---
id: external-drives.do-i-need-to-eject-before-shutting-down
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-i-need-to-eject-before-shutting-down
category: "External drives"
subcategory: "Ejecting and reconnecting"
question: "Do I need to eject the fast drive before shutting down or restarting my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "Shut down Mac with external drive plugged in"
  - "Restart with fast drive connected"
  - "Leave external SSD connected overnight"
  - "eject before shutdown mac"
  - "Is it OK to keep the drive plugged in all the time?"
  - "Restarting Mac with Storage Studio drive"
short_answer: "No. macOS unmounts drives safely on shutdown and restart, so leave it plugged in. Eject only before unplugging it while the Mac is running."
tags: ["shutdown", "restart", "eject"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-safely-eject-my-fast-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/eject-fails-files-still-in-use", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-if-i-unplug-without-ejecting"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Do I need to eject the fast drive before shutting down or restarting my Mac?

No. macOS safely unmounts connected drives when it shuts down or restarts, so you can leave the fast drive plugged in. Most people keep it connected all the time, which is also when Storage Studio is most useful — moved apps and folders are always reachable.

You only need to eject before physically unplugging it while the Mac is on.