What we need to do is open up our utilities folder.

So now that I have it renamed, let’s open up disk utility to do that. So then we’re erasing the correct hard drive. But what we want to do is make sure that we can select that hard drive when we’re in our disk utility. If I had two or three backups, maybe I would call it back up one, backup to backup three. I hit return and now I can type in my new name. So we want to make sure that we select the correct tire drive in this case. You do not want to erase the wrong hardware. Now, before I open up disk utility, the first thing that I recommend doing is renaming this harddrive into something that is unique because then when you go and select it and disk utility, you know that you are selecting the correct drive. How do we erase it? Well, the way that we do that is through disk utility. I want to erase it and start using it for Time Machine backups.

So, what I want to do is I want to erase this hard drive. And then what it does is it shows up in the upper right hand corner. So I had to use an adapter, but basically all I’m doing is just plugging in this hard drive to my Mac. I do have an adapter here because this is a USBC Mac. This is a Western Digital external hard drive. You’re going to see, I have this external hard drive. Let’s take a look at this in another camera. Now, if we look in the upper right-hand corner, you’re going to see, I have an external hard drive connected to my Mac. So, if you want to backup the data, now is your last chance for doing it.Video TranscriptIn this video, we’re going to look at how we can format an external drive for Time Machine backups on the Mac. Note: Be aware that formatting your Flash Drive will delete all data (any files and folders) from it.

You can see drive’s file system displayed next to Format, in the General section (ExFat, MS-DOS(FAT), OS X Extended).

Right– click (or Command + Click) on it and choose Get Infor from the menu.

Launch the Finder and locate the Flash drive.

Here is how to check the current drive’s file system. In that case, the best option would be choosing exFAT file system. This is critical if you are using the drive on Macs and PCs. If you change (or leave it Mac’s default) format (drive’s file system), it may not work on other devices as before. Check the Drive’s File Systemīefore jumping on the formatting, it is important to check your drive’s file system. So, if you want to format a flash drive connected to a USB, Firewire, or Thunderbolt (USB Type C or Not) on a Mac you need do the following procedure. Unlike Windows in File Explorer, Mac OS X and macOS do not include a Format Drive option in the Finder.

Format a drive on mac