How to Format a USB Drive as ext4
If your Keenetic/Netcraze router does not have available storage and you need to use a USB drive as the storage device, format the USB drive as ext4 first.
Windows and macOS do not natively support formatting a USB drive as ext4, so you need to use a third-party tool.
⚠️ Important
Formatting will erase all data on the USB drive. Back up any important files before you start, and make sure you select the correct USB drive to avoid accidentally formatting another disk.
1. Before you start
Before formatting, prepare the following:
- A USB drive that can be properly connected to your computer.
- A Windows PC or Mac.
- A third-party tool for formatting the USB drive.
- Make sure any important files on the USB drive have been backed up.
Note: The disk name, capacity, and drive letter shown on your computer may vary. Identify your USB drive based on its actual capacity and name. Do not select a disk based only on its drive letter or disk number.
2. Windows: Format the USB Drive as ext4
Windows does not natively support formatting a USB drive as ext4, so you need to use a third-party tool. The steps below use DiskGenius as an example.
Step 1: Install DiskGenius
Download and install DiskGenius on your computer.
Once the installation is complete, open DiskGenius.
Step 2: Connect the USB Drive
Connect the USB drive you want to format to your computer.
After opening DiskGenius, you can see the disks and partitions currently connected to your computer in the left panel.
Find your USB drive.
⚠️ Important
Before formatting, confirm that you have selected the correct USB drive by checking its capacity, name, and other information.
Do not select your system disk or any other disk that contains important data.
Step 3: Select the USB Drive Partition
In the left panel, select the partition of your USB drive that you want to format.
Check that the information shown on the right matches your USB drive before continuing.
Step 4: Select Format
Right-click the USB drive partition you want to format and select Format Current Partition.
Step 5: Select ext4
In the format window, find the file system option.
Select:
EXT4
Check the other settings and click Format.
Step 6: Confirm the Format
The tool may display another warning that formatting will erase the data on the partition.
Make sure there are no important files left on the USB drive, then confirm the formatting operation.
Wait for the process to complete.
Step 7: Confirm That Formatting Was Successful
After formatting is complete, check the file system information for the USB drive in DiskGenius.
If it shows EXT4, the formatting is complete.
Tip
Windows File Explorer may not be able to open an ext4 partition in the same way it opens an NTFS or exFAT USB drive. This is normal and does not necessarily mean that the formatting failed.
3. Mac: Format the USB Drive as ext4
macOS does not natively support formatting a USB drive as ext4, so you need to use a third-party tool that supports ext4. The steps below use Paragon extFS for Mac as an example.
Step 1: Install Paragon extFS for Mac
Download and install Paragon extFS for Mac on your Mac.
Follow the instructions provided during installation.
If macOS asks you to authorize any required permissions, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the authorization.
Step 2: Connect the USB Drive
Connect the USB drive you want to format to your Mac.
Open Paragon extFS for Mac.
Find the USB drive connected to your Mac.
⚠️ Important
Before formatting, make sure you have selected the correct USB drive.
You can identify it by its name and capacity. Do not select your Mac's internal drive or another external disk that contains important data.
Step 3: Select the USB Drive
Find your USB drive in Paragon extFS and select the corresponding disk or partition.
Check the capacity and other information to make sure it is the correct USB drive before continuing.
Step 4: Select Format
Select the format option.
For the file system format, select:
EXT4
Set a name for the USB drive if needed.
Step 5: Confirm the Format
Make sure you have selected the correct USB drive and that any important data on the drive has been backed up.
Start the formatting process.
Wait for the process to complete.
Step 6: Confirm That Formatting Was Successful
After formatting is complete, check the USB drive information in Paragon extFS.
If the file system is shown as EXT4, the formatting is complete.
4. What to Do After Formatting
After confirming that the USB drive has been successfully formatted as ext4:
- Safely eject the USB drive from your computer.
- Connect the USB drive to the Keenetic/Netcraze router where you want to install the GearUP Plugin.
- Open the GearUP App.
- Return to the installation process and continue.
If the App can recognize the USB drive and continue the installation, the USB drive meets the storage requirements.
5. FAQ
Why can't Windows or Mac open the ext4 USB drive like a regular USB drive?
This is normal.
ext4 is a file system commonly used by Linux, and Windows and macOS do not provide full native support for ext4.
As long as the formatting tool shows that the USB drive's file system is EXT4, this does not necessarily mean that the formatting failed.
Can I recover files after formatting the USB drive?
Formatting will erase the data on the USB drive. Always back up important files before formatting.
I have multiple disks. How do I know which one is my USB drive?
Use the USB drive's capacity, name, and the change in the disk list after connecting it to identify it.
If you are not sure, do not continue with the formatting. Disconnect the USB drive, reconnect it, and check which disk appears or changes in the disk list.
Why can't I see my USB drive in the formatting tool?
Check the following:
- Make sure the USB drive is connected properly.
- Try a different USB port.
- Check whether the USB drive is recognized by your computer.
- Refresh the disk list in the formatting tool if necessary.
If your computer cannot recognize the USB drive at all, try reconnecting it or using a different USB port.
The End