Apple is deprecating hdiutil, the long-standing macOS command used to format and eject disk images, with the tool set to be removed from future releases of the operating system. While the change will not affect most everyday Mac users, it could disrupt third-party disk repair utility applications that rely on the command.
What hdiutil Does and Why It Matters
Since the earliest days of Mac OS X, the Terminal has included the command now known as hdiutil. It serves as a tool for handling disk images, and has frequently been recommended for resolving common problems, such as a Mac refusing to eject a disk image because it is reported to be in use.
Although many users may never have encountered it, the command has quietly underpinned a range of troubleshooting tasks over the years. Its removal is therefore more likely to be felt by developers and utility apps than by the general Mac audience.
The Deprecation in macOS Golden Gate
Apple is officially deprecating hdiutil in macOS Golden Gate, a change identified by developer Jeff Johnson. A deprecation notice now appears in the Terminal for the command.
In practice, this means that users and app utilities can continue to use hdiutil for the time being, but they are advised to switch to the similar diskutil image command, as hdiutil will ultimately be removed from macOS entirely.
The move reflects Apple’s ongoing consolidation of disk-handling functionality within the macOS command line. Developers maintaining utility applications that currently depend on hdiutil will need to update their tools to use the diskutil image command before the older command disappears from the system.
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Image: appleinsider.com
