On June 10, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple unveiled several new features with new operating system updates for its suite of devices, namely the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates bring artificial intelligence (AI) features. , a new Calculator app, an improved Photos app, and other quality-of-life updates. However, one feature Apple didn’t advertise or mention is the ability to format external drives using the Files app.
Format an external drive using the Files app on iOS 18
The iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates for iPhone and iPad, respectively, provide built-in support for disk formatting. This means that users can now format external connected drives directly through the Files app. The feature has reportedly been introduced in the developer beta version of the OS, which is currently available to registered developers.
Disk formatting options in iOS 18
The ability to format external drives is based on the erase feature that Apple introduced in iOS 17. While users could only erase external drives connected to their Apple devices, they can now format them as well, enhancing the Disk Utility features available in Apple’s operating system. .
To format a drive, simply touch and hold the external drive volume and select Erase version. A new menu with a list of different formats will appear under the text field. Apple allows users to choose from three formats: ExFAT, MS-DOS (FAT), and APPS (Apple File System). APFS also provides case-sensitive or encrypted format options.
According to the company, APFS is “recommended for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.” It also mentions that MS-DOS (FAT) is compatible with other devices, including PCs and cameras. Gadgets 360 has been able to confirm the presence of this feature in the iOS 18 Developer Beta for iPhone.
Compatible with iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Apple says that devices including the iPhone XR and newer models up to the iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive the iOS 18 update. On the other hand, compatible models with iPadOS 18 include the iPad Pro (12.9 inches) or later, the iPad Air ( 2019) or later, iPad (2019) or later, and iPad mini (2019).
