Should you partition an external hard drive?

You may set up a logical partition on your external drive, so all your non-OS data is readily available if your computer crashes. It’s often advisable to have extended partitions on your external drive that enable you to back up, organize, and secure any files you want to store off your computer.

How do I format a Mac external hard drive for Time Machine?

1. Format external hard drive for macOS

  1. Launch Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility).
  2. Select the hard drive device and click Erase (erases everything, cannot be undone).
  3. Name your drive (e.g. Time Machine Backup), select the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format, and click Erase.

Can I use the same drive for Time Machine and storage?

If your Mac has even a 2TB drive built-in, you could use all of that spacious drive for Time Machine backups for a long, long time. Or you can consider another idea – using that space for your Time Machine backup and as a place to store all those big video files you’re working on.

What is a volume vs a partition?

A volume is a single accessible storage area with a single file system. A partition is a logical division of a hard disk. Both are the units of data storage, but a volume is not the same thing as a partition.

How do I partition my Mac without losing data?

You can use Disk Utility to add a new partition to an existing volume without losing any data. When adding a new partition, Disk Utility splits the selected disk in half, leaving all the existing data on the original disk but reducing its size by 50 percent.

What are the disadvantages of disk partitioning?

The Disadvantages of Partitioning a Hard Drive

  • False Sense of Security. If you’re not careful, having multiple partitions could lead to a data loss disaster.
  • Complexity and Chances for Errors.
  • Juggling Partitions and Wasted Space.
  • It’s Generally Unnecessary for the Average User.
  • SSDs Negate Many Past Benefits.

What is the best format for a Mac external hard drive?

If you need to format a drive, use the APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format for best performance. If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or later, use the APFS format.