Snapshot volume? com.apple.os.update-xxxxxx in Disk Utility

Same here and I did a clean instal erasing the APFS group. Well apparently it's normal. Something to do with securing system files from malware... https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/11/macos-11-0-big-sur-the-ars-technica-review/11/

This is pretty normal and no one needs to do anything.

This name of partition/volume is scary and if it is not scary then also it surely is frustrating for some users who might take it otherwise that their valuable space (yes, I know it because I use a 128Gigs Macbook Air) is taken up by something that's not at all necessary.

But when you see the free space in SSD it will be shown as Free Space=128GB-System space-Stored Data space+AFPS com.apple.os.update drive space.

Yes, a "+"

That taken up space is not taken up, it just shows it that way and is actually purgeable space that will be freed when needed.

NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT IT

For what it's worth, I am seeing exactly the same as you:

I'm not sure if this is intentional or not but it does not seem to affect my Mac or how Big Sur operates on it.

Originally, I upgraded from Catalina but I have since completed a clean install of Big Sur on my 2020 13" MacBook Pro. I can't remember what the partition map looked like after upgrade from Catalina.

Did you just upgrade from Catalina or did you do a clean install as well?

Steve

Same here.

Thanks for all your reply, I can now stop reinstalling the macOS as this seems to be "normal".

But seriously, apple devs could have made this clearer, and maybe change this ****** name...

yeah after re installing several times as i assumed this was my error* causing the strange name to the volume! (* i thought it was bc i tried out a BS beta first)

but the replies are correct - its standard BS OS stuff, i think its a 64 char key/name unique to your system/hardware to protect system integrity & security.

and in a short explanation, this is better when updating the system securely while its live, it uses a snapshot (copy of the volume) then the safely updated snapshot used as the updated system on reboot, so yeah everyone as you were back to work, panic over hahah

This has been driving me crazy for days, I was trying to figure it out too! So if this is for securing files from malware, then there is no way of deleting it and freeing up the space? I assume it’s not recommended, just curious tho.

Hey i really wouldn't advise you to delete that volume though, its your mac system and files!! Without it your mac wont run. Best to leave it alone its just an ugly looking way to present it i guess thats all that bothers me about it now i know theres not much i can do about it if its apple's thing. :)

I have this too. Mac Mini M1. I also noticed my username was duplicated with same username, but one under "Deleted Users." It is confusing to me, plus I downloaded MacOS 11.1 update twice! Is this normal?

Yeah, i was getting ready to reinstall as well. It reminded me of one time when i had a problem deleting the Container in Catalina Beta so i was thinking I messed something up.

Glad to know the Disk naming convention is the new normal!

Apple have a link that put information on what it does:

https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=3xpv8r2m

Cheers!

Hello, can you help me answer my question after update?

Why am I used up to 300gb and I don't know where they are?

How can I use this space?

Well thank you

Haha yeah i reinstalled mine 3 times until i realised

You can't delete it. It's part of the Bug Sur MacOs.

The MacOS is now manage (protected) to an other level of security.

Is it possible/save to delete thuis volume, because its 17 Gb.