HFS (Hierarchical File System) is a file system developed by Apple Inc. in 1985 for use on Macintosh computers. Due to its inefficiencies with large volumes and modern storage requirements, HFS was eventually replaced by HFS+ (HFS Plus) in 1998. HFS+ addressed many of its predecessor’s shortcomings, including better support for large drives and improved file allocation. HFS is now considered obsolete and has been succeeded by more advanced file systems, including HFS+ and APFS, in Apple’s ecosystem.
In recent years, Apple has transitioned to APFS (Apple File System) as the default file system for macOS. APFS provides more advanced features, including better performance, enhanced efficiency, and improved support for SSDs, further modernizing the file management capabilities on Macs.