I would like to use this drive for my iMac with OS Sierra. Would this work on this OS and Time Machine?
Note: this model specifically says "For Mac". This model is before the newly redesigned new case.
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), macOS Sierra (10.12.3)
You can trust this information:
An external drive does NOT need any software or drivers - ever. Period. All it needs is to be formatted correctly.
I like the external drives (Mercury Elite Pro) offered by OWC (macsales.com) and, although they are a Mac-centric vendor and the drives are formatted for Mac, they contain other little software/apps, so I erase and format those as well before using them (and I have 5 of them).
Format the drive to Mac Extended (Journaled), you do not need the WD utilities and they should be avoided.
Once complete The OS will ask you if you want to set up as TimeMachine backup automatically. If not you can select it in Time Machine prefer
Disk Utility for Mac: Erase a volume using Disk Utility
Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support
you can encrypt the drive without the need for WD's crapware using Apples FileVault encryption.
while this document is written for OS 10.11 it is still applicable for OS 10.12
I believe this unit is already formatted for Mac because it is sold as "for Mac" and it also indicates that on the unit. I was wondering because the box said it was for the previous IOS versions and didn't list Sierra. It is probably because Sierra didn't come out then, but I just want to be sure.
A good precautionary measure I follow is that I will erase and format any drive I buy; that way I know there is nothing on it that I do not need. And, WD drives are known to contain all sorts of superfluous stuff (their software actually caused customers to lose their files a couple of years ago).
What does the WD Drive Utilities do anyways if installed? I see that it says it is for "Configure, manage, and diagnose your WD drive". But is that an option for me to do, or is that what WD would process behind the scenes?
Also, the other WD app is the WD Security. I don't have a password set up now, but I would like to keep that option just in case I want to use a password at some point. Can I keep just this?
What does the WD Drive Utilities do anyways if installed?
Nothing that cannot be accomplished more safely and easily with Apple's Disk Utility program that you already have.
For encryption, you can and should use encrytion options already incorporated in macOS. As a rule you should delete any and all non-Apple "backup", "diagnostics", "disk management" and "security" utilities bundled with a hard disk drive. All they can do is cause trouble including spontaneous, catastrophic and irreversible data loss.
I strongly recommend that you heed these responses:
Format the drive to Mac Extended (Journaled), you do not need the WD utilities and they should be avoided.
A good precautionary measure I follow is that I will erase and format any drive I buy; that way I know there is nothing on it that I do not need.
That's all you need to do.
One last thing, if I delete that apps file from the driver in finder, then the security option will also be deleted. However, I am not sure when I will need that later.
Is there a way to add a similar security function if I ever needed that with Apple on the WD drive?
I didn't ask the "security" question again and again. And I appreciate the information you provided. Although you live in the world of tech information, many do not and many may still be apprehensive with some things. Many people are busy with other things and to have a technical set back is just adding to their already busy lives. So it's good to be careful sometimes.
Please read Disk Utility for Mac: Protect a disk with a password using Disk Utility.
If you continue to ask the same question again and again, please understand if I no longer reply. Thanks.
That one should work fine.
I never realized that. Thanks!
I see the WD apps folder in finder for that drive. Can I simply trash it and remove it?
You can, and you should.
WD (Western Digital) MyBook For Mac 6TB external drive
