{"id":"external-drives.can-i-split-one-drive-into-storage-studio-and-other-uses","url":"/faq/external-drives/can-i-split-one-drive-into-storage-studio-and-other-uses","category":{"id":"external-drives","title":"External drives"},"subcategory":{"id":"formats","title":"Drive formats"},"question":"Can I split one external drive into a Storage Studio part and a part for other things?","alt_questions":["Add APFS volume to external drive","Partition external SSD for Mac and Windows","Use half the drive for Storage Studio","separate volume for storage studio","Create a second volume on my external drive","One drive two partitions Storage Studio"],"short_answer":"Yes. Add a separate APFS volume in Disk Utility (volumes share free space), or partition the drive if you need, say, an exFAT part for Windows. Then pick the APFS volume in Choose Drive — Storage Studio only manages that one.","answer_markdown":"Yes. In Disk Utility you can give a drive more than one volume:\n\n- **Add an APFS volume** (select the drive's APFS container, click **+**) — volumes share free space, which is the most flexible option for Mac-only use.\n- **Partition** the drive (the **Partition** button) if you need a fixed-size part in another format, such as exFAT for a Windows PC. Partitioning can erase data, so back up first.\n\nThen choose the APFS volume in Storage Studio's Choose Drive. Each volume appears separately in the list, and Storage Studio only manages the one you set up.","answer_html":"

Yes. In Disk Utility you can give a drive more than one volume:

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Then choose the APFS volume in Storage Studio's Choose Drive. Each volume appears separately in the list, and Storage Studio only manages the one you set up.

","answer_text":"Yes. In Disk Utility you can give a drive more than one volume:\n\n- Add an APFS volume (select the drive's APFS container, click +) — volumes share free space, which is the most flexible option for Mac-only use.\n- Partition the drive (the Partition button) if you need a fixed-size part in another format, such as exFAT for a Windows PC. Partitioning can erase data, so back up first.\n\nThen choose the APFS volume in Storage Studio's Choose Drive. Each volume appears separately in the list, and Storage Studio only manages the one you set up.","tags":["partition","apfs volume","disk utility"],"related":[{"id":"external-drives.how-do-i-reformat-an-external-drive-to-apfs","question":"How do I reformat an external drive to APFS on a Mac?","url":"/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-reformat-an-external-drive-to-apfs"},{"id":"external-drives.can-i-use-a-partition-of-my-internal-drive","question":"Can I use a second partition or volume on my Mac's internal drive?","url":"/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-partition-of-my-internal-drive"},{"id":"external-drives.does-storage-studio-work-with-an-encrypted-external-drive","question":"Does Storage Studio work with an encrypted external drive?","url":"/faq/external-drives/does-storage-studio-work-with-an-encrypted-external-drive"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Can I split one external drive into a Storage Studio part and a part for other things? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Yes. Add a separate APFS volume in Disk Utility (volumes share free space), or partition the drive if you need, say, an exFAT part for Windows. Then pick the APFS volume in Choose Drive — Storage Studio only manages that one.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"External drives","path":"/faq/external-drives/"},{"name":"Can I split one external drive into a Storage Studio part and a part for other things?","path":"/faq/external-drives/can-i-split-one-drive-into-storage-studio-and-other-uses"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-split-one-drive-into-storage-studio-and-other-uses","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I split one external drive into a Storage Studio part and a part for other things?","alternateName":["Add APFS volume to external drive","Partition external SSD for Mac and Windows","Use half the drive for Storage Studio","separate volume for storage studio","Create a second volume on my external drive","One drive two partitions Storage Studio"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. In Disk Utility you can give a drive more than one volume:\n\n- Add an APFS volume (select the drive's APFS container, click +) — volumes share free space, which is the most flexible option for Mac-only use.\n- Partition the drive (the Partition button) if you need a fixed-size part in another format, such as exFAT for a Windows PC. Partitioning can erase data, so back up first.\n\nThen choose the APFS volume in Storage Studio's Choose Drive. Each volume appears separately in the list, and Storage Studio only manages the one you set up.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-split-one-drive-into-storage-studio-and-other-uses"}}]},"fragment":"
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External drives · Drive formats

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Can I split one external drive into a Storage Studio part and a part for other things?

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Short answer: Yes. Add a separate APFS volume in Disk Utility (volumes share free space), or partition the drive if you need, say, an exFAT part for Windows. Then pick the APFS volume in Choose Drive — Storage Studio only manages that one.

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Yes. In Disk Utility you can give a drive more than one volume:

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  • Add an APFS volume (select the drive's APFS container, click +) — volumes share free space, which is the most flexible option for Mac-only use.
  • Partition the drive (the Partition button) if you need a fixed-size part in another format, such as exFAT for a Windows PC. Partitioning can erase data, so back up first.
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Then choose the APFS volume in Storage Studio's Choose Drive. Each volume appears separately in the list, and Storage Studio only manages the one you set up.

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