{
  "schema": "https://storagestudio.us/schema/wiki-page.v1",
  "title": "When your drive is disconnected",
  "slug": "when-your-drive-is-disconnected",
  "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-your-drive-is-disconnected",
  "markdown_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-your-drive-is-disconnected.md",
  "category": "External drives",
  "category_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/external-drives/",
  "tags": [
    "external drive",
    "troubleshooting",
    "data parking"
  ],
  "summary": "While your external drive is unplugged, relocated folders and moved apps can't be opened and automatic moves are skipped. Moves in progress wait, and everything carries on when the same drive is plugged back in.",
  "published_at": "2026-10-01T06:20:17.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-01T05:34:27.000Z",
  "headings": [
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "How you can tell",
      "id": "how-you-can-tell"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "What works and what waits",
      "id": "what-works-and-what-waits"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Moves that were running",
      "id": "moves-that-were-running"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "When you plug it back in",
      "id": "when-you-plug-it-back-in"
    }
  ],
  "links_out": [
    {
      "slug": "the-shortcut-left-behind",
      "label": "The shortcut left behind after a move",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-shortcut-left-behind"
    },
    {
      "slug": "moved-apps-when-the-drive-is-offline",
      "label": "Moved apps when the drive is disconnected",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moved-apps-when-the-drive-is-offline"
    },
    {
      "slug": "drive-unplugged-during-a-move",
      "label": "The drive was unplugged during a move",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-unplugged-during-a-move"
    },
    {
      "slug": "transfer-drive-and-backup-drive",
      "label": "Switching to a new drive",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/transfer-drive-and-backup-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "ejecting-your-drive",
      "label": "Ejecting your drive safely",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/ejecting-your-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "drive-says-not-set-up",
      "label": "The drive says \"not set up\"",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-says-not-set-up"
    },
    {
      "slug": "checking-your-drive",
      "label": "Checking your drive's health and setup",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/checking-your-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-menu-bar-icon-and-popover",
      "label": "The menu bar icon and popover",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-menu-bar-icon-and-popover"
    }
  ],
  "links_in": [
    {
      "slug": "checking-your-drive",
      "title": "Checking your drive's health and setup",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/checking-your-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "choosing-an-external-drive",
      "title": "Choosing an external drive",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/choosing-an-external-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "eject-fails-files-in-use",
      "title": "Eject fails: \"Files still in use\"",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/eject-fails-files-in-use"
    },
    {
      "slug": "ejecting-your-drive",
      "title": "Ejecting your drive safely",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/ejecting-your-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "glossary-external-drive",
      "title": "External drive",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary-external-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "moved-apps-when-the-drive-is-offline",
      "title": "Moved apps when the drive is disconnected",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moved-apps-when-the-drive-is-offline"
    },
    {
      "slug": "rules-and-automatic-moves",
      "title": "Rules: moving folders automatically",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/rules-and-automatic-moves"
    },
    {
      "slug": "setting-up-your-drive",
      "title": "Setting up your drive",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/setting-up-your-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "drive-says-not-set-up",
      "title": "The drive isn't recognised as set up",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-says-not-set-up"
    },
    {
      "slug": "drive-unplugged-during-a-move",
      "title": "The drive was unplugged during a move",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-unplugged-during-a-move"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-menu-bar-icon-and-popover",
      "title": "The menu bar icon and popover",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-menu-bar-icon-and-popover"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-shortcut-left-behind",
      "title": "The shortcut left behind after a move",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-shortcut-left-behind"
    },
    {
      "slug": "transfers-and-restarts",
      "title": "What happens to transfers when you restart",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/transfers-and-restarts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "when-your-licence-ends",
      "title": "When a trial or licence ends",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-your-licence-ends"
    }
  ],
  "diagrams": [
    {
      "kind": "flowchart",
      "caption": "What happens when the drive goes away and comes back",
      "outline": "- Drive unplugged\n  - leads to Red dot and Not connected\n- Red dot and Not connected\n  - leads to Moves in progress wait\n  - leads to Automatic moves are skipped\n  - leads to Relocated files and moved apps cannot open\n- Moves in progress wait\n  - leads to Same drive plugged back in?\n- Automatic moves are skipped\n  - leads to Same drive plugged back in?\n- Relocated files and moved apps cannot open\n  - leads to Same drive plugged back in?\n- Same drive plugged back in?\n  - Yes: leads to Moves continue, files and apps open again\n  - A different drive: leads to Waiting moves are not continued on it\n",
      "source": "%% caption: What happens when the drive goes away and comes back\nflowchart TD\n  A[Drive unplugged] --> B[Red dot and Not connected]\n  B --> C[Moves in progress wait]\n  B --> D[Automatic moves are skipped]\n  B --> E[Relocated files and moved apps cannot open]\n  C --> F{Same drive plugged back in?}\n  D --> F\n  E --> F\n  F -->|Yes| G[Moves continue, files and apps open again]\n  F -->|A different drive| H[Waiting moves are not continued on it]"
    }
  ],
  "images": [],
  "screenshots_pending": [
    {
      "alt": "The Storage Studio Home screen with the Connect an external drive to do more banner and the drive shown as not connected",
      "caption": "Home while the drive is unplugged"
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "How do I move apps to an external drive on a Mac and still launch them?",
      "answer": "Dragging an app to another drive can break it, because macOS expects it in /Applications. Storage Studio relocates the app to your external drive and leaves a shortcut in place, so it still launches normally from Launchpad, Spotlight, and the Dock — and you can move it back in one click.",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    },
    {
      "question": "How do I use an external SSD as extra storage on a MacBook?",
      "answer": "Plug in a USB-C or Thunderbolt SSD and let Storage Studio pair it with your internal drive as one workspace. It moves big folders, libraries, and apps to the SSD with a shortcut left behind, so your MacBook behaves like it has a much bigger disk — fast enough to work directly off the external drive.",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    },
    {
      "question": "Can I move my Photos or Final Cut library to an external drive?",
      "answer": "Yes — large Photos, Final Cut, and iMovie libraries are common space hogs. Storage Studio relocates them to an external drive while keeping them usable, leaving a shortcut so your apps still find them. Moving a folder to your fast drive keeps its files' modified and created dates, permissions,…",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    },
    {
      "question": "Will moving files to another drive break my apps or Spotlight?",
      "answer": "Not the way Storage Studio does it. It leaves a shortcut (symlink) at the original location, so apps, Finder, and Spotlight resolve everything as if it never moved — and the move is fully reversible.",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    }
  ],
  "text": "Unplugging your external drive never loses anything — but while it's away, whatever Storage Studio moved onto it is out of reach. Storage Studio shows that the drive is missing, holds back work that needs it, and picks up again when the same drive returns. How you can tell The menu bar icon shows a red dot. In the Advanced view's popover, the header reads External drive disconnected . The Home screen shows Connect an external drive to do more , and the drive's space shows Not connected . In Data Parking, the destination menu shows the drive as NVMe — not connected . If the drive disappears while Storage Studio is running, it tries to mount it again and sends a notification if it's still missing. Another notification tells you when the drive is back. What works and what waits While the drive is unplugged Relocated folders The folders are there, but their files can't be opened Moved apps Can't be opened Moves onto the drive Wait as Waiting for drive Moves back from the drive Stop, and can be started again Automatic moves Skipped until the drive is back Clearing caches and other clean-ups on your Mac Still work Cloud accounts and Data Transfers that don't involve the drive Still work Relocated folders keep their shortcuts, but the files those shortcuts point to are on the drive — see The shortcut left behind after a move . Moved apps behave the same way; an app may also show its own update prompt because it can't reach its files. See Moved apps when the drive is disconnected . What happens when the drive goes away and comes back Flowchart outline: What happens when the drive goes away and comes back Drive unplugged leads to Red dot and Not connected Red dot and Not connected leads to Moves in progress wait leads to Automatic moves are skipped leads to Relocated files and moved apps cannot open Moves in progress wait leads to Same drive plugged back in? Automatic moves are skipped leads to Same drive plugged back in? Relocated files and moved apps cannot open leads to Same drive plugged back in? Same drive plugged back in? Yes: leads to Moves continue, files and apps open again A different drive: leads to Waiting moves are not continued on it Moves that were running A folder move onto the drive stops copying when the drive disappears and shows Waiting for drive . Nothing is removed from your Mac — the original is only removed after a finished, checked copy. When the same drive is plugged back in, the move continues on its own. Storage Studio recognises the drive itself, not just its name, so it won't continue a move onto a different drive that happens to have the same name. A move back from the drive can't wait like that, because its source has gone. It stops, the copy on the drive is left as it was, and you can start it again once the drive is back. See The drive was unplugged during a move . A Transfer to a New Drive or Back Up to Another Drive copy also waits and continues when its drives are back — see Switching to a new drive . When you plug it back in Relocated folders and moved apps work again straight away. If you ejected the drive from Storage Studio, automatic actions were paused at the time; the Home screen shows Automatic actions are paused with a Resume button. See Ejecting your drive safely . If the drive is plugged in but Storage Studio still doesn't see it, try Remount Drive in the More menu, or see The drive says \"not set up\" . See also: Checking your drive's health and setup , The menu bar icon and popover . Common questions How do I move apps to an external drive on a Mac and still launch them? Dragging an app to another drive can break it, because macOS expects it in /Applications. Storage Studio relocates the app to your external drive and leaves a shortcut in place, so it still launches normally from Launchpad, Spotlight, and the Dock — and you can move it back in one click. How do I use an external SSD as extra storage on a MacBook? Plug in a USB-C or Thunderbolt SSD and let Storage Studio pair it with your internal drive as one workspace. It moves big folders, libraries, and apps to the SSD with a shortcut left behind, so your MacBook behaves like it has a much bigger disk — fast enough to work directly off the external drive. Can I move my Photos or Final Cut library to an external drive? Yes — large Photos, Final Cut, and iMovie libraries are common space hogs. Storage Studio relocates them to an external drive while keeping them usable, leaving a shortcut so your apps still find them. Moving a folder to your fast drive keeps its files' modified and created dates, permissions,… Will moving files to another drive break my apps or Spotlight? Not the way Storage Studio does it. It leaves a shortcut (symlink) at the original location, so apps, Finder, and Spotlight resolve everything as if it never moved — and the move is fully reversible.",
  "markdown": "Unplugging your external drive never loses anything — but while it's away, whatever Storage Studio moved onto it is out of reach. Storage Studio shows that the drive is missing, holds back work that needs it, and picks up again when the same drive returns.\n\n## How you can tell\n\n- The **menu bar icon** shows a red dot.\n- In the Advanced view's popover, the header reads **External drive disconnected**.\n- The Home screen shows **Connect an external drive to do more**, and the drive's space shows **Not connected**.\n- In Data Parking, the destination menu shows the drive as **NVMe — not connected**.\n- If the drive disappears while Storage Studio is running, it tries to mount it again and sends a notification if it's still missing. Another notification tells you when the drive is back.\n\n## What works and what waits\n\n| | While the drive is unplugged |\n| --- | --- |\n| Relocated folders | The folders are there, but their files can't be opened |\n| Moved apps | Can't be opened |\n| Moves onto the drive | Wait as Waiting for drive |\n| Moves back from the drive | Stop, and can be started again |\n| Automatic moves | Skipped until the drive is back |\n| Clearing caches and other clean-ups on your Mac | Still work |\n| Cloud accounts and Data Transfers that don't involve the drive | Still work |\n\n**Relocated folders** keep their shortcuts, but the files those shortcuts point to are on the drive — see [The shortcut left behind after a move](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-shortcut-left-behind). **Moved apps** behave the same way; an app may also show its own update prompt because it can't reach its files. See [Moved apps when the drive is disconnected](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moved-apps-when-the-drive-is-offline).\n\n```mermaid\n%% caption: What happens when the drive goes away and comes back\nflowchart TD\n  A[Drive unplugged] --> B[Red dot and Not connected]\n  B --> C[Moves in progress wait]\n  B --> D[Automatic moves are skipped]\n  B --> E[Relocated files and moved apps cannot open]\n  C --> F{Same drive plugged back in?}\n  D --> F\n  E --> F\n  F -->|Yes| G[Moves continue, files and apps open again]\n  F -->|A different drive| H[Waiting moves are not continued on it]\n```\n\n*Flowchart — What happens when the drive goes away and comes back. Outline:*\n\n- Drive unplugged\n  - leads to Red dot and Not connected\n- Red dot and Not connected\n  - leads to Moves in progress wait\n  - leads to Automatic moves are skipped\n  - leads to Relocated files and moved apps cannot open\n- Moves in progress wait\n  - leads to Same drive plugged back in?\n- Automatic moves are skipped\n  - leads to Same drive plugged back in?\n- Relocated files and moved apps cannot open\n  - leads to Same drive plugged back in?\n- Same drive plugged back in?\n  - Yes: leads to Moves continue, files and apps open again\n  - A different drive: leads to Waiting moves are not continued on it\n\n## Moves that were running\n\nA folder move onto the drive stops copying when the drive disappears and shows **Waiting for drive**. Nothing is removed from your Mac — the original is only removed after a finished, checked copy. When the **same** drive is plugged back in, the move continues on its own. Storage Studio recognises the drive itself, not just its name, so it won't continue a move onto a different drive that happens to have the same name.\n\nA move **back** from the drive can't wait like that, because its source has gone. It stops, the copy on the drive is left as it was, and you can start it again once the drive is back. See [The drive was unplugged during a move](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-unplugged-during-a-move).\n\nA **Transfer to a New Drive** or **Back Up to Another Drive** copy also waits and continues when its drives are back — see [Switching to a new drive](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/transfer-drive-and-backup-drive).\n\n## When you plug it back in\n\nRelocated folders and moved apps work again straight away. If you ejected the drive from Storage Studio, automatic actions were paused at the time; the Home screen shows **Automatic actions are paused** with a **Resume** button. See [Ejecting your drive safely](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/ejecting-your-drive).\n\nIf the drive is plugged in but Storage Studio still doesn't see it, try **Remount Drive** in the **More** menu, or see [The drive says \"not set up\"](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-says-not-set-up).\n\nSee also: [Checking your drive's health and setup](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/checking-your-drive), [The menu bar icon and popover](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-menu-bar-icon-and-popover).\n\n- **How do I move apps to an external drive on a Mac and still launch them?** Dragging an app to another drive can break it, because macOS expects it in /Applications. Storage Studio relocates the app to your external drive and leaves a shortcut in place, so it still launches normally from Launchpad, Spotlight, and the Dock — and you can move it back in one click. (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n- **How do I use an external SSD as extra storage on a MacBook?** Plug in a USB-C or Thunderbolt SSD and let Storage Studio pair it with your internal drive as one workspace. It moves big folders, libraries, and apps to the SSD with a shortcut left behind, so your MacBook behaves like it has a much bigger disk — fast enough to work directly off the external drive. (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n- **Can I move my Photos or Final Cut library to an external drive?** Yes — large Photos, Final Cut, and iMovie libraries are common space hogs. Storage Studio relocates them to an external drive while keeping them usable, leaving a shortcut so your apps still find them. Moving a folder to your fast drive keeps its files' modified and created dates, permissions,… (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n- **Will moving files to another drive break my apps or Spotlight?** Not the way Storage Studio does it. It leaves a shortcut (symlink) at the original location, so apps, Finder, and Spotlight resolve everything as if it never moved — and the move is fully reversible. (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n"
}