In this regard, to be able to store, copy, delete or edit a file on an external hard drive on a Mac, this external hard drive has to be formatted with a recognizable file system. Without a file system properly configured on a storage drive, like an HDD or SSD, you won't be able to see the hard drive showing up on a computer, nor to access data contents in it. Different file systems have different structures and logic, properties of speed, flexibility, security, and size.Ī file system to a physical hard drive is what an operating system to a computer.
Five File System Formats for Mac External Hard Drive The external hard drive referred to in this article are mainly HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, memory card, and any removable hard disk drive.
