What filesystem should I format the external HDD to, for Macbook M1? (ExFAT or HFS+)

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,

For backups, I’m looking at external hard drives.

In particular a LaCie Mobile Drive, 4 TB, External Hard Drive HDD

Apparently, it comes in ExFAT (suitable for Win and Mac). Though the "Toolkit" software will advise Mac users to reformat into HFS+


What format should the HDD be in? ExFAT or HFS+?


My Hardware set up:
Realistically, I will keep the External HDD plugged into the USB-C hub set up, for convenience sake:
1. Working hours (M-F) - Will have windows work laptop plugged in, to use the monitor/keyboard/mouse
2. Macbook will be on, but not plugged into hub. Just left on side for breaks etc.
3. Weekends / Evenings - May have macbook plugged into USB-C hub set up, to use monitor. Not for as long as work laptop though, over the course of a week.
4. Will do the heavy one-off backups with MacBook plugged into the USB-C hub set up, and just leave it alone for a few hours Etc.


What I would aim to do with the external HDD:

1. Everyday backups - Time machine probably (No idea how this works, but I’ll investigate in more detail when I get my 1st macbook in Dec.)

2. Everyday backups - The HDD’s own instant ’MIRROR’ backups

3. Monthly Backup - complete backup of laptop, so if lost/dead, can restore exactly as before (incl all settings etc.)

4. Iphone backups - direct to this External HD, via ITUNES - or whatever the MACs use. Once every 2 weeks

5. Ipad backups - direct to this External HD, via ITUNES - or whatever the MACs use. Once every 2 weeks

6. Windows laptop backup - I.e. Use for windows laptop backups as well, if I can



Hope you can advise.

Regards
Martin

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Ok, found the answer!

https://www.reddit.com/r/hackintosh/comments/7zus1n

Old school, knowledgable folk, willing to take the time to share! 🙂

Regards
Martin

 

[ght56]

Avoid ExFAT like your life depends on it.

 

[pmiles]

You can't backup a Windows device to a Mac formatted external drive (natively), which is why you need to use ExFAT. If your entire work environment is 100% Mac then HFS+ is your choice.

 

[ght56]

And if using ExFAT, you ideally want to have a power backup should the power go out or the bus power from the computer be interrupted abruptly. You also want to be frequently backing up the ExFAT disk/partition to a NTFS/HFS/APFS/EXT/etc. one. Some apps can automate this.

Alternative solutions could be separate DAS for the two systems, NAS to enable sharing, cloud sharing + a DAS backup at one end for shared user files.

Also of note, Time Machine needs HFS+, and I believe the most recent version of Big Sur can also use APFS.