How do I check which format my external drive uses?

Q: How do I check which format my external drive uses?

Select the drive in Finder and choose File → Get Info (Command-I); the Format line shows it — for example APFS, Mac OS Extended (Journaled), ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT32). Disk Utility shows the same thing under the drive's name. Storage Studio also checks the format when you choose a drive and explains any warning — see what the drive checks mean.

Short answer: Select the drive in Finder and press Command-I (Get Info): the Format line shows APFS, Mac OS Extended, ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT32). Disk Utility shows it too, and Storage Studio checks it when you choose a drive.

Select the drive in Finder and choose File → Get Info (Command-I); the Format line shows it — for example APFS, Mac OS Extended (Journaled), ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT32). Disk Utility shows the same thing under the drive's name.

Storage Studio also checks the format when you choose a drive and explains any warning — see what the drive checks mean.

Last reviewed October 1, 2026

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How do I check which format my external drive uses?

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