Format Drive APFS macOS Sierra - Step-by-Step Guide
Apple File System (APFS): An Overview
Apple is currently developing a next-generation file system, officially named the Apple File System (APFS).
Expected Rollout and Current Availability
APFS is anticipated to be implemented as the standard file system for both macOS and iOS operating systems in 2017.
Currently, it is accessible as a prerelease option for users running macOS Sierra.
Important Considerations Before Implementation
It’s crucial to understand that this file system remains under development.
Therefore, utilizing APFS is presently recommended solely for testing and experimental purposes.
Data Safety Warning
Do not rely on an APFS drive for the sole storage of critical or irreplaceable data.
Storing only copies of important data on an APFS volume carries inherent risks due to its ongoing development phase.
Reasons to Potentially Delay APFS Adoption
APFS, the new Apple File System, is presently considered an experimental technology.
Apple anticipates a definitive launch in 2017, at which time the system drives of Macs, as well as storage within iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches, will likely transition to APFS automatically.
Current Use Cases for APFS
Currently, the sole justification for formatting a drive with APFS is for testing and evaluation purposes.
It’s important to remember that APFS remains under development, meaning performance metrics obtained with the current version may not accurately reflect its ultimate capabilities.
Compatibility Concerns and Data Safety
Apple explicitly cautions that drives formatted using this preliminary release of APFS could encounter compatibility issues with subsequent macOS iterations and the finalized APFS version.
Therefore, it is strongly advised against utilizing an APFS drive for storing critical or essential data.
Key Considerations
- APFS is still in its developmental phase.
- Performance benchmarks are subject to change.
- Data stored on pre-release APFS drives may be at risk of incompatibility.
Important Note: Until the official release, refrain from employing APFS for production environments or vital data storage.
Waiting for the final version will ensure optimal performance and data security.
Restrictions Associated with APFS in macOS Sierra
When initially introduced with macOS Sierra, the APFS file system was subject to several constraints due to its experimental nature.
Key Limitations
These restrictions impacted its immediate usability in certain scenarios.
- Formatting the primary boot drive of a Mac with APFS was not supported, preventing its use as a system volume.
- APFS volumes were exclusively case-sensitive; therefore, distinctions between uppercase and lowercase letters in filenames were significant.
- Backups via Time Machine to drives formatted with APFS were not functional at this time.
- Full disk encryption using FileVault was incompatible with APFS volumes.
- Integration with Fusion Drives, Apple’s hybrid storage solution, was not possible.
It was anticipated that these limitations would be resolved upon the official, finalized release of the APFS file system by Apple.
These initial restrictions were put in place to ensure stability and allow for further development before widespread adoption.
Formatting a Drive as APFS in macOS Sierra
Apple intends to provide a method for converting from the HFS+ file system to APFS without data loss when APFS is fully released. However, for preliminary testing of APFS, a drive must be wiped and then reformatted utilizing the APFS file system.
A USB drive, an SD card, or an external hard drive are all viable options for formatting. Alternatively, a secondary internal drive can be employed.
Important: Before formatting any drive, ensure all files are backed up. The formatting procedure will result in the deletion of all existing data on the selected partition.
Currently, the Disk Utility application does not support formatting drives as APFS. Nevertheless, Apple’s documentation indicates that the diskutil command can be used to format a partition or disk image with APFS.
Initially, determine the device identifier of the drive you intend to format. Open a Terminal window and execute the following command to achieve this:
diskutil list
In this instance, we are identifying a 16GB external USB drive. The partition designated for formatting is identified as "disk2s2".
Exercise extreme caution when selecting the device identifier. Incorrect selection could lead to formatting the wrong drive and subsequent data loss.
To proceed with APFS formatting, first execute the following command to establish an APFS container. Remember to substitute "disk2s2" with the correct identifier for your specific drive.
diskutil apfs createContainer /dev/disk2s2
Subsequently, run the following command to incorporate an APFS volume. Replace "disk2s2" with the same device identifier used previously, and "newAPFS" with your desired volume name.
diskutil apfs addVolume disk2s2 APFS newAPFS
The newly created APFS volume will be mounted in Finder, functioning like any other volume. Selecting "Get Info" by right-clicking or Control-clicking the volume will reveal its file system format as "APFS".
Should you decide to discontinue using the volume as an APFS volume, the Disk Utility application can be utilized to reformat the partition. You can choose either the Mac HFS+ file system or the cross-platform exFAT file system.
Launch Disk Utility, then right-click or Control-click the drive containing your APFS partition and select "Erase". Select a different file system from the Format menu and click "Erase". This action will completely erase the drive and convert it to the chosen file system.
For comprehensive details regarding the Apple File System, refer to the detailed APFS documentation available on Apple’s developer website.