This problem sometimes develops right after you’ve installed a new app or upgraded to the latest macOS version. You could have a permissions issue interfering with your external hard drive. The most common issues involve cord health and system settings. Your Mac might struggle to read an external hard drive for several reasons. Reasons Why External Hard Drives Aren’t Showing Up on Mac If you’re still using an older operating system, you might see the external drive appear under Devices or Locations.

You’ll also see an access point appear in Finder windows with the latest versions of macOS. When you plug an external drive into your Mac’s port, it mounts (appears) on the desktop. How to Find an External Hard Drive on MacĪs you go about the business to repair external hard drive on Mac issues, it is essential to review how macOS locates this resource.

How to Use an External Hard Drive on a Mac Properly.

What to Do If You Lost Data from Your Hard Drive.

Method 5:Use First Aid on the External Hard Drive.

Method 4:Force the Connection to Your Mac.

Method 3:Clear Your Cache, Cookies, and Temp Files.

7 Ways to Solve External Hard Drive Detection Issues.

Reasons Why External Hard Drives Aren’t Showing Up on Mac.

How to Find an External Hard Drive on Mac.

Mac hard drive space disappearing