How to Choose the Right File System for Your Mac OS Sierra Flash Drive

When setting up your Mac OS Sierra flash drive, you'll be asked to choose between several file systems. This choice doesn't really matter if you don't plan on booting from the drive. APM is an older, Mac-only partition scheme.

If you do need to use the drive for external storage or sharing with other devices, it almost always makes sense to format in ExFAT, unless you're using the drive for Time Machine backups. ExFAT is the ideal cross-platform file system that's widely compatible with Windows PCs and devices like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles.

Here are some options to consider:

* ExFAT: This file system is almost as widely compatible as older FAT file systems, but it doesn't have the limitations of FAT32. It's a great choice for sharing your drive with Windows users.

* MS-DOs (FAT): While this file system is most widely compatible, it has some significant limitations, such as files being limited to 4GB or less in size each. Avoid using this file system unless you have a device that requires FAT32.

* OS X Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted): This file system is similar to the standard OS X Extended file system, but with encryption. You'll need to enter a password and provide it whenever you connect your drive to your Mac.

* OS X Extended (Journaled, Encrypted): This option exists because it matches traditional UNIX behavior, but most users won't need it. Don't select this unless you have a specific reason for using it.

* OS X Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled): A case-sensitive file system treats 'file' and 'File' as different files. This is necessary if you plan to use your drive for Time Machine backups, otherwise exFAT is the better choice for maximum compatibility.

* OS X Extended (Journaled): This is the default option, but it's only natively supported on Macs.

When choosing a file system, keep in mind that by default, Mac OS X doesn't use a case-sensitive file system. You'll also be asked to provide a name for your disk, which will identify the drive when you connect it to a Mac, PC, or other device.

Remember to choose the right file system based on your needs and preferences. If you're unsure, exFAT is generally the safest and most compatible option.

Mac os sierra flash drive