MP 7,1 Back up 3.5” 4TB format APFS?

[machenryr]

I know APFS was designed for SSD. But I’m using these OWC enclosures and every now and then they go offline. It might have nothing to do with that. I also have the sonnet 3Ji where this happens on a SSD. They’re sending me a new USB cable. Maybe this is the sand problem? I was wondering whether there are any advantages or disadvantages formatting the 3.5 APFS.

 

[machenryr]

Oh yeah. Never mind. This is going to be a Time Machine drive. No APFS for you!

What about ExFat? Is that an option in Mac OS? I don’t recall seeing it.

 

[bsbeamer]

Don't format HDD with APFS unless Apple "automatically" converts. More than once I've run into issues with that.

Also MAKE SURE there is only one partition on the drive if it will be formatted APFS. Had a few multiple partition external that I was using for APFS system drive clones that literally took HOURS to successfully and completely mount. Drive itself was not at fault. All due to APFS formatting. Wiped to single partition and magically all issues went away.

ExFat might be "allowed" for time machine. I can reformat mine to ExFat, if I choose. Never actually tried to use it that way, however.

 

[machenryr]

Damn. OK. LOL. I'm getting old. No this isn't going to be a TM. I already have that. My Super-Duper clone drive needed updating. My Mac HD is 4TB. The back up was 2TB and I just went over that limit. So I was going to replace the CLONE drive, not the TM. I decided to use CCC instead of Super Duper. CCC requires I use APFS. Now THAT is the proper information. I haven't been sleeping well. Apologies. And that's my excuse. LOL.
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Don't format HDD with APFS unless Apple "automatically" converts. More than once I've run into issues with that.

Also MAKE SURE there is only one partition on the drive if it will be formatted APFS. Had a few multiple partition external that I was using for APFS system drive clones that literally took HOURS to successfully and completely mount. Drive itself was not at fault. All due to APFS formatting. Wiped to single partition and magically all issues went away.

ExFat might be "allowed" for time machine. I can reformat mine to ExFat, if I choose. Never actually tried to use it that way, however.

View attachment 936418

Thank you. Yes, I found it. Hm. I'm wondering whether I should continue using Super Duper. I understand CCC is better. I used to use it years ago, but switched to SD for reasons that are no longer clear to me.

 

[bsbeamer]

CCC has been on the "front line" of reporting about issues with APFS and 10.15 since release. Would 100% trust them over any other cloning software on macOS. There are numerous issues with linking, especially if you want bootable clones. Read this:

A bug in macOS 10.15.5 impacts bootable backups, but we've got you covered | Carbon Copy Cloner | Bombich Software

bombich.com

 

[MarkC426]

Don't format HDD with APFS unless Apple "automatically" converts. More than once I've run into issues with that.

Also MAKE SURE there is only one partition on the drive if it will be formatted APFS. Had a few multiple partition external that I was using for APFS system drive clones that literally took HOURS to successfully and completely mount. Drive itself was not at fault. All due to APFS formatting. Wiped to single partition and magically all issues went away.

ExFat might be "allowed" for time machine. I can reformat mine to ExFat, if I choose. Never actually tried to use it that way, however.

View attachment 936418

Are you saying an external HDD used as a ’one partition‘ clone should be in APFS?
Just about to do a 10.14 SSD (apfs) clone with Superduper.
It’s gonna take a while so don’t want to have to redo it.

 

[bsbeamer]

Are you saying an external HDD used as a ’one partition‘ clone should be in APFS?
Just about to do a 10.14 SSD (apfs) clone with Superduper.
It’s gonna take a while so don’t want to have to redo it.

Unsure the "best" way to proceed with Superduper & APFS. I know CCC will create the APFS links necessary to make a bootable clone. AFAIK, Superduper will not do that with APFS 100% successfully all of the time...