Can I use any external SSD with Mac?

Yes, any USB-C or Thunderbolt SSD works with Mac. However, drives shipped formatted as NTFS (Windows) need reformatting. Mac reads exFAT natively. For best Mac experience, reformat to APFS using Disk Utility — it takes less than a minute and enables Time Machine and Spotlight.

How much storage do I need for Time Machine?

Apple recommends 2x your Mac's internal storage for Time Machine. If you have a 512GB Mac, get a 1TB external SSD. If you have a 1TB Mac, get a 2TB drive. More space means Time Machine keeps older backups longer, giving you more recovery options.

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