You can format a Seagate One Touch Portable drive with Windows Disk Management or macOS Disk Utility. Choose exFAT for everyday read-and-write use between modern Windows and Mac computers, NTFS for Windows-only storage, or a Mac-native format for Mac-only use. Formatting erases the drive, so back up anything you need and verify the selected disk before you begin.
Choose the right format first
The One Touch Portable manual says the drive is preformatted as exFAT for compatibility with Mac and Windows computers. A drive that has already been used or reformatted may have a different format. Check the drive and choose based on how you plan to use it.
| Use | Format to choose | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Move files between Windows and Mac | exFAT | Seagate recommends exFAT for cross-platform read/write use. Seagate says it is not compatible with or recommended for built-in Time Machine or File History backups. |
| Windows only | NTFS | NTFS is Windows’ native option. macOS can read NTFS but does not natively write to it. |
| Mac only | APFS or HFS+, as appropriate | Check the intended macOS and Time Machine version before erasing. Seagate discusses APFS and HFS+ for Mac use; exFAT is not a suitable choice for built-in Time Machine backups. |
For more on Seagate’s format options and compatibility notes, see its One Touch Portable formatting guidance. Seagate also notes that exFAT is not journaled and may be more susceptible to corruption if errors occur or the drive is disconnected improperly; the cited guidance does not quantify comparative failure rates.
Before you erase the drive
- Back up needed files. Formatting or erasing deletes data. Copy anything you want to keep to another storage device before proceeding.
- Identify the correct disk. Check the displayed name and capacity. If using DiskPart, disconnect other drives where practical to reduce the chance of selecting the wrong disk.
- Decide whether this is storage or backup. File-system compatibility differs for ordinary files and built-in backup utilities.
- Stop if you need files from an inaccessible drive. Do not format it as a troubleshooting shortcut; consider data recovery or Seagate support instead.
Format the drive in Windows
For a drive with an existing volume
- Press Windows key + R, type
diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Disk Management. - Find the One Touch volume by checking its name and capacity. Right-click its partition and choose Format.
- Choose NTFS for Windows-only use or exFAT for Windows-and-Mac file sharing. Leave allocation-unit size at Default, retain the quick-format selection described by Seagate, and confirm the format.
Seagate’s Windows instructions were written for Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10, so menu details may differ in newer releases. See Seagate’s Windows formatting guide if the Disk Management layout differs from these steps.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
For a new or unallocated disk
In Disk Management, initialize the disk if prompted, then create a New Simple Volume. Follow the wizard to assign a drive letter and select the desired file system. Seagate’s cited Windows article describes MBR for drives under 2 TB and GPT for drives over 2 TB; this is guidance for the Windows workflow covered in that article, not a universal rule for every current Windows setup.
If Windows shows a protected EFI System Partition
A drive previously formatted for Mac may show a protected EFI System Partition in Disk Management. Seagate documents using DiskPart’s clean command to erase the disk layout in this situation, but this permanently erases the selected disk. Do not use it unless you have backed up the drive and can positively identify the correct disk; disconnecting other drives can reduce selection risk. If you are unsure, stop rather than guessing.
Rank #2
- This external drive includes a USB cable that works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Chromebook laptops (purchase adapter separately for use with USB-C computers. Reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine).
- The perfect complement to personal aesthetic, this portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure.
- Great as a laptop hard drive or PC hard drive, simply plug in via USB 3.0 to back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups
- Organize your photos with a Mylio Photos complementary subscription and enjoy automatic backups with a Dropbox Backup Plan free trial. (Must redeem within one year of drive registration. Not available in all countries. Trial subscriptions are subject to change in vendor or terms. Please refer to drive packaging for official offer.)
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services.
Format the drive in macOS
- Open Disk Utility and select View > Show All Devices.
- Select the One Touch external storage device in the sidebar. Confirm the device name and capacity before clicking Erase.
- Choose a name, scheme, and format. For routine sharing with Windows, choose exFAT. Apple’s Disk Utility guide specifies exFAT for disks over 32 GB and MS-DOS (FAT) for disks of 32 GB or less.
- For Mac use, select the top-level storage device when you need to choose a scheme; Apple says the Scheme menu may not appear when a volume rather than the device is selected. Choose GUID Partition Map for Mac use, then select an appropriate Mac format for your needs.
- Click Erase, wait for the process to finish, then click Done.
Apple’s guides provide the steps for formatting a disk for Windows in Disk Utility and initializing an external storage device. For a Mac-only drive, confirm the right APFS or HFS+ choice for your macOS and backup needs before erasing; do not choose exFAT for built-in Time Machine use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.After formatting
When the format completes, check that the drive appears in Finder or File Explorer and that its capacity is as expected. If you formatted for cross-platform file sharing, safely eject the drive before moving it between computers. If the expected volume does not appear, avoid repeated formatting attempts until you have confirmed which disk and partition are selected.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This external drive includes a USB cable that works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Chromebook laptops (purchase adapter separately for use with USB-C computers. Reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine).
- The perfect complement to personal aesthetic, this portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure.
- Great as a laptop hard drive or PC hard drive, simply plug in via USB 3.0 to back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups
- Organize your photos with a Mylio Photos complementary subscription and enjoy automatic backups with a Dropbox Backup Plan free trial. (Must redeem within one year of drive registration. Not available in all countries. Trial subscriptions are subject to change in vendor or terms. Please refer to drive packaging for official offer.)
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services.
Rank #4
- Store and access photos and files with Seagate One Touch, an on-the-go USB drive for Windows and Mac (reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine)
- The perfect compliment to personal aesthetic, this portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure
- Great as a laptop hard drive or PC hard drive, simply plug in via USB 3.0 to back up with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly or monthly backups
- Edit, manage, and share photos with a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a four-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan. (Must redeem within one year of drive registration. Not available in all countries.)
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty and two-year Rescue Data Recovery Service plan
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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