How to Erase and Format External Hard Drive on iPhone/iPad

Formatting external hard drives has never been possible on iPhone or iPad. However, that changed with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, which introduced the ability to erase and format external hard drives on iPhone/iPad. Here's how to use it!

Use the Files app to format a hard drive on iPhone/iPad

Apple has added a new Erase feature to the built-in Files app. It's pretty easy to use, and all you need is an adapter or USB hub, depending on your iPhone or iPad model and preferences. Here's what you need to do to format an external hard drive:

1. Plug in the external hard drive you want to format using an adapter or USB hub.

2. Open the Files app and you'll see the name of your hard drive under Locations in the left sidebar.

3. Press and hold on the hard drive and select Erase .

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4. Depending on your requirements, choose the appropriate format for your hard drive between APFS, ExFAT and MS-DOS (FAT).

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5. If you want to rename the hard drive, tap the NAME text field at the top and enter a new name.

6. Finally, tap Erase in the upper right corner and select Erase in the confirmation prompt to begin erasing and formatting the drive.

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You should now see a loading icon next to the hard drive, indicating that the formatting process is in progress. When it's done, the icon will turn into a check mark. You can then proceed to access and use the hard drive. When it's done, simply unplug it from your iPhone or iPad.

Choose the correct format for your external hard drive

Choosing the right file system for your external hard drive is important and depends on the device you plan to use. Here's a quick summary to help you decide:

1. APFS (Apple File System) : Apple's proprietary file system, APFS, is the ideal choice if you want to use a hard drive exclusively for Apple devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. Additional options like Case Sensitive and Encrypted are available with this format. While the latter option secures the data on the drive, the former handles uppercase and lowercase file names differently to avoid name conflicts.
2. ExFAT : This is a great choice if you want the freedom to use your hard drive or on a variety of devices, including Apple devices, Windows and Linux computers, TVs, Android phones, and digital cameras.
3. MS-DOS (FAT) : This format is highly compatible with older systems. However, it is a relatively old format and is only ideal for smaller storage needs due to its 4GB file size limit.

The ability to format a hard drive in the Files app is incredibly useful and eliminates the need to use a Mac or PC. However, that's not all the built-in file manager in iOS and iPadOS can do. Thanks to recent iOS and iPadOS updates, you can perform a variety of tasks using the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.

Marvin Fry

Update 09 December 2024