Creating a Volume on an APFS Container with Disk Utility on Your Mac

Are you looking to partition your drive on your Mac? If so, you've come to the right place! In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of creating a volume on an APFS container using Disk Utility. But before we dive in, let's discuss why partitions are becoming outdated with macOS.

APFS Drives: The New Standard

Apple has shifted its focus from HFS+ (macOS Extended) to APFS (Apple File System). This change is reflected in the way your Mac handles storage. Instead of using partitions, APFS containers can contain multiple volumes and allocate space as needed. In other words, you don't need to partition your drive; you can simply add a volume.

Why Add a Volume?

Adding a volume makes more sense than partitioning a drive because it allows for flexible storage allocation. With a container, each volume can grow or shrink as needed, giving you more control over your data. Additionally, volumes are recognized separately by macOS, so you can choose which one to boot from.

What is Partitioning?

Partitioning a hard drive or SSD is the process of splitting it into two separate volumes, each with its own allocated space on the drive. This allows you to install different versions of the operating system and choose which one to run.

Unpartitioning Your Mac

If you no longer need to partition your hard drive, you can easily unpartition it using Disk Utility. This will restore your drive to its original state.

Tips and Solutions for Working with APFS Containers

To help you navigate the world of APFS containers, we've gathered some tips and solutions below. Download CleanMyMac X from MacPaw to quickly solve some of the issues mentioned in this article.

In conclusion, creating a volume on an APFS container using Disk Utility is a simple process that allows for flexible storage allocation and management. By understanding how APFS works, you can make the most of your Mac's storage capabilities.

Disk utility mac partition