Remove macintosh hd data. User files are in Macintosh HD - Data".

Remove macintosh hd data. Since there's no option to move it to the Trash, you'll need to use Disk Utility instead. Aug 5, 2025 · You need to delete the volume group or Macintosh HD - Data when factory resetting a Mac. Jan 7, 2025 · Method 1: Recover an Erased Mac Hard Drive with Data Recovery Software Data recovery software can help you recover files from an erased hard drive, but there are important limitations to consider. Oct 8, 2023 · The Macintosh HD icon will typically have the macOS logo as its image. On Mac OS Monterey and recent hardware there is an "Erase all Content and Settings" feature in System Preferences that does it all for you. Macintosh HD is the read only system sealed volume (SSV) which is mounted as a snapshot at / forming the base of the file system. Dec 4, 2019 · Dear Sir/Madam How should I delete the " Other Volumes in Containe r" on the hard drive. If you permanently delete important system files, you risk making your Mac unbootable. Unlike Mac HD, Mac HD – Data is readable/writable, meaning you can modify, format, and delete the stored data and files. How to delete Macintosh HD data volume from Disk Utility April Code 11 subscribers 23K views 3 years ago Aug 23, 2023 · The Disk Macintosh HD Can't be Unlocked? You only need to finish the backup work first, and then follow the prompts to perform step-by-step operations. Forgotten your Apple Account? On your computer, macOS is installed on a set of volumes known as a volume group. AppleSetupDone. Oct 20, 2022 · If everything is as it should be, you should see a volume named Macintosh HD and one named Macintosh HD – Data (assuming you haven’t made changes in the past to your disk’s name or structure). com Jun 8, 2023 · Which HD-Data is ok to delete In order to free some space on my Mac I deleted the hard drive in recovery mode and then re-installed Big Sur. If there's nothing on there you need, then you can remove the partition. However, deleting the Macintosh HD does not touch other drives or external storage devices connected to Nov 30, 2021 · Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data - Can I delete the HD Data Utility? Hey there, I have a Macbook Pro (Retina 15in Mid 2015 running MacOS Catalina V10. For security reasons macOS Catalina splits the logical boot volume, in your case "Macintosh HD" into two physical volumes, one for all the system files and another for the use data which has " - Data" put on the end of the name. Nov 18, 2020 · But looking at the sizes with Disk Utility and Startup Disk, i can see i'm booted with Macintosh HD - Data and my data is actually on Macintosh HD - Data - Data. If asked, enter your Apple Account information. Some posts on Reddit about the Beta version of Catalina. See full list on easeus. 2. It is done to change the file system to a format compatible with your operating system, such as APFS for macOS. The Macintosh HD is where macOS, your apps, and your files are stored. I think that is the only way to get it to create a new Data volume. If you accidentally delete the Macintosh HD - Data volume, iBoysoft Mac Recovery Mode can help you recover data on it. Starting with macOS Catalina, system files have been separated out into their own disk volume, Macintosh HD, while user data resides in Macintosh HD – Data. Oct 13, 2011 · The link from @DeltaMac is a good description of APFS snapshots in general. Manually deleting files gets rid of data but doesn’t prevent recovery unless you also erase free space. However, with care, you can delete unnecessary files to free up disk space without causing damage. The volume group consists of one volume used for the system files (named Macintosh HD) and another volume used for data (named Macintosh HD - Data). I started using it and realised that the drive organisation looked incorrect. Sep 17, 2025 · I accidentally erased my Macintosh HD, how to recover erased macintosh HD in disk utility? 2 ways are available for to you fix it. That will get rid of whatever was migrated. Yours sincerely, Aug 5, 2025 · This guide tells how to erase APFS volume on Mac, including the preparation before erasing, the detailed steps for easing APFS volume on an internal and external drive. Sep 30, 2023 · Quick Answer Yes, erasing the Macintosh HD drive does delete everything stored on it. One of them, presumably the larger one, is likely to contain files you had before the repair. It's part of the new security that Catalina brings to the table. The solution is to reset the hard drive (eg: through recovery) but when you reset DONT RESET MACINTOSH HD. Jan 31, 2025 · To erase your Mac startup disk with Disk Utility, you need to first start up from macOS Recovery or a different disk. If asked, enter your Aug 5, 2025 · This article talks about how to delete an APFS partition/volume/container from the Macintosh HD or an external hard drive. Feb 17, 2024 · Step by Step Tutorial: How to Erase Hard Disk on Mac Before you start erasing your hard disk, it’s essential to understand what you’re about to do. Jun 10, 2022 · As for the rationale for wiping the Macintosh HD Data disk, the system will build a new Macintosh HD Data folder to save all user data when upgrading to an earlier version of macOS. Whatever the reason, wiping your hard drive ensures all data is completely erased and unable to be recovered. . Whenever you right-To remove the Macintosh HD, click on the Macintosh HD symbol on your screen. But before you take action, you should recover data from the redundant volume with iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to avoid permanent data loss. It provides the foundation for the software and functionality Jul 6, 2021 · Essential system files are all in "Macintosh HD". Since macOS Catalina (introduced in 2019), Apple transitioned to a more secure system architecture that separates user data from system files. – It contains all the Macintosh HD contains the new copy of the OS The first Data disk holds the old copy of the OS The second Data disk has all your files. Apr 15, 2025 · This guide tells what should do after accidentally deleting Macintosh HD and recreating Macintosh HD, recover lost data, create bootable clone for your Mac, etc. Aug 5, 2025 · To resolve the redundant Macintosh HD - Data volume issue, the common way is to delete it. macOS's container May 19, 2025 · 2. It cannot be altered at all by the Sep 29, 2025 · How do I download Macintosh HD? This tutorial will show you how to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery with step-by-step guides. Jan 2, 2023 · Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar of Disk Utility. It Contains over 58 Gb of my Macintosh HD hard drive (The capacity of Hard is 256 Gb). Read on to find out the solution. How to start up from macOS Recovery Use the Erase feature of Disk Utility When you see the list of utilities in Recovery, select Disk Utility, then click Continue. Sep 17, 2025 · The Macintosh HD data can't be unlocked, so users cannot manage the hard drive. On my Intel Ventura system this is 8. Apr 6, 2021 · Macintosh HD - Data is a critical part of how macOS Catalina stores user data. Completely erasing it will result in the Mac being unable to startup and all user files and programs being deleted. Learn some safe and effective methods for wiping data. The Macintosh HD volume is where the system and system support files are kept and the user has no access to them. Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar of the Disk Utility window. Aug 5, 2025 · Summary: Read this post to learn why two Macintosh HD volumes appear on the desktop or in Disk Utility after clean install your Mac and whether you can delete the extra one. Instead of a single commingled set of system and data files, with Apple trying to ensure the integrity and immutability May 15, 2025 · The Role of Macintosh HD Macintosh HD is the system volume that contains the core macOS operating system. 'Sealed' in SSV refers to it being cryptographically . If I 'erase' the volume marked 'Data' will that return the 40Gb and remove the 'enter password to unlock drive' dialogue? Feb 14, 2021 · Erase macintosh HD data Should macintosh HD data also be erased before selling my old mac? Jul 17, 2023 · Know the difference between Macintosh HD vs Macintosh HD Data in mac file system. Or maybe you want to start fresh with a clean install of macOS. It means users cannot access or change the files and apps present within the drive. What version of Catalina are you running? Nov 14, 2019 · Is it safe to erase Macintosh HD - Data? I have recently had to downgrade my macOS back to Mojave because some of my programs dont work with Catalina- quick question, is it now safe to delete Macintosh HD - Data? Jan 4, 2022 · I recently installed a new update and it took a lot of data. Jul 16, 2024 · If you’re looking to get rid of all the data on a Mac hard drive or SSD, you need to wipe it fully. Oct 11, 2019 · FWIW: I had this structure after upgrading to Catalina Macintosh HD Macintosh HD Data Macintosh HD Data I removed the last instance of HD Data in Disk Utility (right-click and choose Delete volume), and now things look as they should. Macintosh HD: – This is the primary partition where the macOS operating system is installed. For Macs with Apple silicon or T2 chips running macOS Monterey or later, the “Erase All Content and Settings” option simplifies the process. Need to reset a MacBook? Want to wipe a Mac and reinstall macOS before selling? Here's how to erase a Mac - including a new process for M1 and T2 Macs. Jul 14, 2008 · Thanks for clarifying that the "Macintosh HD - Data" icon cannot be hidden separately. Here are some factors to consider: 1. Perhaps you are selling or giving away your computer and want to completely erase all of your personal data. Oct 31, 2023 · Don’t know how to remove Mac HD from desktop? Read this article to find the solution. Make sure you go on disk utility and reset the entire Apple drive whether SSD or HDD etc. It’s accessible Note: If you want to get your Mac ready to trade in, sell, or give away, and your computer is a Mac with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac with an Apple T2 Security Chip, use Erase Assistant. This procedure erases all data and reinstalls the operating system. So in summary, Macintosh HD is the default internal drive on a Mac where the operating system, built-in apps, and user files reside. Hence, you can erase the Macintosh HD - Data volume to wipe all your traits. Now I have AppleAPFSMedia with Macintosh HD, Preeboot, Recovery and VM under it and Apple SSD SM0128G Media on the sidebar. Aug 5, 2025 · This article tells you why and how to remove 'Enter a password to unlock the disk 'Macintosh HD' and 'Enter a password to unlock the disk 'Macintosh HD - Data'. Sep 29, 2023 · The Macintosh HD is the primary hard drive partition on Mac computers, containing the operating system, applications, and user data. Oct 5, 2023 · What is Macintosh HD? Macintosh HD is the default name for the main hard drive or storage disk on Mac computers (MacReports). Apple’s latest support article mentions selecting “Macintosh HD” and clicking on Erase Volume Group. Aug 5, 2025 · This article talks about how to delete an APFS partition/volume/container from the Macintosh HD or an external hard drive. When I do the Command + R+Power for recovery mode I get a spinning globe and a clock May 20, 2020 · 15 What you have done is upset the logical volume "Macintosh HD". Aug 5, 2025 · This guide includes 12 ways to free up space on Macintosh HD so that you can reclaim valuable disk space and optimize your Mac's performance. However now it says that I have more than 100GB in other volumes. Sep 15, 2022 · The Difference Between Macintosh HD And Macintosh HD – Data One big difference between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD – Data is the content of files stored by the two. Erase data, restore the operating system, remove the device from your iCloud account and disable "Find my Mac" so it can be assigned to the new owner when they go through the setup wizard, etc. – It contains all the Oct 15, 2023 · There are a few reasons why you may want to do a full disk wipe on your Mac. Jan 31, 2025 · Don't see Macintosh HD? If you previously used Disk Utility to add any internal volume other than Macintosh HD to your startup disk, select that additional internal volume in the sidebar, then click the delete volume (–) button in the toolbar to delete the volume. It is the volume you will normally access via the Finder and on the Desktop. Jun 3, 2024 · Delete Macintosh HD - Data and erase Macintosh HD for downgrading macOS If you want to downgrade macOS to macOS Catalina or later, it will create a new set of Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data volumes on your drive while retaining the previous Macintosh HD - Data volume. Aug 28, 2024 · By default these are named "Macintosh HD" and "Macintosh HD - Data". Removing it would kill your installation and lose all of your user data. Erasing it will wipe the drive clean, removing all data stored on it. Aug 30, 2021 · Reinstalling the OS won't make a new copy. Some Mac users have reported that their Macintosh HD is running out of space and they are unsure of how to delete items from it. Apple offers different methods depending on the Mac model and macOS version. The "Macintosh HD" is your computer's internal hard drive, containing the operating system and data, making it inoperable to unmount, remove, or destroy. So what is it that you're trying to do? Can't see Macintosh HD? Click the Erase button in the toolbar, then specify a name and format: Name: Macintosh HD Format: APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled), as recommended by Disk Utility Click Erase Volume Group. This process will completely remove all data from your Mac’s hard drive. Try to backup your data, if you can. Unlike Macintosh HD, this volume grants users read-write access, which allows you to edit the files stored in it. Sep 27, 2023 · How to remove Macintosh HD drive in Internet Recovery If your Mac is unable to boot to Recovery Mode, you can also use Internet Recovery to access Disk Utility and remove the Macintosh HD drive. Then, rename Macintosh HD - Data to Macintosh HD or any name you want. Feb 6, 2023 · If your Mac says your Macintosh HD Data is locked, it’s frustrating and tough to know what to do next. Sep 1, 2025 · The latter, Macintosh HD — Data, stores user files like images, videos, audio files, and documents. Sep 30, 2023 · Manually delete files and empty the Trash Erasing the entire drive will completely wipe it and allow you to reinstall macOS with a clean slate. Jul 25, 2014 · Accidentally deleted Macintosh HD, Recovery HD corrupt!! So I accidentally deleted my Macintosh HD while trying to reformat the drive (since the disk couldn't be repaired, I had to reformat and then restore it. If you can’t see this button, click Erase instead. Sep 25, 2023 · Formatting a Macintosh HD drive rewrites the file system structure on the drive, but does not remove any files or data. If you can't see this button, click Erase instead. This method works best with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and only when the drive was erased using the “fastest” (non-secure) option, you haven’t written new data to the drive since Aug 5, 2025 · The read-only Macintosh HD volume is used to store system files and apps while the Macintosh HD - Data volume stores user data that is created when you are using this computer. Dec 27, 2022 · When I start the Macbook in to recovery assistant, it is showing two drives - the 'Macintosh HD Data' (which is the volume marked encrypted in disk utility) and the Macintosh HD. Also, it can help you out if two Macintosh HD icons appear on the desktop. Jun 30, 2025 · In this post, we will describe the definition of Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. And don't worry: you won't be able to delete a drive you're not supposed to delete. Feb 7, 2022 · The not-greyed-out "Macintosh HD (snapshot)" is what your system is actively using to work and operate, but is reset at boot. Oct 20, 2019 · The Mac HD - Data volume is where your files and apps are kept and you have access to them just like the older system volumes. ) But erasing the content of the disk caused the OS to be deleted, so now I can only boot up through the Recovery HD. Dec 27, 2024 · Restoring a Mac to its factory settings is a useful process for various situations. Mar 4, 2018 · I deleted Macintosh HD with Disk Utility and now I can't reload Mac OS Help! I'm desperate!! 😢 So I went to clear my data to sell my MacBook Pro and instead I deleted the Internal Macintosh HD drive with Disk Utility. 7) It has been full for a while now, and I keep deleting, cleaning, online syncing to Dropbox etc but the available space is not increasing. Nov 29, 2019 · Silly me thought maybe I could delete some data and ended up deleting volume group on Macintosh HD Data. User files are in Macintosh HD - Data". "Macintosh HD - Data" contains any non-OS files. This means all your files, applications, and settings will be gone, and the operating system will need to be reinstalled. "Macintosh HD" is a secured, read only volume where the macOS stores the operating system files. Since Mac HD – Data stores no system files, removing data from this volume won't impact the booting performance or any other system function on your Mac. Remove Macintosh HD Data volume after reverting from Catalina back to Mojave I've got a Mac Pro with 500GB internal hard drive and had to revert to Mojave after innocently updating to Catalina. You can use Disk Utility to mount & inspect its contents. Can't see Macintosh HD? Click the Erase button in the toolbar, then enter the requested details: Name: Macintosh HD Format: APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled), as recommended by Disk Utility Click Erase Volume Group. Delete the first Data disk - Macintosh HD - Data Rename Macintosh HD - Data2 to Macintosh HD - Data Keep your fingers crossed and reboot. Feb 16, 2021 · I was looking up information about clean installing macOS Big Sur and was surprised to find conflicting information about erasing the startup disk, specifically when it comes to dealing with the “Macintosh HD” and “Macintosh HD - Data” volumes. Feb 26, 2020 · Did you see the Apple doc How to erase a disk for Mac? Before re-installing you first need to, from recovery, delete the volume "Macintosh HD - Data" and then erase "Macintosh HD". Sep 29, 2023 · Deleting the data on your Macintosh HD can have serious consequences if not done properly. Mar 3, 2021 · Next, delete Macintosh HD* – Data the user volume, using the – volume icon present on the top panel of Disk Utility. Learn how to recover after inadvertently destroying a startup drive on a Mac in this post. Nov 25, 2021 · With macOS Catalina, Apple changed macOS’s structure on a startup volume. Jul 6, 2021 · Essential system files are all in "Macintosh HD". Catalina divides the boot device into two volumes, Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data. Follow these steps to ensure you do it correctly. We will also list the difference between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. Later, select Macintosh HD the system volume, and click the Erase tab to erase the volume. Then, reinstall the OS on Macintosh HD. There is no worry if the data is lost during the Macintosh removal process since a powerful data recovery software, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, allows you to recover deleted or lost files, hard drives, and even the entire operating system without much effort. Aug 5, 2025 · Learn what AppleSetupDone is and how to delete AppleSetupDone in Terminal to rerun OS X Setup Assistant with rm /Volumes/Macintosh HD/var/db/. and Which drive need to erase and Reinstall macOS. I need to run Avid video editing software so wiped the computer and reinstalled the Mojave OS from a bootable drive. 5. 8GB (smaller than it was for Monterey). Surprisingly, an earlier iteration Sep 29, 2025 · Accidentally deleted Macintosh HD will erase all files saved on the drive and may render the Mac unbootable. Sep 1, 2023 · When it comes to installing macOS on your Macintosh, you have the option to choose between two different partitions: Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. If you want to erase any other type of storage device: Double-click Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities folder. It doesn't make sense to want to delete just the "-Data" volume because it's supposed to be attached to the non-Data volume. Aug 5, 2025 · This article shows you how to remove/hide Macintosh HD from your desktop. Jul 13, 2022 · Assuming you have all of your data on your startup volume, remove Macintosh HD in Disk Utility. As a result, the Macintosh HD volume is now read-only, preventing any accidental or malicious Sep 1, 2023 · When it comes to installing macOS on your Macintosh, you have the option to choose between two different partitions: Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. Mar 5, 2023 · Macintosh HD is the default name for the internal hard drive or solid-state drive on Mac models. If this doesn't work, then you will have to start from scratch. Macintosh HD volumes are primarily for Mac system files and scripts, while Macintosh HD – Data volumes are primarily where personal data is stored. "Macintosh HD - Data" is where User files are stored. Aug 6, 2022 · Can i delete macintosh hd data after downgrading from catalina to high sierra I recently had to downgrade my os from catalina to high sierra to fix my computers performance issues I was able to restore a good chunk of my old user data from my time machine back up but i noticed that my memory was doubled compared to before i started this project Sep 29, 2025 · Note: Make sure to back up your data before removing Macintosh HD. I would be grateful if you tell me a solution for my problem. Sep 14, 2023 · Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data Incorrect Configuration I have recently purchased a second-hand MacBook Pro 16" 2019 running macOS Ventura 13. Apr 10, 2020 · I recently erased my Macintosh Data disk and I also tried to delete the Macintosh HD disk but my computer wouldn't let me do so. Macs formatted with APFS (the majority of Macs) have a volume group consisting of Macintosh HD (stores the operating system and built-in apps) and Macintosh HD - Data (keeps user data). Aug 5, 2025 · Macintosh HD - Data is the other separate entity of the Mac hard drive. Erasing just the free space or overwriting it will help protect deleted files from being recovered. And you will also learn how to perform Macintosh HD Recovery with a professional Mac data recovery program. Assuming that I do not need old data in my "Macintosh HD - Data" how do I safely make room for some? Jul 7, 2022 · 6 The "Macintosh HD - Data" you selected has 194GB of data and contains your user data. A second drive with the name "Macintosh HD - Data" will be created if you don't remove the first. So, it’s likely there is an old data partition as well as the one that belongs to your account. 15. Macintosh HD contains all of the operating system’s files and data. Oct 15, 2019 · Remove Macintosh HD Data volume after reverting from Catalina back to Mojave So I rather blindly upgraded from Mojave to Catalina as I usually do when a new OS releases, which of course rendered my Adobe collection and numerous other apps unusable. Unfortunately 20% of my hard are allocated to other volume container and it is a huge amount of my hard. As you appear to have two of those, you can delete either. Choose View > Show All Devices. 2. Feb 12, 2021 · I did a clean install of MacOs today, and when choosing where to install it chose "Macintosh HD". How to purge Mac hard drive with command lines: Open Terminal from the Applications folder > Utilities. Jan 10, 2021 · With the new macOS Big Sur the Macintosh HD uses a snapshot as the signed system volume (SSV) —you are not going to delete that. Dec 12, 2023 · It's worth mentioning that previous attempts to create an empty file and then duplicate the file until it uses up your Mac's free space to force your operating system to clear purgeable space to store the file no longer works with APFS. It houses folders like Applications, Library, System, and Users where apps, preferences, resources, and personal data are stored. The Macintosh HD drive is where macOS, your user accounts, applications, documents, settings, and all other files are stored by default. If you want to go that route, just remove the Macintosh HD - Data volume in Disk Utility while booted into Recovery. I reinstalled macOS and I just checked disk utilities to see this. It contains the macOS operating system files as well as user documents, applications, settings, and other data. The boot volume is a special case of APFS and its snapshots. However, there is reason to keep the hard drive icon as one single icon on my desktop: that's how I want it - and that is reason enough (although I understand that I don't get here what I want). Oct 11, 2019 · Macintosh HD - Data: what is that? After upgrading Mojave to Catalina I discovered my Macintosh HD was split into 2 partitions: Macintosh HD Macintosh HD - Data I tried searching for some info on the web and didn't find anything useful. You should not delete this, and Disk Utility probably won't even let you. But I got the upgrade from the official release. We’ll show you how to remove/show Macintosh HD from desktop easily. The computer prompts "The Disk Macintosh HD Can't be Unlocked" is a problem that many users will encounter, don't panic, as long as the operation is correct, this troublesome problem can be solved. I can see that I have two HD-Data and read somewhere that it's ok to delete one. Open Disk Utility. The choice of where to install macOS depends on your specific needs and preferences. It now seems there is a new "Macintosh HD - Data" partition, where MacOS currently references, as well as my old "Macintosh HD - Data" with all my data still there. Here’s what to do: Go to Applications > Utilities and open Disk Utility. Sep 17, 2025 · Use the Erase All Content and Settings feature to quickly and securely erase all settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed. In Disk Utility on your Mac, add, delete, erase, or enlarge a partition on a storage device. The Macintosh HD - Data volume is used to store Mac user files such as documents, videos, photos, and audio. Delete the old data partition If “enter a password to unlock the disk Macintosh HD” keeps popping up, it may be that the previous owner didn’t erase the Mac correctly. You see more of the big picture if you choose Disk Utility>View> Show all Devices Sep 30, 2025 · If you have two Macintosh HD - Data volumes, that's because you didn't delete the Macintosh HD - Data volume from the last operating system you installed before formatting your Mac and reinstalling macOS. 1. tw 4ofl 5zs 5ri1p knr u0kdi rbvg wg5wd v2hdh2 n33s