When you attempt to format a hard drive or SSD on your Mac, Disk Utility will offer you several options.
The macOS Extended (Journaled) is one of the formatting options, but most people aren't familiar with it. It's the preferred choice for formatting a device, but what does it mean and when to use it? Let's discuss this option.
Don't worry; I have it all covered. In this article, you will learn all there is to know about the file system and how it compares to the newer option. You will also get a step-by-step guide on formatting the disk system.
So, what is macOS Extended (Journaled)?
A file system is a method used by an operating system to manage storage devices and control the storage and retrieval of data. It organizes data on devices such as SSDs, hard disks, flash drives, and CDs, providing a structured way to store and access information.
On the Mac, the common file systems include APFS, MacOS Extended, and exFAT.
macOS Extended, also known as HFS+, was the default file system for Mac from 1998 to 2017, before being replaced by APFS. It remains the default for mechanical and hybrid drives.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled) has not become obsolete, and its use is still prevalent, largely due to its compatibility with older systems and its reliability in maintaining data integrity.
Apple has released six major OS versions since 2017, but many Macs still run older systems. This means that Macs running El Capitan or Yosemite can't access data on APFS-formatted drives.
If your Mac uses a hard disk, it runs Mac OS Extended (Journaled) by default, but this doesn't rule out running the newer file system, which is better optimized for mechanical drives.
If you have a Mac and a Windows computer, you can share a drive between the two, making it easier to transfer files and reducing cross-platform issues. This way, you can plug in an external hard drive to your Mac, copy files, and then unplug it and plug it into your Windows laptop to access the files.
On a Mac, the macOS Extended (Journaled) file system can only be read on Mac computers, making it inaccessible to Windows. This results in a prompt to format the drive when trying to access it on a Windows device.
Windows may struggle to read MacOS Extended (Journaled) files on its own, but can access them with the assistance of specific third-party tools.
The easiest way to avoid formatting issues on both Windows and macOS is to use a file system like exFAT or FAT32, which work seamlessly on both platforms. These file systems eliminate the need for formatting each time and eliminate the cost of third-party software, but it's worth noting that they have some differences.
The modern Macs released in 2017 and later use the Apple File System (APFS), a file system introduced by Apple to run exclusively on its devices. APFS is an improvement over the older macOS Extended (Journaled) format, offering enhanced features and capabilities.
APFS provides faster speeds and performance, handling data and tasks like copying and pasting at much faster rates than the previous default, while also being more reliable and reducing the chances of corrupted files.
APFS provides almost instantaneous directory sizing due to its method of querying directory and child object sizes.
APFS is an improvement over macOS Extended (Journaled), but macOS Extended (Journaled) has better backwards compatibility.
To format macOS Extended (Journaled) on your Mac, you can follow these steps: First, ensure you have a backup of your data, then restart your Mac and hold down the Command (⌘) + R keys to boot into Recovery Mode. From there, select your startup disk and choose Disk Utility from the Utilities window. Select the disk you want to format, click the Erase button, and choose macOS Extended (Journaled) from the format dropdown.
This process will completely erase all data on your drive, so please back up any important files before proceeding.
Step 1. Open Disk Utility on your Mac
To access Disk Utility, click on the Dock, which is located at the bottom of the screen, and type "Disk Utility" in the search field. Once you've typed it in, click on the icon that appears in the search results. This will open the Disk Utility application, allowing you to manage and manipulate your computer's storage devices.
Step 2. Click the "View" menu at the top-left corner of the screen and select "Show All Devices" from the dropdown list.
Step 3. Select the device you want to format.
It is the non-indented entry and should have "Media" attached.
Step 4. Click "Erase."
The "Erase" button lies on the header of the window.
Step 5. "The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson" by Emily Dickinson
When formatting a drive, it's essential to choose a name that aligns with the drive's intended use. This will help you quickly identify the drive and its contents, making it easier to manage your files and data. By selecting a name that reflects the drive's purpose, you can avoid confusion and ensure that you're accessing the correct drive when needed.
Step 6. Select the "Format" dropdown button and choose "Mac OS Extended" (Journaled).
Step 7. Click the dropdown button beside "Scheme" and select "GUID Partition Map."
Step 8. Click "Erase."
Disk Utility will now format the file to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
For nearly two decades, Mac systems used Mac OS Extended Journaled as their default file system, but it still exists today.
MacOS Extended Journaled, also known as HFS+, is still a viable file system format, particularly for older Macs or those with mechanical drives, as it is recommended for these systems due to its compatibility.
If you use one of the latest models of Mac, then you want to go with APFS when formatting, as it offers better performance and security features compared to the older HFS+ format.
Apple introduced APFS as the default file system for SSDs and flash memory in macOS High Sierra, replacing macOS Extended (Journaled), offering faster speeds and reliability.
The best disk format for you depends on your specific needs and the device you're working with. For example, if you're formatting the solid-state drive (SSD) of your Mac, APFS is the recommended choice. On the other hand, if you're formatting an external hard drive that may be used on an older Mac system, Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is the way to go.