Cannot merge old bootcamp space to Mac partition

[NordmoleX]

I totally screwed up my SSD in my iMac 27" (late 2015) with my first try, to install Bootcamp (only have a Mac since end of 2017). I checked Youtube videos and other websites for instructions how to do that. Looked simple enough.



But when I started it, i got to a step that I didnt see in any other tutorial. Bootcamp prepared my drive, i split around 130 GB from my 500 GB SSD, and after that the Mac rebooted and the Windows install started. Entered my key, and then I got to the part where you (when you install Windows on a PC) choose the Harddisk / Partition you want to install Windows on. I knew that part from Windows, but non of the other tutorials showed that step. There was the Bootcamp partition, but I couldnt use it, even after reformating it. I guess things went out of hand after that point. I started to panic, didnt know what to do anymore.



Back in MacOS, i tried to run bootcamp again, to maybe delete what happened. But that didnt work anymore. Tried recovery, was able to remove the partition with GPT commands. When you go to Diskutil, it only shows the remaining MacOS space on the SSD. So basically all but the space that was technically assigned to install Windows on.










My MacOS still works, but I dont know how to get my previously assigned (and now it seems to be gone somewhere) disk space for bootcamp back to MacOS ? Unnecessary to mention that my first attempt with Bootcamp really was not the experience i hoped for or expected, and will probably never try that again.



I really need some help guys. I still have my Time Machine backups, so I can still restore and install it again with all my stuff. But as it is, when I try, the drive still gives me the 369 GB space thats left, without the restored space from the failed bootcamp.


Please help me, I dont know what to do anymore.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

So what does Bootcamp assistant tell you?

 

[NordmoleX]

Yes, I have but if I now try to install Bootcamp (run the bootcamp installer), it only shows me the remaining 370ish GB thats left on my SSD, but the previous space that was ment for the first bootcamp install, is simply not there anymore. I dont know what to do anymore. I dont mind re-installing MacOS, just that I need to make sure I can still use my last good time machine backup again, because I dont want to loose those files etc.

Everything else I can try. But right now I dont know what.

Not to mention that I would even love to reinstall MacOS just with pre-APFS file system, which I dont really like. But thats another story and not relevant. Right now I would settle for a solution how to get my remaining harddisk space back. I am not long with MacOS, I dont know what to do in a situation like this.

 

[mattguy10]

I totally screwed up my SSD in my iMac 27" (late 2015) with my first try, to install Bootcamp (only have a Mac since end of 2017). I checked Youtube videos and other websites for instructions how to do that. Looked simple enough.



But when I started it, i got to a step that I didnt see in any other tutorial. Bootcamp prepared my drive, i split around 130 GB from my 500 GB SSD, and after that the Mac rebooted and the Windows install started. Entered my key, and then I got to the part where you (when you install Windows on a PC) choose the Harddisk / Partition you want to install Windows on. I knew that part from Windows, but non of the other tutorials showed that step. There was the Bootcamp partition, but I couldnt use it, even after reformating it. I guess things went out of hand after that point. I started to panic, didnt know what to do anymore.



Back in MacOS, i tried to run bootcamp again, to maybe delete what happened. But that didnt work anymore. Tried recovery, was able to remove the partition with GPT commands. When you go to Diskutil, it only shows the remaining MacOS space on the SSD. So basically all but the space that was technically assigned to install Windows on.

View attachment 760045

View attachment 760046

View attachment 760047

View attachment 760048


My MacOS still works, but I dont know how to get my previously assigned (and now it seems to be gone somewhere) disk space for bootcamp back to MacOS ? Unnecessary to mention that my first attempt with Bootcamp really was not the experience i hoped for or expected, and will probably never try that again.



I really need some help guys. I still have my Time Machine backups, so I can still restore and install it again with all my stuff. But as it is, when I try, the drive still gives me the 369 GB space thats left, without the restored space from the failed bootcamp.


Please help me, I dont know what to do anymore.

https://www.macobserver.com/tips/deep-dive/resize-your-apfs-container/

 

[NordmoleX]

@magguy10: You probably mean well, but my problem is, that there is way too unspecific for me to understand what I would need to do in "my" specific situation. If you could tell me "exactly" what I need to do in my situation (if you need more information about my specific situation, please tell me how and what to provide you/anyone in order to know what I need to do), that would be greatly appreciated.

As it is right now, i am lost !



Right now my Diskutil says the following...

https://pastebin.com/dWRkgGfQ

I dont even find that remaining space in there. Its like its gone. Is my SSD now broken ???

 

[mattguy10]

@magguy10: You probably mean well, but my problem is, that there is way too unspecific for me to understand what I would need to do in "my" specific situation. If you could tell me "exactly" what I need to do in my situation (if you need more information about my specific situation, please tell me how and what to provide you/anyone in order to know what I need to do), that would be greatly appreciated.

As it is right now, i am lost !



Right now my Diskutil says the following...

https://pastebin.com/dWRkgGfQ

I dont even find that remaining space in there. Its like its gone. Is my SSD now broken ???

Your SSD is not broken.

Open terminal and run this command:

sudo diskutil eraseVolume "Free Space" %noformat% /dev/disk0s3

you may have to enter your admin password.

If that command is successful (an error message will appear if it isn’t) run this command next. Even if it isn’t successful, run this command anyway.

diskutil apfs resizeContainer disk0s2 0

By doing this you should reclaim your missing SSD space.

 

[NordmoleX]

I could kiss you !!!!! (which of course I wont, but, you know ^^



Thanks so much !!!

I also asked on the Apple Community, although the reply I got there sounded more final. You really made my day, week, month ^^

I definately wont use Bootcamp anymore, considering my file system is on APFS (unfortunately). When I switched to APFS, i just recently got my Mac, or any Mac for the first time. One would think switching to something which according to Apple would be so great (LOL), it wouldnt create issues later with their own stuff, like Bootcamp.

APFS feels more like Beta.

 

[mattguy10]

I could kiss you !!!!! (which of course I wont, but, you know ^^

View attachment 760081

Thanks so much !!!

I also asked on the Apple Community, although the reply I got there sounded more final. You really made my day, week, month ^^

I definately wont use Bootcamp anymore, considering my file system is on APFS (unfortunately). When I switched to APFS, i just recently got my Mac, or any Mac for the first time. One would think switching to something which according to Apple would be so great (LOL), it wouldnt create issues later with their own stuff, like Bootcamp.

APFS feels more like Beta.

Glad to help and happy it’s fixed. Take care