How to Use Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac?

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External SSDs have become an essential tool for Mac users, providing high-speed data transfer, portability, and reliable storage solutions. The Seagate One Touch SSD is a popular choice, offering fast read/write speeds, compact design, and compatibility with both macOS and Windows. However, to make the most of this SSD on a Mac, you may need to format it correctly, set it up for Time Machine backups, and troubleshoot potential issues.

In this detailed guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about using the Seagate One Touch SSD with your Mac, from initial setup to best practices for long-term use.

Check Compatibility Between the Seagate One Touch SSD and Your Mac

Before you start using your Seagate One Touch SSD with your Mac, ensure that your device meets the necessary compatibility requirements.

1. macOS Version

The Seagate One Touch SSD works with most modern macOS versions, but it is always recommended to check the System Requirements listed on Seagate's official website (normally it supports for macOS 11 Big Sur or later). To check your macOS version:

• Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
• Select About This Mac to view the version details.

If your macOS is outdated, consider updating it to ensure maximum compatibility with external storage devices.

2. Port Compatibility: USB-A vs. USB-C

The Seagate One Touch SSD usually comes with a USB-C cable and an additional USB-C to USB-A adapter. Before connecting the SSD, check your Mac's available ports:

• MacBook Air (2018 & later) and MacBook Pro (2016 & later): USB-C or Thunderbolt 3/4 ports only.
• Older Macs (pre-2016 models): USB-A ports. If your SSD only includes a USB-C cable, you’ll need an adapter.

3. Adapter Requirements

If your Mac has only USB-C ports, you don't need an adapter. However, if you're using an older Mac with only USB-A ports, you may require a USB-C to USB-A adapter (which is often included with the SSD). If not, you can purchase one separately.

Connect the Seagate One Touch SSD to Your Mac

Once you've verified compatibility, you can connect the SSD to your Mac.

1. Plug in the SSD

• Take the included USB-C cable and connect one end to the Seagate One Touch SSD.
• Plug the other end into an available USB-C or USB-A port on your Mac.
• The drive should automatically appear on your desktop and Finder under the "Locations" section.

2. Check Drive Detection

If your SSD doesn't appear in Finder/Desktop:

• Open Finder > Settings > General & Sidebar and ensure that "External disks" is checked.

• If the drive still doesn't show up, open Disk Utility from Utilities via Applications to see if it's recognized.

Format the Seagate One Touch SSD for macOS (If Required)

Seagate One Touch SSDs are often pre-formatted as exFAT for compatibility with both Windows and macOS. However, if you experience read-only issues or want to optimize performance for Mac, you may need to reformat the drive.

When Should You Format the SSD?

• If the SSD is formatted as NTFS (Windows-only), macOS will only allow reading (no writing).
• If you want to use the SSD exclusively with Mac, formatting it as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is recommended.
• If you plan to use the SSD with both Mac and Windows, keep it as exFAT.

Steps to Format the Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac

Warning: Formatting erases all data on the SSD. Back up important files before proceeding.

Step 1. Open Disk Utility from Utilities via Applications.

Step 2. Select your Seagate One Touch SSD from the left panel.

Step 3. Click Erase at the top.

Step 4. Choose a file system format:

• APFS (For macOS 10.13 or later, best for SSDs)
• Mac OS Extended (Journaled) (For macOS 10.12 or earlier)
• ExFAT (If you need Windows & macOS compatibility)

Step 5. Set Scheme to GUID Partition Map.

Step 6. Click Erase, then Done when the process completes.

Your SSD is now formatted and ready for use on macOS.

Use NTFS-formatted Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac Without Formatting

If your Seagate One Touch SSD has been pre-formatted to NTFS file system and you want to reformat it, you can use NTFS for Mac to help enable writable for it on your Mac. After installing an NTFS driver on your Mac, use it to enable writable for NTFS drives, you can read-write any NTFS-formatted drive on your Mac without any limitation.

Step 1. Connect the Seagate One Touch SSD to your Mac. Then download and install Donemax NTFS for Mac, run it from Launchpad.

Step 2. Open Donemax NTFS for Mac, find and select the NTFS Seagate One Touch SSD, click on Mount button if it is not mounting.

Step 3. To read-write the NTFS Seagate One Touch SSD on your Mac, click on Enable Writable button.

Transfer Files and Using the Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac

Once formatted, you can start using your Seagate One Touch SSD for file storage, backups, or even running macOS applications.

1. Basic File Transfer

• Open Finder and locate your SSD under Locations.
• Drag and drop files between your Mac and the SSD.

2. Use the Seagate One Touch SSD for Time Machine Backups

Time Machine allows automatic backups of your Mac to an external SSD. To set up:

Step 1. Go to System Settings > General > Time Machine.

Step 2. Click Add Backup Disk or + and choose your Seagate One Touch SSD.

Step 3. Click Set Up Disk and enable automatic backups.

If you want to create a bootable clone backup for your Mac with Seagate One Touch SSD, you can use disk cloning software - such as Donemax Disk Clone for Mac to clone Mac's startup disk to the Seagate One Touch SSD.

3. Run macOS Apps or Storing Large Media Files

If you work with video editing, photography, or other media-heavy tasks, storing files on an SSD can free up internal space and improve performance.

Fix Common Issues of Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac

Even though the Seagate One Touch SSD is designed for seamless plug-and-play functionality, users may encounter certain issues while using it on a Mac. Below are some of the most common problems and detailed troubleshooting steps to resolve them.

Note: Before or after fixing Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac, you can use data recovery software - such as Donemax Data Recovery for Mac to recover deleted/formatted or inaccessible files from the SSD.

1. Seagate One Touch SSD Not Showing Up in Finder or Disk Utility

Possible Causes:

• Loose connection or faulty USB cable
• macOS Finder preferences not set to show external drives
• SSD is unformatted or using an unsupported file system
• Power supply issues, especially when using an adapter or hub
• Corrupt or damaged SSD

Step-by-Step Solutions:

Check Cable and Connection

• Try unplugging the SSD and reconnecting it to the same port.
• If it does not work, try another USB port on your Mac.
• If using a USB-C to USB-A adapter, ensure it is functioning properly.

Enable External Drives in Finder

• Open Finder > Settings.
• Under the General tab, ensure that "External disks" is checked.
• Go to the Sidebar tab and ensure "External disks" is also checked under Locations.

Check Disk Utility

• Open Disk Utility from Utilities via Applications.
• If the SSD appears but is grayed out, select it and click Mount.
• If the drive is not listed, click View > Show All Devices to check if it is hidden.

• If it still does not appear, restart your Mac and check again.

Try Connecting to Another Mac or Windows PC

• If the SSD is detected on another computer, the issue might be related to your Mac's settings.
• If the drive is still not recognized, it may be faulty or need formatting.

Use First Aid in Disk Utility

• Open Disk Utility and select the Seagate SSD.
• Click First Aid at the top, then click Run to check for disk errors.

• If errors are found, follow the on-screen instructions to repair them.

Reset Mac's SMC and NVRAM (for Intel Macs only)

• Hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds after restarting your Mac to reset the NVRAM.
• To reset SMC, restart your Mac after shutting it down and holding down the Shift + Control + Option + Power buttons for ten seconds.

Format the SSD if it is still undetected

• If Disk Utility shows the drive as "Uninitialized" or "Unknown Format," it may need formatting.
• Follow the Formatting the SSD for macOS section above to set it up correctly.

Contact Seagate Support

If none of these steps work, the SSD may be physically damaged or defective. It is recommended to reach out to Seagate's customer support for warranty options or a possible replacement.

2. Read-Only Issue (NTFS Format Problem)

Why Does This Happen?

• Seagate One Touch SSDs often come pre-formatted as exFAT or NTFS.
• exFAT works with both macOS and Windows, while NTFS is read-only on Mac, meaning you can view files but not edit them.

Solutions:

Check the Drive Format

• Open Disk Utility and select the SSD.
• Look at the Format section:
  • If it says NTFS, macOS will not allow writing.
  • If it is exFAT or APFS, no action is needed.

Convert NTFS to a Mac-Compatible Format

• If you do not need Windows compatibility, format the SSD as APFS or Mac OS Extended using Disk Utility.
• If you need to use it on both Mac and Windows, format it as exFAT instead.

Use Third-Party NTFS Drivers

If you prefer to keep NTFS without formatting, you can use third-party software such as:

• Donemax NTFS for Mac (paid)
• Tuxera NTFS for Mac (paid)
• Mounty for NTFS (free but limited functionality)

These tools allow you to write to NTFS drives without reformatting.

3. Connection or Performance Issues

Common Causes:

• Slow file transfers due to using an older USB port (USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt)
• Faulty cable or power supply issues
• Conflicts with macOS security settings
• Running low on disk space

Fixes:

Check for USB Port and Cable Issues

• Use a different USB cable, preferably a high-speed USB 3.1 or USB-C.
• If using a USB hub, try connecting the SSD directly to the Mac.
• Avoid using USB 2.0 ports, as they significantly reduce SSD speeds.

Check Available Storage on the SSD

• Right-click on the SSD in Finder and choose Get Info to check available space.
• If the SSD is almost full, delete unnecessary files or move them to another drive.

Check macOS Security and Privacy Settings

• Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Scroll to Full Disk Access and ensure that Finder has permissions.
• Try re-plugging the SSD after changing settings.

Restart in Safe Mode to Check for Software Conflicts

• Turn Off your Mac.
• After turning it back on, press and hold Shift to bring up the login screen (for Intel-based Mac).
• Try connecting the SSD in Safe Mode to determine if third-party software is interfering.

For Apple silicon Mac:

• Shut down the Mac.
• Press and hold Power button until it boots into macOS Recovery mode.
• Click the Macintosh HD, choose Continue in Safe Mode.

Check for Firmware Updates

• Visit Seagate's official website to check for any firmware updates for the SSD.
• Updating firmware can help fix compatibility and performance issues.

Safely Eject and Maintain Your Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac

1. Properly Eject the Seagate One Touch SSD

To prevent data corruption, always eject the SSD before unplugging:

• Right-click the SSD icon on Finder's sidebar and select Eject.

• Wait until it disappears before unplugging.

2. Best Practices for Seagate One Touch SSD Longevity

• Avoid abrupt disconnections to prevent file corruption.
• Keep macOS and SSD firmware updated for optimal compatibility.
• Store in a cool, dry place to prevent overheating.

Conclusion

Using the Seagate One Touch SSD on a Mac is simple, but optimizing its performance requires proper setup. Whether you're using it for file storage, backups, or media projects, following this guide ensures a smooth experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Check compatibility and connect using the right cable/adapter.
• Format the SSD for macOS if needed (APFS or Mac OS Extended).
• Use it for file transfers, Time Machine backups, or running apps.
• Troubleshoot common issues like read-only errors or detection problems.
• Always eject properly and follow best practices for longevity.

By following these steps, you can make the most out of your Seagate One Touch SSD on Mac, ensuring seamless performance and data security.