Formatting external storage drives on a Mac can be done using the Disk Utility feature. The Disk Utility program makes it relatively easy to format a USB drive on a Mac. Similar to formatting Micro SD cards, hard drives, and other storage devices, you can use this tool to get your new device in good working order.
To format a storage drive is to remove all of the data that is currently on it and prepare it for storing data in a specified file system.
You must choose the type of File Storage System for the USB Drive to be formatted while formatting a USB drive on a Mac.
The type of device (Mac or PC) on which it will be used determines the kind of file storage system needed on a USB drive.
In light of this, choose the macOS Extended format if the USB Drive will only be used with a Mac. You can choose between FAT32 and exFAT File Format if you wish to use the USB Drive on both Mac and Windows.
How to Format a USB Drive Using Disk Utility on a Mac
- Connect the USB drive to the Mac, then select the Finder icon.
- Choose Utilities from the drop-down menu under the Go tab in the top menu bar.
- Double-click the Disk Utility icon in the Utilities folder.
- Choose the USB Drive from the left pane on the following screen. Click the Erase option in the right-hand window.
- Enter a Name for the USB Drive, choose the necessary File Format, select Security Options, and then click the Erase button on the following panel.
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