Correct External SSD format, using as startup disk
Hi everyone
My ageing iMac 27inch is slow, so I want to use an external SSD as the main startup disk. What is the correct format please?
I’m running Big Sur.
Thank you!
Tony
iMac 27″, macOS 11.6
You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
Hi everyone
My ageing iMac 27inch is slow, so I want to use an external SSD as the main startup disk. What is the correct format please?
I’m running Big Sur.
Thank you!
Tony
iMac 27″, macOS 11.6
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
Simply follow these steps: How to Setup and Use an External SSD as y… - Apple Community.
Also, what year is your iMac and what external SSD are you using?
Jack
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
Simply follow these steps: How to Setup and Use an External SSD as y… - Apple Community.
Also, what year is your iMac and what external SSD are you using?
Jack
Hi again Jack
SSD external drive not visible in SysPrefs
I made sure to format the external SSD as APFS, but it's still not visible in System preferences>Startup Disks. I've read that the standard approach is to restart and press CMD+R, then choose the SSD as a startup disk.
BUT, when I do this, the iMac just restarts as normal - there's no option to select the startup disk. I'm running Big Sur 11.6.1
Can you suggest what's happening and how to rectify the situation?
Many thanks
Tony
Hi Jack
No, not separately. I copied the Mac HD to the SSD. I assumed that Mac OS would go over.
So, do I need to add Mac Big Sur to the SSD, and how do I do that? Sorry to be dim but I’ve reached the limits of my expertise.
Thanks again
Tony
Follow all these steps: How to Setup and Use an External SSD as y… - Apple Community.
Hi there Jack
I bought the iMac in 2015 so I guess it’s a 2014 model. The SSD is a SanDisk Extreme V2 1TB.
Thanks for your help
Tony
Did you install macOS on the SSD?
Correct External SSD format, using as startup disk