These instructions are only applicable for Mac computers with an Intel processor.
Erasing your Mac deletes all of its files permanently, so make sure you create a backup of any files that you want to keep. If you're attempting to restore your Mac to its factory settings, first find out what to do before you sell, give away or trade in your Mac.
- Click on the Erase option from the four options available in the main window. Disk Utility will automatically choose the format for you. This may be APFS, or it may be Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- How to Clean Hard Drive Using DiskPart. Before learning the steps for cleaning the drive, let's first.
- Set Format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Set Scheme to GUID Partition Map. WARNING: Formatting the drive will erase all data on the drive, so you should copy any data you want off the drive prior to formatting. Click the Erase button, Disk Utility will start formatting the drive. Once complete, click Done.
Start up from macOS Recovery
Highlight the disk and click the Erase button in the top toolbar. Wait for a window asking you to select the file system you want to use to format your external drive to pop up. For your case, you will select ‘ Mac OS Extended (Journaled)'. But if you have plans to use your disk for both PC and Mac, then a better option is ‘. However for external HDD you won't see the FAT32 (windows don't suggest fat32 for bigger drives) However to get other format option you can use third-party software. Start by connecting your external HDD to MAC's USB port. Under the finder men, go to Go utilities Disk Utility or type disk utility in the spotlight and hit enter.
Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘) and R until you see an Apple logo or another image. You may then be asked to select a user you know the password for. Select the user, then click Next and enter their administrator password.
Use Disk Utility to erase your disk
- From the utilities window in macOS Recovery, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
- Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar of Disk Utility. Can't see Macintosh HD?
- Click the Erase button in the toolbar, then enter the requested details:
- Name: continue to use Macintosh HD as the name or enter a different name.
- Format: continue to use APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journalled), as recommended by Disk Utility.
- Click Erase Volume Group. If you can't see this button, click Erase instead.
- If Find My is turned on for this Mac, you may be asked to enter your Apple ID to authorise the erase process. Forgotten your Apple ID?
- After the erase process has been completed, select any other internal volumes that may be listed in the sidebar, then click the delete volume (–) button in the toolbar to delete each volume.
You don't need to delete the Macintosh HD volume you've just erased, or any external volumes or disk images. - Quit Disk Utility to return to the utilities window.
- If you want to start up again from the disk you've erased, you should now reinstall macOS on that disk.
If you can't see Macintosh HD in Disk Utility
Your built-in startup disk should be the first item listed in the Disk Utility sidebar. It's called Macintosh HD unless you've changed its name. If you can't see it there, choose Apple menu > Shut Down, then unplug all non-essential devices from your Mac and try again.
If your disk still doesn't appear in Disk Utility or Disk Utility reports that the erase process has failed, your Mac may need a service. If you need help, please contact Apple Support.
Learn more
For more information about using Disk Utility, see the Disk Utility User Guide.
For more information about using Disk Utility, see the Disk Utility User Guide.
WARNING: Formatting will erase all data on the device. Back up all your data before proceeding.
Instructions below are for 10.11.x (El Capitan) and 10.12.x (Sierra)
1. Double-click on Macintosh HD - or in the Finder menu clickFile > New Finder Window
2. Click the Applications folder - if using a Finder Window Applicationswill be in the left side menu.
3. Click the Utilities folder.
4. Double-click Disk Utility.
5. On the left side of the window are the drives connected to the computer. Select the capacity of the drive respective to the one containing the device you wish to format then click the Erase tab.
Example: If the drive is called 'NO NAME', directly above that, you should see the drive capacity of 'XXXX'. Select this capacity.
6. Verify Volume Format is set to MS-DOS file system or exFAT, Scheme is set to 'Master Boot Record' (Do NOT select GUID Partition Map) then click Erase.
Instructions below are for 10.13.x (High Sierra)
1. Open Disk Utility. Please See Answer 20985: How to access Disk Utility macOS
2. In the top menu bar, go to View, and choose Show All Devices
3. Select the upper level of the drive you would like to format and click the Erase button
4. Choose how you would like to format the drive
- Enter a Name for your drive
- Choose exFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) for the format
- Choose Master Boot Record for the Scheme
- Click Erase
Format Disk Mac Os
5. When finished, the drive will be formatted and repartitioned successfully. Click the Done button
NOTE: exFAT is used on SDXC card (64GB and higher).
NOTE: exFAT can be used on flash drives or memory cards to transfer files larger than 4GB. How to create text file in mac.
NOTE: MacOS 10.6.2 or higher is required for exFAT file system. Some older operating systems must have a patch installed before they can use the exFAT file system.
NOTE: If the above steps do NOT resolve the problem or if the lock switch is missing or broken, please back up your data and request a replacement using our online web form.
Mac Disk Format Utility
Related Articles:
Operating systems that support exFAT
Deleting files on a memory card using a Mac
Deleting files on a Cruzer USB flash drive using a Mac Imovie converter for mac.
