.APFS File Extension
APFS Filesystem Image
| Developer | Apple |
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What is an APFS file?
An APFS file is a disk image that contains a volume formatted with the Apple File System (APFS), which is the modern filesystem used by macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and other Apple operating systems. It stores a complete representation of a storage container, including folders, files, permissions, and metadata, just as they exist on an APFS-formatted drive. System administrators, developers, and other advanced users may use APFS images for backups, system deployment, testing environments, or transferring large groups of files while maintaining their original attributes.
More Information
APFS files are saved as a structured binary disk image rather than a simple archive. It keeps filesystem features, such as snapshots, cloning, and space sharing, which are core parts of APFS. The format is especially useful in managed IT environments and software testing, where an exact copy of a filesystem is required.
How to open an APFS file
You can open APFS files with Apple Disk Utility on macOS or mount them through macOS system tools that support APFS disk images. Once mounted, the image appears like a normal drive in Apple Finder, which you can browse or copy information from.
On non-Apple operating systems, native support is limited, and third-party utilities, such as Paragon APFS for Windows, or specialized forensic tools are usually required to access the contents.