Samsung ssd cannot format to apfs

kmi6060 Said:

"Samsung ssd cannot format to apfs: I installed a 500 gb Samsung ssd (SATA) a couple years ago on my MacBook Pro 15in mid 2012 laptop. I am trying to install the latest upgrade (Catalina 10.15.7) and get the 'Volume is not formatted as APFS' message. When I go through steps to reformat, the Erase button is greyed out. How do I proceed ?"

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Troubleshooting a Mac Stuck Formatting:

See if your Hard drive is Failing:

What to Try:

• Verify your Drive: Repair your Disk in Disk Utility - Apple Support

• Go Here: If your Mac Starts Up to an Apple Logo or Progress Bar - Apple Support

• Perform the following in Recovery Mode:

1. Boot: into Recovery Mode. Go Here:  How to Use Safe Mode on your Mac- Apple Support
2. Select: Disk Utility
3. Select: the Drive
4. Click: First Aid button

• Re-Mount the Drive:

Boot into Recovery Mode (Intel or Silicon) . You need to click the “Mount’ button to proceed. So, select the drives, and then click "Mount" Try rebooting once more. If of no success, then click unmount button, and then the mount button. Try rebooting once more. It looks dulled-out. So, if you cannot click it, then click the First Aid button to fix this volume.

Hi,

Are you booted to Recovery and do you have the top item in Disk Utility in the list at the left selected (the Samsung SSD)?