2024 Best 5 Methods to Format a USB Drive on Mac

Quick Navigation:

• Before Formatting a USB Drive on Mac
• Best 5 Methods to Format a USB Drive on Mac
• Method 1: Format a USB drive on Mac using Disk Utility
• Method 2: Format a USB drive on Mac using Terminal
• Method 3: Format and Wipe a USB drive on Mac using Mac disk wipe software
• Method 4: Format a USB drive on Mac using MacClean360
• Method 5: Format a USB drive on Mac using NTFS for Mac
• Troubleshooting
• Conclusion

Formatting a USB drive is an essential skill for anyone using computers. Whether you need to remove data, change the file system, or fix issues, knowing how to format a USB drive can be incredibly useful. For Mac users, the process is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive Disk Utility application and other disk formatting tools. This guide will walk you through the steps to format a USB drive on a Mac, ensuring you can handle this task with confidence.

Before Formatting a USB Drive on Mac

In today's digital age, USB drives are ubiquitous. They serve as portable storage devices, allowing users to transfer files between computers, back up important data, and even run operating systems. However, there are times when you need to format a USB drive. This could be to clear all the data, change the file system to be compatible with different operating systems, or fix errors that prevent the drive from functioning correctly. Formatting is a straightforward process, but it's crucial to understand the steps involved to avoid data loss and ensure the drive functions as intended.

Preparation

Before starting to format your USB drive on Mac, it's important to prepare adequately. The first step is to back up any important data stored on the USB drive. Formatting will erase all data on the drive, and once it's gone, it's often impossible to recover. You can copy the files to your Mac's hard drive or another storage device to ensure they are safe.

Backing up data can be done in several ways:

1. Manual Backup: Open Finder, locate your USB drive in the sidebar, and drag the files you want to save onto your Mac's desktop or into a designated folder. This method is simple but effective, especially if you have a small amount of data.
2. Using Time Machine: If you use Time Machine for backups, consider creating a backup of your USB drive before formatting. Connect your backup drive, open Time Machine, and include the USB drive in the backup process. This ensures that even if something goes wrong, you can restore your files.
3. Cloud Storage: Upload your important files to a cloud storage service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This not only provides a backup but also allows you to access your files from any device with an internet connection.

Next, make sure your USB drive is properly connected to your Mac. Insert the USB drive into one of the USB ports on your Mac. You should see the drive appear on your desktop or in the Finder sidebar. If the drive does not appear, try reconnecting it or using a different USB port. Sometimes, a simple restart of your Mac can also help in recognizing the USB drive.

It's also a good idea to check the condition of your USB drive before formatting. In Disk Utility, select your drive and click on the "First Aid" button. This tool checks for any errors and repairs them if possible. Running First Aid ensures that the drive is in good condition and can prevent potential problems during the formatting process.

Best 5 Methods to Format a USB Drive on Mac

There are many methods that can help in formatting a USB drive on Mac:

Method 1: Format a USB drive on Mac using Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a powerful application included with macOS that allows you to manage your disks and volumes. It can help you securely and quickly format a USB drive on Mac:

Step 1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, open Disk Utility. Make sure the USB drive has been connected to your Mac.

Step 2. Once Disk Utility is open, you will see a list of all the disks and volumes connected to your Mac on the left side of the window. Locate your USB drive in this list. It will typically be named something like "Untitled" or "NO NAME" unless you have previously renamed it. Then click Erase.

Step 3. When formatting a USB drive, you need to choose the appropriate file system. The file system determines how data is stored and accessed on the drive. Here are some common file systems you might consider:

• APFS (Apple File System): This is the default file system for macOS. It offers advanced features like strong encryption, space sharing, and fast directory sizing. APFS is ideal if you only plan to use the USB drive with Mac computers running macOS 10.13 or later. APFS is optimized for SSDs (Solid State Drives) but works well with USB drives too. It supports snapshots, which are a way of making lightweight, point-in-time copies of the entire file system, useful for backups and versioning. However, APFS is not compatible with older versions of macOS or with Windows, which can limit its use if you plan to share the drive with non-Mac users.
• Mac OS Extended (Journaled): This file system is compatible with older versions of macOS. It also supports journaling, which helps protect the integrity of the file system. Choose this if you need compatibility with Macs running older operating systems. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is also known as HFS+. Journaling helps prevent file system corruption by keeping track of changes not yet committed to the main file system structure. This can be particularly useful in preventing data loss if your Mac crashes or loses power. However, like APFS, it's not natively supported by Windows.
• ExFAT: This file system is compatible with both macOS and Windows. It supports large file sizes and is ideal for USB drives that need to be used across different operating systems. ExFAT is particularly useful for larger USB drives and external hard drives because it can handle files larger than 4GB, unlike FAT32. It's a good choice if you need to move files between Mac and Windows computers frequently. ExFAT is also supported by many other devices, such as cameras and TVs, making it a versatile option.
• MS-DOS (FAT32): This is an older file system that is also compatible with both macOS and Windows. However, it has limitations, such as a maximum file size of 4GB. It's best for smaller drives or for use with older devices. FAT32 is widely compatible with many devices and operating systems, making it a good choice for smaller drives or when you need maximum compatibility. However, the 4GB file size limit can be a significant drawback if you need to store larger files.

Choose the file system that best suits your needs. For most users, ExFAT is a good choice for its broad compatibility, while APFS is optimal for those who only use Mac.

Step 4. With your file system selected, it's time to format the USB drive. Follow these steps:

• In Disk Utility, select your USB drive from the list on the left.
• Click the Erase button at the top of the Disk Utility window.
• A new window will appear, allowing you to configure the format settings.
  • Name: Enter a name for your USB drive. This can be anything you like.
  • Format: Choose the file system you decided on earlier (e.g., APFS, Mac OS Extended, ExFAT).
  • Scheme: For most users, the "GUID Partition Map" is the appropriate choice, especially for drives over 2TB or for compatibility with Intel-based Macs. For older or smaller drives, the "Master Boot Record" scheme may be suitable.
  • Security Options: Select a data erasure level to erase the USB drive.
• Click the "Erase" button to confirm your settings and begin the formatting process.
• Disk Utility will now erase and format the USB drive. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the drive. Once the process is complete, you will see a confirmation message.

Step 5. After the formatting process is complete, it's important to properly eject the USB drive before removing it from your Mac. This ensures that all data has been written to the drive and prevents potential data corruption. To eject the drive:

• Locate the USB drive on your desktop or in the Finder sidebar.
• Right-click (or control-click) on the drive's icon.
• Select Eject from the context menu.

Alternatively, you can drag the drive’s icon to the Trash, which will change to an Eject symbol when you begin dragging.

Once the drive is ejected, you can safely remove it from your Mac’s USB port.

Method 2: Format a USB drive on Mac using Terminal

Terminal is another built-in tool can help you format a USB drive on Mac:

Step 1. Open Terminal: Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal, open Terminal.

Step 2. Type in diskutil list and press Enter, it lists all drives, then find the USB drive such as /dev/disk4.

Step 3. Type in diskutil eraseDisk [File System] [Disk Name] [Disk Identifier], for example, eraseDisk ExFAT MyDrive /dev/disk4, press Enter. It will quickly format the USB drive to ExFAT.

Note: The data which is erased by Disk Utility or Terminal is not lost forever and can be recovered by Mac data recovery software.

Method 3: Format and Wipe a USB drive on Mac using Mac disk wipe software

Before you sell, donate or dispose of an old USB drive, you'd better permanently erase all your private data from the drive to prevent potential data recovery. Mac disk wipe software - such as DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac can help you wipe a USB drive on Mac:

Step 1. Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser on your Mac, then connect the USB drive to your Mac.

Step 2. Choose Wipe Hard Drive mode, then select the USB drive and click on Wipe Now button.

Step 3. Select a data erasure standard such as DoD 5220.22-M to help you wipe the USB drive, then click on Continue button.

It will format and wipe the USB drive. Once the wiping process gets finished, all data stored on the USB drive is gone forever, cannot be recovered by any method.

If you only need to format the USB drive on Mac, just choose Disk Manager, select the USB drive, click on Format button.

Method 4: Format a USB drive on Mac using MacClean360

MacClean360 is a reliable Mac disk formatting tool. It offers Disk Manager to help you quickly format a USB drive on Mac:

Step 1. Download and install MacClean360 on your Mac, then open it.

Step 2. Open MacClean360, choose Disk Manager. Then select the USB drive, click on Format button. Select a file system such as ExFAT or FAT32 and format the USB drive.

Method 5: Format a USB drive on Mac using NTFS for Mac

DoYourData NFTS for Mac is a powerful disk management tool. It can format a USB drive to ExFAT, FAT32, Mac OS Extended, APFS or even NTFS.

Step 1. Download and install DoYourData NTFS for Mac tool, open it.

Step 2. Open DoYourData NTFS for Mac, then select the USB drive, click on Format button.

Step 3. Select a file system, then click on Continue button to format the USB drive.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes, you may encounter issues during the formatting process. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. USB drive not recognized: Ensure the drive is properly connected. Try using a different USB port or cable. If the drive still isn't recognized, it may be defective.
2. Formatting errors: If Disk Utility reports an error during formatting, try running First Aid on the drive. In Disk Utility, select the drive and click First Aid to check and repair any issues.
3. Drive not mounting: If the drive doesn’t appear after formatting, try restarting your Mac and reconnecting the drive. You can also check Disk Utility to see if the drive is listed but not mounted. If so, select the drive and click Mount.

Conclusion

Formatting a USB drive on a Mac is a simple process when you follow the right steps. By preparing your data, choosing the appropriate file system, and using Disk Utility or other disk formatting tools to format the drive, you can ensure your USB drive is ready for use. Remember to back up important data before formatting and to properly eject the drive to prevent data loss.

If you will sell, donate or dispose of an old USB drive, you can use disk wipe software - such as DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac to wipe the USB drive. Once the data is erased by DoYourData Super Eraser for Mac, the data is lost for good, cannot be recovered by any method.