Before clicking Erase, note that changing or converting a file system on a thumb drive deletes all data on the device. Next, using the drop-down menu, update the Format field from Mac OS Extended (Journaled) to ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) and leave the Scheme field unchanged. Alternatively, you can leave the Name field unchanged, and macOS will name the thumb drive UNTITLED. The Disk Utility will open, as shown in Figure B.įigure B The macOS Disk Utility permits formatting thumb drives and changing file formats.Įnter a title for the thumb drive within the Name field.

In such cases, choose Initialize to proceed. When these incompatibly formatted thumb drives are connected to a Mac, macOS displays a warning, as shown in Figure A.įigure A macOS permits formatting thumb drives even when the devices possess an incompatible file system.

Thumb drives, by default, often ship with a Windows file system incompatible to Macs. While Macs typically use a file format known as APFS or Mac OS Extended, and Windows systems often use NTFS or ExFAT, FAT remains a commonly used file system on thumb drives, as that format permits reading and writing files using both PCs and Macs. The next step involves configuring a thumb drive’s file storage system to work with a Mac. SEE Go-to resources for safe, secure cloud storage (TechRepublic Premium) Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB adapter, as it’s known, solves that problem by permitting connecting common USB-A accessories to a Mac’s USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports. Although Windows machines typically include the larger USB-A ports needed to accommodate common thumb drives, many contemporary Macs ship only with thinner, more compact USB-C ports. The first step involves physically connecting common thumb drives to a Mac. ICloud Usage Policy (TechRepublic Premium) How to boost your iPhone’s battery chargeĬlean your Mac before you break down and buy a new one Fortunately, Mac users can take advantage of a flash drive’s convenience just as Windows users can. Occasionally the need arises to use a thumb drive to store, back up or transfer files. See how to format a drive to work with Windows PCs and Macs. How to format a thumb drive to work with Windows PCs and Macs using macOS Montereyĭespite the popularity of AirDrop, cloud services and email, the most convenient way to share files is sometimes with a thumb drive.

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