Hello All, On the screen shot there are 2 sets of apps. Normal? If not can I delete a set, if so which set? Perplexed I must say. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Apps in 2 different folders
- Thread starter ScanPro
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It's normal.
You will notice that both lists share the same apps, those originally installed by the system. Any apps that YOU have added/installed on your system are only listed in the /Applications folder, but not in the /System/Applications folder.
So, I think you can then assume that the apps listed in /System/Applications folder are there because they are copies of the apps Apple-provided. There's not really 2 apps installed, just the same app with 2 launch points for just one app. Try launching one, Quit the app, then launch the same app in the other location. You can't launch the second app while the first is open, yet you get no error, the second app simply does nothing when you try to launch (it does respond by making the already-launched app come the front, but again, no error results.
Oh, OK, what can you do? It's the system working normally, so you can simply ignore the second app when you might already have the app in use--just how the system installs itself, with 2 separate apps lists
Maybe someone will offer a better explanation about the two copies-that-seem-to-be-the-same-app? I admit that mine is a bit sketchy. There's likely a better tech-y answer, I just don't know what that might be.
You will notice that both lists share the same apps, those originally installed by the system. Any apps that YOU have added/installed on your system are only listed in the /Applications folder, but not in the /System/Applications folder.
So, I think you can then assume that the apps listed in /System/Applications folder are there because they are copies of the apps Apple-provided. There's not really 2 apps installed, just the same app with 2 launch points for just one app. Try launching one, Quit the app, then launch the same app in the other location. You can't launch the second app while the first is open, yet you get no error, the second app simply does nothing when you try to launch (it does respond by making the already-launched app come the front, but again, no error results.
Oh, OK, what can you do? It's the system working normally, so you can simply ignore the second app when you might already have the app in use--just how the system installs itself, with 2 separate apps lists
Maybe someone will offer a better explanation about the two copies-that-seem-to-be-the-same-app? I admit that mine is a bit sketchy. There's likely a better tech-y answer, I just don't know what that might be.
When macOS is installed it uses two APFS volumes on the internal disk. One is a read-only volume containing the core macOS operating system. This is identical on all Macs with the same version of macOS. It includes all the apps installed as part of macOS (Books, Music, Maps, etc.) The second volume is read/write and contains a) macOS components like settings, caches, b) your settings, c) all apps which you have added (Steam, Sims, etc) as well as all your data (~/Documents, etc.).
macOS then partially hides the distinction between the two areas using "firmlinks". Firmlinks combine similarly named folders on the two APFS volumes into one.
The folder /System contains the core macOS operating system from just the read-only volume. Folders within /System (e.g. /System/Applications) are firmlinked to folders on the read-write volume (e.g. /Applications). The contents of the two locations is presented to all apps (including Finder) as just one location - in this case /Applications.
Apple doesn't expect most people to have the curiosity (or skills) to investigate locations like /System and so most users are oblivious to what going on. To use a Mac, there is no need to understand any of this.
You will notice that the core macOS apps all have the same creation date. The apps you have added have their own creation dates.
So what you are seeing is completely normal.
You have started to explore some of the internals of macOS - a long journey, but (to my mind) very satisfying.
A web search for "firmlinks" will provide more details. For example: Eclectic Light
macOS then partially hides the distinction between the two areas using "firmlinks". Firmlinks combine similarly named folders on the two APFS volumes into one.
The folder /System contains the core macOS operating system from just the read-only volume. Folders within /System (e.g. /System/Applications) are firmlinked to folders on the read-write volume (e.g. /Applications). The contents of the two locations is presented to all apps (including Finder) as just one location - in this case /Applications.
Apple doesn't expect most people to have the curiosity (or skills) to investigate locations like /System and so most users are oblivious to what going on. To use a Mac, there is no need to understand any of this.
You will notice that the core macOS apps all have the same creation date. The apps you have added have their own creation dates.
So what you are seeing is completely normal.
You have started to explore some of the internals of macOS - a long journey, but (to my mind) very satisfying.
A web search for "firmlinks" will provide more details. For example: Eclectic Light
Thank you both so much! I thought I was going crazy. I've got to stop digging around in the OS, leads me down rabbit holes.