

It can also mean putting the same file system in the drive to fix it if it's faulty. You can think of reformatting your drive as a way to reset it by putting a new file system into the drive to supplant the old one. This is also where you give the drive a name.Ĭ) Go back to "Disk Utility" and select "Install macOS". If you're prompted, choose "macOS Extended (Journaled)" or any of the other file systems based on your needs or preference.

The "Utilities" window will then show up.ī) Click on "Erase" to format the new hard disk. Let go of the keys once the Apple logo or spinning globe comes on. There are different file systems, as you'll soon find out, and each has unique features that some of the other file systems may or may not have.Ī) Startup your Mac and press the "Option"+ "⌘" + "R" keys to boot into "Recovery". How to Format New Hard Diskįormatting a new disk, in the simplest of terms, means setting up a file system in the new drive to work with your macOS. No one needs to tell you formatting your Mac's drive entails reinstalling the macOS afterward, right? As long as you're aware of that, you're good to go. Apple has given you several options to choose from should you ever need to format or reformat your drive. The simple reason you might want to completely wipe your Mac's internal drive is that it has encountered one serious error or another.

If the operating system already mounted the drive, an "Unmount" button displays instead.Ĭlick the "First Aid" tab and select "Repair Disk," if available. Select your hard drive, optical drive or other attached drive in the sidebar. Click "Go" and select "Utilities" from the drop-down list. Click the background to bring up the Finder menu in the the top bar.
