APFS vs. Mac OS Extended: Which File System is Better?

Summary: APFS is an upgrade from the Mac OS Extended file system, introduced in 2017. APFS works particularly well on SSDs and flash storage, offering advanced features like space sharing and snapshots. However, Mac OS Extended continues to be widely used and remains relevant, especially for devices with traditional hard drives. If you can choose between the two file systems on your Mac device, this guide will help you make that decision.

Before we try to understand the two file systems—APFS and Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus)—we need to look at a bit of history. Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra was released on September 25, 2017. At this time APFS, or Apple File System, was introduced. While High Sierra was more of a refinement than a major overhaul, APFS was one of its key features. Apple aimed to improve performance, stability, and system architecture with this file system. Before that, the default file system was Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus), used in Mac OS 10.12 Sierra (released in 2016).

Now that we’ve covered the history, we can move on to understanding how APFS and Mac OS Extended differ.

Table of Contents

Through the course of this article, you will learn the following things:

What is APFS?

As we understood earlier, APFS is a modern file system developed by Apple Inc., designed for all its platforms, including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

The APFS file format supports a maximum file size of eight exabytes and up to 9 quintillion files per volume. It uses nanosecond timestamp granularity, allowing more precise file modification tracking. It also supports Unicode 9.0, encoded in UTF-8 for file names.

APFS is optimized for SSDs and flash storage, making it the default file system for modern Mac systems. It provides faster read/write speeds and more efficient space allocation for SSDs and flash storage. Additionally, APFS offers native, strong encryption options, ranging from no encryption to multi-key encryption.

Another key feature of APFS is its ability to allow multiple volumes to share the same underlying free storage space on a physical volume. This is particularly useful for multi-boot configurations and managing storage across different users or applications. APFS also supports creating point-in-time, read-only instances of the file system, which is useful for backups and system recovery.

Now, let’s understand Mac OS Extended (HFS+).

What is Mac OS Extended?

Mac OS Extended served as the primary file system for Mac computers until 2017. It remains the default file system for mechanical and hybrid hard drive-based devices.

There are several variants of Mac OS Extended, such as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled). Journaling is an important feature of this file system, as it logs changes to prevent file system corruption during crashes or power failures. However, Mac OS Extended does not offer the same level of robustness as APFS. It has a maximum file size limit of eight exabytes and supports Unicode for naming files. However, it lacks many of the modern features APFS provides, particularly in terms of speed and encryption.

Next, we’ll explore the differences between these file systems in more detail.

A Detailed APFS vs. Mac OS Extended Comparison

The table below outlines the main differences between APFS and Mac OS Extended (HFS+).

Feature	APFS	Mac OS Extended
Release Date	APFS was introduced in 2017 with macOS High Sierra.	Mac OS Extended has been in use since 1998.
Compatibility	APFS is compatible only with macOS High Sierra and later versions.	Mac OS Extended is compatible with all versions of macOS and Mac OS X.
Optimization	APFS is optimized for solid-state drives and flash storage (that does not have moving parts).	Mac OS Extended is better suited for traditional hard disk drives.
Security	APFS has multiple levels of encryption available and supports full-disk as well as per-file encryption, making it a better choice for data security.	Mac OS Extended offers basic encryption through the Journaled, Encrypted option, but lacks the advanced security features of APFS.
Space Sharing	APFS supports space sharing, allowing multiple volumes to use the same free space.	Mac OS Extended requires fixed partition sizes for each volume.
Data Integrity	APFS uses checksums for metadata, improving data integrity and reducing corruption risks.	Mac OS Extended does not support checksums for metadata.
Snapshots	APFS natively supports snapshots for easy backups and system restores.	Mac OS Extended does not have built-in snapshot capabilities.
Time Machine Support	APFS has limited support for Time Machine backups.	Mac OS Extended is the preferred format for Time Machine backups.
Cloning	APFS supports instant file and directory cloning without consuming additional space.	Mac OS Extended does not support efficient cloning, requiring full file copies.
Directory Sizing	APFS performs fast directory sizing, calculating folder sizes almost instantly.	Mac OS Extended calculates directory sizes more slowly, especially for large folders.

In the next section, we’ll talk about which one is better for your use case.

Which File System is Better: APFS vs. Mac OS Extended?

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your Mac’s hardware, the macOS version, and your specific usage needs.

How does a user decide which file system to use? If you are using Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra or later, your Mac will typically default to APFS when formatting SSDs or flash storage. However, you can still choose to format a drive as Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus) if you prefer. For older versions of Mac OS (before 10.13), APFS isn’t supported, so Mac OS Extended remains the default.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comment section below, and our experts will be happy to assist.

Before diving into the FAQs, you might also find these articles helpful for expanding your knowledge on Mac-related topics:

Explore our MacBook® Data Recovery services for expert help in case of data loss.
Check out Apple MacBook M2 Chip vs. M1 Chip: Which One to Choose? to make an informed decision about your next upgrade.
Learn about the causes and fixes for iPhone Error 4013 and how to resolve it.
Discover how to Recover Mac Data In Case Of Hard Drive Failure with practical solutions.

Now, let’s dive into the FAQs to clear up any questions you might have!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use APFS on an external drive?

Yes, you can use APFS on an external drive, but keep in mind that APFS is optimized for SSDs and flash storage. If you are using a mechanical hard drive, you may not see the same performance benefits.

2. Which is better for cross-platform compatibility, APFS or FAT32?

For cross-platform compatibility, FAT32 is generally better because it is widely supported by both Apple and non-Apple operating systems, including Windows and Linux. APFS, on the other hand, is only compatible with Apple systems.

3. Will my Windows OS be able to read an APFS-formatted drive?

No, Windows cannot natively read an APFS-formatted drive. You will need to use third-party software to access data on APFS-formatted drives in a Windows environment.

4. Can I use APFS on a Fusion Drive?

Yes, Apple has added APFS support for Fusion Drives starting with macOS Mojave. However, please note that the performance benefits of APFS may not be as noticeable on a Fusion Drive as they are on a device with a pure SSD.

About The Author

Urvika Tuteja

Urvika Tuteja is an SEO Executive at Stellar® with a good understanding of online marketing. She is known for her quick and enthusiastic learning abilities. Urvika contributes her skills to managing operational activities and driving the growth of organic traffic.