How can I split a 60 GB file into 5 GB pieces on a Mac?

Question

I would imagine using a Disk Utility partition, but I didn't see the option in Disk Utility to split a larger partition into several.

How can it be done on a Mac?

I am doing this because I would like to Mail Drop the file.

nohillside · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-07T18:58:04.307

34

OS X includes a command line tool called split. See man split or https://ss64.com/osx/split.html for all the details.

You can call split using the Terminal.app and the command:

split -b 5000m MYBIGFILE

To combine it again, have the receiver store all parts in a dedicated folder, open Terminal there and run

cat x?? > MYBIGFILE

(This assumes that you used the default output names when running split.)

edited Mar 07 '22 at 18:58

answered Dec 04 '15 at 16:12

nohillside

Will this work with an encrypted .dmg file? – Baumr Dec 06 '15 at 16:19
5

It will work with anything, the splitting doesn't care about the data getting split. – nohillside Dec 06 '15 at 19:27
cat x* > MYBIGFILE will be better. * means that can be any character or symbol. – Zgpeace Feb 14 '20 at 00:34
1

Just don't have any files with an "x" at the beginning if you plan to do this. – turiyag Dec 01 '20 at 22:18

score -4 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 15 '21 at 18:57

-4

I simply use the free software Data Tape 3. Why tampering with the fidgety Terminal?

answered Oct 15 '21 at 18:57

user68500

4

"Fidgety" ? The split command is time-tested and extremely well documented. And easy as heck. – Br.Bill Oct 15 '21 at 19:22
2

It would be much more helpful if you also explained when and how using the split command & Terminal might create problems, if any, contrary to the general view. – Alper Oct 15 '21 at 22:52

2 Answers2