Knowing a little about sparse and clone files in APFS is dangerous, as it can lead you to draw the wrong conclusions.
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Why macOS may refuse to give you a very large sparse bundle, how you can’t change the password of encrypted sparse bundles, and more.
From the Mac OS Installer app for 9.1 in 2001, through updates in the App Store, to Software Update settings, with Content Caching servers on the way.
If you’re wondering how to store snippets of private info, sensitive files, or folders full of secrets, here’s how to use the right features in macOS.
How to protect collections of files using different encryption passwords, and making most efficient use of storage space.
So how can a VM of 119.6 GB fit in a 100 GB container? How sparse files can make VMs and disk images smaller on disk.
Details of the three standard Cryptexes in Ventura 13.3, when they can be loaded in the boot process, and where they fit in with Rapid Security Responses.
How APFS can trim free space in a read/write disk image and transform it into a sparse file, so it uses storage more efficiently.
Plain read/write (UDRW), sparse image (UDSP), and sparse bundle (UDSB) compared for storage efficiency, performance, and convenience.
All you need to know about the sparse RAW disk images used inside lightweight VMs on Apple silicon Macs.
The Eclectic Light Company 