Recovering 150GB partition after removing Linux dual boot on macOS Catalina

Here you go:

I wrote a post in two other threads where users were unable to reintegrate a Windows Bootcamp partition back into the macOS APFS Container. Every user's situation may be slightly different, but here are the links to my other two posts which can be used as a starting point and a template to possibly resolve the issue without needing to erase the entire drive & start over from scratch. The instructions & suggestions may need to be modified for some situations.

Merge (free space) item back into APFS Container -- HWTech - Apple Community

Merging multiple partitions back into APFS Container -- HWTech - Apple Community

Before making any attempts to modify the partitions, you should make sure to first have a good backup since modifying partitions is always a risky endeavor. Also, make sure to disconnect all other external drives as well.

Also, if you still see Linux as a boot option when Option Booting, then you just need to mount the hidden EFI partition and delete the Linux folder which is most likely named after the Linux distribution or it could be named the generic "boot". Any Apple items will be located within the "apple" folder so it is safe to delete these other folders. You will need to use the command line & "diskutil" to mount the hidden EFI/ESP partition.

YourBoiCDX wrote:

So earlier I installed Linux Mint in dual boot with macOS. I had created a 150GB partition for it using Disk Utility and installed Linux on that.

Later I removed Linux and tried to recover that 150GB back for macOS. I erased the Linux partition using Terminal (diskutil eraseVolume free none /dev/disk0s3), and now the space shows as “Free” or “Unrecognized filesystem” in Disk Utility.

I tried creating a new partition or volume, but it either fails or just adds an APFS volume inside the existing container (disk1), not as a separate usable partition.

Now I have around 141GB free space I can’t use properly — it’s stuck. I don’t want to erase the whole drive since I have macOS and files on it.

How can I merge that 150GB to the usable 350gb that i got so that i can have full 500gb mac, WITHOUT wiping system data ?

Mac Details

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012)

macOS Catalina

500GB internal SSD (WDC)

APFS file system

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I got 150GB stuck after removing Linux dual boot and i can’t merge or use it

The only good way to recover the drive space is reformat and initialize the driver as new, reinstall the macoS and restore your data from backup.

Start with Internet Recovery after you verify you have adequate backups of your user data.

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support

I see now you have an old 2012 third party SSD— maybe someone can post a better tired and true method...

The issue is apfs and Diskutility falls short.