How to Convert Your Mac (Other) Storage from HFS to APFS

Mac OS Extended Journaled, or HFS+, has been the go-to file system for Mac computers since 1998, especially for mechanical and hybrid drives. But with the arrival of the snazzy APFS, newer Mac models have made the switch. So, why stick with HFS+? Here are some perks: it’s compatible with all versions of Mac OS X and macOS, encrypted volumes can be accessed by any version, and it supports Fusion drives. But, like anything, it has its downsides: no concurrent access by processes, no snapshots, and it can’t handle dates past February 6, 2040. Plus, it has limited support for other file systems and timestamps that don’t use the nanosecond standard. And, oh, it’s missing checksums for data integrity. Now, let’s talk about APFS! Why do folks love it? Well, it allows for clones of files, saving space by only storing changes, can create point-in-time snapshots, and offers full-disk encryption for extra security. It also uses checksums for metadata integrity and prevents corruption by creating new records instead of overwriting old ones. Plus, it boosts performance on some devices by cutting down on the need to write changes twice compared to HFS+. However, it’s not all sunshine: checksums only cover metadata, compression isn’t available, and encrypted volumes are only accessible on macOS High Sierra. It also doesn’t support Fusion drives and can’t use NVRAM for data storage. Before you dive in, a quick heads-up: while converting your drive is usually safe, there are rare cases where things could go sideways. So, it’s a smart move to back up your drive to keep your data safe. And remember, the time it takes to convert can vary—256GB drives are quick, while 3TB drives might take a bit longer. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.