# External drives — Storage Studio FAQ Choosing, formatting, setting up, checking, ejecting and upgrading the external drive Storage Studio moves your apps and folders to — and what happens when it's unplugged. ## Choosing a drive - [What kind of external drive should I use with Storage Studio?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-kind-of-external-drive-should-i-use-with-storage-studio) — An external SSD plugged straight into your Mac and formatted as APFS — ideally an NVMe SSD in a USB-C or Thunderbolt enclosure. Storage Studio's compatibility check and speed test tell you whether a specific drive is a good fit. - [Can I use a spinning hard drive (HDD) instead of an SSD?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-spinning-hard-drive-as-my-fast-drive) — You can, if it passes Storage Studio's speed test — the app judges drives by measured speed, not type. Hard disks suit archives and rarely opened folders; for apps and active work an external SSD is a much better fit. - [Can I use a USB flash drive or an SD card as my fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-usb-flash-drive-or-sd-card) — Only if it's reformatted as APFS and passes Storage Studio's speed test. Most flash drives and SD cards arrive as FAT32 or exFAT and are often too slow to run apps from, so an external SSD is the better choice. - [Can I use a network drive or NAS as my fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-network-drive-or-nas) — No. Network shares and NAS volumes are marked not suitable, because moved apps and folders need a directly attached drive that's always there. To put files on a server or cloud account, use Data Transfers instead. - [Can I use a second partition or volume on my Mac's internal drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-partition-of-my-internal-drive) — No. Volumes on your internal drive share the same storage, so moving files between them frees nothing. Storage Studio marks internal volumes not suitable — the fast drive must be a separate, external drive. - [How big should my external drive be?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-big-should-my-external-drive-be) — Pick a drive comfortably larger than what you plan to move — check What's Using Space and the Apps window for the biggest items — and leave headroom, because moved folders keep growing on the drive. - [Should I get a Thunderbolt or a USB-C external SSD?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/thunderbolt-or-usb-c-for-an-external-ssd) — Both work. Thunderbolt or USB4 enclosures are usually fastest, but a good USB-C SSD is plenty for running apps. Storage Studio's speed test in Choose Drive measures the real speed of your drive and cable. - [Can I use the same external drive with two Macs?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-the-same-drive-with-two-macs) — Yes. Storage Studio keeps a separate folder for each Mac on the drive, so nothing mixes. But the drive can only be attached to one Mac at a time, and whatever a Mac moved there is unreachable while it's plugged into the other. - [Can I use two external drives as fast drives at the same time?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-two-fast-drives-at-the-same-time) — No. Storage Studio uses one active fast drive at a time. A second drive can hold a verified spare copy with Backup Drive, or become the new working drive with Transfer Drive. - [Can I use my Time Machine backup drive as the fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-my-time-machine-drive-as-the-fast-drive) — Not the backup volume — Storage Studio hides Time Machine volumes from its drive list. Keep them separate: the fast drive holds the only copy of what you moved, so its backup should be on a different physical drive. - [Once I move files to the external drive, is that the only copy?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/is-my-external-drive-the-only-copy-of-moved-files) — Yes. A move frees space because the original leaves your Mac, so the external drive then holds the only copy. Back it up — Backup Drive copies it to a second drive, and Data Backup keeps versioned copies. - [Does Storage Studio make my external drive bootable or install macOS on it?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-storage-studio-make-the-drive-bootable) — No. The fast drive is extra storage for moved apps and folders; your Mac still starts from its internal drive. Backup Drive copies Storage Studio's folder, not your whole Mac, so use Time Machine for full-Mac backups. - [Can I use iCloud Drive or another cloud account as my fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-cloud-drive-as-the-fast-drive) — No — the fast drive must be a physical external drive, since moved apps and folders open straight from it. Use cloud accounts through Data Transfers, and keep cloud files online-only, to save space with the cloud. - [Is Storage Studio a good way to add storage to a Mac mini or iMac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/is-storage-studio-good-for-expanding-a-mac-mini-or-imac) — Yes. On a desktop Mac the drive can stay connected permanently, so everything you move is always reachable. Use a fast SSD on a port on the Mac itself, and back the drive up. - [What's the difference between a portable SSD and a desktop external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/portable-ssd-vs-desktop-external-drive) — A portable SSD is small, bus-powered, fast and shock-resistant; a desktop drive is usually a bigger hard disk with its own power supply — more space for the money but slower. Use an SSD for apps and active work, a hard disk for archives. - [Are cheap or unbranded external SSDs safe to use?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/are-cheap-unbranded-ssds-safe) — Be wary: some very cheap drives fake their capacity and lose data once they fill, and others use slow, short-lived parts. Buy a reputable brand from a trusted seller, and test a doubtful drive by filling it and checking the files before trusting it. - [Can I use a wireless external drive with my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-a-wireless-external-drive) — Yes, but it works as network storage over Wi-Fi — slower and less dependable than a cable. Storage Studio can't use a network share as the fast drive, though you can still copy files to one with Data Transfers. - [What is a RAID enclosure, and does it replace a backup?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-a-raid-enclosure) — A RAID enclosure combines several drives: striped for speed and size (one failure loses everything) or mirrored for redundancy. A mirror is not a backup — deletions and damage copy to both drives — so keep a separate backup either way. - [Can I still use an old USB 2 hard drive with my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-an-old-usb-2-drive) — Yes, with an adapter if needed — it's fine for archives, spare copies and swapping files, just slow. It isn't a good choice for running apps or active projects, and Storage Studio's speed check would likely flag it as too slow. - [What should I check before buying an external SSD for my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-to-check-before-buying-an-external-ssd) — Check the connection matches your Mac's ports and comes with a good cable, enough capacity with room to grow, sustained (not just headline) speed, how it handles heat, warranty and brand, and bus power for laptops. ## Drive formats - [Does Storage Studio work with an encrypted external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-storage-studio-work-with-an-encrypted-external-drive) — Yes. An encrypted APFS drive works normally once it's unlocked. Until it's unlocked and mounted, Storage Studio treats it as disconnected and resumes when it appears. - [What format should my external drive be for Storage Studio?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-format-should-my-external-drive-be) — APFS is best and Mac OS Extended (HFS+) also works. exFAT is allowed with warnings, FAT32 isn't suitable, and NTFS is read-only on a Mac. Storage Studio never reformats a drive — use Disk Utility. - [Why does Storage Studio warn about exFAT drives?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-exfat-only-usable-with-warnings) — exFAT isn't a Mac format: it handles permissions differently and the shortcuts Storage Studio leaves are more fragile on it. It works, but APFS is recommended — or give the drive a separate APFS volume for Storage Studio. - [Why can't I use a FAT32 (MS-DOS) drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-cant-i-use-a-fat32-drive) — FAT32 can't hold the shortcuts Storage Studio relies on and can't store files over 4 GB, so it's marked not suitable. Back up the drive, then erase it as APFS in Disk Utility to use it. - [Can I use an NTFS-formatted drive from a Windows PC?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-an-ntfs-drive) — Not as the fast drive. macOS reads NTFS but can't write to it, so nothing can be moved there. Back the drive up and erase it as APFS in Disk Utility, or give it a separate APFS volume. - [Should I format my fast drive as case-sensitive APFS?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/should-my-fast-drive-be-case-sensitive) — Use plain APFS unless you specifically need case-sensitive. Your Mac's internal drive is case-insensitive, and a few apps contain names that differ only in capitals — Storage Studio checks for those and won't move an app that would clash. - [Does setting up a drive in Storage Studio erase what is already on it?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-storage-studio-format-or-erase-my-drive) — No. Setting up a drive only adds a small Storage Studio folder and a tag so the app can recognise it; existing files are untouched. If the drive needs reformatting, you do that yourself in Disk Utility. - [How do I reformat an external drive to APFS on a Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-reformat-an-external-drive-to-apfs) — Back up the drive, open Disk Utility, choose View → Show All Devices, select the drive, click Erase, and pick APFS with GUID Partition Map. Then select it in Storage Studio's Choose Drive. - [Why is my external drive read-only on my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-my-external-drive-read-only) — Usually it's NTFS (read-only on a Mac), macOS mounted it read-only after finding errors (run First Aid), a permissions setting in Get Info, or a lock switch. Storage Studio needs a writable drive. - [Can I split one external drive into a Storage Studio part and a part for other things?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-split-one-drive-into-storage-studio-and-other-uses) — Yes. Add a separate APFS volume in Disk Utility (volumes share free space), or partition the drive if you need, say, an exFAT part for Windows. Then pick the APFS volume in Choose Drive — Storage Studio only manages that one. - [What is "Ignore ownership on this volume" on my external drive, and does it matter?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-ignore-ownership-on-this-volume) — A macOS Get Info setting: when ticked (the usual default) files on the drive belong to whoever uses the Mac, so the drive doesn't remember owners. It rarely matters; Storage Studio checks it where relevant and only changes it if you ask. - [Does FileVault encrypt my external fast drive too?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-filevault-encrypt-my-external-drive) — No — FileVault only covers your internal disk. Files moved to an external drive are protected only if that drive is encrypted, so encrypt it in Finder (right-click → Encrypt) or erase it as APFS (Encrypted). - [Do I need to reformat a new external drive before using it on my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-i-need-to-reformat-a-new-external-drive) — Usually yes. New drives often ship as exFAT or NTFS (read-only on a Mac). For Mac use, erase the drive as APFS in Disk Utility — copy off any bundled software first. Keep exFAT only for regular sharing with Windows. - [How do I check which format my external drive uses?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-check-which-format-my-drive-uses) — Select the drive in Finder and press Command-I (Get Info): the Format line shows APFS, Mac OS Extended, ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT32). Disk Utility shows it too, and Storage Studio checks it when you choose a drive. - [How do I add a second APFS volume to an external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-add-a-volume-to-an-external-drive) — In Disk Utility, select a volume on the APFS drive and click + (Add Volume). The new volume appears as its own drive without erasing anything, and all volumes share the drive's free space unless you set a reserve or quota. - [Why does one external drive show up as two drives on my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-one-drive-show-two-icons) — The drive is divided into more than one volume or partition, and each appears as its own drive. Check how it's split in Disk Utility (View → Show All Devices); you can remove an unwanted, empty volume there. - [What is the hidden EFI partition on my external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-the-efi-partition) — It's a small, normally hidden system partition that GUID-formatted drives carry for starting up a computer. It uses very little space — leave it alone and don't delete or reformat it separately. - [Why does my drive have one name in Finder and another in Disk Utility?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-my-drive-have-a-different-name-in-disk-utility) — Disk Utility lists both the physical device (named after its model) and the volume on it (the name you see in Finder). You can rename the volume, but not the device. Avoid renaming your Storage Studio drive's volume after moving things to it. ## Setting up your drive - [How do I set up my external drive in Storage Studio?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-set-up-my-external-drive) — Plug the drive in and choose it in the setup wizard, or later with More → Drive → Choose Drive…. Check the compatibility verdict, run the speed test, then click Use This Drive. Nothing on the drive is erased. - [How does Storage Studio know which drive is mine?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-does-storage-studio-recognise-my-drive) — Storage Studio tags the drive when it sets it up and checks that tag every time, so it only manages your prepared drive — never a different disk with the same name. An unprepared drive is offered setup instead. - [What do "looks good", "usable with warnings" and "not suitable" mean in Choose Drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-do-looks-good-warnings-and-not-suitable-mean) — Looks good means a Mac-formatted external drive. Usable with warnings means it works but isn't ideal (for example exFAT) and you confirm with Use Anyway. Not suitable — internal, network or FAT32 drives — can't be selected. - [How does the drive speed test in Storage Studio work?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-does-the-drive-speed-test-work) — Run benchmark briefly writes a test file to the drive, reads it back and deletes it — about 5–10 seconds — then shows read and write speeds with a verdict. Your own files aren't touched. - [Why does Storage Studio say my drive is too slow?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-my-drive-blocked-as-too-slow) — Its measured read or write speed was too low to run apps from. Try a direct connection without a hub and a fast cable, then re-run the benchmark; if it still fails, the drive itself is too slow — an external SSD is the fix. - [Why can't I find Choose Drive any more?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-change-my-drive-with-choose-drive-later) — Choose Drive is first-run only, because switching an active drive would break every shortcut. Once a drive is set up, use More → Drive → Transfer Drive… to move to a new drive safely, or Backup Drive… for a spare copy. - [Why does my drive say "not set up" after installing Storage Studio?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/my-drive-says-not-set-up) — The drive step was skipped, or this drive was never prepared. Open More → Drive → Choose Drive… (or re-run the setup wizard), select the drive and let Storage Studio set it up — nothing on it is erased. - [Why doesn't my external drive appear in Storage Studio's drive list?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/my-drive-does-not-appear-in-the-drive-list) — Storage Studio lists drives macOS has mounted. Make sure the drive shows in Finder under Locations (try another port or cable, or format it in Disk Utility if it's new), then refresh. Time Machine volumes are hidden on purpose. - [Does running the drive speed test wear out my SSD?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-the-speed-test-wear-out-my-ssd) — Not meaningfully. One test writes a single temporary file and deletes it — small compared with everyday use. It needs a little free space; a full or read-only drive can't run it. - [My drive shows "Mounted, not set up" even though I set it up before — why?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/drive-says-not-set-up-but-i-set-it-up-before) — Storage Studio can't find the tag it added at setup — usually a different drive or volume is attached, or the drive was erased or its Storage Studio folder deleted or renamed. Check the right drive and folder are there before setting it up again. - [What do the icons and the CURRENT label mean in the Choose Drive list?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-read-the-drive-list-in-choose-drive) — The icon shows the connection — a bolt for Thunderbolt, an external drive for USB, an internal drive for your built-in disk — then name, format, connection and size. The blue CURRENT label marks the drive in use. - [I reinstalled Storage Studio — will it recognise my existing fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/i-reinstalled-storage-studio-will-it-recognise-my-drive) — Yes. The drive keeps its setup tag, so it's recognised again and nothing on it is touched. If Storage Studio's records were lost, connect the drive and restore them from More → Restore Points. - [Why is my external drive called "Untitled", and how do I rename it?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-my-drive-called-untitled) — Untitled is the default name after erasing without one. Select the drive in Finder, press Return, and type a new name. Choose a lasting name before using it — don't rename your Storage Studio drive once things have been moved to it. - [How do I stop Time Machine asking to use my new external drive for backups?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/stop-time-machine-asking-to-use-a-new-drive) — Click Don't Use and macOS won't ask again for that drive. If you accepted by mistake, remove the drive in System Settings → General → Time Machine. Nothing happens to the drive unless you agree. - [How do I stop Photos opening every time I connect a camera card or drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/stop-photos-opening-when-a-card-is-connected) — Open Image Capture with the card or camera connected, select it, and set "Connecting this … opens" to No application. Photos' import screen has a similar setting. Ordinary drives don't trigger it — only devices with camera folders. ## Checking your drive - [How do I check my external drive is set up correctly?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-check-my-drive-is-set-up-correctly) — Open Inspect fast drive. A green Verified shield means it's connected and prepared; click Validate for an explicit re-check, which lists specific reasons if anything is wrong. - [What does the Validate button in the Inspect window check?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-does-validate-check) — Validate re-checks that the fast drive is connected, prepared and usable, and shows Valid or Invalid with specific reasons. It only reads — nothing on the drive is changed. - [How do I see how much free space is left on my fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-see-free-space-on-my-fast-drive) — The popover's fast drive card shows free and total space beside the Internal card; Inspect fast drive shows both drives in detail. The card greys out with a dash when the drive isn't connected. - [How can I see how much of my data lives on the fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-much-of-my-data-is-on-the-fast-drive) — Ask Tuhi "what did I move to the fast drive?", or check Storage Charts for the amount on the drive now, the Apps window's Moved and Offloaded tabs, and Storage Inspector for relocated folders. - [What does the External drive row in Settings → Services mean?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-does-the-external-drive-row-in-services-mean) — Green means the fast drive is mounted and verified; yellow means it's not connected right now but remembered; an informational yellow means no drive is configured, which is fine because the app works without one. - [How do I open my fast drive in Finder from Storage Studio?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-open-my-fast-drive-in-finder) — Click Show in Finder in the popover or in Inspect fast drive. It's disabled while the drive is disconnected. Data Parking shows your Mac and the drive side by side. - [How do I check my external drive for errors or health problems?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-check-an-external-drive-for-errors) — Run First Aid on the drive in Disk Utility (View → Show All Devices, select the volume, First Aid). Many USB enclosures don't report health status. If errors can't be fixed, move everything to a new drive with Transfer Drive. - [What does "Some files we moved to your fast drive aren't on it any more" mean?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/files-moved-to-the-fast-drive-are-not-on-it-any-more) — Some items Storage Studio moved are missing from the drive while their shortcuts remain. It won't fake an empty folder. Reconnect the right drive; if they're really gone, restore from a backup or let Storage Studio remove the dead link. - [What does "Some files are still on your fast drive but nothing on this Mac points to them any more" mean?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/files-on-the-fast-drive-nothing-points-to) — Data Storage Studio moved is still on the drive, but its shortcut on your Mac is gone — often because the app or folder was deleted or reinstalled. Copy it back if you need it, or use Storage Studio's Delete option to clean it up. - [What does "Something has changed files we moved to your fast drive that nothing should be writing to" mean?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/something-changed-files-moved-to-the-fast-drive) — A deeper check found that something Storage Studio moved has changed in size or file count when nothing should be changing it. It may be a manual edit or an app's own update; if not, run First Aid and make sure the drive is backed up. - [What does "An app has started keeping its own copy of files we'd moved to your fast drive" mean?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/an-app-started-keeping-its-own-copy-of-moved-files) — An app replaced Storage Studio's shortcut with its own folder, so there are now two copies — one on your Mac, one on the drive. Storage Studio leaves both untouched until you decide which to keep. - [Does Storage Studio keep checking that my moved files are still safe on the drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-does-storage-studio-check-moved-files-on-the-drive) — Yes. Light checks run regularly, a deeper one about weekly, and more when the drive reconnects. Problems appear as a single plain-English notice in Background Activity, and Storage Studio never hides missing data. Keep a backup too. - [What is the Split Storage job in Background Activity?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-split-storage-in-background-activity) — A background job that finds parts of apps' files that could live on your fast drive, keeps track of the ones that already do, and clears leftover installer downloads. Its checks report any problems as one notice in Background Activity. - [How do I run First Aid on an external drive in Disk Utility?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-run-first-aid-on-an-external-drive) — Open Disk Utility, choose View → Show All Devices, select the drive's volume and click First Aid → Run. For a full check, run it on each volume, then the container, then the device. It repairs file-system errors, not failing hardware. ## Ejecting and reconnecting - [How quickly does Storage Studio notice when I plug in or unplug the drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-quickly-does-storage-studio-notice-the-drive) — Within about 30 seconds. You get a notification when the drive disconnects and again when it's back; paused work continues on its own. After an eject through Storage Studio, click Resume to re-enable automatic actions. - [How do I safely eject my fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-safely-eject-my-fast-drive) — Click Eject fast drive in the popover (or right-click the menu bar icon → Eject) and confirm. Storage Studio pauses its work, asks apps using the drive to quit, ejects it and tells you when it's safe to unplug. - [Why does ejecting fail with "Files still in use"?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/eject-fails-files-still-in-use) — An app still has a file open on the drive. Storage Studio lists what's holding it — often a moved app, Xcode, Docker, a Terminal window in a folder on the drive, or Spotlight indexing. Quit those and eject again. - [What happens if I unplug the fast drive without ejecting it?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-if-i-unplug-without-ejecting) — Usually nothing is lost: a move only removes the original after the copy is verified, and interrupted work pauses and resumes when the drive returns. macOS will warn about an improper eject — use Eject fast drive next time. - [How do I remount my fast drive if it didn't come back?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-remount-my-fast-drive) — Click Remount fast drive in the popover — it retries mounting a few times. If that fails, check the cable and power, try another port without a hub, and see whether Disk Utility can mount it. - [Why are automatic actions still paused after I plugged the drive back in?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-are-automatic-actions-paused-after-reconnecting) — Ejecting through Storage Studio pauses automatic actions deliberately. Click the green Resume button in the popover when you're ready. Work that was only waiting for the drive resumes by itself. - [Which apps does Storage Studio quit when I eject the drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/which-apps-does-eject-ask-to-quit) — It asks Xcode, Simulator, Android Studio, Docker, OrbStack and common JetBrains IDEs to quit normally so they can save. The confirmation warns you first, and anything else holding the drive is listed for you to quit. - [Can I eject the fast drive from Finder instead of from Storage Studio?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-eject-the-drive-from-finder-instead) — Yes, it's safe — Storage Studio notices and pauses drive work. Its own Eject fast drive is more thorough: it pauses automatic actions, asks apps using the drive to quit, and names anything still holding files. - [Do I need to eject the fast drive before shutting down or restarting my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-i-need-to-eject-before-shutting-down) — No. macOS unmounts drives safely on shutdown and restart, so leave it plugged in. Eject only before unplugging it while the Mac is running. - [How do I eject all my external drives at once?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-eject-all-external-drives-at-once) — Select the drives on the desktop or in Finder and press Command-E (File → Eject). Wait for every icon to disappear before unplugging a dock. Eject the Storage Studio drive from Storage Studio so apps running from it are quit first. - [What's the difference between ejecting and unmounting a drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/eject-vs-unmount-a-drive) — Unmounting takes one volume offline while the drive stays connected; ejecting unmounts all its volumes so the device can be unplugged. Unmount a single volume in Disk Utility, but always eject before unplugging. ## When the drive is unplugged - [What happens to folders I moved to the external drive when it's unplugged?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-to-moved-folders-when-the-drive-is-unplugged) — They can't be opened until the drive is back — the shortcut on your Mac points to the drive. Everything is safe there and works again the moment you reconnect. Move a folder back first if you'll need it away from the drive. - [Can I take my MacBook out and leave the fast drive at home?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-take-my-macbook-out-without-the-drive) — Yes. Eject the drive, and your Mac works normally — only what you moved to the drive is out of reach, and drive work pauses. Move back anything you'll need on the trip first, then reconnect and click Resume when you're home. - [Why does a moved app show an update prompt when my drive is disconnected?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-an-app-show-an-update-prompt-when-the-drive-is-away) — It's the app's own updater, not Storage Studio: it can't reach the app's files while the drive is disconnected. Cancel it, then reconnect the drive — or keep frequently updating apps on internal storage. - [Does Storage Studio keep working while the fast drive is disconnected?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-storage-studio-keep-working-without-the-drive) — Yes. Moves and anything else that needs the drive pause and resume on their own when it's back; clean-ups, What's Using Space, cloud transfers, Bridge, the Junk Yard and Tuhi keep working. - [Where does the Recycle Vault keep removed files when my drive isn't connected?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/where-do-removed-files-go-when-the-drive-is-away) — Removed files normally rest on your external drive. While it's disconnected, the Recycle Vault holds them on your Mac until the drive returns; with no drive at all they stay on the internal disk, so connecting one frees that space. - [My Mac is nearly full and the fast drive is unplugged — what can I do?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/will-my-mac-run-out-of-space-while-the-drive-is-away) — Reconnecting the drive helps most, since moving files there can't run while it's away. Meanwhile Storage Studio can still clear caches and temp files, reclaim old snapshots and make cloud files online-only. - [Can I keep the fast drive in a drawer and plug it in only when I need old files?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-the-drive-as-an-occasional-archive) — Yes, for genuinely archival things like old projects or finished footage. Their shortcuts stay on your Mac and open when the drive is connected. Keep everyday apps and folders on the Mac, and back the archive up. - [Can I start a move to the fast drive while it's disconnected and have it finish later?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-move-something-while-the-drive-is-disconnected) — A manual move can't start without the drive — Storage Studio tells you there's nowhere to move it. Automatic rules and background tasks wait and continue on their own when the drive is back. - [If my Mac's internal drive fails, are the files I moved to the external drive safe?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-if-my-macs-internal-drive-fails) — Yes. Moved files are ordinary files on the external drive, so they survive a Mac failure and open on any Mac. Only the shortcuts are lost; copy what you need back in Finder and reinstall apps fresh. ## Upgrading, transferring and backing up the drive - [How do I move everything to a new, bigger external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-move-everything-to-a-new-external-drive) — Use More → Drive → Transfer Drive…. It copies everything to the new drive, verifies it, then re-points every moved app and folder at the new drive. Your old drive is left untouched as a fallback. - [What's the difference between Transfer Drive and Backup Drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/transfer-drive-vs-backup-drive) — Both copy and verify everything onto another drive. Transfer Drive then switches over to the new drive (for upgrades); Backup Drive stops and keeps your current drive active (a spare copy). Your current drive is never changed. - [How do I back up my fast drive to another drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-make-a-backup-of-my-fast-drive) — Open More → Drive → Backup Drive…, pick a second APFS or Mac OS Extended drive with enough room, and start. It copies and verifies everything while your current drive stays active, then offers Reveal Backup in Finder. - [Why won't Transfer Drive or Backup Drive let me pick a drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-checks-run-before-transfer-drive-starts) — The destination must be an external APFS or Mac OS Extended drive with room for everything on your current drive, and not already a Storage Studio drive for this Mac. Slow drives need confirming; unsuitable ones can't start. - [Can I close Storage Studio or use my Mac while a drive transfer runs?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-my-mac-during-a-drive-transfer) — Yes. The background service runs the copy, so you can close the window, quit, or let the Mac sleep — it resumes automatically, even after a brief unplug. Reopen the window for live progress and a time estimate. - [What happens if I cancel Transfer Drive or Backup Drive part-way?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-if-i-cancel-a-drive-transfer) — Cancelling removes the half-finished copy from the new drive only. Your current drive is never touched by Transfer or Backup, so nothing you have is affected. Use Pause if you just want to stop for a while. - [Why does Transfer Drive ask for my administrator password?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-transfer-drive-ask-for-my-password) — Some shortcuts it must update — such as moved apps in your Applications folder — are protected, so macOS needs your administrator password once. If you decline, nothing switches and your current drive stays active. - [What should I do with my old drive after Transfer Drive finishes?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-do-i-do-with-my-old-drive-after-a-transfer) — Keep it for a while as a fallback — Transfer Drive never changes it. Once your moved apps and folders work from the new drive and Inspect shows Verified, you can erase or reuse it yourself in Disk Utility. - [My fast drive seems to be failing — what should I do?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/my-fast-drive-is-failing-what-should-i-do) — Copy it off quickly: connect a healthy drive and use More → Drive → Transfer Drive… to move everything and switch over. Try a different cable and port first, since random disconnects are often the cable, and check the drive with Disk Utility's First Aid. - [My fast drive was lost or broke — can I get my moved files back?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/my-fast-drive-was-lost-or-broken) — Only from a backup — the drive held the only copy of what you moved. Check any Backup Drive copy, an old drive from a previous transfer, Data Backup, Time Machine or the cloud. Reinstall apps from their makers. - [Can I copy the Storage Studio folder to a new drive myself in Finder?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-copy-the-storage-studio-folder-to-a-new-drive-myself) — A Finder copy won't switch Storage Studio over — your shortcuts would still lead to the old drive. Use Transfer Drive, which copies, verifies and re-points everything in one step. A manual copy is fine as an extra backup. - [How often should I run Backup Drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/should-i-run-backup-drive-regularly) — Backup Drive makes a one-off, point-in-time copy and doesn't update itself. Re-run it after big changes; for automatic, scheduled, versioned backups use Data Backup. - [Can I use Transfer Drive to move to a smaller external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-transfer-to-a-smaller-drive) — Only if it has room for everything Storage Studio keeps on your current drive — Transfer Drive checks free space first and won't start on a drive that's too small. Move back or remove items first to shrink what needs copying. - [Why won't Transfer Drive use a drive that is already a Storage Studio drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/transfer-drive-says-already-a-storage-studio-drive) — To keep your records from getting mixed up, Transfer and Backup Drive refuse a drive already set up for this Mac. If you no longer need what's on it, erase it in Disk Utility first, or pick another drive. ## Speed, cables and hardware - [Should I plug my fast drive into a hub or dock, or directly into the Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/should-i-plug-the-drive-into-a-hub-or-directly) — Directly into the Mac is best. Hubs, docks and monitor ports share bandwidth and power, which can slow the drive or make it drop off. If you use one, prefer a powered hub and compare speeds with Run benchmark. - [Does the cable matter for my external SSD's speed?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-the-cable-matter-for-an-external-ssd) — Yes. Many USB-C charging cables carry only slow data, so a fast SSD tests slow on them. Use the drive's own cable or a proper Thunderbolt/USB4/high-speed USB-C data cable, then re-run the benchmark. - [What is an NVMe enclosure, and is it a good fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-an-nvme-enclosure) — It's a case that turns an M.2 NVMe SSD into a USB-C, USB4 or Thunderbolt external drive — a fast, roomy option that suits Storage Studio well. Format it as APFS and check it with Run benchmark. - [Why does my external drive keep disconnecting from my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/my-external-drive-keeps-disconnecting) — Usually a loose or poor cable, an underpowered hub or a tired port; sometimes the drive. Connect directly with the drive's own cable, try another port and run First Aid. Storage Studio pauses and resumes safely, but fix frequent drop-offs. - [What happens to the fast drive when my Mac sleeps?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-my-mac-sleep-affect-the-fast-drive) — The drive normally stays connected through sleep. Storage Studio re-checks it on wake, and Transfer/Backup Drive copies resume automatically. If it's missing after waking, click Remount fast drive. - [Why does it take a few seconds to open something from my external hard disk?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-a-hard-disk-spin-down-delay-opening-files) — Hard disks spin down when idle and take a few seconds to spin up again on first access. SSDs don't. You can change macOS's hard-disk sleep setting in System Settings, or use an SSD for frequently opened items. - [Should I stop Spotlight from indexing my fast drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/should-i-exclude-the-fast-drive-from-spotlight) — Usually leave it on, so moved files stay searchable. Indexing is busiest right after connecting the drive or adding many files and can briefly block ejecting. Excluding the drive in Spotlight settings hides its files from search. - [Is it normal for my external SSD to get hot during big moves?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-external-ssds-get-hot) — Some warmth is normal during long copies, and many SSDs slow down briefly when hot. Keep the drive in open air while copying. Storage Studio paces its own background work, but copies you start run at full speed. - [My external drive doesn't show up on my Mac at all — what should I try?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/my-external-drive-does-not-show-up-on-my-mac) — Check Finder's sidebar settings show external disks, try another cable and port without a hub, then look in Disk Utility (Show All Devices) to mount, repair or format it. If Disk Utility can't see it either, the drive or enclosure may be faulty. - [Does it matter which port I plug the fast drive into?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-it-matter-which-port-i-use) — Not for recognising it — Storage Studio identifies your drive by its setup tag, not the port. Speed can differ between ports, hubs and displays, so use a port on the Mac itself for best results. - [Does keeping an external SSD plugged in drain my MacBook's battery?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-an-external-ssd-drain-my-macbook-battery) — A little — a bus-powered drive draws power from the Mac, more while copying and less when idle; SSDs use less than hard disks. Eject it on battery if you don't need it. Storage Studio paces its background work on battery. - [Can I use a USB-A drive with an adapter on my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-an-adapter-with-my-external-drive) — Yes. Storage Studio treats it like any drive, but speed is limited by the slowest part — drive, adapter or cable. Run the benchmark in Choose Drive to see whether it's fast enough. - [Why does the drive speed test give different results each time?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-the-speed-test-give-different-results) — Speeds vary with how full and warm the drive is, other activity on it such as Spotlight, and the port and cable. Makers quote best-case numbers. Close other apps, connect directly and run the test twice for a fair reading. - [What does bus-powered mean, and why won't my drive work on some ports?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-bus-power) — A bus-powered drive gets its power through the cable. Ports — and especially unpowered hubs — can only supply so much, so some drives fail or disconnect on weak ports. Plug directly into the Mac or use a powered hub; desktop drives need their own adapter. - [Can I daisy-chain external drives on a Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-daisy-chain-thunderbolt-drives) — Thunderbolt drives with two Thunderbolt ports can be chained so several devices share one Mac port; plain USB drives can't — use a hub instead. A chain shares bandwidth, and unplugging the first device disconnects everything after it. - [Will a USB drive work in my Mac's Thunderbolt port?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/will-a-usb-drive-work-in-a-thunderbolt-port) — Yes — a Mac's Thunderbolt ports also work as USB ports, so USB drives run normally in them. A Thunderbolt-only drive won't work in a USB-only port, though, so check the port if one doesn't appear. Many drives support both. - [How do I know whether my Mac's ports support Thunderbolt?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-know-if-my-mac-has-thunderbolt) — Look for the lightning-bolt symbol by the port, or open System Information (Option-click the Apple menu) and check the Thunderbolt/USB4 section, which lists each port and what's connected. Most recent Macs have Thunderbolt on their USB-C ports, but not every port on every model. - [How can I see which USB or Thunderbolt speed my drive is connected at?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-see-my-drives-connection-speed) — In System Information, open USB or Thunderbolt/USB4 under Hardware and click the drive to see the connection speed it negotiated. If it's lower than expected, try a better cable, plug in directly and try another port. - [Why is my external SSD slower than the speed on the box?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-my-external-ssd-slower-than-advertised) — Box speeds are best cases. Real copies slow down because of the cable or port, hubs, many small files, the drive's cache filling or warming up, or a slower drive on the other end. Check the connection speed in System Information. - [Why is copying lots of small files so much slower than one big file?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-are-many-small-files-slow-to-copy) — Each file has a fixed cost to create and close, so thousands of tiny files spend most of the copy on overhead. Delete rebuildable caches instead of copying them, and compress a folder into one file for archiving. - [Why does my external drive's copy speed drop partway through a big copy?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-copy-speed-drop-partway) — Many SSDs write into a fast cache first and slow down once it fills, and drives slow themselves when warm. A copy that starts fast and settles lower is normal; a crawl or disconnects point to a cable, connection or heat problem. - [What do USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and USB4 mean when buying a drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-do-usb-version-names-mean) — They're USB generations with confusing, repeatedly changed names. Compare the speed in Gbps on the drive, cable and port instead — the slowest part sets the speed, and some top USB modes aren't supported by Mac ports. - [Can I stop my external hard drive from going to sleep?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-stop-an-external-hard-drive-spinning-down) — Partly. On Macs that offer it, turn off "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" in Energy (or Battery → Options) settings. Many drives also sleep by themselves, which only the maker's software can change. An SSD avoids spin-up delays altogether. - [Why does my external hard drive spin up when I'm not using it?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-my-hard-drive-spin-up-when-idle) — Something is using it — typically Spotlight indexing, Time Machine, photo or music apps, or backup tools, and Storage Studio checks its drive from time to time too. Activity Monitor's Disk tab shows what's reading it. - [How can I copy files to my external drive faster?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-copy-files-to-an-external-drive-faster) — Connect directly to a fast port with a good data cable, skip hubs and monitor ports, copy fewer larger files, delete rebuildable caches instead of copying them, and avoid running several big copies to the same drive at once. - [Is it OK to plug my external drive into my monitor's USB ports?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-plug-a-drive-into-my-monitors-usb-ports) — It works, but monitor ports are a built-in hub: often slower, sharing bandwidth and power, and sometimes switching off when the display sleeps. Plug drives you rely on — especially your Storage Studio drive — directly into the Mac. ## Space on the drive - [What happens when my fast drive runs out of space?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-when-my-fast-drive-is-full) — Moves that won't fit don't start, and one that runs out of room part-way stops without deleting anything. Free space on the drive, move items back, or upgrade with Transfer Drive. - [Does a moved folder take the same amount of space on the external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-a-moved-folder-take-the-same-space-on-the-drive) — Roughly the same. Sizes are measured as space used on disk, and space-efficient files such as some virtual-machine disks and disk images stay efficient on the fast drive. The drive's format can cause small differences. - [Can I delete files from Storage Studio's folder on the drive to make room?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-delete-things-from-the-storage-studio-folder-on-the-drive) — Avoid deleting there in Finder — those files back shortcuts on your Mac, so you'd leave broken links. Move items back first and delete them normally, use Remove for offloaded apps, or use the Delete option on items Storage Studio flags as broken. - [Can I rename my fast drive after moving things to it?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-not-rename-the-fast-drive) — Better not. Shortcuts on your Mac reach moved items by their location on the drive, which includes its name. If you renamed it and things stopped opening, rename it back and reconnect. - [How do I remove Storage Studio's folder from my external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-remove-storage-studios-folder-from-my-drive) — First bring moved items back — the Uninstall wizard's Revert relocated folders option or Reset Storage Studio, with the drive connected — then delete the folder in Finder. Uninstalling alone leaves the drive's files untouched. - [Can I choose which folder on the external drive my files are moved to?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/where-on-the-drive-do-my-moved-files-go) — Storage Studio's own moves go into its folder on the drive. For control over where things land, use Data Parking and pair a Mac folder with a folder you choose on the drive. - [Why didn't deleting files from my external drive free up space?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-there-less-free-space-after-deleting-files-from-a-drive) — Deleted files sit in the Trash on that same drive until you empty the Trash with the drive connected. Empty it and the space returns; if not, give macOS a moment or restart, as something may still be holding the files. ## Mounting and drive problems - [What does "Disk Not Ejected Properly" mean on a Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-does-disk-not-ejected-properly-mean) — macOS lost the drive while it was still in use — usually because it was unplugged without ejecting, or a cable, hub or power problem dropped the connection. Eject first; if it happens on its own, connect directly with another cable and run First Aid. - [How do I stop "Disk Not Ejected Properly" warnings every time my Mac sleeps?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/stop-disk-not-ejected-properly-after-sleep) — Something is cutting power to the drive while the Mac sleeps — usually a hub or dock. Plug the drive directly into the Mac, use a good cable, and on a desktop turn off hard-disk sleep in Energy settings if your drive struggles to wake. - [What should I do if First Aid can't repair my external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/first-aid-cant-repair-my-external-drive) — Copy everything you need off the drive while it still mounts, stop writing to it, then erase it and run First Aid again. If errors return on a freshly erased drive, the hardware is likely failing and should be replaced. - [Why does my external drive show in Disk Utility but not in Finder?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/drive-shows-in-disk-utility-but-not-finder) — The drive is connected but its volume isn't mounted. In Disk Utility, select the greyed-out volume and click Mount. If that fails, enter the password for an encrypted drive, run First Aid, or check the drive uses a format a Mac can read. - [What does "The disk you attached was not readable by this computer" mean?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/disk-you-attached-was-not-readable) — macOS can see the drive but can't read its contents: it's unformatted, in a format a Mac doesn't read, or damaged. Initialize erases it — fine for a new drive, but copy anything you need off it first (on the computer that can read it) if it holds data. - [Why does my Mac ask to "Allow accessory to connect" when I plug in a drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-is-allow-accessories-to-connect) — On Apple silicon Mac laptops, macOS asks before a new USB or Thunderbolt accessory connects. Click Allow for your drive. If you chose Don't Allow, change it in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Allow accessories to connect, then replug the drive. - [Why does my external drive take a long time to appear after I plug it in?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-is-my-drive-slow-to-appear-after-plugging-in) — A hard disk needs to spin up, and after an improper eject macOS checks the drive before mounting it, which can take a while on big drives. Let the check finish, eject properly next time, and run First Aid if it's slow every time. - [Why does my Mac slow down or freeze when my external drive is plugged in?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/drive-makes-my-mac-slow-when-plugged-in) — Usually the drive is struggling to read, Spotlight is indexing it for the first time, or a bad cable or hub keeps resetting it. Wait for indexing, try a direct connection and another cable, and run First Aid. Freezes with read errors suggest a failing drive. - [Why won't Disk Utility let me erase my external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-cant-i-erase-my-external-drive) — Select the top-level device (View → Show All Devices), not the volume, and quit anything using the drive — including Time Machine — before clicking Erase. A write-protect switch or a failing drive can also block it. - [Why does Disk Utility only show volumes and not the whole drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/disk-utility-only-shows-volumes) — Disk Utility shows only volumes until you choose View → Show All Devices (Command-2). Then you see each physical drive, its container and its volumes — the view you need to erase or partition a whole drive. - [Can I recover files from an external drive I erased by mistake?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-recover-files-from-an-erased-drive) — Stop using the drive at once. Erased hard disks can sometimes be recovered with recovery software or a professional service; erased SSDs usually can't, because they clear data in the background. A backup is the only dependable way back. - [Can I get my files off an external drive that won't mount?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-get-files-off-a-drive-that-wont-mount) — Try another cable, port and power supply, then Mount and First Aid in Disk Utility, or another computer. If the drive clicks or isn't detected at all, stop using it and consider a professional recovery service. Never initialize it. - [What happens to my files if my Mac crashes or the drive unplugs during a copy?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-if-my-mac-crashes-during-a-copy) — Your originals are safe: a copy leaves them untouched, and a Finder move between drives only removes the original after the copy finishes. Delete the partial copy, copy again, and run First Aid on the drive. Storage Studio keeps originals until its copy is checked. - [Why does my external drive work on my old Mac but not my new one?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/drive-works-on-old-mac-but-not-new-mac) — Usually a setting or the connection: approve it under Allow accessories to connect on newer Mac laptops, try another adapter or cable, give it more power with a powered hub, and run First Aid if it's detected but won't mount. ## Caring for a drive - [Why does my external hard drive click or beep?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/external-hard-drive-clicking-or-beeping) — Clicking or beeping usually means a hard disk can't spin up or read — sometimes a power problem, often a mechanical fault. Try another port, cable or power supply; if it mounts, copy files off at once. Keep clicking drives out of use. - [Do I need to defragment an external SSD or hard drive on a Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/do-external-ssds-need-defragmenting) — No. SSDs don't benefit from defragmenting and it only adds wear; macOS has no defragment tool and doesn't need one. For a slow hard disk, keep some free space on it and check its health with First Aid instead. - [How long does an external SSD last?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-long-do-external-ssds-last) — Usually many years in normal use. SSDs wear with writing, and each model lists an endurance figure and warranty; everyday use stays well within them. Any drive can still fail suddenly, so keep a second copy of anything important. - [Is it OK to leave an external drive plugged into my Mac all the time?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-leave-an-external-drive-plugged-in-all-the-time) — Yes. Drives are made to stay connected, and macOS lets them idle when unused. On a desktop Mac it's the normal setup and keeps moved items always reachable. Keep it ventilated and eject before unplugging. - [How should I store an external drive I only use now and then?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-should-i-store-a-drive-i-rarely-use) — Keep it cool, dry and safe from knocks, plug it in every so often to check it mounts and files open, and never let it be the only copy. SSDs hold data unpowered for a long time but not forever, so power them up occasionally. - [Is it bad to move or bump an external hard drive while it's running?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/is-it-bad-to-move-a-hard-drive-while-it-is-running) — Yes — a hard disk's moving parts can be damaged by knocks while it runs. Keep it on a stable surface and eject before moving it. SSDs tolerate movement far better. After a drop, copy important files off and run First Aid. ## Passwords and encryption - [What happens if I forget the password to my encrypted external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/forgot-password-for-encrypted-external-drive) — Without the password the drive's data can't be read by anyone, Apple included. Check Keychain Access and the password hint first; if it's truly lost, the only option is to erase the drive and restore your files from a backup. - [How do I stop my Mac asking for an encrypted drive's password every time?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/stop-encrypted-drive-asking-for-password) — Tick "Remember this password in my keychain" when you unlock the drive. Your Mac then unlocks it automatically when you're logged in, while other computers still need the password. Remove the keychain entry to stop it later. - [How do I remove the password or encryption from an external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-decrypt-an-external-drive) — Control-click the drive in Finder, choose Decrypt and enter the password; macOS removes the encryption in the background while your files stay put. If Decrypt isn't offered, copy files off, erase the drive unencrypted, and copy them back. - [Can I encrypt just part of an external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-encrypt-just-part-of-an-external-drive) — Yes. On an APFS drive each volume can be encrypted separately, so you can keep one volume locked and others open, all sharing the free space. For a handful of private files, an encrypted disk image works like a password-protected folder. - [Can I open an encrypted Mac drive on a Windows PC?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-open-an-encrypted-mac-drive-on-windows) — Not with Windows alone — it can't read Mac drive formats, and Mac encryption is part of those formats. For one encrypted drive shared with a PC, consider a hardware-encrypted drive formatted as exFAT; keep your Storage Studio drive in a Mac format. ## Using drives with PCs, iPads and other Macs - [Can a Windows PC read a Mac-formatted external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-a-windows-pc-read-a-mac-drive) — Not without extra software — Windows can't read APFS or Mac OS Extended and may offer to format the drive (decline). Use a separate exFAT drive or volume, a network share or the cloud to move files between a Mac and a PC. - [How do I set up one external drive with a part for my Mac and a part a Windows PC can use?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/partition-a-drive-for-a-windows-pc) — In Disk Utility (View → Show All Devices), select the drive, click Partition and create an APFS partition for your Mac and an exFAT one for Windows, using GUID Partition Map. Back up first; partition sizes are fixed. Point Storage Studio at the APFS part. - [Can my Mac read a drive formatted for Linux?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-a-mac-read-a-linux-drive) — Not without extra software — macOS can't read Linux file systems like ext4, so the drive appears unreadable. Copy the files to an exFAT drive on a Linux computer, or use a third-party tool. Don't initialize it unless you mean to erase it. - [Can an older Mac read my APFS external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-an-older-mac-read-my-apfs-drive) — Only Macs running macOS High Sierra or later read APFS. For a drive that must work on an older Mac, format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or exFAT. Newer Macs — Apple silicon or Intel — share APFS drives freely. - [Can I plug my old Mac's drive into my new Mac and get my files?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-read-a-drive-from-my-old-mac) — Usually yes — newer Macs read Mac drive formats, so the old drive mounts like any external one. Copy what you need or use Migration Assistant. Expect permission prompts on the old user folder, and the old password for an encrypted drive. - [How do I connect an internal drive from an old computer to my Mac?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/connect-a-drive-from-an-old-computer) — Put it in a matching enclosure or adapter — SATA-to-USB for 2.5-inch drives, a powered dock for 3.5-inch disks, or an NVMe enclosure for M.2 SSDs — and plug it in. Mac drives read normally, Windows drives read-only, Linux drives need extra software. - [Can I use the same external drive with my iPad or iPhone?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-an-external-drive-with-my-ipad-or-iphone) — Yes, on iPads and iPhones with USB-C (or an adapter): the drive appears in the Files app. exFAT is safest for sharing between devices. Bus-powered drives may need a powered hub, and things Storage Studio moved only work on the Mac. ## Media libraries and starting up from a drive - [How do I move my TV app movies and shows to an external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-move-the-tv-app-media-to-an-external-drive) — In TV → Settings → Files, change the media folder to a folder on your external drive, then use File → Library → Organize Library to consolidate existing media there. Keep the drive connected when you use the TV app. - [How do I open a Photos library that's on an external drive?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-open-a-photos-library-on-an-external-drive) — Quit Photos and hold Option while opening it, then pick the library on the external drive (or Other Library). Double-clicking the library in Finder works too. Keep the drive connected, and set it as the System Photo Library to use iCloud Photos with it. - [Can I install and run macOS from an external SSD?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-run-macos-from-an-external-drive) — Yes, most Macs can start up from macOS installed on an external SSD — choose it as the startup disk (on Apple silicon, hold the power button at startup). It's a separate system. Storage Studio doesn't make drives bootable; it moves apps and folders instead.