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Partition Problem:"the container cannot be split because the resulting containers would be too small"

I recently partitioned my macbook to allow an upgrade the IOS. the problem i have is although i have around 17gb free on the other partition, the other partition is out of space and its the one i need for daily activities. when I go to disk utility to add the 17gb to the other partition, it will not allow me. I can neither add nor subtract space. see attached pics

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Sep 3, 2022 2:20 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 4, 2022 2:35 AM

Partitioning a Tiny Internal Drive with a Drive Capacity of only 128 GB is really not suggested.


A drive this size should really have only a Single Partition and that would the the Entire Drive


Running Big Sur on a 128 GB Drive is possible but partitioning the drive will make operating of this computer and major Empty Space Issue


Since a Second Partition has already been created - it will required formatting the Entire Drive back to a Single Partition.


This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.


>> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer <<


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer. About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 




1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 


5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

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3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 4, 2022 2:35 AM in response to monwabisi

Partitioning a Tiny Internal Drive with a Drive Capacity of only 128 GB is really not suggested.


A drive this size should really have only a Single Partition and that would the the Entire Drive


Running Big Sur on a 128 GB Drive is possible but partitioning the drive will make operating of this computer and major Empty Space Issue


Since a Second Partition has already been created - it will required formatting the Entire Drive back to a Single Partition.


This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.


>> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer <<


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer. About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 




1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 


5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

Sep 4, 2022 4:09 AM in response to monwabisi

Short answer --- >>> Yes.


Reasons


1 - The Operating System ( Big Sur ) alone will required approximately 12 to 15 GB

2 - The above is without any Additional Applications being installed

3 - Add in your Applications and the space can ballon to ?? GB

4 - Add in your personal Data and increases to ?? GB

5 - Then, for Good Computer Practices --- > it is suggested to keep at least 15%  to 20% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer.

6 - On a Tiny 128 GB Total Drive Capacity and having Partitioned the Drive into any Configuration other than a Single Partition --- > perform the calculations and arrive at your own conclusions

7 - Below illustration is on a 256 GB SSD which is Double the Size of your computer


Sep 4, 2022 3:50 AM in response to PRP_53

Hi and thanks for the reply, The reason i partitioned the drive was because when i wanted to upgrade to the latest IOS Big Sur, it kept saying "not formatted as APFS".

So the partition was just to accommodate the installation.

Basically the only way to solve this problem is to format the whole drive? start from scratch?

Partition Problem:"the container cannot be split because the resulting containers would be too small"

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