Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data?

Do we really need 1TB for Catalina? Is there a way to extend the partitions so i can make the Data partition smaller?

My system is about 11 GB, much like babowa's.

I think you don't understand the display your are reading, or it is just the standard misinformation in the Storage displays in macOS.

Why would you want the Data Volume smaller? It doesn't matter, anyway--the same storage space is shared amongst all volumes in the container.

What do you want to do with your data in order to make the Data volume smaller? Do you not want your data stored on the startup drive?

Hi,

I made two separate volume so that I can easily update my OS if in case a problem occur. Here's how it looked like if I view it from the 'Storage'.

However, after updating to macOS Catalina, 10.15.4, The HD Volume created additional Volume which is 'HD - Data'. What should I do with this? Should I delete 'HD - Data'? How do I clean install the new OS in my laptop?

Additional question, how do I transfer my backup file in a hard drive ntfs format?

Thank you.

Old Toads answer is what Apple Support says in the document "About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina". But that does not seem to be the case for my computer, a new macBook Air. Because of problems with Accessebility-Dictation, I had to reinstall the OS. It created the 2 disks you mentioned, but all my Data, Users, and all my files, as well as the system, is on the "Macintosh HD". The Disk " Macintosh HD - Data" is blank, completely empty, "0 Items, 377.72 GB".

So, what is going on here?

Yes, I erased the disk before reinstalling.

FINDER:

Note that the HD-Data disk is empty. All my data is on the MAcintosh HD. This is not what apple says - "macOS Catalina runs on a dedicated, read-only system volume called Macintosh HD. This volume is completely separate from all other data to help prevent the accidental overwriting of critical operating system files. Your files and data are stored in another volume named Macintosh HD - Data. In the Finder, both volumes appear as Macintosh HD. "

Also note that the finder says that the Macintosh HD-Data has a size of 864 KB while Disk Utility says it has 499.96 GB. Disk utility also says that the HD-Data disk is using 119.34 GB while the Finder shows it to be completely empty, and shows all my data on the Macintosh HD. disk.

But now as I look at the Disk Utility I see that it claims I have 2 Macintosh HD-Data disks. The 2nd one has 499.96 GB but only 885 KB are used and there is 132.18 GB on "Other volumes"

All very strange. But clearly the Finder thinks that all my data is on the Macintosh HD and not on the Macintosh HD-Data.

I would love to hear a clear explaination of all this.

I keep getting Macintosh HD - Data AND Macintosh HD - Data - Data showing up on my desktop - both empty. Time machine will not backup unless I delete both of them which I do but they both show up again in a few days.

Maybe it's an "is what it is" issue.

I'm having the same issue with my MacBook Pro 2017...I have no memory and this computer has virtually nothing on it. Just started using a Seagate Backup that tells me it can't catch screen shot and it hasn't resolved my issue, not even sure it is working. Still getting message about my disc is full. Can anyone assist as to how a computer that has hardly any files on it, transferred photos to external back, zipped files, no music, no movies, no games still has no memory?? I have Mohave 10.14.6 with 8 gb memory, should be just perfect for my business needs. Super frustrated with this computer it not living up to apple standards by any means. Any help would be really appreciated thanks!

I’m not having any issues except to confirm what others are reporting. empty phantom hard disk or disks randomly appear on my desk top preventing my time machine backup from working. These hard drive images are empty so I simply “unmount” them when the appear. Happens every few weeks but since unmounting then fixes time machine back ups - I just keep doing this work around.

As I stated, start your own post. This thread is pretty much dead as it is just a bunch of me too useless drivel.

Your drive is either corrupt or failing.

Go to the top of the page and choose Discussion from the Post popup menu.

I erased my MacBook Pro 2019 and reinstalled OS Catalina resulting in 2 partitions.

1) Macintosh HD which contains My user folder. It is NOT read only. It CAN be written to. I have already copied items to it.

2) Macintosh HD-Data which sits there unused.

I am confused. Please help. Anyone?

Please don't let one bad apple.... I too am seeking a solution. I have followed ALL instructions. I am also an experienced Mac user of many years. I understand how things work. Despite following the instructions, reformatting, reinstalling etc. I have 2 filters or partitions. Users are in the HD folder, which is NOT read only. the HD-Data folder sits there useless.

If you find a solution, please reply. It's frustrating.

Hello Old Toad. My MacBook 2019 is running 10.15.6. From Jan-Aug I had one HD visible in the finder. Mac Support was unable to help with my problem (trash would not empty despite all recommended solutions.) and advised me to

erase the HD.

I did so twice, using Disk Utility. I then installed Catalina. Both times the result was 2 visible partitions in my finder.

1) Macintosh HD contains Applications, Library, System and User folders. This Macintosh HD is NOT read only. Every folder in the user folders can and has been written to. (bad grammar lol)

2) the second partition is named Macintosh HD - Data. It contains nothing and seems to be useless.

Any remedy is appreciated. The syncing after each reinstall is killing me. Thanks

Super confused by the "two" drives also. Going to do a clean re-install for other issues (bootcamp assistant failures (so many)) but not sure how the dual drives complicates their erasure.

If any good can come from your experience it would be a lesson for all of us to remember to manually back up then to back up that back up❗️