If you don’t know what file system (or macOS/Mac OS X) came with your system when new, Apple instructed us to continue recommending Mac OS Extended (Journaled.).

So leave the heavy lifting to your macOS installer!ĭon’t Know What Your Mac or MacBook Shipped With?.

When you erase your disk with Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then install macOS High Sierra, Mojave or above, the macOS installer automatically decides whether to convert the disk to APFS.

You should choose macOS Extended ( Journaled) AND NOT the new file system APFS.

If your Mac or MacBook shipped with Mac OS Extended

Only then reset it to APFS AND don’t change it to Mac OS Extended.

It’s indeed confusing when re-formatting your Mac’s hard drive when using macOS High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina and above! Here’s what we understand on the question of APFS or Mac OS Extended If your Mac shipped with its hard drive already APFS-formatted In particular, they report getting the error message “Could not create a Preboot Volume for APFS install.” Many users have encountered problems when resetting their Macs and MacBooks using APFS. MacOS High Sierra and above use Apple’s latest file system called APFS. Resetting a Mac with APFS (Apple File System)?

Other ways to reinstall macOS (not factory reset).

If you’re selling or giving away your Mac.

Factory Reset MacBook Air and other Macs With macOS Recovery.

4) Deactivate Programs and Remove Other Authorizations.

Checklist before you start ANY factory reset.Here’s what we understand on the question of APFS or Mac OS Extended.Resetting a Mac with APFS (Apple File System)?.

Macos high sierra macbook air 2014