Software⏱️ 3 min readπŸ“… 2026-06-15

How to Fix: How to resolve APFS overallocation error from volume "VM" without reformatting disk

APFS overallocation error resolved without reformatting disk

Quick Answer: Run fsck -f on the affected volume to fix the issue.

The APFS overallocation error on Mac volumes, specifically 'VM', can be frustrating and may seem daunting to resolve. The issue arises when the First Aid tool detects an overallocation of space in the volume's bitmap address, which can lead to incorrect data storage and potential system instability.

However, with the right troubleshooting steps, it is possible to resolve this error without reformatting the disk or resorting to drastic measures like starting from scratch.

πŸ’‘ Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The APFS overallocation error typically occurs due to an issue in the volume's bitmap address. When Disk Utility's First Aid tool scans the volume, it may detect incorrect data storage patterns, leading to this warning.
  • Another possible cause of the overallocation error is when running disk verification tools on the entire container, such as `diskutil verifyVolume`, which can temporarily use a swap volume like 'VM' and trigger the warning.

πŸ› οΈ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Re-run Disk Utility's First Aid tool with an option to skip the overallocation check

  1. Step 1: Open Disk Utility and select the APFS container that contains the problematic 'VM' volume.
  2. Step 2: Click on the 'First Aid' tab in the top menu bar and select 'Run First Aid'.
  3. Step 3: In the 'First Aid' window, uncheck the box next to 'Check disk for errors'.
  4. Step 4: Leave all other options as they are and click 'Continue' to start the scan.
  5. Step 5: Wait for the scan to complete. If the issue persists after re-running First Aid, proceed with the next step.

Run `fsck -f` command on the affected volume

  1. Step 1: Open Terminal and type `fsck -f /dev/disk1s4` (replace `/dev/disk1s4` with the actual identifier of your 'VM' volume).
  2. Step 2: Press Enter to execute the command.
  3. Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete. If the issue persists after running this command, proceed with the next step.

🎯 Final Words

If the above methods do not resolve the APFS overallocation error on your 'VM' volume, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from Apple Support or a professional IT technician. However, by following these steps, you can attempt to resolve the issue without reformatting your disk.

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