Encountering the "This volume is not compatible with this update" error while installing macOS Sonoma

Many Mac users might encounter an issue stating, "This volume is not compatible with this update", which could hinder a seamless transition to the macOS Sonoma update. This could be due to incompatibility between the previous volume settings and the requirements of the update.

Users confronted with this challenge might seek an efficient way to easily connect their systems through Sonoma's enhancements. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the root causes of such compatibility issues and guide users towards practical solutions to ensure a smooth update process.

Recover Data Before Reformatting APFS External Drive

Preparing your system for the installation of macOS Sonoma is crucial to overcome the "This volume is not compatible with this update" error. Before you proceed with the formatting process, we recommend using the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool to prevent potential data loss.

Tool helps you retrieve crucial files easily when macOS volumes fail to mount due to format or any other unexpected data loss situation like "com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter error 0."

The software simplifies the process of external hard drive recovery after reformat through its simple interface. Compatible with a variety of file formats, the tool can retrieve documents, images, and videos after formatting.

Below are the steps to recover formatted hard drive on Mac:

Step 1: Search for the Lost File

On macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma, select the disk location where you want to search for the missing file (this can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device). Then, click the “Search for Lost Files” button.

Note: Before you proceed with data recovery, it's recommended that you create a backup of your Mac from the left sidebar to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data.

Step 2: Preview the scanning result

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will scan the disk volume you select immediately and display the scanning results.

Step 3: Select the files and recover them.

From the scan results, select the files you want to preview and then click the “Recover” button to get them back.

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Use Disk Utility to format the external drive as APFS

When troubleshooting an issue where the “Volume is incompatible with this update” error appears when trying to fix a failed macOS Sonoma upgrade, it's crucial to use Disk Utility to convert an external drive to APFS (Apple File System).

This crucial step ensures compatibility with the update and facilitates a seamless transition to the desired macOS Sonoma. We've created a detailed step-by-step tutorial to guide you precisely through erasing and formatting your external drive.

Step 1: Launch Disk Utility from Launchpad or Spotlight, or open Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.

Step 2: Connect the external drive, and then find it on the left side of the Disk Utility window. Click on the external drive.

Step 3: At the top of the Disk Utility window, select the Erase option. If you like, you can rename the drive here.

Step 4. For maximum compatibility, format the drive as APFS (learn about APFS vs Mac OS Extended). Make sure the Scheme is set to GUID Partition Map.

Step 5: In the confirmation window that appears, click "Erase." You can then use Disk Utility to verify the format by checking the current format of the drive.

Step 6: Click on the disk name on the left for more information. Make sure the “Type” reads “APFS Volume.”

If your external drive is not showing in Disk Utility, for instance, your WD hard drive not showing up in Disk Utility, click on View and then Show All Devices to view all the connected drives.

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This volume is incompatible with the update. Why is that?

When attempting to install macOS Sonoma, you might encounter the perplexing "This volume is not compatible with this update" issue, blocking your system upgrade. The primary cause of this problem is the file system format of your external hard drive. To ensure compatibility and resolve this issue, you'll need to reformat the external hard drive to APFS (Apple File System).

These recommendations stem from macOS Sonoma, which relies on the APFS format for optimal performance. Adopting APFS ensures smooth interaction with the latest macOS updates, allowing your machine to avoid compatibility issues and proceed with the installation process.

In the sections that follow, we'll walk you through the preparation steps and provide detailed instructions for formatting with Disk Utility to ensure a smooth and error-free update.

Conclusions

Strategic solutions are required to address issues with the macOS Sonoma update, such as the "This volume is not compatible with this update" error. We have previously discussed how to format an external drive to the APFS format using Disk Utility to enhance compatibility. This comprehensive tutorial aims to assist users in effortlessly resolving the issue and optimizing their machines for the latest version of macOS.

Mac Data Recovery Wizard is the tool for you; this versatile application keeps your data safe during system changes. The recovery process is smooth and powerful when retrieving lost files or preparing for data emergencies.

"Frequently Asked Questions: This roll is not applicable to this update"

Here are some error issues regarding "This disk is not compatible with this update" that users have queried:

How to resolve the issue where the target update volume cannot be mounted?

To use Disk Utility to repair a disk, you must start up from a different volume. So start up from the Recovery volume, or run First Aid on all available volumes from Disk Utility.

If the First Aid procedure fails, consider saving your stored data with the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool and then seeking expert assistance to fix the HDD/SSD issue.

Why do I have incompatible updates on my Mac?

These incompatible app updates are likely because they require a newer version of macOS than what you currently have, and you haven't updated your operating system in a while. Hence, your current system might not support the latest updates for certain apps.

How do I view the updated volume on my Mac?

In macOS 11.1, the "Updates" volume is used to deliver macOS updates. This volume appears only when Finder is set to show drives and volumes. We recommend that you not save or delete anything in the "Updates" disk to ensure the integrity of your data.