How To Transfer Files from Mac to External Hard Drive Without Formatting.
Sep 12, 2020 Generate a backup on mac of videos, photos, and files on an external drive. How To Migrate Files From Mac To Hard Drive. It was easy to move files from mac to mac but moving files from Mac to external hard drive is kinda hard which also relate to recovering files from the external hard drive.
Mac OS X one of the best operating system for Apple computers there are lots of series of computer available in Apple Stores. But sometimes performing several tasks on mac are very difficult in this article we went show you how to migrate folders and files of mac to external hard drive.
So, first of all, you’ve to select the best external hard drives for mac backup from which you can easily restore important documents in case of the reboot of mac. Generate a backup on mac of videos, photos, and files on an external drive.
How To Migrate Files From Mac To Hard Drive
It was easy to move files from mac to mac but moving files from Mac to external hard drive is kinda hard which also relate to recovering files from the external hard drive.
However, sometimes due to the virus and some other error the data stored in external hard drive corporate and to recover the files from external hard drive recovery software for mac.
Now focus on, given below steps by steps guides let you know how to transfer files from mac to external hard drive.
Move Files To External Hard Drive (Drag and Drop)
Step 1
Connect the external hard drive to your mac using a USB cable and wait until the hard drive successfully connected to your computer. (Name of the drive should appear on your Mac screen).
Step 2 :
Open “Finder”, then locate the files to move to external hard drive.
Step 3 :
Create a New Folder in hard drive, then drag each file you want to backup from Mac system to external hard drive.
Step 4 :
Close the external hard drive once all files moved to from mac to external hard drive.
Using Disk Utility To Transfer Files Mac To External Hard Drive
Sometimes your external hard drive doesn’t allow you to transfer files from Mac. Because it’s your hard drive may be formatted with NTFS which is normal in a windows environment.
While OS X is able to READ from a drive that is formatted at NTFS, it cannot WRITE to one. You will get a warning saying that the drive cannot be modified. To fix this error you’ve to use Disk Utility. Remember to save everything to Mac before formatting the apple external hard drives.
How To Formatted External Hard Drive In Mac OS X
Step 1 :
Plug-In external hard drive to Mac using the USB cable. Wait until the hard drive name appears on Mac Desktop screen.
Step 2 :
In Mac OS X disc into your mac and restart your computer. Continue pressing the “C” key when the system is started.
Step 3 :
Choose the language and then select Disk Utility from Utilities menu. Now select the disk which you want to connect to your mac and click on “Verify Disk”.
Step 4 :
Click on “Repair Disk” button to repair the external hard drive. Click on “New Image” and named your hard drive then select “128-bit” or “256-bit AES” from the encryption menu to add security to the backup.
Step 5 :
Click on the “Save” button and type the administration password, Conform it. (Wait till process to begin ).
Step 6 :
Now choose the new backup from the device. After completing the imaging process, select ”Image” and then Click on “Scan Image for Restore”.
Step 7 :
Press “Command Q” when the scan completes and then again press the same key to quit Mac OS X Installer window.
Reformat The External Hard Drive In Mac OS X
In my research. I’ve found that lots of Mac users how to purchase a new hard drive for mac. When they connected that hard drive to the Mac OS X system. The external Mac hard drive successfully connected to mac but files can’t transfer.
To resolve this issue, you’ve to reformat your external hard drive using Mac OS Extended option.
Step 1 :
Connect hard drive to Mac via USB slots.
Step 2 :
Now go to Utilities Folder > Disk Utility. Select the external hard drive.
Step 3 :
As long as you don’t have any important files in the external hard drive, choose “Ease” Tab and then select “Mac OS Extended(Journaled)”.
Step 4 :
Enter the new named of drive and Click Erase.
I hope any of these methods will work for you to transfer files from mac to external hard drives with or without formatting the drive. Give your feedback via comment box.
What is the bin folder?
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Although it might sound like it, this is not the Trash. Bin is another hidden folder.
When operating systems, such as macOS — and Mac OS X before that — are constructed using a Linux system directory, certain files and folders are hidden on purpose. Almost every operating system will hide things that the majority of users don't need. It is the same as an architect and builder placing plumbing and wiring behind a wall: it looks better and the last thing you want is to accidentally damage the operating system that keeps your house functioning smoothly.
For most people, it is enough to know that the plumbing and wiring is working smoothly and that they can call a professional should something go wrong. With an Apple operating system, hidden folders and files are routes that power users take to tweak and modify a Mac, to improve how it performs, and solve any problems should anything go wrong.
Accessing the bin folder is another way to take a look at potentially make changes to license and configuration files. Now, if you ever want to make changes to hidden files and folders without digging around in system directories, there is an easier and quicker way. Download an app like CleanMyMac X to uncover space within hard drives. Using its Space Lens feature, This program can show you what is taking up space and help you delete anything you don't need.
However, if you are keen to take a look under the hood manually, here is how to access the bin folder.
Ways to access the bin folder?
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Method 1: Find the bin folder through the Finder
- Open Finder
- Press Command+Shift+G to open the dialogue box
- Input the following search:
/usr/local/bin - Now you should have temporary access, so you should be able to drag it into the Finder favorites if you want to access it again.
Another way to find the bin folder is through Terminal.
Method 2: Finding the bin in Terminal
- Launch Terminal; which you can find in /Applications/Utilities
- Enter this command in Terminal:
chflags nohidden ~/usr/local/bin - Click Return. Make sure the command is executed.
- Quit Terminal. The bin folder should be visible in the Finder.
- If you ever want to restore this to how it was before enter the following command in Terminal:
chflags hidden ~/usr/local/bin - Click Return again and it should be back to how it was.
Only attempt this method if you are comfortable using Terminal. Remember, using Terminal can make significant changes to your macOS systems and files, so only make these sort of changes if you’re confident in the instructions you are inputting. This way, you should have temporary access to the bin folder to make any changes that are needed.
Pro Tip: If you find yourself running short of storage on your Mac, clear out your downloads folder. Everything you’ve ever downloaded, that you’ve not moved somewhere else, or copied, is sitting in that folder. Going right back to when you got your Mac. Imagine how much room that is taking up! Especially when it contains zip folders, videos, images and app downloads.
Another way to access hidden directories
There are many apps that allow you to gain access to hidden files, folders and directories. One of such is Daisy Disk, another CleanMyMac X. I prefer CleanMyMac better because of nice visualizations. You can click the 'Space Lens' tool and see the entire folder tree of your Mac. This reveals many hidden folders and things you may have long forgotten.
I downloaded the free version of CleanMyMac X here.
After you get the app you need to click the 'Space Lens' tab.
From there, just click on bubbles to dive deeper into folders that are sorted by colors and categories. Quite exciting, really.
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That's all you need to know about finding the Bin folder on Mac. Stay tuned for more Mac tips!