---
id: external-drives.do-i-need-to-reformat-a-new-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-i-need-to-reformat-a-new-external-drive
category: "External drives"
subcategory: "Drive formats"
question: "Do I need to reformat a new external drive before using it on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "New external SSD formatted as exFAT or NTFS"
  - "Should I format a new drive for Mac?"
  - "Why is my new drive formatted for Windows?"
  - "brand new hard drive mac setup format"
  - "out of the box drive format"
short_answer: "Usually yes. New drives often ship as exFAT or NTFS (read-only on a Mac). For Mac use, erase the drive as APFS in Disk Utility — copy off any bundled software first. Keep exFAT only for regular sharing with Windows."
tags: ["new drive", "format", "apfs", "exfat"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-format-should-my-external-drive-be", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-reformat-an-external-drive-to-apfs", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-an-ntfs-drive"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Do I need to reformat a new external drive before using it on my Mac?

Usually yes, if the drive is mainly for your Mac. New drives often come formatted as exFAT (works everywhere) or NTFS (read-only on a Mac). For Mac use, erase it as **APFS** in Disk Utility; it's empty, so you lose nothing except any bundled software on it — copy that off first if you want it.

Keep exFAT only if you'll regularly share the drive with Windows. For the drive Storage Studio uses, APFS is recommended — see [which format to use](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-format-should-my-external-drive-be) and [how to reformat](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-reformat-an-external-drive-to-apfs).