compatibility: If it is formatted for a Mac, does that mean you can't transfer dat to or from a Windows PC?
298147
With the built in utilities on Windows or Mac, you can easily format this drive to whatever you like. OS X for Mac or NTFS for Windows. Unfortunately, those can only be read by their respective operating systems. If I remember correctly, FAT32 can be read by either O/S, but it has some limitations like 4GB maximum file sizes. There is a driver by Paragon (I think it costs $20 if you want to do it legally) that allows Mac to read your NTFS drives or vice versa. This would be another option if you need your drive to operate with both O/Ss. BTW, all drives have this limitation, and all drives can be formatted. As they love to charge more for MAC stuff (presumably because MAC people think they are cool, sometimes are ignorant, but don't care about cost), I would always recommend buying a PC drive and reformatting it to MAC if necessary.
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The format you use determines computer compatibility of any USB Flash or Hard Disc Device. Fat is universal as far as I know. Linux, Windows and Android can employ it. I believe MAC does too. If you want universal compatibility select Fat32 or NTFS from you MAC formating menu. NTFS and especially FAT are universal. If your Mac format menu has them as choices, MAC can use them.
1548110
Yes you can. It would need to be reformatted in order to work with both systems. It's default format is NTFS (Windows friendly, not Mac OS). Using a Windows PC and possibly the Mac you can reformat it to exFAT which will allow read/write on both platforms.
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Tabitha. I am not certain because I do not normally use MACs. However....note the tech specs on Amazon.com. It says "Preformatted for PCs, easily reformatted for Macs" What this PROBABLY means is the drive is NTFS formatted (Microsoft proprietary formatted) so will work plug and play with PCs running Microsoft operating systems. Which is why I can just plug it into a USB port and begin using it. For a MAC user you will probably have to format it (to HFS) for your specific MAC operating system. It should be fairly straight-forward. The manufacturer gives directions for this here: http://www.hgst.com/support/faqs/how-format-my-drive-mac-only-hfsHope this helps.Tim Tabitha. I am not certain because I do not normally use MACs. However....note the tech specs on Amazon.com. It says "Preformatted for PCs, easily reformatted for Macs" What this PROBABLY means is the drive is NTFS formatted (Microsoft proprietary formatted) so will work plug and play with PCs running Microsoft operating systems. Which is why I can just plug it into a USB port and begin using it. For a MAC user you will probably have to format it (to HFS) for your specific MAC operating system. It should be fairly straight-forward. The manufacturer gives directions for this here:... » Read More Tabitha. I am not certain because I do not normally use MACs. However....note the tech specs on Amazon.com. It says "Preformatted for PCs, easily reformatted for Macs" What this PROBABLY means is the drive is NTFS formatted (Microsoft proprietary formatted) so will work plug and play with PCs running Microsoft operating systems. Which is why I can just plug it into a USB port and begin using it. For a MAC user you will probably have to format it (to HFS) for your specific MAC operating system. It should be fairly straight-forward. The manufacturer gives directions for this here: http://www.hgst.com/support/faqs/how-format-my-drive-mac-only-hfsHope this helps.Tim « Show Less
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Yes, you should be just fine. Just dont format your usb, or else all of your data will be wiped. Your mac should be able to use the usb just as fine as windows would
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The information I read said it can be used between PC and Mac computers without reformatting.
1614388
I haven't personally used the passport on both mac/pc. But in the past I used a pc at work and was migrating to a mac (and used a mac at home), and it was because WD drives were dual compatible, that I chose this brand. In my current case, I no longer work on a pc, and when I purchased my WD Passport, I purchased the one pre-formatted for mac - so I don't know if it (being pre-formatted mac) would work on a PC. I'd google around for an answer. There is a format choice that allows both mac/pc compatibility.
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Yes it will. It comes formatted as NTFS which is Windows only but it is very simple to reformat it to FAT32 on your Mac to make it work. Don't spend the extra money on the Mac specific drive. Search youtube for Reformatting a drive from NTFS to FAT32.
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Macs can read Windows formatted (NTFS) drives but they cannot write to them natively. But you can download a third party driver to do this. Just Google "Mac NTFS driver". If the drive is formatted as FAT32, both systems can read and write to it with no problems. However, FAT32 has a 4GB file size restriction. I am not sure what this drive comes formatted as. Probably NTFS. But you can easily change that.
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If you found out an answer to this problem let me know. I am trying to use it on a windows, from a mac, and it wont even read it.
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It comes formatted for Mac but you can use it on a PC. You'll have to initialize it. G-Tech has pdf instructions on how to do it at http://www.g-technology.com/Support/Pdf/Formatting-for-Windows.pdf
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Yes but once you use it for Mac then it's only for Mac and if you want to use it on windows you have to formatt all over. Works both Mac and windows. If you use it on windows then u can read files on Mac but can't write on it.
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It was NTSC formatted. If you want to use it with both Windows and Mac then format it with ExFAT file system.
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You can also format it as exFat. It will support Windows and Mac that way. Ironically, it will not support Xbox 360.
1137069
Yes, it has two partitions - one for Win and one for Mac, so you don't have to format it. It will work on both.
1510454
I have not done that but I see no reason you can't. When a disk is formatted it is optimized for the PC or Mac operating system but the files are not affected. My Rocstore has been a solid performer since it was installed but at the moment I am an all Mac operation.
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Hi Carolyn, no its not. It uses a different software called Content transfer for MAC Os and Media Go for Windows. - Ella
1890677
You should be able to access most files that have a common app (Mac and PC) - the challenge will be saving any updates. Typically PC formatted external drives are FAT32, which will convert to the MAC, but not able to be write enabled back. The exception will be music and photos, they should be available for iTunes and iPhoto imports.