BackB wrote:
After starting the proces of upgrading my OS to Catalina, I have got an information that I could not do that because „This volume is not formatted as APFS”. I know how to convert it from Journal to APFS.
But I have a question.
I have read that „APFS format is not backwards compatible with older version file systems.„.
As far as I know, changing the format from Journal to APFS will erase all my data.
How does it relate to all my files and settings which I have backed up in Journal format using Time Machine? Will I be able to load (put back on my computer) them from a hard drive after changing to APFS without any harm? If not, how to handle this problem?
Thank you in advance for your help!
I never had an issue HFS+ convert to APFS on the fly. It is surprisingly fast an easy conversion.
Apple provides non-destructive methods for start-up disk drives for APFS conversion, and hence no data (files or folders) will be lost.
As a side note:
On the other hand, APFS formatting will erase all the files and folders stored on the external hard drive. If not backed up earlier, APFS formatting on the external drive will cause data loss. Even with the start-up drive, one may delete or lose files from the APFS formatted media.
How to Upgrade to APFS if Not Done in macOS High Sierra Installer - The Mac Observer
Non-Destructive APFS Conversion
Restart the Mac into Recovery Mode.
Recovery: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904
Launch Disk utility.
Click-select your named boot volume—the default name is "Macintosh HD" —(Not the physical drive above it.)
In the Disk Utility> Edit menu> select “Convert to APFS"
