I get an error "This volume is not formatted as APFS" What do I do?
When installing MacOS Catalina, I get an error "This volume is not formatted as APFS" What do I do?
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Robyuuki wrote:
When installing MacOS Catalina, I get an error "This volume is not formatted as APFS" What do I do?
Apple provides non-destructive methods for start-up disk drives for APFS conversion, and hence no data (files or folders) will be lost.
On the other hand, APFS formatting will erase all the files and folders stored on the external hard drive. If not backed up earlier, APFS formatting on the external drive will cause data loss
Non-Destructive APFS Conversion
If you download the Catalina installer, Quit the installer like any other app if it launches./
Here it will sit harmlessly in your Applications folder. You can make a bootable USB installer:
How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
Boot to this installer holding the option key and from the "Startup Disk Manager" select it for boot.
ref: How to select a different startup disk - Apple Support https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202796
(Alternatively you can boot from Recovery https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904 )
The installer contains a DisK Utility.app among other Utilities/Tools—
Now that you are not mounted to your internal SSD— you can Convert to APFS on the fly (non-destructive.)
It is a surprising fast and efficient conversion.
Disk Utility>Edit>Convert to APFS
*please note from DU>View>Show All Devices for clarification—
You are selecting your "named boot volume" (not the physical drive above it.)
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Always advised to have a current redundant backup plan before any update/upgrade/conversion—only in this way can you restore your User if something goes UN-expectantly sideways.
3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.
Boot clone https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081
How to use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250
Use DiskUtility Restore feature https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac
note: >System Preferences>Security & Privacy >Privacy>Full Disk Access
unlock the padlock, press the + button and add Disk Utility