[Fixed] “This Volume is Not Formatted as APFS” Error on Mac

The article will cover the following sections: 

• Reasons behind the error message “This Volume is not formatted as APFS”
• Ways to fix “This Volume is not formatted as APFS”
• Ways to restore lost data from the formatted APFS drive
• FAQ 

Why Do You Get the Error Message “This Volume is Not Formatted as APFS”?

Over the last few years, many users have reported getting the “This volume is not formatted as APFS” error message on Mac. When Apple introduced a new way to optimize SSD and flash memory on Macs, this became an issue. 

Apple File System is used on systems starting from macOS High Sierra (10.13) and later, and it can’t be installed on previous macOS versions. This means that when you try to upgrade to macOS 10.13 or later on a Mac OS Extended drive, you will see “This volume is not formatted as APFS” on Mac. You will also get the same message when you try to install macOS Sierra (10.12) on an APFS drive or when you try to transfer files from older versions of the file systems to an APFS formatted disk.

How to Fix “This Volume is Not Formatted as APFS”

Once we have covered why you are getting the message “This Volume is Not Formatted as APFS” it is time to find out the best ways on how to format Macintosh HD to APFS.  

Tip – The guide includes instructions on how to format the hard drive. This may result in data loss. To keep all your files safe, make sure to backup your data before following the steps or use Data Recovery Software for Mac to recover your files once you fix the issue successfully.

Erase and Format the Drive in Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a system utility on Mac that allows you to manage volumes, and external storage, erase, repair, and restore internal and external disks. That’s the first place you should check when you have any disk-related issues. 

The steps differ depending on whether you want to format the startup disk or non-startup drive. 

You can not erase and unmount the volume your home folder is on, so to format Macintosh HD to APFS you have to boot into Recovery Mode (or Internet recovery mode), use another Mac, or use a bootable backup drive. Non-startup drives can be formatted in Disk Utility by following the steps below. 

To format a drive as APFS in Disk Utility:

1. Open Disk Utility (From Launchpad, Spotlight, or by opening Applications> Utilities > Disk Utility).
2.  Click on your hard drive on the left side and choose the Erase option at the top.
3. Rename the drive (if needed), change the Format to APFS, make sure the scheme is GUID Partition Map.
4. Click on Erase in the window.

Tip – If you don’t see the disk you want to format in Disk Utility click on View and choose “Show all devices

To check the current format of the drive click on its name on the left side in the Disk Utility to view detailed information. In the Type section, it should say “APFS Volume”. After these actions, you should be able to transfer files between APFS disks without any problems. Otherwise, you can also format the drive via Terminal or Internet Recovery mode.

How to Restore Lost Data From Formatted APFS Drive

It is always recommended to have a backup of your Mac, but it becomes especially important to perform a backup before doing any actions that could result in a possible data loss. When you format Macintosh HD to APFS you erase all the files that were stored on the drive. If you didn’t make a backup before formatting we recommend using Mac Data Recovery Software to restore all lost files from the drive: 

1. Download, install and launch Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac.

2. Make sure the Recover Everything toggle button is on to recover all files. Or customize your scan at the bottom.

3. Select the drive you want to recover.

4. Turn on Deep Scan at the bottom left of the window and click on Scan.

5. Preview the results of the scan.

6. Select the files you want to recover and click on Recover.

To Conclude

“This Volume is Not Formatted as APFS” is a complex issue that means your drive uses the old format. In this case, your system can’t benefit from the updated drive optimization features and you are unable to upgrade macOS or share files with other APFS drives. Ways to format Macintosh HD to APFS may result in data loss. That’s where trusted data recovery software comes to rescue your files. 

FAQ 

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About The Author

Ruslana Lishchuk

Ruslana is a tech content writer whose true passion is finding out about everything Mac-related. She specializes in creating macOS guides and tips & tricks. In her spare time, you’ll find her doing yoga or discovering local coffee shops in search of the best filter coffee.