Lesson 4: macOS File Storage Structure

Jamf 100 Course
Solution
Application
Content Type
Training Content
Utilities & Services
ft:locale
en-US

Goal

Understand macOS file storage structure and how data is stored, organized, and secured.

Video

Key points

  • By default, a macOS storage disk consists of one Apple File System (APFS) container.

    • Each container may have multiple volumes.

    • The default APFS container consists of five volumes.

  • The system volume contains:

    • All necessary files to start up the Mac

    • All apps installed automatically by macOS

  • The data volume contains:

    • Information found in the user's folder, including photos and documents

    • Applications installed by the user

    • Custom frameworks installed by the user or organization

  • System Integrity Protection (SIP) is a security technology designed to protect critical files that are essential for the operating system to function.

    • The System directory is protected by SIP.

    • All apps pre-installed with the operating system, like System Settings and Console, are also protected.

    • Only processes signed by Apple, like Apple software updates and Apple installers, are allowed to modify these protected areas.

  • Disk Utility is an app for viewing and modifying volumes on connected disks.

  • Four root directories—Applications, Library, System, and Users—are separated based on how they are used.

    • The Applications and Library directories contain apps and preferences shared by all users.

    • The System directory contains system software installed by Apple in the System directory.

    • The Users directory contains files and preferences specific to each user.

      • Each user only has access to their own directory, with the exception of the Shared directory, which all users have access to.

Review

To view answers, click arrow next to each question.

  1. User files (documents, photos, and applications) are stored in which volume?
    Documents, photos, and other user-specific files are stored in the data volume.
  2. Which technology prevents users from modifying the System directory?
    Sensitive directories like the System directory are protected by System Integrity Protection (SIP).

Practice

  1. Identify how the storage space is being used on a test computer.

    1. Navigate to Applications > Utilities and open the Disk Utility app. How many volumes are there on the computer?

    2. In the sidebar, select Macintosh HD > Data. How much storage space is currently used by the data volume?

  2. Explore the default directories on macOS.

    1. From the Desktop menu bar, select Go > Computer and then select the Macintosh HD directory.

    2. Select the System directory. What apps are part of the System directory?

    3. Select the Users directory. Are there other users on this test computer? If so, can you access the contents of these folders while logged in as the current user?

Resources

Apple Platform Security

Disk Utility User Guide

Apple