Who is the first volume owner on a Mac with Apple silicon?

The first volume owner on a Mac with Apple silicon is the user who first configures the Mac. This initial configuration process establishes the primary user account, which becomes the first volume owner. The user's credentials are tied to the system, granting them the necessary permissions to manage files and settings on the device.

Creating this initial account during setup is an essential part of the user experience on a new Mac. It allows the user to personalize their system and ensures that all subsequent user accounts are managed under the primary user's permissions, fostering a streamlined and secure environment. Subsequent users will have limited capabilities compared to this first user.

Other choices can lead to confusion about volume ownership. The Apple ID associated with the device is primarily used for services such as iCloud, but it does not confer volume ownership status. The system administrator set by Apple is not relevant in personal setups, as those roles are usually assigned for enterprise environments. Additionally, the first user to log in may not necessarily be the first configured user if multiple setups are occurring, making the configuration process the key determinant for volume ownership.