---
id: external-drives.why-does-an-app-show-an-update-prompt-when-the-drive-is-away
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/why-does-an-app-show-an-update-prompt-when-the-drive-is-away
category: "External drives"
subcategory: "When the drive is unplugged"
question: "Why does a moved app show an update prompt when my drive is disconnected?"
alt_questions:
  - "App asks to update when external drive unplugged"
  - "Updater error on relocated app"
  - "Strange update dialog after moving app"
  - "app update prompt fast drive disconnected"
  - "Is the update popup from Storage Studio?"
  - "Moved app keeps asking to install update"
short_answer: "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."
tags: ["updates", "apps", "unplugged"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-happens-to-moved-folders-when-the-drive-is-unplugged", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/does-storage-studio-keep-working-without-the-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/where-do-removed-files-go-when-the-drive-is-away"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why does a moved app show an update prompt when my drive is disconnected?

That prompt comes from the app's own updater, not from Storage Studio — many apps such as browsers, code editors and chat apps update themselves. It usually appears when an app you moved is open while the drive is disconnected, so the updater can't reach the app's files.

It's safe to cancel. To stop it for good, reconnect the drive so the app can update normally, or move the app back to internal storage. Apps that update very often are usually best kept on your Mac.