Choose one of the following Mac OS Extended file system formats for compatibility with Mac computers using macOS 10.12 or earlier. Mac OS Extended (Journaled): Uses the Mac format (Journaled HFS Plus) to protect the integrity of the hierarchical file system. Choose this option if you don't need an encrypted or case-sensitive format. APFS is a modern file system that replaces the extraordinarily aged HFS+, introduced in 1998. For reference, here's a quick overview of the APFS features. APFS will enable lots of new technologies. While Apple says in its APFS FAQ, 'For example, a USB storage device formatted as APFS can be read by a Mac using High Sierra, but not by a Mac using Sierra or earlier,' this seems incorrect.
/Mac Tips /APFS Vs. HFS+: Data Recovery Differences Between The Two
A topic we have to consider is APFS vs. HFS. What are these two and what are their differences? APFS refers to Apple File System. On the other hand, HFS refers to the Hierarchical File System. The former has brought about new advancements in terms of technology and data recovery.
Here, we will discuss the differences between APFS vs. HFS. We will discuss what is the APFS (Apple File System). We will also give you an overview of HFS and HFS+ (Mac Os Extended). Then, we will point out the differences between the two.
Article GuidePart 1. What Are APFS and HFS+?Part 2. APFS Vs. HFS+: Which Is Better?Part 3. Conclusion
Part 1. What Are APFS and HFS+?
In this section, we will give you an overview of the Apple File System (APFS) and also Mac Os Extended (HFS+). We will then give you details about the comparison between the two. Then, we will move onto the data recovery differences between APFS vs. HFS+.
What Is APFS?
APFS refers to Apple File System. It was released initially for iOS devices and including macOS devices as well. During that time, iOS was in version 10.3. While the macOS device is in macOS High Sierra 10.13.
APFS is actually a file system that's new and advanced. It is optimized and created for flash storage devices and solid-state drives. These include devices such as Apple Watch, Apple TC, and the MacBook series. This file system offers better native encryption, better optimization, simplified backups, enhanced crash protection, enhanced security and safety, stable snapshots, and support for multi-key encryption.
APFS has actually replaced HFS+, which is also known as Mac OS Extended. It replaces the said file system, thus APFS is not the default one for solid-state drives and flashes storage devices. Ever since the iOS version 10.3 has come up, the Apple File System is used by default on all iPhones and iPads.
What Is HFS+?
Apfs Or Mac Os Extended
HFS refers to the Hierarchical File System. On the other hand, HFS+ refers to Mac OS Extended. This is the main file system used by macOS versions before High Sierra. This is generally referred to as an older version of the macOS. Currently, macOS High Sierra uses Mac OS Extended for hybrid and mechanical drives.
HFS+ has features that are great enhancements as well. These include compression, journaling support, and disk encryption. However, because Apple Watch, Apple TV, and other storage technologies (e.g., flash drives and solid-state drives) have been included, there's a need for a more versatile approach. This new approach will be used for the ever-changing landscape of IT and technology.
Part 2. APFS Vs. HFS+: Which Is Better?
Now, let's talk about APFS vs. HFS+. Currently, APFS is regarded as one of the major updates made by Mac. It helps to enhance the performance of Apple devices. In addition, it has great features that offer a lot of enhancements for both iOS and macOS.
Data Loss: AFPS Vs. HFS+
The adoption of APFS, which are more advanced and flexible models, has been staggering over the past few years. But one question would have to be solved. Can we neglect the situation wherein data loss happens in one of the file formats? Because of how these file systems work, we cannot overlook situations wherein data loss may happen on both of them. Let's check our AFPS vs. HFS+ in terms of data loss scenarios below.
Scenario Regarding Data Loss | AFPS | HFS+ |
Mistakenly deleting files | Yes | Yes |
Mistakenly formatting your drive | Yes | Yes |
Power failures | Yes | Yes |
Storage made electrical spikes | Yes | Yes |
Physical damage to storage devices | Yes | Yes |
Drive's read or write head crash | Yes | Yes |
Issues with system booting | Yes | Yes |
Black screen of death | Yes | Yes |
White screen of death | Yes | Yes |
Invalid directory entries | Yes | Yes |
Software failure | Yes | Yes |
Hardware failure | Yes | Yes |
Upgrade failures of the operating system | Yes | Yes |
The file system is corrupted | Yes | Yes |
As you will notice both AFPS vs. HFS will experience data loss at some point. This can happen by mistakenly deleting your files or accidentally formatting your drive. Power failures can also lead to this. The same goes for hardware and software failures. As such, check out the table above for more information regarding data loss.
AFPS Vs. HFS+ In Terms Of Data Recovery
AFPS vs. HFS+ in terms of data recovery is significantly different. If, for instance, you have accidentally deleted your data, or if you simply lost your data, you can retrieve it easily using an APFS file system used for your drive. This is true in cases where you haven't overwritten the files yet. This can happen when you're upgrading your device to macOS High Sierra, for example.
You can also use data recovery software to recover lost data provided that you haven't overwritten it yet. Another thing you can do is to go to a data recovery professional to help you recover your data easily. How to retrieve passwords on mac. They are experts in data recovery especially when the loss of files and folders happen on your Mac computer. The same is true for iOS devices, Android devices, and Windows PCs.
Part 3. Conclusion
Because of various developments in modern processors, flash storage, and computing technology, your own file system must be fast enough and powerful enough to make sure it keeps up with various technological advancements. For over 30 years, Apple has used the file system HFS. Thus, there was a significant change needed to make everything perform faster.
On the other hand, APFS is a new file system created in order to support the new ultra-powerful Mac computers. It's here to work for the current system and future systems as well. They're created to support powerful technologies including terabyte drives.
Thus, in this APFS vs. HFS+ article, you will know that the former is more versatile. It's also better in terms of security, scalability, data loss resistance, and more. The AFPS vs. HFS+ debate clearly shows that the former wins in terms of future augmentations that will happen with new Apple devices. As such, data loss must be handled through various software to avoid disasters.
Apfs Or Mac Os Extended
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Launch Apple's Disk Utility
Open a Finder window and navigate to Applications > Utilities and double click on Disk Utility.
The remaining steps vary considerably depending on the operating system you are running. Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu to determine your current OS, then make a selection below.
Instructions for Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, and High Sierra
Watch a video of this tutorial on YouTube
Watch a longer, in-depth tutorial about using Disk Utility
Show All Devices
Disk Utility offers a very simplified view of your devices by default. Unfortunately, this hides the devices that you need to select to modify the partitioning of your backup disk. Before doing anything else in Disk Utility, choose Show All Devices from the View menu, or from the View popup button in Disk Utility's toolbar.
Select the destination disk
Click to select the disk that you would like to use as the destination for your CCC task. This disk should not be the same as your startup disk.
The name of a new disk will often include the manufacturer's name (e.g. WD My Book 111D Media..). A startup disk will often include the manufacturer's serial number in the title (e.g. TOSHIBA MK50..). How to search mac for viruses. Please pay particular attention to selecting the disk, not one of the volumes on the disk. You must select the whole disk to correctly initialize the device. If your disk is a Fusion device, you may erase the 'container' within it instead.
Unmount any volumes on the specified disk
Disk Utility occasionally has problems with unmounting a volume while attempting to erase it (e.g. because Spotlight prevents the unmount request). Click the Eject button next to any volumes on the disk to preemptively unmount them before erasing the disk.
Apfs Or Mac Extended
Erase the specified disk
Apfs Vs Hfs+ Hdd
Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar, then configure the name, format, and partitioning scheme of your disk. You can set the name to whatever you like, but set the Scheme to GUID Partition Map. If you do not see the Scheme option, go back two steps and select the whole disk device, not one of the volumes on the disk.
Choosing a Format for your destination volume
If your destination device is an HDD with a rotational speed of 5400RPM (or slower): (e.g. 'Slim' backup devices, 2.5' disks) APFS is not designed for these devices, macOS boot performance may be poor. You can format these devices as APFS and try to make a bootable backup, but if the performance of the device is too slow to be practical, then we recommend you choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for the format. If you are making a backup of a Big Sur or Catalina startup disk, you should create a from Disk Utility's Edit menu. If you chose another format, select the backup volume, then click the 'Partition' button in Disk Utility's toolbar.
Your new hard drive is now ready to accept backups created by Carbon Copy Cloner!
Instructions for El Capitan and Sierra
Select the destination disk
Click to select the disk that you would like to use as the destination for your CCC task. This disk should not be the same as your startup disk.
The name of a new disk will often include the manufacturer's name (e.g. WD My Book 111D Media..). A startup disk will often include the manufacturer's serial number in the title (e.g. TOSHIBA MK50..).
Erase the specified disk
Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar, then configure the name, format, and partitioning scheme of your disk. You can set the name to whatever you like, but set the Format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and set the Scheme to GUID Partition Map, then click the Erase button.
Don't Use Time Machine
Click Don't Use. You may use the same backup disk for both Time Machine and CCC backups, but if you do so, you must use a dedicated partition for the Time Machine backup. Otherwise Time Machine will consume all available space on the backup volume and make it impossible for CCC to use the backup volume.
Your new hard drive is now ready to accept backups created by Carbon Copy Cloner!
Instructions for Yosemite
Select the destination disk
Click to select the disk that you would like to use as the destination for your CCC task. This disk should not be the same as your startup disk.
The name of a new disk will often include the storage capacity and manufacturer's name (e.g. 500.07 GB WD My Passp..). A startup disk will often include the manufacturer's serial number in the title (e.g. 320.07 GB TOSHIBA MK3255GSXF Media).
Partition the disk
Click on the Partition tab.
Choose 1 Partition from the Partition Layout popup menu (or more if desired).
Click on Options.
Choose GUID Partition Table, then click the OK.
Name the Volume
Format the Volume
Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) from the Partition Format popup menu.
Click Apply.
Ensure that you have selected the correct disk. This step will delete all data from the selected disk. Click Partition.
Now skip ahead to the remainder of the instructions that are not OS-specific.