Mac OS Extended is Apple’s name for HFS Plus, usually written HFS+. It is a disk format that remains relevant for some older macOS startup disks, traditional hard drives, and Time Machine backups. Whether to choose it over APFS depends on the Mac’s macOS version, the drive, and what you plan to use it for.
What does Mac OS Extended mean?
Mac OS Extended is also known as HFS Plus (or HFS+), Apple says in its support notice about encrypted Mac OS Extended disks. In Disk Utility, you may see format variants such as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled). These are available format labels; Apple’s cited guidance does not offer a detailed technical comparison of their journaling or case-sensitivity behavior.
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Should you use Mac OS Extended or APFS?
Choose based on the job rather than treating one format as universally better. Apple’s recommendations differ for startup disks, Time Machine destinations, and particular apps.
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| Use | Apple’s format guidance |
|---|---|
| External startup disk on macOS High Sierra or later | APFS is recommended, especially for an SSD. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is also acceptable for a traditional hard drive. Apple Support |
| External startup disk on macOS Sierra 10.12 or earlier | Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is required. Apple Support |
| New Time Machine backup disk | Apple prefers APFS or APFS Encrypted. It also supports Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled). Apple User Guide |
| Media for Apple Compressor | Apple says to use APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for best performance. This is specific to Compressor, not a general performance ranking. Apple Support |
If you already have a Mac OS Extended Time Machine disk, Apple’s preference for APFS on new backup disks does not by itself mean you need to erase the existing disk.
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What happens to encrypted Mac OS Extended disks in macOS 28?
Apple says macOS 28 and later will support unencrypted Mac OS Extended volumes, but not encrypted ones. Macs running macOS 26 may notify users if they have an encrypted Mac OS Extended disk that will not be compatible with macOS 28 or later. This is a forward-compatibility warning, not a claim that every Mac OS Extended disk is unsupported now. Apple’s compatibility notice has the current instructions and exceptions.
To check a volume, Apple directs users to open Disk Utility, choose View > Show Only Volumes, select the volume, and inspect the information shown under its name for “Mac OS Extended” and “Encrypted.” If the volume is affected, Apple lists converting eligible volumes to APFS, decrypting them, or erasing and reformatting them as APFS or APFS Encrypted as possible paths. Its listed conversion and decryption solutions do not apply to encrypted Time Machine backup disks; consult Apple’s notice before changing one.
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Before changing a disk format
Erasing and reformatting permanently deletes the data on that volume, Apple warns. Back up files you need before erasing. Also, an external macOS installation is specific to the Mac model, so formatting a startup disk does not guarantee it will boot a different Mac model. Apple’s external startup disk guidance explains the model limitation.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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