Formatting new external drive for Sonoma

Hey there!

Chances are, you're not seeing APFS because the scheme selection (last drop down menu) is set to Master Boot Record. If you change it to GUID Partition Map first, then go to the format menu, you should see APFS as an option.

Let us know if this helps!

-Jack

Your tagline shows macOS 10.14 (Mojave). LaCie states the minimum macOS requirement as 10.15 (Catalina). Regardless, APFS formatting became available with macOS 10.13 (High Sierra). Not sure why is is not appearing as an option in the Disk Utility for you. However, the image also shows that NTFS formatting is available, which is NOT typically seen as an option. Per chance, are you running some form of NTFS app on this Mac?

Ref: File system formats available in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

Two things:

1. This drive should come formatted in exFAT, which is compatible for both Windows PCs and Macs. If you plan on sharing files between these two types of computers, exFAT would be the preferred format.
2. This LaCie model has an internal HDD, not a SSD. As such, Apple still recommends formatting HDDs with Mac OS Extended, not APFS (which is designed to work best with SSDs.)

Mac OS Extended is actually better & faster than APFS on spinning drives.

First you need to clear up some confusion. Sonoma is version 14.5 however your profile indicates you are 14.14 which is definitely NOT Sonoma!!!

Please click About this Mac after clicking the Apple Symbol in the upper left of the display, that will indicate the version of Mac OS installed on your machine.

Finally, please indicate what you intend to use the new Lacie for, a Time Machine back up, put some photos on it, etc......

+1

Thanks Jack-19. That was a "doh" moment on my part. Thanks for catching that.