Samsung SSD Not Detected on Mac, How to Fix It?

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Solid State Drives (SSDs) are much better than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). They make reaching data faster, using less power, and more reliable. Customers who use Macs often choose Samsung SSDs because they are known for being reliable and fast. On the other hand, it can be annoying and stressful when your Mac doesn't recognize your Samsung SSD (such as T3/T5/T7/X5/T9). To work on troubleshooting, you need to know the real problems.

These could be device connection issues, software conflicts, or issues with compatibility or firmware. This article explains in detail how to find and fix problems with your Samsung SSD when it detects on a Mac, including simple and complex fixes. By doing these steps, you can get your SSD working again and ensure your computer runs more smoothly.

Recover Lost Data from Unrecognized or Erased Samsung SSD on Mac?

Firstly, you can use a data recovery tool to help export data from the inaccessible Samsung SSD to another drive. Donemax Data Recovery for Mac is one of the best Mac data recovery tools. It can deeply scan the Samsung SSD and find all recoverable files including existing files, inaccessible files, erased data and deleted files, etc.

Step 1. Download and install Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, then connect the Samsung SSD to your Mac.

Step 2. Open Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, then select the Samsung SSD to start data recovery.

Step 3. Click on Scan button to deeply scan the Samsung SSD and find all recoverable files.

Step 4. Once the scan is completed, you can preview all recoverable files. Then select the wanted files and save them.

Methods to Fix Samsung SSD Not Detected on Mac

1. Check Finder Settings

Because of changes you've made to your settings, your Mac might not recognize your drive sometimes. This problem can be fixed by letting your Mac see other devices. How to do it:

Step 1. Open a Finder, then click Finder on Apple menu. Then choose Settings.

Step 2. Click General and Sidebar, make sure External disks is selected. Then you can see all connected devices on desktop and Finder sidebar.

2. Reboot Your Mac

Are many apps or processes in the background when you connect your Samsung Portable SSD to your Mac? These may have used up most of the memory on your Mac, making it impossible for your Mac to join.

Remove your SSD from the drive, close all your apps and background tasks, and restart your Mac. After that, connect your SSD again before you do anything else on your Mac. That will give it enough time to find the link.

3. Try Another Cable

Each external SSD has a cable made for that type of SSD and its power needs. So, if you choose the wrong one, your external device might not have enough power to work right, and your Mac computer might not recognize it.

Check for these small problems before you try to fix them. Get a cable with connectors that work with your SSD and a power source that is right for it.

4. Check/Update Your Drivers

If your Mac's drivers are outdated, it might have trouble reading your SSD. As it turns out, users of macOS Big Sur often have trouble with the Samsung T7 not being recognized on Mac M1. Firmware changes are part of the macOS changes, so you must update them. Click on System Settings in the Apple menu to do this.

1. Choose General from the menu on the left, then click Software Update in the right pane. Then, do what it says on the screen.

2. You should also get the Samsung Portable SSD program that works with your macOS version. That will make your computer better at using the drive.

5. Format the New SSD

If you bought a new SSD and your Mac won't recognize it, it could be because insufficient space was allocated. Most of the time, you'll need to format an SSD after buying it to work with macOS. How to set up a new SSD on a Mac:

1. Use the right port (like USB, Thunderbolt, or USB-C) to connect the external SSD to your Mac.
2. Ensure you've changed the Settings to show external drives.
3. The Disk Utility can be opened by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
4. You'll see a list of drives of Disk Utility. Go to the external SSD you want to format and click on it. It might look like a drive that hasn't been cleaned or set up yet.

5. Click Erase in the action pane.
6. Configure format settings.
7. Give the newly prepared SSD a name.
8. To begin processing, click the "Erase" button.

6. Check Your Mac’s Security Settings

To keep you safe, your Mac may block access to and from devices it doesn't know how to use. Using your Samsung Portable SSD with the Mac, check if your security settings halted the link. Click on System Settings in the Apple menu to do this.

Choose Privacy & Security from the menu, then scroll down the right side until you reach the Security area. The Allow Accessories to Join setting will let you know if it stops you from getting to your SSD.

7. Run First Aid

There are a lot of self-help and fix tools that come with MacOS. One of the best is First Aid. It will look over the target drive and fix any disk problems.

• Step 1: Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities and open Disk Utility to use First Aid.

• Step 2: On the left, find your drive and click on it. At the top of the window, click on First Aid. When asked, confirm.

Taking Preventative Measures:

• Regular Backups: No matter what kind of storage device you use, it's a good idea to back up your files regularly. Time Machine is an easy-to-use choice for automatic backups that comes with macOS.
• Safe Ejection: Always properly eject the SSD using the Finder option before disconnecting it to keep your files safe.

How to Use Samsung SSD with NTFS File System on Mac?

NTFS is a Windows-based file system and the NTFS drives may not work on your Mac. If you want to use a NTFS Samsung SSD on your Mac, just use a NTFS for Mac tool to help you.

Step 1. Download and install the best NTFS for Mac tool - Donemax NTFS for Mac tool on your Mac.

Step 2. Connect the Samsung SSD to your Mac and open Donemax NTFS for Mac, then select the Samsung SSD, click on Mount button.

Step 3. To allow your Mac to read-write the Samsung SSD, just click on Enable Writable button to add NTFS support on your Mac.

Conclusion:

It can be hard to deal with a Samsung SSD that your Mac doesn't recognize, but most problems can be fixed by following a plan. Start with easy fixes like checking your connections and restarting your Mac. Then, move on to more complex ones, like using Terminal tools and updating your firmware. If you follow these steps and take these precautions, you should have a better and more reliable time using your Samsung SSD on macOS.

When the Samsung SSD has been formatted to NTFS, you can use NTFS for Mac tool to mount the SSD on your Mac. Then add NTFS drive read-write support on your Mac so that your Mac can read-write it without any limitation.