Summary: Many Mac users find it difficult to understand the difference between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. In this blog, we’ll talk about the difference and help you choose the right drive while performing macOS reinstallation.
In other words, Catalina protects the OS in its own read-only volume. The Catalina split. The Catalina installer renames the startup volume to “Macintosh HD – Data” (assuming your boot volume has the default title “Macintosh HD”) and assigns it the Data role. The installer also creates a brand new volume with the System role. In macOS Catalina, the Mac startup disk is segregated into two separate entities—Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data.This segregation isolates system files from user files to protect the macOS from accidental manipulation, malware, and operating system corruption.
In macOS Catalina, the Mac startup disk is segregated into two separate entities—Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. This segregation isolates system files from user files to protect the macOS from accidental manipulation, malware, and operating system corruption. The difference between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD data is shared below:
Macintosh HD Vs. Macintosh HD Data
Macos Catalina Will Be Installed On The Disk Macintosh Hd
Macintosh HD — The storage drive volume where macOS files and apps are stored. The volume is read-only, and the Mac user cannot create, delete, or edit any system files.
Macintosh HD Data — The storage drive volume where Mac user data is stored. The volume has read-write access, enabling Mac users to manage their files.
Which One to Erase before reinstalling macOS—Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD – Data?
This is one of the most common queries made by Mac users since Apple has segregated the Mac startup volume into two separate entities. The answer is you need to back up your Mac first, then open Disk Utility in macOS Recovery mode. Next, delete Macintosh HD* – Data the user volume, using the – volume icon present on the top panel of Disk Utility. Later, select Macintosh HD the system volume, and click the Erase tab to erase the volume. Afterward, quit Disk Utility, and from the Utilities window, select Reinstall macOS. Click Continue and perform the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS from the recovery drive.
Data Recovery on Non-booting Startup Disk
When you have lost your files from the startup disk due to deletion, corruption, erasure, or encryption, use Macintosh HD data recovery software to recover them. And if your Mac fails to boot, use bootable Mac recovery software to retrieve your data. The recovery steps are as follows:
a) Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional on your Mac.
Macos Catalina Will Be Installed On The Disk Macintosh Hd -
b) Install the softwarein your Application folder. Launch the tool.
c) Watch the following video to recover data from a corrupt or non-booting Mac.
Macos Catalina Will Be Installed On The Disk Macintosh Hd 2
Conclusion
What Is Macintosh Hd - Data Catalina
We hope now you are clear about the differences between Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data. In case of data loss from the Mac startup disk, download Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac to recover the lost data. The software is compatible with macOS Big Sur 11 and earlier.