How to Partition Drive to Install Big Sur

[PTVMan]

I’m using a 2019 16” MacBook Pro with 2TB SSD drive. It’s formatted as APFS. What is the correct way to partition the drive so that I can install Big Sur in it own volume without causing issues with my Catalina install?

 

[mikzn]

IMHO - best to install on a separate external drive - cost of the external drives have become very affordable

then you can "un-mount" the internal drive and prevent any interaction with files on that drive

 

[!!!]

IMHO - best to install on a separate external drive - cost of the external drives have become very affordable

then you can "un-mount" the internal drive and prevent any interaction with files on that drive

I did this. Used an external USB 3 SSD to install the beta. The beta never even had access to my internal drive, as it's protected by FileVault and I refused to give it my password.

 

[PTVMan]

I did this. Used an external USB 3 SSD to install the beta. The beta never even had access to my internal drive, as it's protected by FileVault and I refused to give it my password.

The beta asked for your FileVault password? I'm a little confused - how does a beta install on an external drive even know about your other system?

 

[randomgeeza]

The beta asked for your FileVault password? I'm a little confused - how does a beta install on an external drive even know about your other system?

Because, at the point of booting up. All attached and internal drives are mounted, and if the mounted drive is protected then it asks for a password to unlock and continue mounting.

Update: If you need to ask this, then are you best suited to be trying out a beta. And a beta on your main drive...? I hope you backed everything up beforehand.

 

[PTVMan]

Because, at the point of booting up. All attached and internal drives are mounted, and if the mounted drive is protected then it asks for a password to unlock and continue mounting.

Update: If you need to ask this, then are you best suited to be trying out a beta. And a beta on your main drive...? I hope you backed everything up beforehand.

Thanks for your responses. I've installed and used betas on my Macs before (I test apps, not a developer), but the APFS stuff confuses me. I have an extra Sandisk Extreme SSD 250GB that I can install Big Sur on, but struggling with process.