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Rivershack Author

Level 1

16 points

Can't format Samsung T5 to APFS

I have updated to the final High Sierra on my Mac Pro and my internal drive is now APFS all good. I have an external Samsung T5 to extend my storage due to limits in Mac Pro.

I have tried to convert it to APFS and it comes back with an error (com.apple.StorageKit error 118.).

I am not sure if this is just a problem with Samsung SSDs or all external drives at the moment? The drive was formatted in High Sierra as a normal MacOS Extended Journaled but won't do the conversion.

Mac Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13)

Posted on Sep 25, 2017 3:23 PM

Best reply

strobe_flash

Level 1

13 points

Posted on Oct 4, 2017 1:53 PM

Similar issues trying to get the Samsung T5 ssd to APFS.

I found this article which helped. Basically Disk Utility is trying to help by having a simple interface, but it's actually being confusing. You need to use the top left drop-down to "Show All Devices". From there I was able to select the drive, and proceed with APFS. They also had a videohere, but I found the article more helpful and quicker.

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25 replies

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,239 points

Sep 25, 2017 3:28 PM in response to Rivershack

I believe at the moment drive conversion is internal SSD or boot SSD only.

Sep 29, 2017 9:26 AM in response to Dogcow-Moof

It is my understanding that as of 10.13, that external SSD drives are APFS data-only at this time, and can not be made APFS bootable.

John Galt

Level 10

141,502 points

Sep 29, 2017 9:53 AM in response to macmustache

And people wonder why their Macs don't work when Apple releases a macOS update.

SnakeDog

Level 1

20 points

Oct 7, 2017 9:06 AM in response to strobe_flash

I've got the same issue with a WD My Book Element 1TB.

This is on a MacBook pro running 10.13.1 Beta (17B25c)

I had no problem converting two other drives.

SnakeDog

Level 1

20 points

Oct 12, 2017 1:50 PM in response to Victor Bellehumeur

Did you get an error message or anything we can diagnose the problem with? Please describe your steps and provide screenshots.

Oct 12, 2017 2:09 PM in response to SnakeDog

I have no problems.... everything worked just fine. Just giving feedback.

SnakeDog

Level 1

20 points

Oct 12, 2017 2:38 PM in response to Victor Bellehumeur

Sorry, I read that you couldn't. my mistake.😊

Oct 21, 2017 8:30 AM in response to richardfromvero beach

ExFat is not APFS so you are not experiencing the same thing that this thread is about. If ExFat is the formatting that works for your situation then stay with it.

OneF

Level 1

4 points

Oct 24, 2017 7:19 PM in response to strobe_flash

This worked for me. Thank you.

tbirdvet

Level 6

13,755 points

Dec 31, 2017 5:02 AM in response to SnakeDog

Must be something with HDD's or your setup. I have tested several SSD's external and there is little no speed change between HFS and APFS format.

Can't format Samsung T5 to APFS