This volume is not formatted as APFS

I have the same problem. Mojave has worked fine but can't install Catalina. Think I'll skip it for the time being unless someone has a solution

So i have to format my drive to install the new update. That seems a little much. I think apple should fix this them selves and allow user a simple update.

So i have an iMac with an internal 5400rpm IDE drive, formatted MacOS Journaled extended, which has Mojave 10.14 and i tried to install Catalina last night and got the message that the drive is not APFS so i can't install.

From what i've read, Mojave should already be APFS but there are some circumstances where you can end up with Mojave journaled extended instead. Is there a way to convert to APFS *without* wiping the drive, or do i have to do the Recovery Mode, use Disk Utility to erase and format the drive as APFS (is there a guarantee that APFS will not be greyed out in Disk Utility?), then choose the Install new MacOS. And at that point, which version of MacOS will it choose to install? Does it just download it from Apple and install it? I assume that it would get the latest version which would be Catalina.

It's all a bit confusing, so i'm going to hold off for a while until i get some answers.

Thanks.

Danny in Sydney.

I hope we can find a solution to this problem that doesn't involve a bunch of coding jargon and a confusing number of steps (such is the way of the Mac *sigh*). I reeeeaaaallyy need to use iMovie and it won't let me until I update.

Several times it happened to me that the recovery failed and I had to restore the data manually from the cloud. It is very annoying and risky to format the disc and consciously expose myself to the risk of losing much time. With upgrading to Catalina, I have to wait until I have enough time to do it. I need a computer to make money. I can't afford to risk staying a week without a working system :-(

HWTech wrote:

Did you try erasing the whole physical drive? In order to see the physical drive in Disk Utility you need to click on "View" and select "Show all devices". You should then be able to select the physical drive in the left pane of Disk Utility to erase the drive as GUID partition and APFS (top option).

Yes, it was still "greyed out". But the Samsung SSD is currently installed as my internal drive. Would this make a difference?

HWTech wrote:

Maybe your system firmware was never fully updated so macOS is blocking you from using APFS.

I'm not sure I follow... firmware to the Samsung SSD?

Your comments have been helpful... thank you!

I find myself in exactly the same position. Tried upgrading to OS Catalina and got the following error: This volume is not formatted as APFS. Come on Apple, why are you making this so difficult. I have always upgraded as normal before without any issues.

You can let Apple know what you think here: Feedback - macOS - Apple

Agreed!

The real question, before I venture into what appears to be at least 4 hours of aggravations, is: is anything in Catalina worth it?

thank you for sharing, it explains a lot ...I installed a crucial ssd half a year ago in my mac mini late 2012

THIS was super helpful. Thanks!

Exactly. Then the best solution is to clone the drive after another drive that has Catalina, and it will work :P :P ?

Hi there, How to solve this issue ?I created a partition and formatted in APFS, but it still don't work, please help.

I really want to upgrade to the latest version of mac os

🤜🏼 I'm also a linux guy hence the rsync but otherwise yes, think this is the most fail-safe method.