hard disk format for both mac and windows

The disadvantage of this format is it is not compatible with Windows. The advantage of Mac OS Extended format is that it is compatible with Time Machine backups. APFS vs Mac OS Extended, APFS offers more advanced features like snapshots, strong encryption, space sharing, fast directory sizing, and enhanced file system basics. In 2017, APFS replaces HFS+ as the default file system for newer Macs. Mac OS Extended (HFS+) is the default format for older Mac versions. Therefore, if you only need to use the drive on your Mac, the best format for the external hard drive for Mac (Ventura) is APFS. The drawback of the APFS format is that it is not compatible with older versions of macOS and is not supported by Windows. It is optimized for SSDs and provides better performance and security features than Mac OS Extended (HFS+) format. If your Mac is running macOS High Sierra or later, it’s advised you choose the APFS format to get the best performance. Therefore, the best format for Mac external hard drive would be exFAT if you intend to use the drive on both Mac and Windows computers and need to store and transfer large files.ĪPFS is the default file system format for newer Mac versions. exFAT allows you to store and transfer files larger than 4GB while FAT32 cannot store files larger than 4GB. The difference between exFAT and FAT32 is that exFAT is used for partitions larger than 32GB while FAT32 is used for volumes lower than 32GB. Also Read: How to Convert NTFS to FAT32 on Mac or Windows 10/11 Best Format for Mac External Hard DiveĮxFAT or FAT32 works on both Windows and Mac systems.

Hard disk format for both mac and windows