---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-erase-or-format-a-drive-on-a-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-erase-or-format-a-drive-on-a-mac
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Disks, APFS and formats"
question: "How do I erase or format a drive on a Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "format external drive mac disk utility"
  - "erase usb drive mac"
  - "reformat hard drive macos"
  - "wipe external ssd mac"
  - "disk utility erase"
short_answer: "Back up first, open Disk Utility, choose View → Show All Devices, select the drive, click Erase, and choose a format with the GUID Partition Map scheme."
tags: ["disk utility", "erase", "formats"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/apfs-or-mac-os-extended-which-should-i-use", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-run-first-aid-in-disk-utility"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I erase or format a drive on a Mac?

Use Disk Utility, and select the whole device rather than a single volume.

1. Copy anything you need off the drive — erasing deletes everything on it.
2. Open **Disk Utility** and choose **View → Show All Devices**.
3. Select the drive itself (the top-level device, not just a volume) and click **Erase**.
4. Pick a name, a **Format** (APFS, Mac OS Extended or exFAT) and **Scheme: GUID Partition Map**, then click Erase.

Selecting the whole device ensures old partitions are replaced. Never erase your startup disk from inside macOS.