Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS for Time Machine backup drive format for M1 MacBook Air?

I've been using Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for my Time Machine backup drive for my older Intel MacBook Air. I upgraded to the new M1 MB Air. Should I still use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for my backup drive or reformat to APFS?

MacBook Air 11″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 19, 2020 11:36 AM

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John Galt

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153,520 points

Posted on Dec 19, 2020 11:53 AM

You can continue to use the existing format. TM will default to APFS only for newly connected backup drives. It really makes no difference either way.

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Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

153,520 points

Dec 19, 2020 11:53 AM in response to Rich Bullock

You can continue to use the existing format. TM will default to APFS only for newly connected backup drives. It really makes no difference either way.

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Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS for Time Machine backup drive format for M1 MacBook Air?

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