{"id":161022,"date":"2024-02-16T09:48:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T09:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=161022"},"modified":"2026-01-06T06:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T06:56:38","slug":"disk-utility-on-macbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/disk-utility-on-macbook","title":{"rendered":"Disk Utility on MacBook: Functions and Troubleshooting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Disk Utility<\/a> is the Mac default app that lets you manage, format, encrypt, and repair your storage devices. If you are an experienced Mac user or just entering the Apple ecosystem, learning about what Disk Utility can do and how it can be used when things go wrong is necessary to tune up your machine. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at Disk Utility, from its basic functions to the best ways to resolve problems.<\/p>

How to Access Disk Utility on MacBook<\/strong><\/h2>

There are 4 easy methods you can use to open the Disk Utility on your MacBook. Let’s see how to do it using each of them.<\/p>

<\/a>1.   Via Finder<\/h3>

Finder provides an organized way to open applications, including Disk Utility. Here’s how:<\/strong><\/p>

    \n
  1. Click on Finder<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
    \n
    \"image16\"
    Open Finder from Dock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
      \n
    1. Go to the Applications<\/strong> tab > select Utilities<\/strong> folder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
      \n
      \"image3\"
      Alt: Open Disk Utility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

      <\/a>2. Via LaunchPad<\/h3>

      Launchpad offers a visually intuitive way to access Disk Utility on a MacBook. Look what you need to do to open Disk Utility via Launchpad:<\/strong><\/p>

        \n
      1. Click on the Launchpad icon in your dock.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
        \n
        \"image21\"
        Open Launchpad from Dock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
          \n
        1. In Launchpad, find and click on the Other<\/strong> folder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
            \n
          1. Click on Disk Utility<\/strong> to open it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
            \n
            \"image5\"
            Open Disk Utility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

            <\/a>3. Via Spotlight<\/h3>

            Spotlight is a quick and easy way to access Disk Utility. Here’s how:<\/strong><\/p>

              \n
            1. Press Command + Spacebar <\/strong>to open Spotlight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Type Disk Utility<\/strong> in the search bar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Press Enter<\/strong> to launch Disk Utility.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

              <\/a>4.   Via Recovery Mode<\/h3>

              Recovery Mode<\/a> is useful for accessing Disk Utility when your Mac is experiencing issues. Follow the steps below to enter Disk Utility on MacBook via Recovery Mode:<\/strong><\/p>

                \n
              1. Reboot Mac.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Press and hold Command + R <\/strong>on your keyboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Select Disk Utility<\/strong> after the macOS utility window pops up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                \n
                \"image
                Open Disk Utility from Recovery mode<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

                What Can You Do with Disk Utility on MacBook?<\/h2>

                Let’s talk about 8 main tasks that you can do with Disk Utility on MacBook.<\/p>

                <\/a>1.   Erase Data Securely<\/h3>

                Disk Utility offers options to securely erase data so that deleted files cannot be easily recovered. This is especially important when you want to sell your device. To erase the disk, do the following:<\/strong><\/p>

                \"image
                Erase disk in Disk Utility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
                  \n
                1. Select the disk in Disk Utility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Click on the Erase<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Choose the format and new disk name.
                  Name:<\/em><\/strong> Macintosh HD<\/em>
                  Format:<\/em><\/strong> APFS<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Click Erase<\/strong> to securely erase data.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                  \n
                  \"image
                  Type the name of the disk and select its format<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

                  2. Check and Repair Disk Errors<\/h3>

                  Disk Utility on MacBook includes a feature called First Aid that allows you to detect and repair disk errors<\/a> and prevent data corruption of your storage. Do the following to run First Aid:<\/strong><\/p>

                    \n
                  1. Open Disk Utility and select the disk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Click on the First Aid<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                    \n
                    \"image
                    Run First Aid in Disk Utility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
                      \n
                    1. Click Run<\/strong> to check and repair disk errors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                      \n
                      \"image
                      Click Run to start the First Aid process<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

                      <\/a>3. Partition a Disk<\/h3>

                      The Disk Utility offers the flexibility of creating multiple partitions<\/a> on your disk, each with its file system and specific purpose. Follow these simple steps to create a partition:<\/strong><\/p>

                        \n
                      1. Open Disk Utility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      2. Select the needed disk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      3. Go to the Partition<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      4. Click the + button<\/strong> to add partitions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                        \n
                        \"image
                        Click + button to start the partition process<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
                          \n
                        1. Adjust the size and format for each partition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        2. Click Apply<\/strong> to partition the disk.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

                          <\/a>4. Mount and Unmount Volumes<\/h3>

                          Disk Utility allows you to mount and unmount disk volumes. This is particularly useful for troubleshooting or when you want to disconnect external drives safely. Follow these steps:<\/strong><\/p>

                            \n
                          1. In Disk Utility, select the disk or volume.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          2. Click Mount<\/strong> to run the external disk or Unmount<\/strong> to safely eject the device.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                            \"image15\"
                            Unmount the drive in Disk Utility<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

                            <\/a>5. Create Disk Images<\/h3>

                            Disk Utility allows you to create disk images of the contents of a disk or a folder. Disk images can be useful for archiving, distribution, or as a substitute for a physical disk. Follow these steps to create a new disk image:<\/strong><\/p>

                              \n
                            1. Select the disk or folder in Disk Utility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            2. Click File<\/strong> > New Image<\/strong> > Image from<\/strong>….<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                              \n
                              \"image13\"
                              Disk Utility menu > New Image > Image from…<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
                                \n
                              1. Choose the location and format for the disk image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              2. Click Save<\/strong> to create the disk image.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

                                <\/a>6. Restore Disk Images<\/h3>

                                Disk Utility may be useful for you when you make a system backup or recover information<\/a> from a disk image that was previously created. Follow the steps below to begin the restoration process.<\/strong><\/p>

                                  \n
                                1. Open Disk Utility<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                2. Click File<\/strong> > Open Disk Image<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                3. Select the disk image file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                4. Choose the destination disk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                5. Click Restore<\/strong> to transfer data from the image to the disk.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

                                  <\/a>7. Manage RAID Arrays<\/h3>

                                  RAID arrays can be configured and managed by Disk Utility—you can create, delete, or rebuild RAID sets<\/a> to improve performance or data redundancy. Here’s how to do it:<\/strong><\/p>

                                    \n
                                  1. Open Disk Utility<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  2. Click File<\/strong> > RAID Assistant.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>
                                    \n
                                    \"image
                                    Disk Utility menu > RAID Assistant <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
                                      \n
                                    1. Follow the assistant to create, delete, or rebuild RAID sets.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                                      \n
                                      \"image
                                      RAID assistant > follow the on-screen instructions<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

                                      <\/a>8. View S.M.A.R.T. Status<\/h3>

                                      In Disk Utility, you can monitor the status of your hard drives’ Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.<\/a>). Follow these steps to do it:<\/strong><\/p>

                                        \n
                                      1. Open Disk Utility<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                      2. Select a drive and click on the Info<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                                        \n
                                        \"image
                                        Disk Utility > Mac HD > Info button<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
                                          \n
                                        1. Check the S.M.A.R.T. status<\/strong> in the information window.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                                          \n
                                          \"image
                                          Check SMART status<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

                                          <\/a>How to Recover Lost Files with Stellar Data Recovery for Mac?<\/h2>

                                          Now you know that one of the tasks Disk Utility may help you with is erasing the Mac HD, during which, it is possible to lose important data. That’s why it is recommended to install recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery. Here’s how to restore your files with the app:<\/strong><\/p>

                                            \n
                                          1. Download<\/a> and launch the software on your Mac.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                          2. Select the type of files you want to recover.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                                            \n
                                            \"image
                                            Select what files to recover<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
                                              \n
                                            1. Select the location where you lost your files > click Scan<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                            2. After the scan is finished, preview the files and select the ones you want to recover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                            3. Click Recover<\/strong> and choose a destination to save the recovered files.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

                                              <\/a>Wrapping Up<\/h2>

                                              Disk Utility on MacBook is a piece of software that can help you manage, format, encrypt, and repair your Mac storage devices. It enables you to optimize disk performance, diagnose disk problems, and protect your data. By using Disk Utility to the best advantage, you can enjoy its capabilities and functions with your disks and volumes.<\/p>

                                              Read more:<\/strong><\/p>