Overview of clone files, dataless files, sparse files, symbolic links, and firmlinks, and how used and free space is accounted for in APFS.
sparse file
Introduced in iOS 10.3 on 27 March 2017, then in macOS 10.13 six months later. It ups and downs, and where it still has further to go.
How local files retain their extended attributes and versions when moved to iCloud Drive, but they’re not available to other Macs. Sparse files and storage economy as well.
Why did that progress dialog suddenly vanish long before it had even reached 50% of the copying progress?
Knowing a little about sparse and clone files in APFS is dangerous, as it can lead you to draw the wrong conclusions.
What’s in APFS, and what are its tools? How to interpret the version number, and what do we know has changed with different versions? How compatible are they?
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.
Where are all those purgeable files? Two updated utilities to help you find them: Precize and Sparsity, which will crawl folders checking which files are purgeable, sparse or clones.
When you updated your iPhone or iPad to iOS 10.3 six years ago, you were among the first to use Apple File System, although you didn’t know it at the time.
The Eclectic Light Company 