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Level 1

19 points

Disk Utility in Big Sur doesn't allow APFS or GUID options for Samsung T7

I recently acquired a Samsung T7 to use as external storage on a MacBook Pro (2017) running Big Sur. I tried to format it, but Disk Utility only showed me limited options. (Mac OS Extended (Journaled), Mac OS Extended (Case Sensitive, Journaled), ExFAT, and FAT. No APFS, no GUID options.

I have another T7 that is used for Time Machine backup on the same MacBook and had no trouble formatting it to Mac OS Extended (Case Sensitive, Journaled).

I tried first formatting the new T7 to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then relaunching Disk Utility, but didn't see any change. I tried the Edit -> Convert to APFS option, but it fails because the disk doesn't use GUID (because it wasn't an option.) First Aid finds no problems with the drive. Any ideas?

Posted on Mar 5, 2022 7:43 AM

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Level 9

58,344 points

Posted on Mar 5, 2022 7:57 AM

You likely have the wrong entry highlighted.

First, change Disk Utility's view to Show All Devices.

Next, highlight the physical drive name as I did here with a USB drive. Not the logical partition name below it.

From there, when you click Erase, you'll have the Scheme pull down menu to choose GUID.

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Level 9

58,344 points

Mar 5, 2022 7:57 AM in response to sbe

You likely have the wrong entry highlighted.

First, change Disk Utility's view to Show All Devices.

Next, highlight the physical drive name as I did here with a USB drive. Not the logical partition name below it.

From there, when you click Erase, you'll have the Scheme pull down menu to choose GUID.

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Level 10

85,153 points

Mar 5, 2022 7:54 AM in response to sbe

Has you attempted to Partition the drive ( 1 Partition ) with GUID partition Map.

Then, reformat to desired APFS or HFS Journaled with GUID ?

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Level 1

19 points

Mar 5, 2022 7:57 AM in response to PRP_53

No APFS, no GUID options.

A GUID option was not offered for any format. Just the four options I listed.

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Level 10

85,153 points

Mar 5, 2022 7:58 AM in response to sbe

Good point by Contributor @ Kurt Lang

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Level 1

19 points

Mar 5, 2022 8:00 AM in response to Kurt Lang

Doh. Unobservant of me.

You are correct. Thank you.

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Level 9

58,344 points

Mar 5, 2022 8:03 AM in response to sbe

It is a slightly annoying oddity of Disk Utility. If you don't have Show All Devices on, then the only erase options you get are Name and Format.

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Disk Utility in Big Sur doesn't allow APFS or GUID options for Samsung T7

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