Disk Utility still can't check and repair APFS volumes and containers
7 hours ago
- #macOS
- #Disk Utility
- #APFS
- Disk Utility's First Aid tool has persistent issues with unmounting APFS volumes and containers in macOS Monterey 12.0.1.
- The tool relies on the command `fsck_apfs` with options `y` (auto-repair) and `x` (private communication).
- Best practice involves unmounting the volume or container before repair, but this step often fails in Disk Utility.
- Workarounds include using Recovery mode or manually unmounting and running `fsck_apfs` in Terminal.
- Commands like `sudo fsck_apfs -n /dev/disk7s2` (check only) or `sudo fsck_apfs -y /dev/disk7s2` (check and repair) can bypass Disk Utility's issues.
- Apple recommends checking volumes first, then containers, and finally disks, contrary to previous advice.
- Encrypted volumes can be checked live with the `-l` option or unlocked without mounting.
- The issue does not affect HFS+ volumes, only APFS.
- Disk Utility's backup advice is ironic for Time Machine volumes, which cannot be backed up themselves.