Mac storage basics · Disks, APFS and formats

Should I use APFS or Mac OS Extended for a drive?

Q: Should I use APFS or Mac OS Extended for a drive?

For an SSD used with Macs running a recent macOS, choose APFS. Mac OS Extended (Journaled), also called HFS+, still makes sense for spinning hard drives used with older Macs, or when a drive must be read by a Mac older than macOS High Sierra. If the drive also needs to work with Windows, neither is ideal — see exFAT for Mac and Windows. For drives used with Storage Studio, see external drives.

Short answer: APFS for SSDs used with recent Macs; Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for spinning disks shared with older Macs. Use exFAT if Windows also needs the drive.

For an SSD used with Macs running a recent macOS, choose APFS. Mac OS Extended (Journaled), also called HFS+, still makes sense for spinning hard drives used with older Macs, or when a drive must be read by a Mac older than macOS High Sierra.

If the drive also needs to work with Windows, neither is ideal — see exFAT for Mac and Windows. For drives used with Storage Studio, see external drives.

Last reviewed October 1, 2026

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Should I use APFS or Mac OS Extended for a drive?

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