mac os extended journaled encrypted boot time

Formatting Your External SSD for Time Machine on Mac

When it comes to choosing a disk format, there are several options available, and selecting the right one can be overwhelming. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of formatting your external SSD for use with Time Machine on your Mac.

Before you start, make sure you change the view settings in Disk Utility to see more details about your SSD. To do this, tap on the button at the top left of the window and select 'Show All Devices' instead of 'Show Only Volumes.' This will allow you to see all the devices connected to your Mac, rather than just the volumes.

If you plan to use your external SSD for normal backup with both Windows and Mac, you don't need to reformat it. However, if you want to use it exclusively with Time Machine on your Mac, you'll need to format it using the macOS Extended (Journaled) scheme.

The ExFat file system is an upgraded version of FAT32 that allows for files up to 4GB in size. It's a good option if you need to share files between Windows and Mac devices. The Samsung SSD comes with ExFat format by default, which makes it compatible with both operating systems.

To format your external SSD for Time Machine, follow these steps:

1. Connect your external SSD to your Mac using the USB-C or USB port.

2. Open Disk Utility on your Mac.

3. Select the external SSD from the list of available disks.

4. Rename the disk to something like 'Mac 19 Backup SSD' (choose a name that suits your needs).

5. Select the Scheme to GUID Partition Map and the disk format to macOS Extended (Journaled).

6. Click on the Erase icon at the top menu bar to format the disk.

Once you've formatted your external SSD, you can use it with Time Machine. To set up automatic backups, follow these additional steps:

1. Check-in Show Time Machine in the menu bar (optional).

2. Check-in Back Up Automatically (optional).

3. Select the formatted SSD from the list of available disks.

4. Rename the disk if desired.

With your external SSD formatted and ready to use with Time Machine, you can rest assured that your important files are backed up securely and efficiently. Remember to always choose the same disc for future backups, as this will ensure that your data remains safe and accessible.

Mac os extended journaled encrypted boot time