MacBook backup to NAS: Will it reformat?

I have recently acquired a second hand MacBook. For my Windows computers I use an external hard drive for back ups, but I can't use it with my MacBook because I think I would need to reformat it. I'm thinking about using my NAS (Netgear Stora) for MacBook backups, as there's enough space, but would the MacBook try to reformat it first? I have all my data files, picture files and music on my NAS, so I need to be sure. It talks about 'mounting' it, but I'm not sure what that means.

Posted on Oct 30, 2026 7:16 AM

3 replies

Niel

Level 10 (756,437 points)

Oct 30, 2026 7:22 AM in response to NJBPL

No; mounting it means to make it available to the computer for file access and transfer.

NAS drives can typically only be formatted by an utility specifically designed for them by their manufacturer.

(265398)

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10 (148,617 points)

Oct 30, 2026 9:22 AM in response to NJBPL

When connecting to a remote (i.e, not directly connected) backup server of any description (including remotely connected Mac on your network) MacOS does not care about the details of how the drive is formatted.

It wants to use a sparse bundle disk image.

To the server, this is a file.

To the remote Mac, this is a file system inside a single Server file.

if your Server software supports the creation of a sparse bundle disk image file, and can converse using a modern version of SMB server protocol, then this will work great.

NJBPL Author

Level 1 (8 points)

Oct 30, 2026 9:22 AM in response to Niel

Thanks for that. Problem solved.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256385913