Yo just got a new external hard drive and want to use it on your Mac. However, the Mac OS does not allow you to write data to the drive. You may wonder how to reformat an external hard drive on Mac. Follow the tutorial below, you'll get everything covered.
- Mac Computer External Hard Drive
- Mac External Hard Drive On Windows 10
- External Hard Drive Mac To Windows
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Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
Reformatting an external hard drive for use with Mac OSX is not as difficult as it might seem. In a few simple steps you are ready to go and can save your back-up files to the external drive, keeping your information safe and giving you peace of mind. Keep in mind that a MAC can generally read other file formats, but for the best performance and to create a bootable disk, formatting exclusively for MAC is required.
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Part 1: Which File Format You Should Choose?
Before you begin formatting the drive, there are a few things to do. The most important, you should decide which format to use.
There are a few file formats you can use, but it depends on the purpose you want to use the drive for. Which one is right for your circumstance? We'll describe them here, you'll know your choice after reading the details.
Mac Computer External Hard Drive
APFS: This is the default file system in Macs with High Sierra. It is efficient and reliable. However, it won't be readable and usable on machines that are not running Mac High Sierra, and Windows or Linux PCs. What's more, it is compatible with SSD and flash storage devices only.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+): If you didn't update your Mac OS to High Sierra, the default file system on your Mac shoule be Mac OS Extended. Mac OS Extended (encrypted) would be an ideal option if you probably carry your laptop or external drive here and there. You can encrypt it so that no one can access the contents on your drive.
MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32): In addition to Mac, it can also be written and read by Linux and Windows. It enables you to regularly share files with your friends who own a PC. Nevertheless, this older file system is limited to no more than 4GB and there might be security issue and disk errors.
ExFAT: It is similar to ExFAT which can be read by both Windows and Mac, but it can store more than 4GB files.
NTFS: As the default file system in Windows, it can only read by Mac OS, writing to it is not available. Luckily, there are third-party tools to help you do so.
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility
Formatting an external hard drive would erase everything on it. Hence, you must backup your important files before reformatting the drive if you want to save them. The easiest way is to drag it from one drive to another.
All is set, then you can go ahead to format the drive on your Mac. Disk utility - the MacOS utility application can help you with this. Just follow these steps below:
Step 1. Connect the external drive or the USB drive to the MAC.
Step 2. Start the Disk Utility, located under Applications > Utilities.
Mac External Hard Drive On Windows 10
Step 3. Find the name of the drive in the left side of the Utilities window and select it. And click Erase button.
Step 4. Follow on-screen prompts to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system and allow the disk to format.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
In case you forgot to backup files before formatting the external drive. Here comes the cure - iMyFone AnyRecover - a one-stop solution to recover deleted, lost or formatted files from Mac.
Follow these simple steps using AnyRecover to get your files back!
Get Ready!
First, download and install AnyRecover, following on-screen prompts to accomplish the task.
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Get Set!
1. After loading AnyRecover, plug your external hard drive into your Mac directly or via USB.
2. Next select the drive under 'External Removable Devices' tab, click 'Start' to begin scanning lost files on the drive.
Go!
1. AnyRecover takes a moment to scan your drive. Once done, it will list out all scanning results by file type.
2. Double click a single file to preview it before recovery.
3. Select the files and press Recover to get them back.
What If?
What if my files were not found? Fear not. We can take this a step further. Enable 'Deep Scan' to try one more time, follow the steps above just as before to locate and recover your files.
It is plain to see that AnyRecover for Mac is a tool worthy of top shelf treatment in your arsenal of items that are used to defend, recover and keep your system up and running. Don't get caught without the file you need for that meeting or stumbling looking for baby photos that were stored on disk and suddenly 'hid' from your view. Allow AnyRecover to find and recover your lost files. AnyRecover is easy to use but provides sophisticated results that mean you know what you're doing!
There is always a perfect best external blu ray drive uhd out there in the market for you. However, you may not have the time and resources to try and research each of them in detail. So we've done the heavy lifting and are sharing below our detailed review of Top 10 best external blu ray drive uhd.
In Hurry? Checkout Our Top Pick Of Best External Blu Ray Drive Uhd.
Best External Blu Ray Drive Uhd
Rank | Product Name | Score |
---|---|---|
ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U | ||
ASUS BW-16D1HT - ultra-fast 16X Blu-ray burner with M-DISC support | ||
External 3D Blu Ray DVD Drive Burner, Wihool Ultra Slim USB 3.0 and Type-C Blu Ray BD CD DVD Burner Player Writer Reader Disk for Mac OS, Windows xp/7/8/10, Laptop PC (Black) | ||
Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac | ||
LG Electronics Blu-ray/DVD Writer Optical Drive - WH16NS60 | ||
OSGEAR USB 3.0 Type C Aluminium Housing External 3D 4k UHD ULTRAHD 6x Blu-Ray BD CD DVD RW ROM Drive Player Burner Writer Enclosure Housing Box Caddy Case PC Mac Windows Software Support | ||
External 4K 3D Blu Ray DVD Drive Burner, Portable Ultra Slim USB 3.0 Blu Ray BD CD DVD Burner Player Writer Reader Disk for Mac OS, Windows 7/8.1/10 /Linxus, Laptop, PC (Silver) | ||
Lite-On 24x Ultra-Slim Portable USB 3.0 Blu-Ray UHD/DVD Writer Optical Drive EB1 - Supports BDXL/BD/DVD/CD/UHD/M-Disc - Bonus CyberLink Media Suite 10 Windows Software | ||
LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA 16x Blu-ray Disc Rewriter | ||
Pioneer BDR-XS07UHD Portable 6X Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray Burner External Drive Bundle with Cyberlink Software Download Installation Code, 100GB M-DISC BDXL and USB Cable - Burns CD DVD BD DL BDXL Discs |
1. ASUS Powerful Blu-ray Drive with 16x Writing Speed and USB 3.0 for Both Mac/PC Optical Drive BW-16D1X-U
- Super-fast 16X Blu-ray writing speed with BDXL support that supports data storage up to 128 GB
- Cloud backup solution for Android devices. Supported operating system is windows 10, windows 8, windows 7, windows vista, windows xp and mac os x 10.6 or higher
- MacOS and Windows Compatiblity via USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen1) connection. Temperature Operating : 5 ℃ to 40 ℃
- Diamond-shaped design for luxury look and clean aesthetics
- Cyber Link Power2Go 8 disc-burning process with optional encryption functionality for extra private files protection
2. ASUS BW-16D1HT - ultra-fast 16X Blu-ray burner with M-DISC support
- Extreme 16X Blu Ray writing speed, backup 25GB data for only 8 minutes
- M disc Support, save your priceless memories or data for up to 1,000 years
- BDXL Support up to 128GB data storage in one disc
- CPU: Intel Pentium D 945(3.4GHz) or higher RAM: 1GB or more is recommended HDD: 10GB or more Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT or ATI X1600 series or above Use HDCP Compatible display and VGA card to High Definition digital output
- OS Support: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
3. External 3D Blu Ray DVD Drive Burner, Wihool Ultra Slim USB 3.0 and Type-C Blu Ray BD CD DVD Burner Player Writer Reader Disk for Mac OS, Windows xp/7/8/10, Laptop PC (Black)
- ☛New Double Interface Design/Type-C+USB3.0 This new DIAMOND-SHAPED DESIGN makes the drive and the two different USB cable are combined in one, it has 2 concealed wire grooves for carrying and storing USB3.0 and Type-C interface. you can easily connect to a computer that requires Type-C or USB 3.0 interfaces. you won't be annoyed by losing this little cable. Pls plug in the power cable when using it, in case the optical drive was broken as insufficient power supply.
- ☛The Stablest Speed for Blu-ray Dvd Drive The external blue ray dvd drive is equipped with Type-C and USB3.0 high speed interface, up to a maximum of 5Gbps and stable performance with strong fault tolerance. which far faster than traditional USB2.0(480 Mbps). USB3.0 also backwards compatibles with USB 2.0 and USB1.0.
- ☛Super Reading Writing Speed The Blu Ray dvd drive read CD discs at up to 24x, DVD disc at up to 8x, and Blu-Ray disc at up to 6x. The external Blu-ray Reader supports 8.5G 4.7G 700M Normal CD DVD burning capabilities. Suggest to download free, software'Cyberlink BD&3D Advisor',install it on your computer, start to perform testing, it will tell you a result if your computer support playing blu ray or 3D.
- ☛Widely Compatible Featured with USB 3.0 and Type-C interface, support blu ray and 3D Player. external blue ray drive is compatible with Mac OS and Windows system, can read and burn DVDs, CDs as well as 3D Blu-ray discs that supports data storage up to 128GB.
- ☛After-Sales Support This bluray external drive no need to install any drive programs. Just press the eject button, put a disc on tray, and plug the Blu-ray drive into your computer USB interface, it will recognize and play. If you have any questions, please email us via Wihool@hotmail.com or Amazon.com Firstly. We offer 24-hour customer service support and 12-month warranty, and free lifetime technical support.
4. Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac
External Hard Drive Mac To Windows
- Premium external UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super-Muti drive.
- Support M-DISC BD-R. CNC aluminum body.
- The UHD blu-ray drive can read UHD, read and write regular Blu-Ray, DVD, and CD with proper software. For regular blu-ray, DVD and CD, you can use whatever applicable software that come with your computer, or search for the proper software to install on your computer.For playback UHD blu-ray, we recommend using 'CyberLink PowerDVD'. It is a 3rd party software that require additional purchase, and it is the only one that we found is reliable.
- Please make sure your equipment meet the CyberLink PowerDVD requirement by going through a test by search ' Ultra HD Blu-ray Advisor ' before purchase. Please note that Cyberlink PowerDVD currently has only PC version. For MAC users there is no suitable UHD blu-ray software yet to the best of our knowledge. So on Mac computer you can only play and write regular blu-ray, DVD, and CD but not the UHD.
- Do not use illegal downgrade firmware or playback software. It may damage the functionality of the UHD drive.
5. LG Electronics Blu-ray/DVD Writer Optical Drive - WH16NS60
- Reduces Noise from Disc Spin During Movie Playback
- Support 3D Blu-ray Disc Playback
- Support BDXL (100GB Triple Layer) Disc; Max. 16X BD-R Read and Write Capability
- Blu-ray Disc (Including BDXL, M-DISC), DVD (Including M-DISC & DVD-RAM), and CD Family Read/Write Compatible
- 4MB Buffer Under-Run Prevention Function Embedded
6. OSGEAR USB 3.0 Type C Aluminium Housing External 3D 4k UHD ULTRAHD 6x Blu-Ray BD CD DVD RW ROM Drive Player Burner Writer Enclosure Housing Box Caddy Case PC Mac Windows Software Support
- Device Type - USB3.0 + Type-C Tray Loading 4K UHD Blu-Ray Writer Aluminium Housing (Bu50n inside) - Play and Writer Blu ray disc must be use with Software Application. Free download, User Manual, Technology, Service, Problem issue and more support in OS-STORE Blog
- How to play - The drive just working with computer, 4K / Blu-Ray video must be played by software. Free download in OS-STORE Blog.
- Specificaions - Read Speed: 24x CD, 8x DVD, 6x Blu-Ray / Write Speed: 24x CD, 8x DVD, 6x Blu-Ray - Using this superdrive for your ultrabook, netbook or PC, you can playback CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, which will give you perfect effect when you are watching videos, installing software, or create backup discs, etc.
- Disc Support - CD / DVD / M-Disc / 4K & Blu-Ray (25GB 50GB 100GB or high) ; Support System - Windows 98, XP, 2000, Vista, Win7, Win8, Win10, Mac OS, Linux.
- Easy to use and Works - iMac Macbook Pro Air and ASUS, ACER, HP, DELL, SONY, LENOVO, THINKPAD, TOSHIBA, SAMSUNG Laptop and Desktop Tray Loading. Before use please browse manual and issue in 'OS-STORE Blog'
7. External 4K 3D Blu Ray DVD Drive Burner, Portable Ultra Slim USB 3.0 Blu Ray BD CD DVD Burner Player Writer Reader Disk for Mac OS, Windows 7/8.1/10 /Linxus, Laptop, PC (Silver)
- ♫Super Reading Writing Blu-ray DVD CD 3D 4K Discs : The Blu-Ray dvd player read CD discs at up to 24x, DVD disc at up to 8x, and Blu-Ray disc at up to 6x. The external Blu-ray Reader supports 8.5G 4.7G 700M CD DVD burning capabilities
- ♫USB 3.0 High Speed : Connected with USB 3.0 enables high speed interface when transfer files,updated External cd/dvd drives,USB 3.0 technology brings you more stable and faster speed data transfer
- ♫Wide Compatibility : External Blu ray dvd Drive can be used in various devices. Plug and Play. No drive extra or software required; It supports Macbook windows7/8/10//Vista/ME / 2000
- ♫Fashion Portable Design : The polished metal chrome gives it a premium appearance, Premium material features scratch-proof and durability, which can effectively extend the drive's lifespan. Portable design and you can easily carry
- ♫Warranty Support : You can get 18-month warranty. If you have any questions, please email us via Amazon.com. We offer 24-hour customer service support and free lifetime technical support.
8. Lite-On 24x Ultra-Slim Portable USB 3.0 Blu-Ray UHD/DVD Writer Optical Drive EB1 - Supports BDXL/BD/DVD/CD/UHD/M-Disc - Bonus CyberLink Media Suite 10 Windows Software
- Experience UHD 4K BD: take entertainment to the next level UHD 4K video contents.
- Ac Adaptor free: conveniently powered by USB, there is no need to carry bulky adaptors or power cords
- Modern and stylish design: elegant lines with a piano black matte surface
- Plug and play: supports Windows and Mac operating systems
- Smart-burn to maximize writing quality: automatically adjusts how each disc is written to ensure the best possible quality
9. LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA 16x Blu-ray Disc Rewriter
- Drive type Internal 16X Blu-ray Disc Rewriter, M-DISC Support. Access time : BD-ROM is 180 ms typ
- Interface: SATA (SATA 1.1a), Buffer Memory: 4 MB
- Operating System: Windows 7/ Vista/ XP
- Blu-Ray Disc, DVD and CD Family Read/Write Compatible, Write and Read Quad, Triple, Double Layer BD-R Discs
- Sustained Rate: BD-ROM: 575.44 Mb/s (16x) max, DVD-ROM: 22.16 Mb/s (16x) max, CD-ROM: 7,200 Kb/s (48x) max
10. Pioneer BDR-XS07UHD Portable 6X Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray Burner External Drive Bundle with Cyberlink Software Download Installation Code, 100GB M-DISC BDXL and USB Cable - Burns CD DVD BD DL BDXL Discs
- Pioneer external drive bundle includes a 1 pack of 100GB M-DISC BDXL, Cyberlink software download installation code and USB Type-C cable
- EQUIPPED with slot loading mechanism for dustproof and excellent quietness and USB Type-C connection
- SUPPORTED WITH M-DISC: compatible with M-Disc, a special disc that is treated with a super hard coat to prevent scatches and resist fingerprints for long-term data protection
- SMOOTH MOVIE PLAYBACK: PowerRead feature enables the drive to bypass obstructed areas of a disc and attempt to move forward quickly to the next available data point, resulting in smoother playback
- A SMARTER DRIVE: Enabled with Auto Quiet mode, the drive monitors and adjusts accordingly to high speed for fast data transfer and low speed for stable music/movie playback