reboot your Mac as you normally would.
- Navigate to About Mac.
- Select System Information.
- Check if your internal drive’s file system has been changed to HFS+.
Conclusion
The latest file system may entice you to upgrade to Mojave. But take note it will take some time for you to become familiar with its features, particularly APFS. In the meantime, you can stick to HFS+ until you get the hang of how things work.
Once you have skipped the APFS conversion part, we suggest that you download and install a reliable Mac repair and cleaning tool. By doing that, you can ensure that your Mac runs smoothly and efficiently.
Do you prefer HFS+ over APFS? Let us know in the comments section below!
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If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.Erasing your disk: For most reasons to erase, including when reformatting a disk or selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac, you should erase your entire disk.
Erasing a volume on your disk: In other cases, such as when your disk contains multiple volumes (or partitions) and you don't want to erase them all, you can erase specific volumes on the disk.
Erasing a disk or volume permanently deletes all of its files. Before continuing, make sure that you have a backup of any files that you want to keep.
How to erase your disk
- Start up from macOS Recovery. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities window and click Continue.
If you're not erasing the disk your Mac started up from, you don't need to start up from macOS Recovery: just open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. - Choose View > Show All Devices from the menu bar in Disk Utility. The sidebar now shows your disks (devices) and any containers and volumes within them. The disk your Mac started up from is at the top of the list. In this example, Apple SSD is the startup disk:
- Select the disk that you want to erase. Don't see your disk?
- Click Erase, then complete these items:
- Name: Type the name that you want the disk to have after you erase it.
- Format: Choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Disk Utility shows a compatible format by default.
- Scheme: Choose GUID Partition Map.
- Click Erase to begin erasing your disk and every container and volume within it. You might be asked to enter your Apple ID. Forgot your Apple ID?
- When done, quit Disk Utility.
- If you want your Mac to be able to start up from the disk you erased, reinstall macOS on the disk.
How to erase a volume on your disk
- Start up from macOS Recovery. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities window and click Continue.
If you're not erasing the volume your Mac started up from, you don't need to start up from macOS Recovery: just open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. - In the sidebar of Disk Utility, select the volume that you want to erase. The volume your Mac started up from is named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name. Don't see your volume?
- Click Erase, then complete these items:
- Name: Type the name that you want the volume to have after you erase it.
- Format: Choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Disk Utility shows a compatible format by default.
- If you see an Erase Volume Group button, the volume you selected is part of a volume group. In that case, you should erase the volume group. Otherwise, click Erase to erase just the selected volume. You might be asked to enter your Apple ID. Forgot your Apple ID?
- When done, quit Disk Utility.
- If you want your Mac to be able to start up from the volume you erased, reinstall macOS on that volume.
Reasons to erase
You can erase at any time, including in circumstances such as these:
- You want to permanently erase all content from your Mac and restore it to factory settings. This is one of the final steps before selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac.
- You're changing the format of a disk, such as from a PC format (FAT, ExFAT, or NTFS) to a Mac format (APFS or Mac OS Extended).
- You received a message that your disk isn't readable by this computer.
- You're trying to resolve a disk issue that Disk Utility can't repair.
- The macOS installer doesn't see your disk or can't install on it. For example, the installer might say that your disk isn't formatted correctly, isn't using a GUID partition scheme, contains a newer version of the operating system, or can't be used to start up your computer.
- The macOS installer says that you may not install to this volume because it is part of an Apple RAID.
About APFS and Mac OS Extended
Disk Utility in macOS High Sierra or later can erase using either the newer APFS (Apple File System) format or the older Mac OS Extended format, and it automatically chooses a compatible format for you.
How to choose between APFS and Mac OS Extended
Disk Utility tries to detect the type of storage and show the appropriate format in the Format menu. If it can't, it chooses Mac OS Extended, which works with all versions of macOS. If you want to change the format, answer these questions:
- Are you formatting the disk that came built into your Mac?
If the built-in disk came APFS-formatted, Disk Utility suggests APFS. Don't change it to Mac OS Extended. - Are you about to install macOS High Sierra or later for the first time on the disk?
If you need to erase your disk before installing High Sierra or later for the first time on that disk, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled). During installation, the macOS installer decides whether to automatically convert to APFS—without erasing your files. - Are you preparing a Time Machine backup disk or bootable installer?
Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for any disk that you plan to use as a Time Machine backup disk or as a bootable installer. - Will you be using the disk with another Mac?
If the other Mac isn't using macOS High Sierra or later, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Earlier versions of macOS don't work with APFS-formatted volumes.
How to identify the format currently in use
If you want to know which format is currently in use, use any of these methods:
- Select the volume in the Disk Utility sidebar, then check the information shown on the right. For more detail, choose File > Get Info from the Disk Utility menu bar.
- Open System Information and select Storage in the sidebar. The File System column on the right shows the format of each volume.
- Select the volume in the Finder, then choose File > Get Info from the menu bar. The Get Info window shows the Format of that volume.
Mac Os Journaled Vs Apfs
If your disk or volume doesn't appear, or the erase fails
- Shut down your Mac, then unplug all nonessential devices from your Mac.
- If you're erasing an external drive, make sure that it's connected directly to your Mac using a cable that you know is good. Then turn the drive off and back on.
- If your disk or volume still doesn't appear in Disk Utility, or Disk Utility reports that the erase process failed, your disk or Mac might need service. If you need help, please contact Apple Support.
Learn more
Apfs Vs Hfs+ Hdd
- If you can't start up from macOS Recovery, you can use a different startup disk instead.
- If Disk Utility shows a Security Options button in the Erase window, you can click that button to choose between a faster (but less secure) erase and a slower (but more secure) erase. Some older versions of Disk Utility offer the option to zero all data instead. These secure-erase options aren't offered or needed for solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash storage.