Click On The Erase Button.ĭouble check you’ve set things up the way you want. Know that, this scheme is only for old power PC based Mac’s. If you’re tempted to pick the Apple Partition Map. No matter which of the above formats you choose. And in the next field put in your scheme. But note you can’t use an ExFAT file system for a Time Machine backup. Because ExFAT can be read and written to by a Mac computer and a Windows platform based PC. Is the best file system format to pick when you want to share your drive with your Mac and a Windows PC. Or SSD on is running an earlier Mac OS release.

Beware if the Mac you plan to use your WD external hard drive. You can also do a Time Machine backup to an Apple File System WD Drive.īut only since the Mac OS x update to Big Sur.

Or drag and drop your data and files to a WD APFS formatted external drive. APFS is also fine for a WD external hard drive. APFS (Apple File System)Īpple created APFS for Solid State Drives, to take advantage of the extra performance of those drives. You’d also pick this file system format if you plan to use your drive for a Time Machine backup. You’d pick this for a WD drive you want to copy and paste your files and data to. This is where your Mac’s internal drive is shown. On the left hand side of that window are two headings. Pick Your Western Digital Drive In Disk Utility.ĭisk Utility opens up into a pop up window. Inside the Applications folder there is another folder called Utilities.ĭisk Utility is in there. And you’ll use it to reformat your drive as one of its disk management features. Open Disk Utility.ĭisk Utility is your Mac’s disk management software.

Or data recovery software, hoping you’ll recover data. You don’t want to be the one needing data recovery services. If there are files on the drive you want or need then copy them off first.īecause after you’ve reformatted your drive, those files will be gone. Any file, data or previous partition information will be wiped clean.

Or reinitializing or erasing a WD hard drive. In a few moments a disk icon representing your external drive will show on your desktop. Plug Your Western Digital Drive Into Your Mac. Video Credit: MacTakeAwayData How Do I Reformat My WD External Hard Drive For Mac? 1. Then take a look at this under 3 minute video walking you though reformatting a Western Digital external drive. When it’s easier for you to watch a video. Why Reformat A WD External Hard Drive For Mac This Way.Pick Your Western Digital Drive In Disk Utility. How Do I Reformat My WD External Hard Drive For Mac?.

How to format wd drive for mac