What Is Disk Utility on Mac and How to Open It?

Disk Utility is a powerful built-in tool on macOS that helps you manage and maintain your Mac’s storage devices. Whether you need to repair a disk, format a drive, or partition your storage, Disk Utility is the go-to solution.

This guide explains what Disk Utility does and provides clear steps to open it on your Mac.

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What Is Disk Utility on Mac?

Disk Utility is a macOS application designed to handle tasks related to storage devices, such as internal drives, external hard drives, USBs, and SD cards. It’s essential for maintaining your Mac’s health and managing storage efficiently.

Here are the main functions of disk utility:–

• Repair Disks: Fix disk errors using the First Aid feature to resolve issues like corrupted files or slow performance.
• Format Drives: Erase and reformat drives in formats like APFS, Mac OS Extended, or FAT32 for compatibility.
• Partition Drives: Divide a disk into separate sections for different uses, such as creating a bootable macOS installer.
• Manage Disk Images: Create, mount, or burn disk images (e.g., .dmg files) for backups or software distribution.
• Monitor Storage: Check disk health, view storage details, and manage space.

Disk Utility is a must-have for troubleshooting storage issues or preparing drives for specific tasks.

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How to Open Disk Utility on Your Mac

There are several ways to access Disk Utility on macOS. Here are the most common methods:

Method 1: Using Spotlight Search

1. Press Command + Space: This opens Spotlight Search on your Mac.
2. Type “Disk Utility”: Start typing “Disk Utility” in the search bar.
3. Select Disk Utility: When it appears in the results, press Enter to launch the app.

Method 2: Via the Applications Folder

1. Open Finder: Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. Navigate to Applications: In the sidebar, select “Applications.”
3. Go to Utilities: Scroll down, find the “Utilities” folder, and open it.
4. Launch Disk Utility: Double-click “Disk Utility” to open it.

Method 3: Using Launchpad

1. Open Launchpad: Click the Launchpad icon in your Dock or pinch with four fingers on your trackpad.
2. Search for Disk Utility: Type “Disk Utility” in the search bar at the top.
3. Click to Open: Click the Disk Utility icon to launch it.

Method 4: Through macOS Recovery Mode

If your Mac won’t boot properly, you can access Disk Utility in Recovery Mode.

1. Restart Your Mac: Shut down, then power on while holding Command + R.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or a loading bar.
3. Select Disk Utility: From the macOS Utilities window, choose “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.”

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Tips for Using Disk Utility to not harm your Mac:

• Back Up First: Always back up data with Time Machine before formatting or partitioning to avoid accidental loss.
• Use First Aid Regularly: Run First Aid on your drives periodically to catch and fix minor issues early.
• Check Compatibility: When formatting external drives, choose a format compatible with your devices (e.g., exFAT for cross-platform use).
• Be Cautious: Avoid interrupting Disk Utility processes like formatting, as this can corrupt your drive.

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Disk Utility is an essential tool for managing storage on your Mac, offering solutions for repairing, formatting, and partitioning drives. Accessing it is quick and easy through Spotlight, Finder, Launchpad, or Recovery Mode. Whether you’re troubleshooting a slow drive or setting up a new external disk, Disk Utility has you covered.