User files appear to be stored in Macintosh HD, not Macintosh HD - Data. Is this normal?

Hello,

I'm a long time Windows user, new to Mac OS, with a 2014 Mac mini running Monterey 12.6.6

I have seen in other threads that of the two HD volumes, user data should be stored in Macintosh HD - Data, with Macintosh HD being more protected.

When I received the Mac I wiped the drive and reinstalled the OS (possibly incorrectly).

Now when I import music in to the Music app, it appears to be stored in Macintosh HD. I can also delete files from this volume:

While Macintosh HD - Data appears to be empty:

Is this operating as nature intended? If not, what do I need to do to fix it?

Thanks,

Will.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on May 21, 2023 3:59 PM

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 7

33,443 points

Posted on May 23, 2023 5:25 AM

reveldinho wrote:

Weirdly, I can see the Macintosh HD - Data volume on disk utility but not in Finder. Under Computer it just has Macintosh HD.

Anything else I can try?

Alternatively, what are the risks of leaving it as it is and my just storing everything on Macintosh HD?

Not to fret about the display of "Macintosh HD" on the desktop and under Computer. What you now describe is as it should be.

In normal operation, Finder should not display the "Macintosh HD - Data" volume on the desktop or in any Finder windows. Disk Utility, Terminal and other utility apps can and will. That is what BDAqua identified as being wrong in your original post. The OS does the filing and, behind the scenes, manages where things are supposed to go. When looking at things in Finder, "Macintosh HD" will appear to be the repository of your Home folder and user files. This is normal when using the new APFS drive format.

To confirm that things are otherwise normal, please give us another look at your list of volumes using the Terminal command diskutil list

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User files appear to be stored in Macintosh HD, not Macintosh HD - Data. Is this normal?

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