How to Format or Wipe Mac Internal SSD?

Quick Navigation:

• Important Considerations Before Formatting Mac Internal SSD
• How to Reformat SSD on Mac?
• How to Recover Lost Data After Formatting SSD on Mac?
• How to Permanently Wipe All Data Before Selling Your Mac?
• Conclusion
• FAQs About Formatting Internal SSD on Mac

Managing the space on your Mac may seem like a difficult job in the world of technology. Don't worry, though! Learning to format the Solid State Drive (SSD) inside your Mac is easier than you think. When you format your SSD, clean it up and prepare it. It's like starting over. Knowing this is important because it can make your Mac run faster and protect your files.

Here is a simple guide showing you how to format the internal SSD on your Mac. We'll talk about everything, from making a copy of your data to picking the right file and then formatting itself. After reading this guide, you can handle your Mac's files like a pro! Let's get your SSD in great shape.

Important Considerations Before Formatting Mac Internal SSD

When you format your drive, all of its info is erased for good. Before moving forward, think about these things:

⏳ Backup Your Data

It is very important to back up all of your important info on your SSD before you do any formatting. Everything on the drive will be erased when you format it, so make copies of any files, papers, or programs you want to keep. You can use Time Machine, iCloud, or portable hard drives to make backups.

🎯 Time Commitment:

It may take a while to format and reinstall macOS, based on how big your backup is and how fast your internet is (if you wish to download macOS).

🛜 Internet Connection:

Most of the time, you must be online to download the latest macOS version before reinstalling it.

📄 Preparing for Formatting:

After you've saved a copy of your data and checked to see if you can connect to the internet, do the following:

• Close All Applications: Turn off all programs running to avoid losing any info during formatting.
• Gather Necessary Information: Write down your Apple ID and password. They will let you log in to your Apple account while you update your macOS.

💻 Choosing the Right File System:

You'll need to choose a file system that works for you when you format your SSD. Apple File System (APFS) is the default file system for macOS. It is designed to work best with solid-state drives (SSDs) and offers features like native encryption, snapshot support, and faster speed.

You could choose the older HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) or even exFAT for cross-platform compatibility if you need to work with older Macs or Windows PCs.

How to Reformat SSD on Mac?

You've backed up your info and picked the right file system. Now, it's time to format your SSD.

#1 Format External SSD on Mac

Step 1. Access Disk Utility.

Press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search. Type "Disk Utility" and hit "Enter."

Step 2. Select Your SSD.

Use Disk Utility to find your internal SSD. It should be on the list of drives on the left.

Step 3. Erase the SSD.

At the top of the Disk Utility, click the "Erase" button. A box asking you to give your SSD a name, size, and scheme will pop up.

Select the Format and Scheme you want. From the dropdown menu, choose the file system you want, such as APFS, HFS+, or exFAT. Choose APFS for the best speed if you're formatting the SSD so it can only be used with macOS. Choose HFS+ or exFAT, depending on whether you want to use it with older Macs or Windows PCs. After that, pick the partition method. On newer Macs, this is usually a GUID Partition Map.

Step 4. Name Your SSD.

In the Name field, give your SSD a name. Pick a name that tells you something about the drive that will make it easy to find.

Step 5. Begin Formatting.

Once the format and scheme choices are set, click the "Erase" button to start the formatting process. Disk Utility will let you know that all of the files on the SSD will be deleted. To be sure of your choice, click "Erase" again.

Step 6. Wait for Completion.

The formatting process may take some time, depending on the size of your SSD. Disk Utility will show a proof message when it's done.

Step 7. Exit Disk Utility.

When the formatting process is complete, close Disk Utility. Now that your SSD has been cleaned, you can use it.

#2 Format Internal SSD on Mac

Step 1. Boot Into macOS Recovery Mode.

Restart your Mac, then press and hold Power button (if you are using an Intel-based Mac, press and hold Command+R) until it boots into macOS Recovery mode. Choose Options, then click on Continue button.

Step 2. Open Disk Utility in macOS Recovery.

Choose Disk Utility, then click Continue, you will see Disk Utility.

Step 3. Format the Startup Disk.

Just select the internal SSD (the startup disk), then click on Erase button. Select a file system such as APFS, then click on Erase button again to format the internal SSD.

Once the process gets finished, click on Done button. Then close Disk Utility and go back to Utilities window.

Step 4. Reinstall macOS.

Choose Reinstall macOS...then follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall operating system on the Mac.

Post-Formatting Considerations:

There are a few more things you might want to do with your SSD after formatting it to get the most out of its speed and features:

• Reinstall macOS: It's possible to reinstall macOS using macOS Recovery if you format your SSD to make a clean copy of the operating system.
• Restore Data from Backup: If you backed up your data before formatting, you can now use Time Machine or another backup app to recover it to your newly formatted SSD.
• Enable FileVault: You should turn on FileVault encryption to keep your files safe. FileVault encrypts the whole drive, so your info will be safe.
• Trim Support: If using a third-party SSD, you might need to turn on Trim support for the best speed and longest life. Trim helps SSDs keep working well by using data management best.

How to Recover Lost Data After Formatting SSD on Mac?

If you have lost data due to formatting your SSD and don’t have a backup, you can use a data recovery application to help you get the deleted/formatted data back!

Step 1. Download and install the reliable Mac data recovery software - Do Your Data Recovery for Mac. This Mac data recovery software is able to find all lost files from the erased or formatted SSD.

Step 2. Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac, then select the internal SSD to start data recovery.

Step 3. Click on Scan button, then it will deeply scan the formatted internal SSD and find all lost files.

Step 4. You can look at the files immediately after the info appears on the screen. You can choose as many files as you want and see what they look like. Press the "Recover" button to recover the files to your disk.

How to Permanently Wipe All Data Before Selling Your Mac?

To prevent the data on your Mac from being recovered by data recovery software, just use a data erasure app to wipe the data permanently.

Step 1. Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac - the best Mac data erasure software.

Step 2. Open DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, then choose Wipe Free Space mode, select the internal SSD, click on Wipe Now button. It will wipe free disk space of the internal SSD and permanently erase all deleted/lost data.

Conclusion:

Formatting the internal SSD in your Mac is a simple process that can make it run faster, keep your files organized, and keep your data safe. You can ensure that your SSD works best for you by following the steps in this guide and thinking about what to do after formatting it.

Please make a copy of your data before you format it, and make sure you pick the right file system for your needs. Ensuring your SSD is clean and cleared correctly will run faster and give you peace of mind that your data is safe.

FAQs About Formatting Internal SSD on Mac

1. How to format internal SSD on Mac?

First of all, boot your Mac into macOS Recovery mode, then select Disk Utility and erase the internal SSD by clicking on Erase button.

If you want to permanently erase all data from the internal SSD, just use DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac to help you securely and permanently erase all data.

2. How to recover lost data after formatting Mac SSD?

• Download and install Do Your Data Recovery for Mac.
• Open Do Your Data Recovery for Mac, then select the internal SSD.
• Click on Scan button.
• Preview and recover lost files.

3. How to wipe external SSD on Mac?

• Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac.
• Open DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, then choose Wipe Hard Drive mode.
• Select the external SSD, click on Wipe Now button.
• Format and wipe the external SSD.

4. What is best Mac SSD wipe software?

Here is the list of top 5 disk wipe software for Mac:

• DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac
• Donemax Data Eraser for Mac
• Drive Wipe
• AweEraser for Mac
• Disk Utility