Are the files on your USB stick unreadable? It is certainly necessary to proceed with a formatting of your USB key. Without formatting your external device, you will not have access to the data on your USB drive, nor will you be able to back up files from your computer to your computer. USB key. In this article, you will find all the steps to follow in order to format your USB drive on your Macbook Pro or Macbook Air device. Remember that in all cases, a USB key formatting operation requires save the files present on it beforehand, because formatting the key will erase all its content. Good reading!

format macbook usb stick

Why format a USB drive?

It is sometimes necessary to carry out a formatting operation on your external device (external hard drive or USB key) because these devices are, in most cases, not compatible with the MacOS operating system. This is often the case if you have just purchased your external device. In this case, you will then be unable to play the files contained on this external device of Macbook Pro or Macbook Air computer. You will also not be able to extract the files or add new ones from your Macbook Air or Macbook Pro computer. The formatting operation is therefore necessary in this case, if you want to use the USB key.

The steps to follow in order to format your USB key

Here are the steps to follow in order to proceed with the formatting your USB key in exFAT (a format compatible with Mac) on a Macbook Pro or Macbook Air computer. Before the operation, remember to do a copy of your key USB on another external device or on a second computer as formatting will erase all data saved on your USB drive. Once your USB key has been formatted, it will no longer be possible to recover the files saved on it.

  • Connect your USB drive to your Macbook Air or Macbook Pro computer
  • Hold down the keys simultaneously Order et Space in order to open Spotlight
  • Click on the tab Disk Utility
  • Select and click the USB key to format with your Macbook Pro or Macbook Air computer (found in the left menu)
USB key to format
  • Click on the button Clear
  • Scroll down the menu Format then choose the parameter exFAT
  • Push the button Clear

Disk Utility will then format your USB drive so that it can be recognized et used with your Macbook Pro or Macbook Air computer.

We advise you this article which explains the many reasons why your USB drive may not be recognized by your Macbook Pro or Macbook Air computer. Indeed, the Finder may not be configured to display, in other words "mount" your external device (USB key, external hard drive, etc.) on the desktop of your Macbook Pro or Macbook Air computer. Simple operations that only take a few seconds will allow you to solve this problem.