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When it comes to formatting a hard drive, there are several factors that could prompt this need. In some cases, it becomes necessary because you need your Mac wiped clean of all your sensitive data before you sell it. Another possibility is that you are setting up an external drive for backups. You might even have purchased a drive that you intended to use with your Mac only to learn that it was already formatted for Windows.
Fortunately, formatting a hard drive on a Mac is not an impossible feat to achieve, regardless of your reason for needing to do so. We have provided the helpful instructions you’ll need in this guide, so make sure to read through and get equipped with the right information to format a hard drive on your Mac.
Choosing the Right File Formatto Format a Hard Drive on Mac Computer
There are a few things you should be aware of before you get started on formatting your hard drive, including the most crucial choice of all: which format to employ.
There are a few different file formats that you can choose, but the best one for your needs will mostly rely on how you plan to use the drive. You can pick the one that works best for you from the list of options we’ve provided below.
APFS (Apple File System)
This is the new file system that Apple added to Macs with High Sierra, and if you are running that version of macOS, it will be the default. It has a lot of positive aspects, being more reliable and efficient. There’s also an encrypted version, as well as a case-sensitive one
However, a Mac that isn’t running High Sierra won’t be able able to read or use it, and Windows or Linux computers won’t be able to either. Also, it only currently functions with Flash storage or SSDs. Because it won’t be viewable by Macs running older versions of High Sierra, we currently advise against formatting in APFS. However, this may not be an issue for you.
MacOS Extended (Journaled) (also known as HFS+)
When Apple released High Sierra in 2017, APFS took over as Mac’s default file system, replacing MacOS Extended. Your Mac will default to MacOS Extended if it hasn’t been updated to High Sierra.
There is also MacOS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted), which is an excellent option if you plan on carrying your laptop or external drive around and don’t want anyone to be able to access the data on it in the event that you lose it. This way, your drive will be encrypted, as well as password-protected.
MacOS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted) is another alternative if you frequently use file names that call for capital letters. HFS+ disks cannot be written to using Windows, but it can read them.
MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32)
However, because it’s an outdated file system and files can only be 4GB or smaller, it’s not very useful if, for instance, you want to copy movie files. Also, in addition to providing no protection, FAT32 is more prone to disk problems.
ExFAT
This is comparable to the previous FAT32. Drives formatted in this way can be read by Windows and Mac computers. The key distinction is that it supports file sizes up to 4GB.
NTFS
This is the default file system in Windows. NTFS is inaccessible to MacOS; it can only be read from. Despite this, you might be able to achieve this with third-party tools.
Formatting a Hard Drive on Mac
If you intend to use a drive with a Mac, follow these formatting instructions.
● Open Disk Utility . Go to Applications > Utilities or press Command + Space and begin typing Disk Utility.
● The list of accessible drives can be found on the left once Disk Utility is opened. Choose the drive you’re interested in formatting.
NOTE : If you format your drive, the data will be lost, so make a backup first!
● From the four options listed in the main window, select Erase
● Disk Utility will make the format selection for you automatically. Depending on how the drive is currently formatted and if you are using macOS High Sierra or an earlier OS version, this might be APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). You can also click the Formatting choices to see a drop-down menu where you can select the appropriate format for the drive based on how you want to use it.
● Assign a name to the drive. Preferably something obvious that will serve as a reminder of its contents.
● Next, select Security Options from the menu. A new window with a slider ranging from Fastest to Most Secure will open. This crucial choice ensures that all files on the drive are securely deleted.
● Fastest will wipe the drive clean by deleting the header data, but it will leave the actual files alone, albeit hidden. This would make it simple for someone else to recover the files using data recovery software, which isn’t always a good idea. The second option, which reads “ This option writes a single pass of zeros over the entire disk ,” can be selected by sliding the slider to the right. The entire drive will be overwritten once.
● Continue dragging the slider to the right for greater security. You can choose to overwrite the drive three times in the following step. The drive will be overwritten seven times if you move it all the way to Most Secure, but depending on the size of the drive, you may have to wait for a long time before you can use it again.
● After selecting Erase, wait while the drive is prepared and the contents are removed. Your drive’s formatting progress and estimated completion time will typically be displayed on a progress bar.
● Copy your files to the freshly formatted drive at this point.
Formatting a hard drive on a Mac is pretty easy following these instructions. You can follow the instructions above if you wish to format a drive so you can transfer files between a Mac and a PC, but ensure to select ExFAT from the list of format options.
Summarily , we hope you’ve learned all you need to know about formatting a hard drive on a Mac device following the detailed instructions in this guide. Make sure to adhere to them strictly to minimize the chances of making an error.
We also encourage you to recommend this article to your loved ones so that they can enjoy the benefits too!
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Author:Joan Agie
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When the topic of business apps arises, it is typically complex because there are many different factors to take into account. For instance, while some programs work well for large business teams, others are ideal for business professionals working alone or in much smaller numbers. Moreso, while some businesses are typically on the lookout for better app solutions, others typically opt to build these solutions themselves. It might thus be challenging to suggest the best apps that have the most to offer in terms of business support.
However, there are several excellent all-around choices, and we have created this guide to help you as a business owner identify them. In this guide, we’ve described the top Android business apps, and how these apps work to help your small or medium-sized enterprises benefit the most in terms of growth and structuring.
How to Grow A Business With Android Apps
There are several aspects of a business that can get so much better if you use the right Android apps correctly. Some of these aspects include task delegation, team communication, payments, and financial transactions, among many others.
Below, we have organized several Android app suggestions into categories. These apps have several features to help you introduce organization, structure, and measurable growth into your small business. So, you can think of incorporating them into your business to improve whatever aspect you need more efficiency in.
Best Android App for Task Organization
As a small business owner, you will benefit a lot from apps that help you manage task assignments and delegation properly. These apps will automate several processes and essentially help you keep track of everything you need to do to ensure productivity. Consider the app described below:
Asana
Up to 15 users can use it for free with the basic capabilities, or you can get the full package for $9.99 per person every month. It is scalable and ought to work for the majority of small and medium-sized teams. Larger teams can also use it, but doing so could increase the cost.
Other great apps that offer great support for task delegation and organization include Trello and Google Calendar, among many others.
Best Android App for Team Communication
Being able to remain in constant communication, ask the right questions and get constructive feedback is also important for business teams. This is especially true if you have a team that works remotely from several different locations, so it becomes more important to take online communication very seriously. The best Android app to help you achieve this has been described below.
Slack
This is perhaps the best app of its kind in terms of communication, and it’s a chat application designed primarily for commercial use. It has several channels, conference calls, document sharing, a chatbot, and a clean, straightforward design. Asana, Giphy (because having fun is vital too), Google Drive, and a ton of other third-party apps and websites are also integrated.
This app scales up beautifully. As a result, it benefits small, medium-sized, and even huge businesses. It’s also a fantastic choice if all you need is a chat service, rather than something more extensive like G Suite or Microsoft 365 Business.
Best Android App for Financial Transactions
Another important aspect of a business is being able to manage financial transactions easily and seamlessly. One of the best apps to help you achieve this has been described below.
PayPal
One of the better business apps is PayPal, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. PayPal is used by many companies to handle transactions and invoices. It is also occasionally used to pay employees.
Setting up a business account makes it easier to send and receive money. Several features, including the option to check your PayPal (and PayPal Credit) balance, are available on the mobile edition. There is even a specific PayPal app designed for business use which is called PayPal Business.
Another option you should try in this regard is Square Point-Of-Sale. The app also enables you to send receipts, maintain inventory, offer discounts, give refunds, and view current sales information. It can accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, as payment methods.
Best Android App to Increase Brand Awareness and Visibility
We’re sure that the goal of every business owner is growth, and one of the best ways to ensure this is to increase visibility.
Google My Business
Businesses can become more visible on Google Search and Google Maps by using Google My Business. This app has enormous business potential, and it’s important not to disregard it in these recent times. You can edit information about your company using the app, including your name, address, and operating hours. If necessary, you can even oversee many locations.
For small enterprises, start-ups, and any company without a website yet, Google My Business has become too essential. Other aspects of business that can benefit from Android apps include:
● Virtual meetings and conferences : the best Android app in this regard is Zoom
● Business data security : the best Android apps in this regard are authenticator apps such as the one Google provides.
In summary , you can get the best out of your business in terms of how it operates, how the team communicates, and other essential elements of keeping a business running. You just need to install a few Android apps that will introduce ease and structure into these processes and give your small business a better chance of success.
So, make sure to take a cue from all the Android app suggestions we’ve provided in this article. Also, make sure to share or recommend this article so others can benefit from it.
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