If the Security Options button is not available, Disk Utility cannot perform a secure erase on the storage device. Secure erase options are available only for some types of storage devices. Name the drive and select 'ExFAT' as the format. Choose the drive and click 'Erase' to format it. Click the 'Command + Space' keys to find 'Disk Utility' and open it. Link the external hard drive to your Mac. (Optional) If available, click Security Options, use the slider to choose how many times to write over the erased data, then click OK. If you want to format the external hard drive on your Mac system, you can use it and follow the steps below. If the Scheme pop-up menu isn’t available, make sure you selected the storage device you want to erase-it’s at the top of the hierarchy.Ĭlick the Format pop-up menu, then choose a file system format. Ĭlick the Scheme pop-up menu, then choose GUID Partition Map.
In the sidebar, select the storage device you want to erase, then click the Erase button. If you want to erase any other type of storage device: Double-click Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities folder. Go to Spotlight Search, type in Disk Utility, and click the first option.
Note: If you want to get your Mac ready to trade in, sell, or give away, and your computer is a Mac with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac with an Apple T2 Security Chip, use Erase Assistant. Connect an external hard drive to your Mac.
