How to get a case sensitive filesystem on my MacBook

Don't change the file system on your macOS boot drive. Just don't because it is doubtful Apple or most other third party developers are testing their apps on a Case Sensitive file system. Plus you will encounter issues later when trying to change back to a Case Insensitive file system.

If you want to use a Case Sensitive file system, then you can create a new APFS volume alongside your macOS installation and make that your APFS volume your test bed.

Add, delete, or erase APFS volumes in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

misja_a wrote:

I haven't experienced any problems with the case sensitive filesystem on my older MacBook, and I developed on it for 10 years.

So I'm willing to take the risk and create a case sensitive filesystem.

And after all, Disk Utility provides this as an option so this suggests it should be possible.

But how?

Please don’t do this.

But since you will want to proceed, wipe the target storage, re-initialize with case-sensitivity enabled, install macOS, and see how far you get, and how much breaks.

But I’d tend to expect the macOS install or the early startup to detect and block this, these days.

From many previous replies:

• Restore/Erase Apple Silicon Mac to Case-S… - Apple Community
• howto migrate to case sensitive file syst… - Apple Community
• https://mactakeawaydata.com/apfs-vs-apfs-case-sensitive/

misja_a wrote:

a case insensitive filesystem leads to problems.

Such as?

I've been a developer myself for a while. I've only encountered a couple of situations where it would make any difference. The problems you're introducing would be worse than the problems you'd be fixing.

macOS and apps do not expect to operate with case-sensitive enabled.

If you want a case-sensitive operating system, Linux and various UNIX systems will be your choice.

Windows, macOS, and others are case insensitive by default.