How to Format a Hard Drive on a Mac

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  • Опубліковано 1 чер 2017
  • In this video we look at the process of formatting a hard drive, flash drive, or SSD on an Apple computer. This is a great thing to do when you first purchase a drive or when you are looking to erase a drive and start using it for a new purpose.
    Learn about how to become a professional photographer at: www.rmsp.com/
    Here's a tutorial on how to format a drive on a Windows computer: • Formatting Hard Drives...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 265

  • @gengphoto
    @gengphoto 5 років тому +9

    Excellent tutorial! Simple, direct, gets right to relevant information and instruction without wasting time going off topic. I was searching for a clear video I can share with my friends to help them format their hard drive on their Mac and this is it. I liked the video, and subscribed to your channel. Thanks for creating this.

  • @nidjiphotography9840
    @nidjiphotography9840 2 роки тому +1

    After over TEN years as a full time wedding photographer, I'm happy to say I've finally found the perfect You Tube Channel! Thank you and keep up your excellent work!!

  • @theconceptsinscribed8859
    @theconceptsinscribed8859 3 роки тому +5

    God bless UA-camrs who go straight to the point. Great video man.

  • @joeseto6428
    @joeseto6428 4 роки тому +3

    Thank you very much for a precise, clear, and easy step by step video. One of the best instructional videos ever! And I like that you restate / repeat KEY POINTS!!! because it is easy to miss it when we are learning something new and trying to find all the buttons etc.

  • @hangair7254
    @hangair7254 5 років тому +2

    Thank You! I spent ages trying to format my hard drive and this was the only video that showed me how to do it on my Mac, with OS X. Brilliant!

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  5 років тому

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful!

  • @shawntaylor6557
    @shawntaylor6557 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much! Now I know a little more about computers( IMAC) then I once did. Great tutorial! Just subscribed. Keep cranking them out(videos)

  • @allaboutarcherymov
    @allaboutarcherymov 5 років тому

    Very micro detail, step by step explanation. Outstanding thank you.

  • @berryh3575
    @berryh3575 Рік тому +2

    Excellent tutorial simple and very direct and the explanation is coherent, thank you ❤️

  • @riversgunkingdom5360
    @riversgunkingdom5360 Рік тому

    Awesome! You made it very clear to understand. Thank you.

  • @rastinecalhoun7733
    @rastinecalhoun7733 3 роки тому

    Great job it was very helpful! Thanks!!👍🏾

  • @NanNightCut
    @NanNightCut 5 років тому

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. my harddrive already had 30GB of files on it when it just randomly stopped working. I transferred those files onto my computer and did this AND IT NOW WORKS AGAIN!!!! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. SO HELPFUL!

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  5 років тому

      You are welcome! I’m glad it helped!

  • @joshieeeee
    @joshieeeee 3 роки тому

    This helped me a lot, finally someone who has sense 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

  • @steveponting690
    @steveponting690 5 років тому

    Best help on using a Mac I've seen

  • @Emmieh3
    @Emmieh3 3 роки тому

    I did this while watching. Perfect explanation. Thanks for this!

  • @MountainBoppin
    @MountainBoppin 4 роки тому

    I keep coming back to this video! Thank you :D

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  4 роки тому

      Yay! That’s awesome. Glad we could help 👍

  • @ayewun9820
    @ayewun9820 Рік тому

    word can not describe how much of a life saver you are my guy!

  • @HCFansings
    @HCFansings 3 роки тому +4

    Perfectly explained

  • @williestyles15
    @williestyles15 4 роки тому

    Thank you for the knowledge

  • @DianaEliza
    @DianaEliza 4 роки тому

    Awesome! It did work. Thank you

  • @Fabmomlashes
    @Fabmomlashes 6 років тому

    such a great and detailed video! Thank you!

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  6 років тому

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  • @EliteAngieHD
    @EliteAngieHD Рік тому

    Thank you so much for this video! I unfortunately made the mistake of trashing some backups from an external HD and couldn't empty it. After searching many places online, I found a post that linked this video and said formatting the HD will empty the trash as well and it worked! Thanks for being straightforward and explaining each thing. :)

  • @daddyshortlegs1351
    @daddyshortlegs1351 4 роки тому

    Very informative guide. Thank you. :-)

  • @markusziman363
    @markusziman363 5 років тому +1

    before formatting a brand new internal hard drive in a Mac Pro of 2019, do I have to delete it first? Do I have to make partitions?

  • @hazzt6298
    @hazzt6298 Рік тому

    Perfectly explained god I wish more tech guys would be this simple

  • @luivivid3606
    @luivivid3606 4 роки тому +1

    I'm upgrading my iMac 2015 by adding an internal SSD, after format how can I have it placed as primary memory?

  • @nareshkr.bhardwaj8330
    @nareshkr.bhardwaj8330 2 роки тому

    Thank you very much. Explain very clearly with all options. thanks once again.

  • @FeonaLeeJones
    @FeonaLeeJones 5 років тому +1

    First time I try this with my 8TB HD, it says the reformatting failed, but the second time it worked...any reason for this?

  • @clastudiosllc5832
    @clastudiosllc5832 4 роки тому

    Replacing my iMac SSD thanks for the info, great video!

  • @arell_airborne
    @arell_airborne 4 роки тому

    perfect, thank you! exactly what I needed

  • @rogonz910
    @rogonz910 4 роки тому +1

    So I formatted my 2TB WD elements SSD for Mac and when I try to backup it says failed backup and that the SSD does not have the sufficient storage. Not sure what I can do to fix this.

  • @juliotorres6868
    @juliotorres6868 3 роки тому

    Thank you, very good...I did not know about the scheme part, that helped me understand

  • @Dawson-8-g7h
    @Dawson-8-g7h 4 роки тому

    thanks this really helped me with restarting and updating my mac i watched a lot of videos but they don't explain that good

  • @MrTonytunez
    @MrTonytunez 3 роки тому

    Great teaching you best thanks

  • @afarrier815
    @afarrier815 2 роки тому

    Thank you! Very clear and thorough!

  • @antheaday5834
    @antheaday5834 4 роки тому

    So good, so clear. Thank you

  • @horstserschen9892
    @horstserschen9892 2 роки тому

    I liked the video. Also I will change over from windows to a 2021 Mac mini m1. Do I need special software to transfer all my files and pictures from my external HD to the Mac mini? Thanks, Horst

  • @nooruddinpanjwani8573
    @nooruddinpanjwani8573 3 роки тому

    Dear, please explain about other options available in the drop down list e.g. xfat, etc. There is also lot of options available while formating internal hdd while reinstalling os. Please explain all in details.

  • @OfficialDeejayStarbwoy
    @OfficialDeejayStarbwoy 5 років тому

    Please what do i do to format my external hard disk and still make it work on my windows ?

  • @ChristopherShawnShaw
    @ChristopherShawnShaw 3 роки тому

    Thank you, and God bless you!!!

  • @mathiasmattu
    @mathiasmattu 4 роки тому

    Very helpful, thank you!

  • @loumareno158
    @loumareno158 2 роки тому +1

    Thank You Sir Perfect explanation........

  • @alexbialocki9110
    @alexbialocki9110 3 роки тому

    Thanks for the video on formatting. Very clear. I have a 4GB drive and will be dumping large video files which will be used by Mac and PC, in the past I have formatted these as exFat. Should I not do this?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  3 роки тому

      exFat should be fine if that’s been working for you in the past!

  • @annette9150
    @annette9150 5 років тому

    Thank you so so much

  • @PuggisFaves
    @PuggisFaves 5 років тому

    Nice! And I can understand him!

  • @edwardgasca258
    @edwardgasca258 3 роки тому

    Crystal clear, thank you

  • @lisausher6354
    @lisausher6354 4 роки тому

    I seem to have formatted one external hard drive (my backup) ExFat and the main hard drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). This is the problem when too much time passes and you don't format them at the same time! Is that going to be a problem with Carbon Copy Cloner or LR? I work exclusively on a Mac at this time.

  • @kmack2891
    @kmack2891 3 роки тому

    What about when it opens with a ?, so when you turn it on again holding command and R and get the disc utility window, there is no hard drive to recognize?
    By the way, it gets there after it goes into internet recovery. and then finally comes to disc utility after it asks you where do you want to put the OS that was on the system but wont recognize the hard drive which is still in
    This is the problem I am having on two computers. An imac from 2011 and mac mini from 2012.
    Both seem to have been fully wiped, but as you point out to leave the upper hard drive alone, that may have been erased.

  • @josebarreto2965
    @josebarreto2965 Рік тому

    Hey man your video help me a lot! Thank you!!!!

  • @keytreannagrayer8697
    @keytreannagrayer8697 2 місяці тому

    The best video jus listen step by step n u will get the results your looking for I am finally happy after a week of looking

  • @rasatchannel8475
    @rasatchannel8475 4 роки тому

    thank you so much.. it is very useful

  • @djstammarobinson4226
    @djstammarobinson4226 2 роки тому

    Thanks for your help 👏

  • @BarbaraSzorad
    @BarbaraSzorad 3 роки тому

    Okay, just to be sure. I have a Toshiba external HD (canvio basics 1 TB) that I want to format for my Macbook Air I have to choose OS X extended? - Or can this be formatted as MS-DOS (FAT)? Because you are mentioning hard drive and flash drive... don't know what's the difference. But my external drive is a hard drive... so I guess it can't be formatted for both Mac and Windows (MS-DOS)? I hope you will clarify this. Thanks.

  • @jeannotbadjie1807
    @jeannotbadjie1807 6 років тому

    Hi
    Well done! Your tutorial was stunning.
    My question is I got WD passport hard drive with I wish to use along side my Mac book pro, do I need to format the external hard drive before I use it.
    Many thanks.

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  6 років тому

      Thank you! Great question! Yes, you will definitely want to format any new hard drive before using it. I've seen a number of problems crop up for people who don't.

    • @OldVideoGeek
      @OldVideoGeek 5 років тому

      For hard drives they usually come formatted for windows NTFS, simply because Windows makes up about 90% of all the computers in the world. So if you have a Mac yes definitely format it for the Mac OS system. Flash drives which are usually much smaller in-storeage space will usually come formatted in FAT 32. This is done because flash drives are usually switched around a lot in between computers and they will work fine in a Windows or Mac. One exception if you're file Is larger than 4 GB( I'm talking about one individual file) it won't work and you should format it for Windows or Mac which has no file size limitation. But it will only work in the computer that it was formatted for. The bottom line is if you buy a new flash drive or hard drive and it doesn't work in your computer, format it. One thing I don't like about fat 32 is that the filename is limited to 11 characters. Other formats don't have this problem.

  • @googo151
    @googo151 4 роки тому

    Awesome brother. Thanks

  • @mikesantos8914
    @mikesantos8914 3 роки тому

    Thanks.
    I hate watching videos that tell me to download software. You sir got one like from this young lad.

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  3 роки тому

      Awesome! Glad to hear it. Thank you.

  • @djniceone2525
    @djniceone2525 2 роки тому

    Thanks I really like this video

  • @chrisraymondmusic
    @chrisraymondmusic 3 роки тому

    great video

  • @hanaoo
    @hanaoo 8 місяців тому

    Great help thanks

  • @georgetirebiter8671
    @georgetirebiter8671 5 років тому

    Very good instructional video.....additional information on an issue some of us have is the scheme GUID......What to do when you get the
    alert that pops up when trying to make a Mojave Boot Disk(in my case). I installed the App DiskDrill on a erased 64gb Sandisk ultra FD and
    was attempting to install Mac Mojave OS when "This disk does'nt use the GUID partition table scheme". I'm in Disk Utilities after this and
    the Partition option is grayed out and unavilable. What have I previously done incorrect to create my situation?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  5 років тому

      I’m not sure on this one. Making boot disks is about out of my comfort zone. Sorry about that!

  • @bestdpg
    @bestdpg 4 роки тому

    If I use external hdd only use on Mac but I will install windows so what should I choose for the format ?

  • @johnmoriarty7321
    @johnmoriarty7321 7 років тому

    Thank you, Forest (and Sarah!)

  • @suzannegoulet5508
    @suzannegoulet5508 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you for this! Also, can you tell me how you created your image in small below? Are you shooting yourself on a green screen? And then superimposed over a video? Or is there a way to do this all at once in some kind of platform? I've seen others like Zoom that will have the picture in picture, but I like this better. Thank you!

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  4 роки тому +1

      Green screen! I've never found anything else to be as robust.

    • @suzannegoulet5508
      @suzannegoulet5508 4 роки тому

      Is it then just a simple superimpose in iMovie? Is that what you’re using?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  4 роки тому

      @@suzannegoulet5508 We use Premiere Pro for our editing. I don't think you can do a chroma-key in iMovie. I think you would need to upgrade to Final Cut to add that functionality.

  • @daryoushnamiranian4399
    @daryoushnamiranian4399 2 роки тому

    how could I format an ssd drive externally from a 2012 mac mini and installing it in another 2012 mac mini as a main drive?

  • @KeepItSimpleOffroad
    @KeepItSimpleOffroad 4 роки тому

    Thanks very clear!

  • @FeonaLeeJones
    @FeonaLeeJones 5 років тому

    Thank you :)

  • @edwardbarbieri5283
    @edwardbarbieri5283 2 роки тому

    What is the best way to copy Lightroom Classic Catalogue from the Hard Drive to another for backup security, without obviously destroying the Catalogue original?

  • @Rebecazamani
    @Rebecazamani 6 років тому

    Thank you so much , you really did a great job describing step by step how to Format a Hard Drive on a Mac. I appreciate it.
    >

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  6 років тому

      You are welcome! Thank you for watching!

  • @brunomairos6464
    @brunomairos6464 3 роки тому

    Nice man!

  • @PrettiiVici0us
    @PrettiiVici0us 3 роки тому

    How can I transfer my music from one hard drive that works on windows to a new hard drive that works with Mac?? I know that when u format the hard drive it will erase all the content on it.

  • @loolalevi
    @loolalevi 6 років тому

    thank you so much!!

  • @tomasesk
    @tomasesk 4 роки тому

    I have erased my flash drive but was unable to choose a partition or scheme... It is at the top to select but doesn’t allow me to actually select it. Any thoughts?

  • @noneofyourbusiness5626
    @noneofyourbusiness5626 4 роки тому

    I wiped my MacBook Pro and set back up from my hard drive using UA-cam. I don't know how to do the next part sorting files etc Can you do a video on this please

  • @mastaplutz1309
    @mastaplutz1309 4 роки тому

    finally! you were the answer..

  • @yadder3778
    @yadder3778 4 роки тому

    Wow, amazing thanks man awesome ...

  • @christalsteele3210
    @christalsteele3210 5 років тому

    Forest, I have a WD drive that went bad. I had CCC people helping me determine this. So what is your thought about taking that bad drive, reformatting it and using it as my 3rd back-up drive? Is it possible that reformatting a bad drive could make it operable again? Thanks for the great video!

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  5 років тому +1

      Personally, I wouldn't trust a bad drive again. I would throw it away and not think twice. While it might still work for a while, I don't think it's worth the risk.

    • @reddskullz
      @reddskullz 5 років тому +2

      don't throw it out... keep just keep it as a 2nd drive to back up your stuff, and just have your info safe for sure...

  • @davidmeza3157
    @davidmeza3157 3 роки тому

    Thank you! Thank you, thank you!!!

  • @rickyg4185
    @rickyg4185 6 років тому

    thank you bro!

  • @vanquishstorm3806
    @vanquishstorm3806 3 роки тому

    Nice vid. I need to re-install my Mac OS but dont want to lose any data on my internal HD, if I erase my external HD in disc utility, is there a way that I can copy the data from my internal HD to my external HD prior to reinstall of the Mac OS? Thank you

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  3 роки тому

      You could use the built-in Time Machine program that's installed on all Macs by default.

  • @seanoc6284
    @seanoc6284 Рік тому

    Thank you!!

  • @petertaranscorsese2900
    @petertaranscorsese2900 3 роки тому

    Text book explanation - thank you :- )

  • @tophatindonesia1822
    @tophatindonesia1822 3 роки тому

    How to reformat my internal ssd drive on mac os?

  • @302NickiFavFan
    @302NickiFavFan 2 роки тому

    What if we are formatting an Internal SSD such as a Samsung 970? Is it still the same options as external?

  • @josephjose341
    @josephjose341 3 роки тому

    If we do like this does our os will go or not

  • @tilleyroadaffairproduction6752
    @tilleyroadaffairproduction6752 5 років тому

    Hi there vey nice video. I have a new internal SSD 1TB SSD just installed on my 2012 mac book pro and I partitionned it and now I have 2 drives one is full one is empty. I would like to restore the SSD to non partition so I can use the space. I watched many videos on how to do it but it does't work. Can you help me please?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  5 років тому

      It might not be possible without reformatting the entire SSD. Is the stuff on the one partition backed up on another drive somewhere?

  • @PchamDoPrzodu
    @PchamDoPrzodu 2 роки тому

    Thank you 😊

  • @vellecabig1304
    @vellecabig1304 2 роки тому

    In my case I formated the SSD and use as a internal hard drive how can I do that?

  • @Andres-yu4uf
    @Andres-yu4uf Рік тому

    To perform a factory reset on an iMac with two separate drives (HDD and SSD) should I just erased both drives and then select one into which I would reinstall macOS? Should i just select mac os extended (journaled) for both? or APFS for both?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  Рік тому

      Resetting a computer is a bit more complicated. I'll make a video on that in the future!

  • @johnmoriarty7321
    @johnmoriarty7321 7 років тому

    Forest ~~ when naming the drive, are there any characters that shouldn't be used? Characters that would make the OS grumpy? For example, using "B/U" for "back up" is the back slash character okay to use?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  7 років тому +1

      Try to avoid using any special characters except for dashes (-) and underscores (_).

  • @Beim2012
    @Beim2012 4 роки тому

    Can you describe thoroughly on how to format an external hard drive with both PC and Mac?

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  4 роки тому

      I have both of those videos on my channel.

  • @heenyosanti9303
    @heenyosanti9303 3 роки тому

    I just bought a 5 tB external for my MAC late 2009, silly question but how do i move the photos and files so i can free up space on my computer? Hope its a an easy process.thanks

    • @forestchaput
      @forestchaput  3 роки тому +1

      You should be able to just drag and drop any files over to the HD.

  • @daryoushnamiranian4399
    @daryoushnamiranian4399 2 роки тому

    Hi, If I want to format a main drive for my mac mini 2012 running with mac osx high sierra off of anothr mac mini operating with osx high sierra, do you think it is possible?

  • @martinez3524
    @martinez3524 3 роки тому

    What if on my MacBook I don’t have the option for scheme?

  • @BhangraRecords
    @BhangraRecords 3 роки тому

    awesome

  • @salehalqahtani5544
    @salehalqahtani5544 5 років тому

    Many thanks

  • @mrmajestika
    @mrmajestika 4 роки тому

    What if I already have important stuff on my hard drive do I lose that when I erase and reformat

  • @DejaT603
    @DejaT603 3 роки тому

    Life saver!!!!

  • @gauravgaikwad1368
    @gauravgaikwad1368 Рік тому

    Thank you

  • @danielepiattelli2667
    @danielepiattelli2667 2 роки тому

    Any way to format an external hard drive for Mac without erasing its content?

  • @Crlss_music
    @Crlss_music 4 роки тому

    thank you