Mac files, drives & backups

Choose a format for your external drive, move files between Mac and Windows, and keep a copy you can restore.

Which drive format?

Copy files from a Windows drive, or choose a way to write to it while keeping its format.

Pick a format for a shared drive, a Mac-only SSD or a Time Machine backup.

Check the drive format, free space, permissions and Time Machine settings.

Keep your source photos, Live Photo videos and metadata when moving files.

Copy the originals and export files that newer apps can open.

Restore one sample file and check that the earlier version opens.

Keep your albums and edits and verify the SSD copy before freeing space.

Choose a drive, make the first backup and check a sample restore.