Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most people plug an external SSD into their Mac and never touch half of what it can actually do. In this video I walk through everything from picking the right cable and format to encryption, running apps and even macOS off the drive, moving your home folder, and setting up Time Machine. By the end you'll know exactly how to set up your SSD the right way for your specific use case.
🔗 My favorite fast SSDs: geni.us/Wq6oax
🔗 Cheaper SSDs: geni.us/DUrly
🔗 My favorite cables: [geni.us/nGCkBKA
🔗 Tell me your setup and I'll recommend the exact SSD for you: https://adamtalks.tech/ssdguide
My Gear & Other Recommendations
My Desk Setup: youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4v-Uu0Kt8&t=1s
My Full Video Making Kit: https://adamtalks.tech/gear
As an Amazon Associate and a B&H affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This video contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase from either Amazon or B&H, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
DO YOU HAVE A PRODUCT YOU'D LIKE ME TO REVIEW?
You can drop me an email at adam@adamtalks.tech
Visit my website https://adamtalks.tech
00:00 Intro
00:21 Choosing the Right Cable
01:18 Connecting the Drive to Your Mac
01:58 Fixing a Drive That Won't Show Up
02:18 Copying vs Moving Files
02:52 Why You Should Always Eject Safely
03:44 Format Compatibility (exFAT, APFS, HFS, NTFS)
05:19 Encryption Setup
06:35 Erasing and Formatting the Drive
08:11 Running Apps Off an External SSD
09:58 Installing macOS on an External Drive
10:14 Moving Your Home Folder
12:06 Time Machine Setup
14:00 Final Recommendations
Most people plug an external SSD into their Mac and never touch half of what it can actually do. In this video I walk through everything from picking the right cable and format to encryption, running apps and even macOS off the drive, moving your home folder, and setting up Time Machine. By the end you'll know exactly how to set up your SSD the right way for your specific use case.
🔗 My favorite fast SSDs: geni.us/Wq6oax
🔗 Cheaper SSDs: geni.us/DUrly
🔗 My favorite cables: [geni.us/nGCkBKA
🔗 Tell me your setup and I'll recommend the exact SSD for you: https://adamtalks.tech/ssdguide
My Gear & Other Recommendations
My Desk Setup: youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4v-Uu0Kt8&t=1s
My Full Video Making Kit: https://adamtalks.tech/gear
As an Amazon Associate and a B&H affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This video contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase from either Amazon or B&H, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
DO YOU HAVE A PRODUCT YOU'D LIKE ME TO REVIEW?
You can drop me an email at adam@adamtalks.tech
Visit my website https://adamtalks.tech
00:00 Intro
00:21 Choosing the Right Cable
01:18 Connecting the Drive to Your Mac
01:58 Fixing a Drive That Won't Show Up
02:18 Copying vs Moving Files
02:52 Why You Should Always Eject Safely
03:44 Format Compatibility (exFAT, APFS, HFS, NTFS)
05:19 Encryption Setup
06:35 Erasing and Formatting the Drive
08:11 Running Apps Off an External SSD
09:58 Installing macOS on an External Drive
10:14 Moving Your Home Folder
12:06 Time Machine Setup
14:00 Final Recommendations
