Short for Apple File System, APFS recently got released with
the iOS 10.3 beta, and will soon replace your Apple device’s thirty year old
file system. This means your Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV will
all see upgrades from the HFS+ system. Bringing in new optimization for the storage
technologies of today, with encryption built-in as a primary feature, Apple
File System will bring a slew of new benefits to users in 2017. Let’s go over
what these changes are, and what you should expect out of your favorite apps
and devices.
What is Apple File System (APFS)?
Apple File System or APFS, is Apple’s new file system set to
replace the current and now thirty year old HFS file system. When HFS was
initially conceived, storage technology like flash drives and SSDs weren’t a
norm in consumer technology. Apple believes that a smarter and more advanced
file system should be implemented and APFS will become the new default file
system on iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS in 2017.