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How to convert EXTERNAL BOOTING SSD HFS+ with MacOS 10.12 Sierra to APFS-formatted with macOS 10.13 High Sierra? Is it recommended (pros and cons)? For instance, for Samsung Portable SSD T5. Thanks!
iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), Booting from internal Apple SSD 2TB
If you have a backup of your external bootable Sierra drive, why can’t you just boot to it an upgrade it to High Sierra?
Because I want to avoid troubles asking experts in this forum. Someone has tried or done what I want to do? Can it be done? Advantages and disadvantages?
APFS functions identically on an external SSD boot disk as it does on an internal one. I boot my 2015 iMac using an externally mounted SSD connected to a Thunderbolt port.
Kappy, have you noticed if the external SSD boot disk formatted as APFS is slower booting or in general use than external booting HFS+? I ask because some people have reported that. Thanks.
I believe I read that installing HS on an external SSD will not automatically make it APFS. You would need to format the SSD first as APFS and then install HS.
OK I just took an external SSD with Sierra and upgraded to HS. The SSD remained HFS (journaled) and no APFS.
Thanks. Can you transform it now into APFS with Disk Utility without losing data? Does it boot Mac after that? Is it slow booting or working on it after that?
No. You cannot convert APFS to HFS nor the reverse non-destructively. Be sure of what you want.
How to convert EXTERNAL BOOTING SSD HFS+ with MacOS 10.12 Sierra to APFS-formatted with macOS 10.13 High Sierra?
