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Deleted my bootcamp partition, the OS thinks I only have 48gb and I can't get my other space back.

In like 2022, I installed bootcamp on my MacBook Air 2019 which had around 200gb of storage. I split the partition so MacOS had 48gb and Windows had around 68gb.


I decided to delete my bootcamp partition, for some reason, the app said there was an error, so I checked my Disk Utility and bootcamp was gone. I chose to restart my laptop and whenever I'd log on, it would crash. Likely because of a login item but I ended up having to erase my entire laptop and reinstall MacOS Ventura (yes I still use Ventura).


I checked my storage and there was only 48gb however bootcamp assistant believes I have all of my storage.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Oct 8, 2024 12:07 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 11, 2024 8:32 AM

Removing the Boot Camp partition by any other means than Boot Camp itself results in lost storage until you reformat the entire drive to rebuild the partition map. There are no alternatives to this destructive process to regain the lost storage.

7 replies

Oct 9, 2024 2:08 AM in response to StealthTrooper36

Scorched Earth Method 


This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No DATA Recovery - Period.


>> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer <<


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can’t be used.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


 About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 


Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map.


Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.


You can use Setup Asset and point it to the Time Machine Backup Drive. This is a One Time offer. Thereafter you will need to use Migration Assist 

Oct 10, 2024 2:01 PM in response to StealthTrooper36

Using Internet Recovery Mode on Intel Computer


Suggest using an Ethernet Cable to Router to avoid the iffy Wifi connection


It will load setting similar to the Bootable Installer Method


t will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map.


Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.


You can use Setup Asset and point it to the Time Machine Backup Drive. This is a One Time offer. Thereafter you will need to use Migration Assist 

Oct 10, 2024 11:27 AM in response to HWTech

stealthtrooper36@AmazingLaptop ~ % diskutil  list  internal


/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):


   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER


   0:      GUID_partition_scheme                        *121.3 GB   disk0


   1:                        EFI EFI                     314.6 MB   disk0s1


   2:                 Apple_APFS Container disk1         48.0 GB    disk0s2


                    (free space)                         73.0 GB    -




/dev/disk1 (synthesized):


   #:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER


   0:      APFS Container Scheme -                      +48.0 GB    disk1


                                 Physical Store disk0s2


   1:                APFS Volume Macintosh HD            9.3 GB     disk1s1


   2:              APFS Snapshot com.apple.os.update-... 9.3 GB     disk1s1s1


   3:                APFS Volume Preboot                 1.9 GB     disk1s2


   4:                APFS Volume Recovery                1.2 GB     disk1s3


   5:                APFS Volume VM                      1.1 GB     disk1s4


   6:                APFS Volume Macintosh HD - Data     13.4 GB    disk1s5



stealthtrooper36@AmazingLaptop ~ % 

Deleted my bootcamp partition, the OS thinks I only have 48gb and I can't get my other space back.

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