Samsung Link For Mac Os

Mac

FAQs

Here you’ll find frequently asked questions and solutions for your computing life upgraded with Samsung V-NAND SSD.

Mac OS: Mac OS 10.10 or higher For more information. You can use the Samsung Portable SSD after you re-connect the Samsung Portable SSD to your Mac system and execute the Samsung Portable SSD Software. Please apply proper security update patch through accessing the below link. The Link Sharing application allows you to easily share files such as images, videos, and documents, with family, friends, and colleagues.

  • I cannot run the Samsung Portable SSD Software.

    The Samsung Portable SSD Software can only run on the following OS versions or newer:
    - Windows OS: Windows 7 or higher
    - Mac OS: Mac OS 10.10 or higher
    For more information, please contact the nearest Service Center, which can be found in the user manual and on Samsung.com minisite at (http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/support/cs.html).
  • When my Windows PC goes into the Power Saving Mode or is powered off, the T7 Touch's indicator turns on or remains off.

    It is normal for an indicator to turn off when the host PC connected to enters the Power Saving Mode or is powered off. However, it may remain on depending on the USB charging settings of the BIOS in the PC.
    Please refer to the indicator colors below:
    - Connect power: LEDs all on
    - Data Transfer: LEDs rotation
    - Standby for security release (Fingerprint identification, Password): LEDs consecutive blinking
    - Terminate connection: LEDs blinking once and lights off
  • I cannot copy files from the Windows OS to the T7 Touch.

    Occasionally, if the power supply is removed while in use or the cable is unsafely unplugged, copying files to the T7 Touch may be restricted by the Windows OS when you reconnect it. This is a restriction imposed on the exFAT file system by the Windows OS and not an issue with the product itself.
    Please follow the troubleshooting steps below before attempting to copy files:
    - In the Windows File Explorer window, select and right-click the T7 Touch Drive, open the Properties dialog box, and click the Tools tab. Under Error-checking, click “Check Now”.
  • I cannot use my T7 Touch with some products that run on mac OS X and also use the SAT SMART Driver.

    Such issue occurs when the Samsung Portable SSD Driver, instead of the SAT SMART Driver, is installed on the mac OS X. Installing the SAT SMART Driver, instead, should allow you to use your T7 Touch with such products. However, your use of the Password Protection feature of the SAMSUNG Portable SSD Software may be restricted.
  • 'No Samsung Portable SSD is connected.' message appears even though the Samsung Portable SSD software is installed on the Apple Mac system.

    This symptom may occur when you install the Samsung Portable SSD software on the newly released (September, 2017) macOS High Sierra (10.13).
    This is due to the new Apple OS's policy that requires the user’s approval when the user installs a third-party software that is not directly distributed by Apple.
    Please follow the troubleshooting guideline below:
    [Symptom]
    In macOS High Sierra(10.13) environment, the 'System Extension Blocked' message appears when installing Samsung Portable SSD Software, and the 'No Samsung Portable SSD is connected' message appears when executing Samsung Portable SSD Software.
    [Troubleshooting]
    Open 'Security & Privacy' in the 'System Preferences' menu and click the 'Allow' button next to the message ”System software from developer 'Samsung Electronics' was blocked from loading”.
    You can use the Samsung Portable SSD after you re-connect the Samsung Portable SSD to your Mac system and execute the Samsung Portable SSD Software.

    If the symptom persists even after you follow the troubleshooting guideline, please contact the authorized Samsung service center near your location.
  • Can I use the PSSD X5 product on all systems with USB-C (USB Type C) ports?

    No, you cannot. You can only use the product on systems with Thunderbolt 3 USB- C ports with the lightning bolt symbol.
    USB-C ports that do not have the Thunderbolt 3 functionality will not work with the product.
    Please check if your system supports Thunderbolt 3.
  • I cannot see the data that has been copied when I remove the device.

    If you remove the device unsafely after a message is prompted that the data has been copied, the data may have failed to be copied due to the incomplete file system update. Please remove your device safely.
  • When I leave the Power Saving Mode, some parts of the system do not perform properly.

    If you leave the Power Saving Mode while the X5 product is still connected, you may experience a blue screen or a kernel panic depending on PC systems. Please remove the X5 product before entering the Power Saving Mode.
  • My PC supports both Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 but does not recognize the X5.

    X5 is only recognized on PCs that support Thunderbolt 3.
  • My T7 Touch does not perform well in some Windows 10 OS versions.

    There are some decline in the writing performance in some Windows 10 OS versions due to the Write Cache Disable policy. Please enable the Write Cache option in order to improve the Write function.
  • ​The Samsung Portable SSD Software does not operate properly in Windows 7.

    For Windows 7 users who did not install certain security update patches,
    ​the Samsung Portable SSD Software may not operate properly due to digital signature errors.
    ​If you have any problems after installing the newest version of the Samsung Portable SSD Software , please apply proper security update patch through accessing the below link.
    (Microsoft Security Advisory 303329, https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securityadvisories/2015/3033929)
  • The “USB storage unexpectedly removed” message appears on the status bar of my mobile device.

    In order to use the Samsung Portable SSD Software, permission to access the USB device is required. This message appears when the access permission is removed from the mobile device. When you launch the mobile Samsung Portable SSD app, you can use the T7 Touch normally again.
  • When I connect the T7 Touch while playing an audio file on my mobile device, it stops playing the file.

    Since the Mobile File Manager‘s first priority is to operate the T7 Touch, your mobile device may stop playing audio files when the priority changes. Therefore, finish operating the T7 Touch first and then play audio files.
  • I checked the file copy message on the status bar on my mobile device and then reconnected the OTG cable, but I cannot open the copied file.

    Please do not remove the OTG cable immediately after copying files. It is recommended that you use the Unmount USB storage option to remove and reconnect the OTG cable safely.
    Note that compatibility is not guaranteed when you use an OTG adapter.
  • When two or more T7 Touchs are connected, the mobile Samsung Portable SSD app does not seem to recognize them.

    It is the policy of the Samsung Portable SSD app that it should support only one T7 Touch.
  • When I connect my T7 Touch while using certain security programs on my mobile device, the OS stops working.

    The T7 Touch may not be compatible with certain security programs installed on mobile devices. Samsung does not guarantee compatibility with such security programs. If the OS of your mobile device stops working, restart the mobile device or contact the device‘s manufacturer. (If you use KNOX as your security platform, please update it to the latest version.)
  • I cannot launch the mobile Samsung Portable SSD app.

    The Samsung Portable SSD app will operate correctly on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) or later. Although it is supported on Android 5.1 or older versions, correct operation cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it is recommended that you use Android 5.1 or later.
  • I cannot launch the mobile Samsung Portable SSD app.

    The T7 Touch was developed for use with Windows OS and mac OS PCs and mobile devices. When connected to devices other than those, the T7 Touch may not be recognized or use of its features may be restricted depending on their level of support. Moreover, if you have enabled the Password Protection feature of the T7 Touch, you cannot enter your password from non-PC or non-mobile devices and thus will be unable to access data stored on the T7 Touch. Please disable the Password Protection feature before using the T7 Touch with such devices.
    For example, although a majority of the latest TVs allow users to access photo, music, and video files stored on external storage devices via the USB port, some TVs still do not support this feature.
    When connecting the T7 Touch to a TV, please check the following:
    ① Connect the T7 Touch to the TV‘s USB port and open the TV‘s menu to check whether it recognizes the T7 Touch.
    → If it fails to recognize the T7 Touch, please refer to the TV‘s user manual or contact its manufacturer to check whether USB devices are supported.
    ② If it recognizes the T7 Touch, check whether you can open video, music, and photo files stored on the T7 Touch via the TV.
    → If you cannot open files, check which file systems the TV supports for external storage devices. Note that the T7 Touch is formatted with the exFAT file system before shipment. If your TV supports a different file system, format your T7 Touch accordingly.
    ※ Formatting the T7 Touch will delete all data stored on it. Please back up your data beforehand.
    → If it meets the file system requirement, but you still cannot open video, music, or photo files, check which file extensions are supported by the TV. Some files cannot be opened if their file extensions are not supported by the TV.
    For more information about other devices, please refer to the user manuals of the relevant devices or contact their manufacturers.
  • Can I use the T7 Touch with PCs not running the Windows OS or mac OS?

    It is recommended that you use the T7 Touch with PCs running Windows 7 or later, mac OS X 10.10 or later, or mobile devices running the Android OS 5.1 or later. You may be able to use the T7 Touch with an OS and device not specified above if you disable the Password Protection feature. However, your use of the T7 Touch may be restricted depending on how well the OS or device is supported.
  • Can I use the T7 Touch with a TV or game console?

    Yes, you can. However, if you wish to use it on a device that does not support the Samsung Portable SSD Software 1.0, then you need to disable the Password Protection feature.
  • I have lost my password. Can I disable the Password Protection feature?

    No, the Password Protection feature cannot be disabled.
    If you lose your password, you cannot disable the Password Protection feature or access updates.
  • If I lose my password, what do I have to do to use the T7 Touch?

    If you lose your password, you need to perform a factory reset at a Service Center in order to use the T7 Touch. Since restoring the T7 Touch to its factory settings will clear all data stored on it, it is recommended that you back up any important data you do not wish to lose in advance. Please note that Samsung Electronics does not guarantee any data stored on your T7 Touch under any circumstances.
    For more information, please find Service Centers specified in the User Manual or on the Samsung.com minisite (http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/support/cs.html) and make an inquiry.
  • Can I change my password?

    You can change your password on the Settings screen of the Samsung Portable SSD software as follows:
    Click the Set button on the Main screen, move to the Settings screen, click the CHANGE button, enter a new password, and save it.
    When setting a password, you may include spaces in your password on a device running the Mac OS, but will not be able to save it; on devices running the Windows OS, you cannot include spaces in your password. You can set a password on PCs running the Windows OS or Mac OS.
  • I am not using the Password Protection feature at the moment. How do I use the feature?

    You can enable the Password Protection feature on the Settings screen of the Samsung Portable SSD software as follows:
    Click the “Set” button on the Main screen and switch the “Lock” button from OFF to ON, enter a password, and save it.
    For more information, please refer to the User Manual for the product.
  • How do I disable the Password Protection feature?

    You can disable the Password Protection feature on the Settings screen of the Samsung Portable SSD software as follows:
    Click the “Set” button on the Main screen, switch the “Lock” button from ON to OFF, enter a password, and save it.
    For more information, please refer to the User Manual for the product.
  • The password input screen does not appear.

    If the password input screen does not appear automatically, select the “T7 Touch_SETUP” drive recognized on your PC, then open the SamsungPortableSSD_Setup_Win_1.0.exe for Windows OS or SamsungPortableSSD_Setup_Mac_1.0.pkg for mac OS file to display the password input screen.
  • Can I update the firmware and software using the Samsung Portable SSD Software?

    You can only update the firmware and software on T7 Touch from a PC. If you see a number on the “UPDATE” button in the bottom left side of the main screen of the Samsung Portable SSD Software, click the “UPDATE” button, and move to the “UPDATE” screen. Click the Refresh button on the “UPDATE” screen and update the items that are marked Update Available. If you do not wish to check automatic updates, switch the button located next to the “Check for updates automatically” dialog from ON to OFF, and disable the Automatic Update feature. However, it is recommended that you use the Automatic Update feature.
  • Can I uninstall the Samsung Portable SSD Software?

    Yes, it can be uninstalled as follows:
    On a Windows PC, open the PSSD_Cleanup.bat file from the directory where the software is installed (e.g., OS Installation DriveProgramDataSamsung AppsPortable SSD) and proceed with uninstallation, or go to Control Panel → Programs and Features → Samsung Portable SSD Software to uninstall.
    On a Mac PC, remove the Portable SSD from the Thunderbolt port and use the CleanupAll.scpt from the directory where the software is installed (e.g., Home/Library/Application Support/PortableSSD) with osascript to uninstall it (osascript CleanupAll.scpt).
    For more information, please refer to the User Manual.
  • I cannot enter the character '€' for my password.

    The PSSD Host software does not allow the € symbol or spaces in passwords.Characters that are allowed for a password are as follows:abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ`1234567890-=~!@#$%^&*()_+[];',./{}:<>?|
  • Does the Portable SSD T7 Touch support data backup software?

    No. The T7 Touch does not provide a data backup solution.
  • Can I use the software or app used for the Portable SSD T3, T5, or X5 for the T7 Touch? How can I tell if different software should be used?

    No. The T7 Touch uses different software.
    . T3, T5, X5: Samsung Portable software
    . T7 Touch: Samsung Portable software 1.0
  • Can I run the T7 Touch on a computer without installing the software that comes with the T7 Touch?

    If you do not enable the T7 Touch's Password Protection feature, you can use it just like other external storage drives.
    If you register your fingerprint, you can unlock the T7 Touch with a touch.
  • Do I have to enable Security mode?

    No. It is highly recommended that you enable Security mode, but it is optional.
  • The PSSD T7 Touch is not recognized by the T3, T5, or X5 software.

    The software that comes with the PSSD T7 Touch only supports the T7 Touch product.
  • When you pressed the UPDATE button in Samsung Portable SSD Software, the 'Failed to communicate with update server' message displays.


    Please retry updating Portable SSD Software version 1.6.7 (latest). The latest version of the Samsung Portable SSD Software can be found at http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/tools/
  • What should I do if both fingerprint authentication and password authentication fail?

    Please contact your local service center for assistance.
  • Sometimes, it does not recognize my fingerprint, or fingerprint recognition takes too long.

    Please clean the fingerprint sensor, then try again.
  • Fingerprint recognition does not work after I updated the Portable SSD software.

    Please perform a clean uninstall, then try again.
  • How do I sign in with my fingerprint?

    To learn how to use your fingerprint to sign in, please refer to the product's user manual.
  • When I try to register a fingerprint or have my fingerprint recognized, it sometimes fails to recognize my fingerprint.

    When you register a fingerprint, make sure that you slightly roll your fingertip over the fingerprint sensor so that it can register your fingerprint from all angles. For fingerprint recognition, make sure that your finger covers the fingerprint sensor completely. To learn more, please contact your local service center.
  • The LED and fingerprint sensor do not work.

    Please contact your local service center for assistance.
  • After I disabled Security mode, the registered fingerprints disappeared.

    If you have been using Security mode including fingerprint recognition, then the registered fingerprints will also be deleted once you disable Security mode.
  • I want to register or delete a fingerprint, but I forgot my password.

    You must enter your password to register or delete a fingerprint. If you have forgotten your password and need to reset it, then you need to visit your local service center and have the PSSD product factory-reset.
  • The fingerprint names are of different lengths.

    The length of fingerprint names may differ from each other, depending on the language, emoji, or emoticon used.
  • I unlocked it with my fingerprint, but I cannot see files on the system that I am using.

    Please check the LED to make sure that it was successfully unlocked with your fingerprint. To learn more about how the LED informs you about this, please refer to the user manual. If you did unlock it successfully but still cannot find your files, then check whether the device supports the exFAT file system.
    * The User area on the PSSD uses the exFAT file system by default.
  • Can I unlock it with my fingerprint only?

    You must enter your password to unlock it or register or delete a fingerprint.
  • T7 Touch isn’t recognized by my PC.

    Please make sure that it is connected securely to the USB port. The USB port you are using may have an issue. Try connecting it to another USB port. If T7 Touch is connected securely to a USB port, but isn’t recognized by the system, contact the Service Center indicated on your User Manual or Samsung.com minisite (http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/support/cs.html).
  • The capacity of T7 Touch is displayed as 43.8MB or less.

    When you set and use a password before activating the T7 Touch, the default setting is to display the spaces allocated to security functions and the Samsung Portable SSD Software, which take up the capacity stated above
    Once you open the SamsungPortableSSD_Setup_Win_1.0.exe for Windows OS or SamsungPortableSSD_Setup_Mac_1.0.pkg for mac OS file on the T7 Touch_SETUP drive and activate it, you will be able to see the capacity specified for the product. To learn more about how to activate the T7 Touch, please refer to the “Using T7 Touch” section of the User Manual.
  • I just purchased a T7 Touch and some files are already stored on it.

    The Samsung Portable SSD Software is stored on the T7 Touch so that you can use the Password Protection feature. To learn more about the T7 Touch, please refer to the “Using T7 Touch” section of the User Manual.
  • The recognized capacity of my T7 Touch is smaller than the specified capacity.

    The capacity displayed on your PC may be different from the capacity specified on the product, depending on the format method, the partitioning of the drive as well as your computer system.
    ※ The capacity specified on the product is calculated as follows:
    1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes.
    1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes.
    1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.
  • My T7 (T7 Touch) takes a long time to transfer data.

    The maximum transfer speed that can be achieved by the T7 (T7 Touch) is 1,050MB/s on a PC that supports USB 3.2 Gen2 and UASP mode. However, transfer speeds may vary depending on the user‘s PC environment and the type of data being transferred.
    Please see below for possible causes (and solutions) for if you think your T7 (T7 Touch) is taking too long to transfer data:
    Scenario 1 (PC Environment)
    Your PC's USB Type C Port may only support USB 3.2 Gen 1 (same as USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1), and not support USB 3.2 Gen 2. If this is the case, your USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port could be causing a bottleneck and affecting the performance of your T7 (T7 Touch).
    Scenario 2 (Cable)
    If you are using a cable other than the one included in the product packaging, your T7 (T7 Touch) may not be performing optimally. This is because the internal resistance and maximum allowable current can vary depending on which type of cable you are using.
    Scenario 3 (DTG)
    The T7 (T7 Touch) is designed to smartly activate the DTG (Dynamic Thermal Guard) temperature function if it remains in use for a long time without pause. This allows the T7 (T7 Touch) to automatically slow down to allow itself time to cool when it reaches the DTG temperature threshold, enhancing safety and reliability by preventing the product from getting too hot. Try giving your T7 (T7 Touch) a short break and trying again.
    If the problem persists after following the above troubleshooting guidelines, please contact the authorized Samsung service center nearest you.
  • Do I need to format the T7 Touch before use?

    PSSD T7 Touch is formatted with the exFAT file system (compatible with macOS/Windows). You do not need to reset the T7 Touch before use. The system will recognize the T7 Touch automatically.
  • When the T7 Touch is idle, the motion LED suddenly turns on and it starts to work. Why does it do this?

    This is not a malfunction. The host device sometimes communicates with the T7 Touch in the background. The motion LED can be activated, even when you are inactive.
  • I find the names of the different USB specifications confusing.

    For those who are confused by the names of the differing USB specifications, we have grouped the USB versions into their different generations below:
    - SuperSpeed Plus USB = SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps = USB 3.2 Gen 2 = USB 3.1 Gen 2 = USB 3.1
    - SuperSpeed USB = SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps = USB 3.2 Gen 1 = USB 3.1 Gen 1 = USB 3.0
  • I lost the QSG (Quick Start Guide). Could you provide a new one?

    We cannot provide you with a new manual, but you can read a digital version of it online. Please visit the Samsung.com minisite, refer to T7 Touch user manual.
  • What is USB UASP mode?

    USB UASP mode (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) provides performance benefits for storage devices.
    Most chipsets released after 2011 support UASP mode.
    To verify whether your PC supports UASP mode, check that you are meeting the below requirements:
    1. The operating system you are using is Windows 8 or higher
    2. Your mainboard USB chipset supports UASP Mode
    3. Your form of storage supports UASP Mode (the T7 and T7 Touch support UASP Mode)
  • When playing video files on my Portable SSD T7 Touch (T7) using its fast-forward/rewind function, the video intermittently pauses.

    Connect your T7 Touch (T7) product to PC and install/run Portable SSD Software 1.0.
    Click the Update button to move to the update menu and click the refresh button on the right side to run the latest version of the firmware update.
    When installation is complete, disconnect your T7 Touch (T7) product from PC and then reconnect before use.

Here you can find answers to questions about Consumer SSD.

Samsung Link For Mac Os

Erasing your disk: For most reasons to erase, including when reformatting a disk or selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac, you should erase your entire disk.

Erasing a volume on your disk: In other cases, such as when your disk contains multiple volumes (or partitions) and you don't want to erase them all, you can erase specific volumes on the disk.

Mac

Erasing a disk or volume permanently deletes all of its files. Before continuing, make sure that you have a backup of any files that you want to keep.

How to erase your disk

  1. Start up from macOS Recovery. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities window and click Continue.
    If you're not erasing the disk your Mac started up from, you don't need to start up from macOS Recovery: just open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
  2. Choose View > Show All Devices from the menu bar in Disk Utility. The sidebar now shows your disks (devices) and any containers and volumes within them. The disk your Mac started up from is at the top of the list. In this example, Apple SSD is the startup disk:
  3. Select the disk that you want to erase. Don't see your disk?
  4. Click Erase, then complete these items:
    • Name: Type the name that you want the disk to have after you erase it.
    • Format: Choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Disk Utility shows a compatible format by default.
    • Scheme: Choose GUID Partition Map.
  5. Click Erase to begin erasing your disk and every container and volume within it. You might be asked to enter your Apple ID. Forgot your Apple ID?
  6. When done, quit Disk Utility.
  7. If you want your Mac to be able to start up from the disk you erased, reinstall macOS on the disk.

How to erase a volume on your disk

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  1. Start up from macOS Recovery. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities window and click Continue.
    If you're not erasing the volume your Mac started up from, you don't need to start up from macOS Recovery: just open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
  2. In the sidebar of Disk Utility, select the volume that you want to erase. The volume your Mac started up from is named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name. Don't see your volume?
  3. Click Erase, then complete these items:
    • Name: Type the name that you want the volume to have after you erase it.
    • Format: Choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Disk Utility shows a compatible format by default.
  4. If you see an Erase Volume Group button, the volume you selected is part of a volume group. In that case, you should erase the volume group. Otherwise, click Erase to erase just the selected volume. You might be asked to enter your Apple ID. Forgot your Apple ID?
  5. When done, quit Disk Utility.
  6. If you want your Mac to be able to start up from the volume you erased, reinstall macOS on that volume.

Reasons to erase

You can erase at any time, including in circumstances such as these:

  • You want to permanently erase all content from your Mac and restore it to factory settings. This is one of the final steps before selling, giving away, or trading in your Mac.
  • You're changing the format of a disk, such as from a PC format (FAT, ExFAT, or NTFS) to a Mac format (APFS or Mac OS Extended).
  • You received a message that your disk isn't readable by this computer.
  • You're trying to resolve a disk issue that Disk Utility can't repair.
  • The macOS installer doesn't see your disk or can't install on it. For example, the installer might say that your disk isn't formatted correctly, isn't using a GUID partition scheme, contains a newer version of the operating system, or can't be used to start up your computer.
  • The macOS installer says that you may not install to this volume because it is part of an Apple RAID.

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About APFS and Mac OS Extended

Disk Utility in macOS High Sierra or later can erase using either the newer APFS (Apple File System) format or the older Mac OS Extended format, and it automatically chooses a compatible format for you.

How to choose between APFS and Mac OS Extended

Disk Utility tries to detect the type of storage and show the appropriate format in the Format menu. If it can't, it chooses Mac OS Extended, which works with all versions of macOS. If you want to change the format, answer these questions:

  • Are you formatting the disk that came built into your Mac?
    If the built-in disk came APFS-formatted, Disk Utility suggests APFS. Don't change it to Mac OS Extended.
  • Are you about to install macOS High Sierra or later for the first time on the disk?
    If you need to erase your disk before installing High Sierra or later for the first time on that disk, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled). During installation, the macOS installer decides whether to automatically convert to APFS—without erasing your files.
  • Are you preparing a Time Machine backup disk or bootable installer?
    Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for any disk that you plan to use as a Time Machine backup disk or as a bootable installer.
  • Will you be using the disk with another Mac?
    If the other Mac isn't using macOS High Sierra or later, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Earlier versions of macOS don't work with APFS-formatted volumes.

How to identify the format currently in use

If you want to know which format is currently in use, use any of these methods:

  • Select the volume in the Disk Utility sidebar, then check the information shown on the right. For more detail, choose File > Get Info from the Disk Utility menu bar.
  • Open System Information and select Storage in the sidebar. The File System column on the right shows the format of each volume.
  • Select the volume in the Finder, then choose File > Get Info from the menu bar. The Get Info window shows the Format of that volume.

If your disk or volume doesn't appear, or the erase fails

  1. Shut down your Mac, then unplug all nonessential devices from your Mac.
  2. If you're erasing an external drive, make sure that it's connected directly to your Mac using a cable that you know is good. Then turn the drive off and back on.
  3. If your disk or volume still doesn't appear in Disk Utility, or Disk Utility reports that the erase process failed, your disk or Mac might need service. If you need help, please contact Apple Support.

Learn more

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  • If you can't start up from macOS Recovery, you can use a different startup disk instead.
  • If Disk Utility shows a Security Options button in the Erase window, you can click that button to choose between a faster (but less secure) erase and a slower (but more secure) erase. Some older versions of Disk Utility offer the option to zero all data instead. These secure-erase options aren't offered or needed for solid-state drives (SSDs) and flash storage.