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APFS vs. Mac OS Extended are two different file systems used by Apple. The main difference lies in their underlying architecture and features. APFS, introduced in 2017, is a modern file system designed specifically for Apple devices, offering enhanced performance, security, and reliability. It supports features like snapshots, encryption, and native support for SSDs.
On the other hand, Mac OS Extended, also known as HFS+, is an older file system used in previous versions of macOS. While Mac OS Extended is compatible with older Macs, APFS is recommended for newer devices. The selection between APFS and Mac OS Extended hinges on the individual’s particular needs and compatibility demands.
APFS vs. Mac OS Extended: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Feature | APFS | Mac OS Extended |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Introduced with macOS 10.13 | Used on Mac OS 8.1 and later |
| Default File System | The default for Mac OS X until replaced by APFS | Default for Mac OS X until replaced by APFS |
| Optimization | Optimized for SSDs and flash storage | Used on various Mac devices |
| Snapshots | Supports snapshots for creating backups | Does not support snapshots |
| Read-Write Speed | Generally offers higher read-write speed | Generally slower read-write speed |
| Time Machine Backup | Supported from macOS Big Sur | Supported on macOS Catalina and earlier |
| Encryption | Supports full disk encryption | Supports file or folder encryption |
| Encryption Performance | Higher encryption performance | Lower encryption performance |
| Disk Format Options | Better for SSDs and Flash Drives | Better for HDDs |
| Conversion | Can convert APFS to Mac OS Extended | Can convert Mac OS Extended to APFS |
APFS vs. Mac OS Extended: What’s the Difference?
APFS vs. Mac OS Extended are two file systems used by Apple on their macOS. While Mac OS Extended has been the traditional file system for many years, APFS offers significant improvements in performance, security, and storage management. Below are the key differences between APFS and Mac OS Extended.
Speed and Performance
APFS offers improved speed and performance compared to Mac OS Extended. In speed tests conducted by Malc on a MacBook Pro (2017) running macOS High Sierra, APFS showed higher sysbench read-writes in comparison to Mac OS Extended. The read-write speed of APFS is particularly enhanced when used with flash drives and SSDs.
APFS takes advantage of the high-speed features of these storage devices, resulting in faster data access and transfer. Additionally, APFS allows for instantaneous copy and paste of folders on an APFS drive, providing a noticeable speed advantage over Mac OS. While Mac OS Extended has been the default file system for macOS for many years, it lags behind APFS in terms of speed and performance.
Although it can still provide satisfactory performance, especially when used with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), it doesn’t benefit from the speed enhancements and optimizations specifically designed for flash drives and SSDs that APFS offers. Mac OS Extended relies on older technology and lacks the efficiency and responsiveness of APFS.
Time Machine Compatibility
Starting from macOS Big Sur, both APFS and Mac OS Extended are supported as formats for Time Machine backups. However, APFS is now preferred for Time Machine backups on macOS Big Sur and later versions. APFS-based Time Machine backups provide advantages such as faster backup and restore processes, efficient storage utilization, and improved snapshot functionality. It is worth noting that APFS-based Time Machine backups created on macOS Big Sur cannot be used on macOS Catalina or earlier versions.
Time Machine only supports Mac OS Extended drives as backup destinations for macOS Catalina and previous versions. Mac OS Extended has been the standard format for Time Machine backups until the introduction of APFS. It continues to offer reliable backup capabilities but lacks some of the performance and efficiency benefits provided by APFS. Mac OS Extended remains a suitable choice if you’re using an older macOS version and rely on Time Machine for backups.
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Encryption Options
APFS includes built-in encryption support known as FileVault encryption. It uses an AES encryption algorithm in XTS mode with a 128-bit key length. APFS supports full-disk encryption, ensuring that almost everything on the disk, including temporary files and the swap space, is encrypted.
This comprehensive encryption provides higher security and privacy for the data stored on APFS-formatted drives. The encryption process in APFS is seamless and integrated into the file system, allowing for efficient encryption and decryption operations.
Mac OS Extended also supports encryption through the FileVault encryption feature, which uses the same AES encryption algorithm in XTS mode with a 128-bit key length as APFS. However, Mac OS Extended encryption is limited to file or folder encryption and does not provide full-disk encryption capabilities.
Achieving encryption on Mac OS Extended requires additional layers, such as Core Storage. While Mac OS Extended encryption can still protect specific files or folders, it doesn’t offer the same level of overall disk encryption as APFS.
Snapshot and Cloning Capabilities
One significant advantage of APFS over Mac OS Extended is its snapshot and cloning capabilities. APFS volumes allow users to create snapshots, which are point-in-time copies of the file system. These snapshots capture the state of the file system at a specific moment, allowing users to revert to previous versions of files or restore the entire system to a specific snapshot.
This feature is particularly useful for data backup, system recovery, and version control. APFS also supports efficient cloning, where files or directories can be instantly duplicated without consuming additional storage space. Cloning enables users to create multiple instances of the same file or directory, making it easy to work with templates, prototypes, or frequently used data without the need for redundant storage.
In contrast, Mac OS Extended lacks native support for snapshots and cloning. While creating manual backups or using third-party software to replicate files and directories is still possible, the process is not as seamless and integrated as with APFS.
Users relying on Mac OS Extended may need to employ separate backup strategies or tools to achieve similar functionality. With built-in snapshot capabilities, reverting to previous file versions or recovering from system issues becomes easier and more convenient. Similarly, the absence of native cloning support may result in duplicated storage usage or the need to manually manage and update multiple copies of files.
Metadata and File System Efficiency
APFS introduces significant metadata and file system efficiency improvements compared to Mac OS Extended. APFS utilizes a more advanced data structure that optimizes storage utilization and enhances overall performance. It employs a copy-on-write mechanism, where modifications to files or directories are written to new locations instead of overwriting existing data.
This approach minimizes the risk of data corruption and enables faster and more efficient file operations. APFS also employs a space-sharing technique called “containerization,” which allows multiple APFS volumes to dynamically share the available free space. This dynamic allocation of storage resources ensures optimal space utilization across multiple volumes, reducing wastage and maximizing available storage capacity.
Mac OS Extended, an older file system, needs the advanced metadata and space-sharing techniques in APFS. It uses a more traditional approach to manage data, which can result in less efficient storage utilization and slower file operations. Mac OS Extended does not implement copy-on-write, so modifications to files involve overwriting existing data. This increases the risk of data corruption, especially in cases of unexpected power loss or system crashes.
Furthermore, Mac OS Extended does not offer built-in mechanisms for dynamic space sharing, meaning that each volume must have its allocated space, potentially resulting in uneven utilization and wasted storage capacity.
Compatibility with Other Platforms
APFS is primarily designed and optimized for macOS and Apple devices. It is the default file system for Mac hard drives and is compatible with macOS High Sierra and later versions. While APFS offers robust functionality within the Apple ecosystem, its compatibility with other platforms is limited.
APFS support on non-Apple platforms, such as Windows or Linux, is limited or requires additional software or drivers to access APFS-formatted drives. This can be a consideration for users who frequently share storage devices between different operating systems or require cross-platform compatibility.
Mac OS Extended has been the standard file system for macOS for a long time. One advantage of Mac OS Extended is its wider compatibility with other platforms. Mac OS Extended drives can be accessed and read by various operating systems, including Windows and Linux, without the need for additional software or drivers.
This cross-platform compatibility can be beneficial for users who work in mixed environments or frequently share data between macOS and non-Apple platforms.
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APFS vs. Mac OS Extended: 8 Must-Know Facts
- APFS, introduced in macOS 10.13, is the default file system for Mac hard drives.
- APFS is optimized for SSDs and flash storage devices, providing faster read-write speeds.
- APFS supports snapshots, allowing you to create point-in-time backups of your data.
- Mac OS Extended, also known as HFS+, was the default file system before APFS.
- Mac OS Extended has a “journaled” feature that prevents file corruption in case of accidents or power loss.
- APFS outperforms Mac OS Extended in terms of read-write speed, as shown in speed tests.
- For Time Machine backups, Mac OS Extended is supported in macOS Catalina and earlier, while both Mac OS Extended and APFS are supported in macOS Big Sur and later.
- APFS offers full-disk encryption, while Mac OS Extended only supports file or folder encryption.
APFS vs Mac OS Extended: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Both APFS and Mac OS Extended have distinct advantages and considerations, making choosing the appropriate file system based on your specific needs crucial.
APFS, introduced with macOS 10.13, is optimized for SSDs and flash storage devices. It offers higher read-write speeds, making it ideal for devices with faster storage technologies. APFS also provides the ability to create snapshots for backup purposes, ensuring data protection.
On the other hand, Mac OS Extended, also known as HFS+, has been the default file system for Macs since 1998. It is more suitable for traditional hard drives and offers the “journaled” feature, which prevents file corruption in case of accidents such as sudden power loss or unplugging the drive during operation.
When it comes to speed, APFS outperforms Mac OS Extended, especially on SSDs and flash drives. Additionally, APFS has become the preferred format for Time Machine backups on macOS Big Sur and later versions. However, Mac OS Extended is the only supported format for macOS Catalina and earlier. Both file systems support encryption, but APFS offers full-disk encryption, providing enhanced security compared to Mac OS Extended file-level encryption.
Factors such as the type of storage device, the macOS version you’re using, and your specific requirements for speed, backup compatibility, and encryption determine the choice between APFS and Mac OS Extended. Carefully consider these factors and choose the file system that best suits your needs.
