How to Clone External Hard Drive to Another on Mac

Wondering how to clone one external hard disk to another on a Mac? You can use direct drag and drop files from one external to another. Disk Utility that comes with Mac or third-party software such as EaseUS Partition Master for Mac can clone data between two external hard drives.

In this article, EaseUS Software will provide you with a detailed guide. According to the table below, choose the right one for you.

💡💡💡Tip💡💡💡 No matter which method you choose to clone an external hard drive to another external hard drive on a Mac, it is essential to prepare a suitable adapter or hub that allows you to connect both external hard drives to your Mac simultaneously. This ensures stable connection and smooth data transfer during the cloning or migration process.

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How to Clone External Hard Drive to Another on Mac

This section will explain how to clone an external hard drive to another on macOS using three methods: manual drag-and-drop, Disk Utility, and EaseUS Partition Master for Mac, covering step-by-step guides.

Way 1. Drag and Drop

You can copy files from one external hard drive to another by dragging and dropping in Finder. It’s straightforward but only copies files, not a full disk clone.

👍Pros:

• Very easy to use
• No special software needed
• Good for copying selected files or folders

👎Cons:

• Does not clone system files or bootable partitions
• Time-consuming for large data sets
• No automatic synchronization or incremental updates

Step 1. Connect two external hard drives to your Mac using the appropriate cables or adapters, and make sure both drives are displayed on the desktop or in the Finder under Places.

Step 2. In the source Finder window, select the files or folders you want to transfer. You can click and drag to select multiple items. Click and hold the selected file, then drag it to the Finder window or icon for the destination drive.

Step 3. Release the mouse button and drag and drop the files onto the destination drive. macOS copies the files from the source external hard drive to the destination external hard drive. If the files are large, you'll see a progress bar.

💡💡💡Important Tip💡💡💡 If you see an "Unable to Enter" symbol while dragging, the target drive may have a file system format that macOS cannot write to (such as NTFS). You may need to reformat the drive to a compatible format, such as ExFAT or Mac OS Extended (Journaled), to be able to write. Dragging files between drives copies the files; dragging files within the same drive moves the files. Holding down the Command key while dragging forces the file to be moved, not copied. Be sure to properly eject the external drive after transfer to avoid data corruption.

Way 2. Use EaseUS Partition Master for Mac

EaseUS Partition Master for Mac is perfectly compatible with all macOS versions, including the latest releases. It supports bootable disk cloning, allowing you to precisely clone files, applications, and operating system from one external hard drive to another. With just a few simple clicks, even beginners can complete the cloning process effortlessly.

It ensures that the cloned drive is fully bootable and ready to use, making system migration and data backup straightforward and reliable. 

Premise:

• Back up data since the destination drive's data will be completely overwritten.

• Both drives must be connected simultaneously, and the destination drive must have equal or larger capacity than the source.

👍Pros:

• Intuitive and easy for beginners

• Supports cloning of bootable drives

• Handles various file systems (HFS+, APFS, NTFS, exFAT)

• Offers additional disk management tools

👎Cons:

• Requires purchase for full features

Here is how to clone an external hard drive to another on a Mac:

Step 1. Connect your removable device to Mac and run EaseUS Partition Master for Mac.

Click "Clone" in the left pane under the Abilities section, click the "+" icon to select the source external device you want to clone.

Step 2. Select the other external hard disk as the destination.

When both source and target external storage devices are selected, click "Start" to begin.

Step 3. Click "Yes" when EaseUS Partition Master for Mac requests that you confirm the operation.

Step 4. Wait patiently to let EaseUS Partition Master for Mac complete the cloning process.

Way 3. Use Disk Utility

Disk Utility is macOS's built-in tool that can clone an external hard drive to another external hard drive by using its "Restore" function, creating an exact copy of the source drive on the destination drive.

Premise:

• Back up data since the destination drive's data will be completely overwritten.

• Both drives must be connected simultaneously, and the destination drive must have equal or larger capacity than the source.

👍Pros:

• Free and pre-installed on Mac
• Creates an exact block-level copy
• Suitable for full disk cloning (🚩non-boot disks)

👎Cons:

• Moderate difficulty; requires careful source/destination selection
• Target disk data will be erased
• Cloned disk may not be bootable by default
• Limited support for non-Mac file systems like NTFS

Step 1. Connect both external hard drives to your Mac and open Disk Utility (found in Applications > Utilities).

Step 2. In Disk Utility's sidebar, select the destination external hard drive. Then, click the Restore button in the toolbar.

Step 4. In the dialog, set the source drive (the external hard drive you want to clone) as the restore source.

Step 5. Confirm and start the restore process. Disk Utility will erase the destination drive and copy all data from the source drive, creating an exact clone.

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Conclusion

Cloning one external hard drive to another on a Mac is essential for data backup, system migration, or upgrading to a larger drive, ensuring your files, applications, and system remain intact and easily recoverable.

In this post, I cover three main methods to achieve this:

• Manual Drag and Drop is perfect for beginners who only need to transfer selected files or folders quickly without cloning the entire drive.
• Disk Utility suits intermediate Mac users who want to create an exact clone of their external drive, including system files, using a built-in, free tool.
• EaseUS Partition Master for Mac is ideal for users seeking a simple, reliable, and comprehensive solution to clone bootable drives, migrate systems, and manage disks with minimal effort.

Choosing the right method depends on your technical comfort level and cloning needs.

You can check the links below to learn more about performing a disk clone on Mac:

FAQs About How to Transfer an External Hard Drive to Another on Mac

To help you get more related information, this part lists three frequently asked questions and answers. Check them out!

1. Is it better to clone or image a hard drive?

Cloning creates an exact, bootable copy of a hard drive for quick use or migration, while imaging compresses data into backup files for flexible, space-saving storage and incremental updates.

• Cloning is a nice option for immediate recovery.
• Imaging works well in ongoing backups.

2. How do I copy my Mac to a new one?

To copy a Mac to a new Mac, use Apple's Migration Assistant, which seamlessly transfers documents, applications, user accounts, and settings.

• Connect two Macs over Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt, or Ethernet, then open Migration Assistant on the new Mac and select the old Mac as the source Mac.
• Verify the security codes on both devices, select the data you want to transfer, and start the migration.

3. Does cloning a hard drive copy everything?

Yes, cloning a hard drive copies everything on the source drive, including the operating system, installed programs, personal files, and all partitions, to create an exact copy on the target drive without the need for a fresh installation. 

However, cloning only copies the data sectors and does not transfer physical defects such as bad sectors; these defects are specific to the physical hard disk and therefore will not be copied.