flash drive format compatible with mac and pc

HFS+ has been the default file system on Mac computers for decades, up until the 2017 release of APFS (see below). However, as we'll discuss below, other options can offer more compatibility across operating systems. NTFS is a reliable storage system with a high file size limit, and it's even compatible with Linux. Microsoft developed NTFS for use all the way back in the Windows NT operating system, and its various evolutions have been with us ever since. NTFS is the standard flash drive format for PCs running any modern Windows OS, such as Windows 10. See our guides to how to format USBs on Macs and on Windows to learn how to do it.ġ. Be careful if you decide to do this, though, because it's easy to lose your data if you make a mistake. It's possible to change the formatting of a flash drive using your OS's disk utility.

(Don't worry - the cost of custom flash drives from USB Memory Direct is the same, regardless of format!) Whenever possible, the best choice is to purchase custom USB drives in your format of choice. Sometimes, you might not be able to access them at all. Using a drive with an incompatible format might mean you can only access files in read-only mode. Apple and Microsoft, for example, each have their own memory formatting systems. Several formats are available for use, and not every format is compatible with every operating system. So, what are these differences between flash drive format types, and how do they work in practice? By the end of this guide, you'll know the most important basics.Ī flash drive's NAND memory has to be formatted and partitioned before anyone can transfer files to it. That's important info to know when evaluating your options for custom flash drives. What's more, these factors determine which operating systems a flash drive is compatible with. Not so fast!Īctually, there are some crucial differences when it comes to the format of the flash memory itself. A flash drive is a flash drive, right? You might think that the only major differences between one flash drive and the next are the amount of storage space and exterior design.

Flash drive format compatible with mac and pc