CCC could still work with these but it was getting more complex due to APFS container volume of system and 'Data' partitions, firm links between user apps/data and the system, APFS snapshots, and APFS TimeMachine implications.įirm-linking is a way of connecting immutable system files between the SSV to user modifiable files in Data while providing a folder structure that looks like pre-SSV versions of macOS.

APFS was introduced around Sierra but you could avoid up through High Sierra. Introduced APFS as default and required drive format. Apple did two big things with that version: So WRT Catalina, there are some tricky angles. (EDITED to correct followinghistory - beware I've cobbled this story together from bits and pieces so it prolly has errors)

I don't know details of how OC detects installations. The fix is pretty easy but almost no one could ever figure it out on their own.) The lore I found was from a linux nerd who looked really close at how mac bridges from firmware to system volume.

(Changing the boot picker label for a clone requires a bit of kung-fu, which I can post later if needed - it's kind of a nerdy interesting topic in its own right because there's a funky legacy aspect about how drive labels are stored which may or may not come into play. I've never carefully read the OC documentation on this point. There also may be some config at play that can tailor the picker and it's rules for including or omitting installations. I think there might be a limited number of items the OC text mode picker can display? I vaguely recall running into this using an OC-based update fix for unsupported Mac: the list was limited to 9 items but the needed partitioning was 11 or some such.Īnother possible hazard is the drive label for the clone will be the same as the source, so you might get confused at list in the boot picker - or not - Just be sure you know which installation you're looking at.

It's always just worked for me.Īre you running an old version of OC? If so, update. Building a CustoMac Hackintosh: Buyer's GuideĬlick to expand.I don't know details of how OC detects installations.

Clone mac hard drive to ssd catalina