In the resulting window, open Disk Utility. In your Mac’s menu bar, click Go, then Utilities. Re-formatting will erase any old data that you have on the drive, so you’ll want to double-check and move any valuable data over to another device before moving on.
If you use an older drive, things get more complicated if you’ve already got data stored on it. Step 1: Connect your new drive to your Mac.Ī new drive is ideal here. Fortunately, it’s a simple process and can also teach you a bit more about your drive. If you are going to use an external hard drive or an external solid-state drive to back up your Mac data, then you should start by formatting it for the MacOS extended file system - besides a few exceptions, most external hard drives are not pre-formatted for Macs. Make sure your drive is properly formatted These methods also work for MacOS Big Sur. If you’re looking to ensure you don’t experience the severe pain that is data loss, we’ve broken down the best way to back up your Mac and protect your information. It’s always a good idea to have multiple forms of backup (local backup and remote backup) when possible. With online storage services like iCloud or even Google Drive, some people assume that there’s no need for an external hard drive on your Mac.
