Hi, I'm trying to convert my internal HD to APFS using the disk utility in recovery mode, but I can't find the APFS option, as shown below. This is a MacBook Pro (mid 2012) running Mojave 10.14.6 Any help will be greatly appreciated.
You are booted into a version of macOS which is too old for APFS (macOS 10.7 or 10.8). You need to be booted into macOS 10.13+ in order to use the APFS file system. Try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to see if you can access the online installer for a newer version of macOS 10.15. Unfortunately some Macs may only boot into the online installer for the version of macOS which originally shipped with the Mac from the factory.
In that case, you should create a bootable macOS 10.13+ USB installer using the instructions in this Apple article:
Create a bootable installer - Apple Support
If this Mac is no longer able to boot to the internal drive, then would need access to another Mac from Late-2009 to 2019 so you can create a bootable macOS 10.13 (Late-2009 to 2011) or 10.15 (2012 to 2019) USB installer. While you can try to install 10.7/10.8, it is doubtful it will be successful since there have been lots of reports that the Apple online installer servers may no longer be working for older versions of macOS (or perhaps older hardware).
You are booted into a version of macOS which is too old for APFS (macOS 10.7 or 10.8). You need to be booted into macOS 10.13+ in order to use the APFS file system. Try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to see if you can access the online installer for a newer version of macOS 10.15. Unfortunately some Macs may only boot into the online installer for the version of macOS which originally shipped with the Mac from the factory.
In that case, you should create a bootable macOS 10.13+ USB installer using the instructions in this Apple article:
Create a bootable installer - Apple Support
If this Mac is no longer able to boot to the internal drive, then would need access to another Mac from Late-2009 to 2019 so you can create a bootable macOS 10.13 (Late-2009 to 2011) or 10.15 (2012 to 2019) USB installer. While you can try to install 10.7/10.8, it is doubtful it will be successful since there have been lots of reports that the Apple online installer servers may no longer be working for older versions of macOS (or perhaps older hardware).
Command + Option + R did the trick. It booted into 10.15 and then I had to unmount the volume before converting it to APFS. Finally I was able to install 10.15.7.
@leroydouglas, @HWTech, thank you guys for the tips !
you can convert on the fly, this is a Non-Destructive APFS Conversion
This conversion was available starting back in High Sierra 10.13
see the drop down menu
from your Recovery Launch Disk utility.
Click-select your named boot volume—the default name is "Macintosh HD" —(Not the physical drive above it.)
In the Disk Utility> Edit> select “Convert to APFS"
it takes just minutes for this conversion.
Restart the Mac into Recovery Mode.
Recovery: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
ok. I select the boot volume and then I go to the disk utility menu bar on top, but I don't see the "convert to APFS" menu item... I guess I must be doing something wrong
Edit: Seems the forum upgrades have mangled the order of posts in this thread. Please disregard if you see my deleted post.
You're welcome. Glad we could help you.
Can't convert internal hard drive to APFS
