I am running MacOS 12.3.1 (Monterey) on a new MacBook Pro. I bought a WD SSD My Passport drive for Time Machine backups but cannot format it APFS via Disk Utility. I see on other conversations that this is a common problem. My question: the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Do I have to reformat it APFS or can I use it as is? Any thoughts?
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.3
Interesting. I know when I try to use any drive for a TM drive mine always get formatted to APFS even if I start out with Mac OS Journaled using Monterey. This format change does not take place until TM starts the backup.
Interesting. I know when I try to use any drive for a TM drive mine always get formatted to APFS even if I start out with Mac OS Journaled using Monterey. This format change does not take place until TM starts the backup.
This is the answer! The drive comes with journaled format installed (or one could use Disk Utility to format it journaled) and as soon as you open Time Machine the formatting changes to APFS, For some reason Disk Utility causes a LOT of folks problems with "Operation Failed" occurring when APFS formatting is chosen. No problem if you know that it automatically changes from journaled to APFS when you enter Time Machine. I just did this with both of my Macs using two separate WD My Passports 1T SSD drives. Thanks to all.
When I have tried to format HFS using Monterey TM will format to APFS not matter what. That should work fine as I have setup several SSD TM drives.
I have one comment. Make sure you select Scheme: GUID Partition Map first, then Format: APFS second, then Erase.
1)yes
2) 12.3
3) You should have no issue formatting to APFS with GUID partition chosen. If you get an error I would use another SSD
You do not need to format to Mac OS Extended but if you do it will change to APFS when you start to make a TM drive automatically.
I use Samsung and WD SSD's but in my own enclosures and never have any formatting issues.
Hi,
As you've noted, other people have had the same issue with this drive. They (and you) have tried almost everything you can to get it to work (erase is Disk Utility). One thing I haven't heard of anyone trying is to format it on a Windows machine (say EXFat), then try again on your Mac. If that doesn't work, although it seems unlikely that a modern drive is incompatible, apparently this one is. I would return it and get a different brand.
If Time Machine is Setup and the SSD External is chosen as Destination - Time Machine Backup may or may not Automatically Offer to Convert the drive to APFS Format.
Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac
EDITED
If you open the SSD in Finder are there any files on the SSD?
Did you format the disk in Mac OS Extended (Journaled)? If so did you do it on this Mac?
Is the SSD connected directly to the Mac (a simple USB adapter is OK)? Through a hub?
Thanks for your reply. 1) Is "HFS" the same as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)"? 2) what version of Monterey are you using (12.0, 21.1, 12.2, 12.3...)? 3) The current version is 12.3.1 Have you formatted an SSD in 12.3.1? 3) if I try to format in APFS I immediately get an error. Are you saying I should format in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and that Monterey will format in APFS and all will be fine?
Formatting the External Drive via Disk Utilities from Monterey 12.0.1 and / or any newer version 12.1. 12.2., 12.2.1, 12.3 or 12.3.1 will yield the same functionality to format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map - if done properly
FYI and just for the fun of it.
Had a USB-C drive formatted as APFS / GUID directly attached to USB-C on Mac Mini M1.
Used the previous outlined method from Apple and presto - reformatted it back to HFS + ( Journaled / GUID ) on Monterey12.3.1.
Zero Issues
Bruce Illingworth wrote:
1) opened Disk Utility and selected SSD, then clicked on erase and then selected APFS and clicked on erase. After a few mini-steps I get "Operation failed." Have I done it properly?
Any other information when it failed besides "Operation failed."? frequently an error number or other additional information is provided.
Do you have another Mac to try to format it on?
Or even a Windows PC?
As others have said, the WD SSD have been problem for Monterey.
Thank you for replying! There was no "Offer to Convert," just "Error." Can I just use the drive with it's Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format? If so, how will it behave as compared to APFS?
Then, it is suggest the user refer to provide link and reformat the Drive as per the detailed illustration and instructions supplied.
1) opened Disk Utility and selected SSD, then clicked on erase and then selected APFS and clicked on erase. After a few mini-steps I get "Operation failed." Have I done it properly?
Time machine SSD
