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User profile for user: Bob Marshall
Bob Marshall Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Why can some apps only be installed on a volume with MacOS?

I use a 2016 MBP (Monterey) for audio/music production, and I’ve wondered why many/most applications or their related data, will only allow installation on a volume that also has MacOS installed.

As far as I know, this would only be the system/boot volume, right? Based on my (mis?) understanding, my (internal) 500gb SSD system drive is very low on space. I have plenty of external storage but unsure how I can better use it in this situation.


If there is no getting around the need for MacOS on the installation targets, can someone help me understand why?


Can external volumes be formatted or otherwise setup differently (correctly?) to include OS files/configs that these apps or installation programs need?


Or is there a way to span a system (virtual) volume across multiple physical disks?

Posted on Oct 16, 2023 9:17 AM

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User profile for user: Ronasara
Ronasara
User level: Level 6
15,013 points

Posted on Oct 16, 2023 10:11 AM

I believe that most apps expect to be installed in a volume's Applications folder. That folder is part of the Mac's operating system. Also, this keeps things orderly since the process maintains consistency. Have you considered installing an OS on the external disk so you would avoid having this problem? You can still use the same disk as the startup disk.

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User profile for user: Ronasara
Ronasara
User level: Level 6
15,013 points

Oct 16, 2023 10:11 AM in response to Bob Marshall

I believe that most apps expect to be installed in a volume's Applications folder. That folder is part of the Mac's operating system. Also, this keeps things orderly since the process maintains consistency. Have you considered installing an OS on the external disk so you would avoid having this problem? You can still use the same disk as the startup disk.

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Why can some apps only be installed on a volume with MacOS?

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