Erasing a disk on macOS is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using the built-in Disk Utility application. This is useful when you need to format a new drive, prepare a drive for a new operating system installation, or securely wipe data from a drive. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to erase a disk on macOS.

Using Disk Utility to Erase a Disk

Step 1: Open Disk Utility

1. Open Finder and navigate to the "Applications" folder.
2. Open the "Utilities" folder within "Applications."
3. Double-click on "Disk Utility" to launch the application.

Step 2: Select the Disk to Erase

1. In Disk Utility, you will see a list of available drives on the left-hand side.
2. Select the disk you want to erase. Ensure you select the correct disk, as erasing will delete all data on it.

Step 3: Erase the Disk

1. With the disk selected, click on the "Erase" button located at the top of the window.
2. A dialog box will appear. Here, you can:
   • Name the disk.
   • Choose a Format. Common formats include:
     • APFS (Apple File System) for SSDs.
     • Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for traditional HDDs.
     • ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) for compatibility with Windows systems.
   • Select a Scheme. Typically, "GUID Partition Map" is used for Intel-based Macs, and "Apple Partition Map" for older PowerPC-based Macs.
3. Click "Erase" to begin the process. Disk Utility will format the disk with the chosen settings.

Step 4: Verify the Erase Process

1. Once the process is complete, Disk Utility will show a confirmation message.
2. Click "Done" to finish.

Examples

Example 1: Erasing an External SSD for macOS Use

• Open Disk Utility.
• Select the external SSD from the list.
• Click "Erase."
• Name the disk "ExternalSSD."
• Choose "APFS" as the format.
• Select "GUID Partition Map" as the scheme.
• Click "Erase" to complete the process.

Example 2: Preparing a USB Drive for Cross-Platform Use

• Open Disk Utility.
• Select the USB drive from the list.
• Click "Erase."
• Name the disk "CrossPlatformUSB."
• Choose "ExFAT" as the format for compatibility with both macOS and Windows.
• Select "Master Boot Record" as the scheme.
• Click "Erase" to complete the process.

Important Considerations

• Ensure you have backed up any important data before erasing a disk, as this process is irreversible.
• Use the correct format and scheme based on your intended use for the disk.