Help using Passport Ultra to backup Mac & Windows

WD External and Portable SSD External SSD for macOS
1

Hi, everyone!

I am a longtime Passport Ultra for Windows user. It was simple to use. I plugged it in, schedule the daily backup using the supplied software and done. Easy.

I recently purchased a Mac and I’m trying to back it up. What a nightmare. I’m still lost. Please don’t link me to standard user files on here because I’m getting nowhere. I have a few questions…

  1. Can I use this drive to backup BOTH Windows and Mac… if not, then we go no further. I get a new drive.
  2. If I can use it on both systems… It’s my understanding that this is NO SUPPLIED WD software and I can only use the Time Capsule/Warp/whatever it’s called Mac software…correct or incorrect?
  3. It’s my understanding to use the Mac supplied software, I have to reformat my Passport Ultra, therefore losing all my Windows backups (not happy about this step alone). Once I do this… and backup my Mac…we’re back to question number 1…can I then back up my Windows computer on this same drive?

I particularly chose this drive because it was my understanding based on Amazon reviews (stupid me) that this was compatible with both systems. I incorrectly assumed the backups would work the same way. This seems like an utter nightmare now. I feel like this was a total waste of money unless this can do both for me.

I thank you all in advance for your help.

Nik

2

  1. Yes, you can use (Copy/paste) your hard drive with both systems after you format your hard drive to a cross-platform file system such as exFAT.

  2. Correct. WD SmartWare and WD Backup are Windows-only applications. However, there are 3rd party cross-platform applications available online.

  3. You will need a completely different program. Apple Time Machine requires for your to format your hard drive in a Mac-only file system like HFS+, which Windows can’t use. Cross-platform file systems (FAT32, or exFAT) do not work with Apple Time Machine.