Operating Systems
APFS
Definition
The Apple File System (APFS) is a proprietary file system for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS and watchOS, developed and deployed by Apple Inc.
Why It Matters
APFS is optimized for modern flash and solid-state drive (SSD) storage. It includes features like strong encryption, space sharing, snapshots for backups, and faster file copying.
Contextual Example
When you update macOS, the system can create a "snapshot" of the file system. If the update fails, it can instantly revert back to the snapshot, making the process much safer.
Common Misunderstandings
- One of its key features is "cloning," which allows the OS to make a copy of a file or directory almost instantly without using extra storage space until changes are made.
- APFS replaced the long-standing HFS+ as the default file system for Apple devices.