{"id":33295,"date":"2021-02-09T00:18:53","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T00:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/?p=33295"},"modified":"2026-04-23T14:33:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T14:33:48","slug":"how-to-recover-files-from-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-on-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-on-mac.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Recover Files from External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Is your external hard drive not showing up on your Mac? This usually points to (a) a connection issue that keeps your drive from being recognized or (b) some form of corruption, resulting in your Mac not recognizing the external hard drive.<\/p>\r\n<p>In this guide, we&#8217;ll walk you through every common fix\u2013from troubleshooting your connections to handling serious corruption (safely)\u2013while protecting your data throughout the process. We only included solutions that actually worked, as vetted by our in-house data recovery team on real external hard drives.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" class=\"embed-responsive-item\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C4ZG8BUF1FU\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_properly_troubleshoot_a_mac_that_is_not_recognizing_an_external_hard_drive\"><\/span>How to Properly Troubleshoot a Mac that Is Not Recognizing an External Hard Drive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Fixing and securing files from an unrecognized external hard drive takes several steps\u2014and it can get confusing, fast. To help you hit the ground running, we prepared a troubleshooting menu; you can follow each step to systematically diagnose your drive, or you can identify which scenario resonates with your experience and jump straight to the solution via links in the rightmost column.<\/p>\r\n<p>Warning: If your drive doesn\u2019t appear in Finder but appears in Disk Utility, and you suspect hardware damage, do these 2 things first. (1) Mount your drive as Read-Only using the diskutil mountDisk readOnly \/dev\/diskX command. (2) Create a byte-to-byte backup of your disk (see instructions in the data protection part of this guide).<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-warning\" role=\"alert\">&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; If none of those events happened, the USB flash drive could be worn out due to its age. The <b>NAND cells lose their functionality<\/b>, which disrupts your information access.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"table_wrapper table_heading\"><p><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width:25%;\">Troubleshooting steps<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width:35%;\">Reasoning<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width:40%;\">Guide Links<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Step 1:<\/b> Check if macOS can actually see the external hard drive.<\/td>\r\n<td>First, check if your Mac \u201csees\u201d your drive on either a software or even just a hardware level. If your hard drive is <b>not showing up on your Mac at all<\/b>, you may have a connection issue, or your drive is physically damaged.<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#system-information\">Check your Mac\u2019s System Information<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>If your drive isn\u2019t in System Information, <a href=\"#check-connections\">check connections<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Drive still won\u2019t appear? <a href=\"#recovery-services\">Consider data recovery services<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Step 2:<\/b> Do the easiest solutions first.<\/td>\r\n<td>If your drive appears in System Information (at least), the issue may be a simple bug, a faulty connection, or the \u201cwrong\u201d settings.<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#restart-mac\">Restart your Mac (properly)<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#check-connections\">Check power &amp; connections.<\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#finder-settings\">Change Finder settings<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Step 3:<\/b> Check if your drive appears in Disk Utility.<\/td>\r\n<td>Even if it doesn\u2019t appear in Finder, as long as your drive shows up in Disk Utility (and is mounted), you might only be facing a minor system or disk error. Alternatively, you may need to adjust Finder\u2019s settings.<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#secure-data\">Secure your data<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#finder-settings\">Check Finder Settings<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#restart-mac\">Restart your Mac<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#mount-drive\">Mount your drive manually<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#first-aid\">Run First Aid<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><b>Step 4:<\/b> Fix any mount errors.<\/td>\r\n<td>If your drive appears in Disk Utility but won\u2019t mount, the problem can range from connection issues to hard drive corruption. Follow the steps in the right column in order, prioritizing data recovery\/protection.<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#secure-data\">Secure your data<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#restart-mac\">Restart your Mac<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#mount-drive\">Mount your drive manually<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#first-aid\">Run First Aid<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#nvram-smc\">Reset NVRAM and SMC (Intel Macs)<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><a href=\"#format-drive\">Format your drive<\/a> (nuclear option).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-success\" role=\"alert\"><b>Important:<\/b> The very next section of this guide tackles data protection and recovery. Why did we put that first? Because the process of repairing a drive can often result in data loss. But if the files on your drive aren\u2019t important, you can jump straight to the <a href=\"#disk-repair\">disk repair section<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<h2 id=\"secure-data\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_protect_data_on_the_external_drive_that_is_not_showing_up_on_a_mac\"><\/span>How to Protect Data on the External Drive that Is Not Showing up on a Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>If your drive shows up in Disk Utility, but you can\u2019t access your data, the very first thing you should do is secure your files (if they matter to you). Data loss is a real possibility during or even after the repair process.<\/p>\r\n<p>For this guide, we\u2019ll be using <a href=\"\/hard-drive-recovery.html\">Mac hard drive recovery software<\/a> because it can do 2 important things: (1) create a <b>byte-to-byte image backup<\/b>, and (2) <a href=\"\/help\/external-hard-drive-recovery.html\">recover lost data from an external hard drive<\/a>\u2013even if it\u2019s corrupted. Notably, it can perform a data recovery scan on the image backup file instead of the drive itself\u2013which can prevent your drive from enduring further wear during the process.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1;Creating a backup isn&#8217;t required, but besides the option to scan the backup without stressing the original (possibly corrupted) drive, it also allows you to test different fixes without worrying about data loss, even if you don&#8217;t want to recover your data for now, so we highly recommend it. Note that Disk Drill allows you to scan your drive, back up your data, and preview your files for free\u2013you\u2019ll only be charged if you proceed with recovery.<\/div>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>While your drive is <b>disconnected from your Mac<\/b>, <a href=\"\/download.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">download<\/a> and install Disk Drill from the CleverFiles website.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Open Disk Drill. If you don\u2019t want to create a backup, jump to step 6. If you want to create a Byte-to-byte backup (recommended), click <b>Byte-to-byte Backup<\/b> in the left sidebar. Then, select your drive from the list and click <b>Create backup<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58367 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill byte-to-byte backup interface with an HDD selected\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Choose a name and location for the image backup file\u2013make sure to select a folder <b>on your Mac<\/b>, not on your external hard drive. Then, click <b>Save<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58368 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Dialog.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill byte-to-byte backup parameter dialog for an HDD\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Dialog.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Dialog-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Dialog-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Dialog-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>After creating the backup file, return to Disk Drill\u2019s main menu. Then, on the left sidebar, select <b>Storage Devices<\/b>. Click the <b>Attach disk image<\/b> button at the bottom of the window.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58370 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Source-Selection.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill source selection page\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Source-Selection.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Source-Selection-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Source-Selection-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Source-Selection-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Locate and select the backup file you created in step 3. Then, click the <b>Attach<\/b> button.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58371 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Image-Attachment.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill's image backup importer\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Image-Attachment.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Image-Attachment-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Image-Attachment-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Image-Attachment-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>If you didn\u2019t create a backup in step 2, select your drive. If you did create a backup, select the newly attached disk image. Then click <b>Search for lost data<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58372 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Scan.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill source selection page with disk image selection\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Scan.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Scan-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Scan-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Backup-Scan-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>A pop-up may appear, asking you to choose which scan type Disk Dril should use for your drive. We recommend starting with the <b>Universal scan<\/b>. If any <i>unedited<\/i> videos you recovered end up unplayable, scan your drive again with <b>Advanced camera recovery<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58374 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Scan-Types.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill scan type selection dialog\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Scan-Types.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Scan-Types-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Scan-Types-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Scan-Types-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Once Disk Drill is done scanning your drive, click <b>Review found items<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58375 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Review-HDD-Items.png\" alt=\"&quot;Review found items&quot; button in Disk Drill\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Review-HDD-Items.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Review-HDD-Items-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Review-HDD-Items-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-Review-HDD-Items-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>If you simply lost access to your drive data, focus on the <b>Existing<\/b> section. If your files aren\u2019t there, try the <b>Deleted or lost<\/b> and <b>Reconstructed<\/b> sections. You can also use the search tool in the top right corner, as well as the filters in the left sidebar, to narrow down Disk Drill\u2019s scan results and locate your files faster.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58376 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-File-Browser-1.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill's file browser interface showing found HDD files\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-File-Browser-1.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-File-Browser-1-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-File-Browser-1-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-File-Browser-1-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>When you find your files, make sure to click each file once to preview it\u2013this allows you to verify what data is actually recoverable. Then, select the files you want to restore and click <b>Recover<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58377 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-File-Selection.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill file selection and preview tools\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-File-Selection.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-File-Selection-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-File-Selection-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-File-Selection-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Choose a folder where you want Disk Drill to save your recovered files. Make sure to select a folder on your Mac\u2013not on your external hard drive; you might overwrite the data you\u2019re actively trying to restore. Finally, click <b>Next<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58378 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Destination.png\" alt=\"Disk Drill's destination selection dialog\" width=\"1311\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Destination.png 1311w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Destination-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Destination-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Drill-HDD-Destination-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p>Here are some other key advantages of Disk Drill that can help you restore files, specifically during cases where your Mac won\u2019t recognize your external hard drive:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Scanning algorithms: Disk Drill has a powerful signature scanner (that recognizes about 400 file signatures), which is the most reliable way to restore data from corrupted drives that don\u2019t appear.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Partition recovery: In case of lost partitions (common in malfunctioning drives), you can restore entire disk partitions while preserving the original folder structure and file names.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Reliable preview: Disk Drill has a very reliable and completely free preview feature that works with almost any file type\u2013including videos and RAW photos. Use it to check if your files are still recoverable.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Advanced camera recovery: Many videos end up unplayable post-recovery due to fragmentation, which commonly happens with drives with visibility problems. Disk Drill\u2019s ACR module automatically \u201cstitches\u201d videos together whenever it finds data fragments during the recovery process.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Diagnostic tools: The S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Tool) feature can scan your external hard drive for damage, and you can have it monitor disk health in real-time by adding it to your Mac\u2019s menu bar.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Session management: Disk Drill is very good at detecting disconnections and picking up where the scan or backup last stopped. This is a huge advantage in case your drive glitches out mid-recovery.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"disk-repair\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_fix_a_hard_drive_not_showing_up_on_a_mac\"><\/span>How to Fix a Hard Drive Not Showing Up on a Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>In this section, we\u2019ll cover 8 methods to repair an external hard drive that won\u2019t appear on your Mac. We strongly recommend <b>starting at the top<\/b>, then working your way down\u2013each fix builds on the previous one, and skipping ahead makes it harder to identify and eliminate the root cause of the problem.<\/p>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_check_system_information\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">1.<\/span> <span id=\"system-information\">Check System Information<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>System Information shows you the hardware-level connections of any external devices to your Mac. If your drive appears in System Information, but not in Disk Utility or in Finder, then it points to a software or system error rather than corruption or damage on your drive.<\/p>\r\n<p>In other words, macOS can \u201csee\u201d your drive, but can\u2019t mount it. This simple diagnosis step can help you narrow down what fixes to try next as you proceed with your repair attempt.<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Open the System Settings app.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>On the left sidebar, select <b>General<\/b>. Then, click <b>About<\/b> at the top of the General page.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58380 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Settings-General-Menu.png\" alt=\"&quot;About&quot; option in the Settings app's General menu\" width=\"1037\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Settings-General-Menu.png 1037w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Settings-General-Menu-300x260.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Settings-General-Menu-500x434.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Settings-General-Menu-768x667.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Scroll down to the bottom of the About page and click the <b>System Report<\/b> button.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58381 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/macOS-Settings-About-Page.png\" alt=\"&quot;About&quot; page in the Mac Settings app\" width=\"1037\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/macOS-Settings-About-Page.png 1037w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/macOS-Settings-About-Page-300x260.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/macOS-Settings-About-Page-500x434.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/macOS-Settings-About-Page-768x667.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>In the new window that appears, select the <b>Storage<\/b> option under the <b>Hardware<\/b> category in the left sidebar. At the very top of the page, you\u2019ll see a list of volumes that your Mac can detect. Select your external hard drive, then check if its storage information is correct.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58383 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-System-Information-Page.png\" alt=\"System Information page in macOS Settings\" width=\"1313\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-System-Information-Page.png 1313w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-System-Information-Page-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-System-Information-Page-500x343.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-System-Information-Page-768x526.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1313px) 100vw, 1313px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p>If your Mac is not detecting your external hard drive at all, you\u2019ll need to check your cable or port for connection issues (<a href=\"#check-connections\">Method 3<\/a>) before proceeding with the rest of the solutions.<\/p>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_try_a_simple_restart\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">2.<\/span> <span id=\"restart-mac\">Try a Simple Restart<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>A common reason for Mac not reading your external hard drive is mounting failure (which prevents it from appearing in Disk Utility and Finder). System processes required for this task can sometimes get stuck\u2013restarting your Mac safely \u201ccloses\u201d these processes and begins a fresh session.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-success\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1; It\u2019s also a good idea to restart your Mac whenever you perform a repair operation, especially after fixing a connection or power issue (which you\u2019ll do in the next section). This allows your Mac to initialize the drive properly.<\/div>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>With your drive <b>still connected to your computer<\/b>, click the <b>Apple button<\/b> on your Mac\u2019s menu bar. Then, select <b>Shut Down<\/b> from the context menu.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58384\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Apple-Menu-Shut-Down.png\" alt=\"Shut Down option in Mac's Apple menu\" width=\"476\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Apple-Menu-Shut-Down.png 1166w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Apple-Menu-Shut-Down-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Apple-Menu-Shut-Down-500x328.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Apple-Menu-Shut-Down-768x503.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>In the pop-up menu that appears, click <b>Shut Down<\/b> to confirm the action.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58385 \" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Shut-Down-Dialog.png\" alt=\"Shut Down dialog window on Mac\" width=\"441\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Shut-Down-Dialog.png 1166w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Shut-Down-Dialog-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Shut-Down-Dialog-500x328.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Shut-Down-Dialog-768x503.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Wait until your Mac goes completely black, you don\u2019t see or hear any micromovements from the machine, and your external hard drive\u2019s disk has completely stopped spinning. Then, disconnect your drive.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Start your Mac up again. After your Mac\u2019s UI interface elements appear, reconnect your external hard drive to your computer and check if it appears in Disk Utility.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_eliminate_connection_power_issues\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">3.<\/span> <span id=\"check-connections\">Eliminate Connection &amp; Power Issues<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>External devices need a reliable connection to work; not only does it ensure that your data gets transferred safely, but it also routes power from the Mac to your drive to keep the disk spinning. A faulty hardware connection is a very common root cause for storage device issues, and you should systematically rule them out early in your repair process.<\/p>\r\n<p>Here\u2019s a simple checklist that you can follow:<\/p>\r\n<p>Info: We also recommend turning off your Mac, disconnecting ALL peripherals, then turning it back on again. Do this at least once before proceeding to allow your computer to redistribute power to its ports.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span class=\"badge badge-primary\" style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Damaged cable:<\/span> If your cable is damaged, it\u2019s possible that the wires that actually carry your data to and from your drive are broken. Even if your drive lights up, your Mac won\u2019t detect the storage device on its board. Replace your cable ASAP, and make sure the new one has fast enough speeds to support your drive.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><span class=\"badge badge-primary\" style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Damaged ports:<\/span> Ports house the microscopic pins or \u201cteeth\u201d that, when connected, produce the electrical circuit required for your Mac to read your drive. If any of the pins are bent or corroded, or the port is damaged or blocked by debris, macOS can\u2019t establish a reliable connection (if at all). Test different ports on your Mac or try connecting your drive to a completely different computer.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><span class=\"badge badge-primary\" style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Inappropriate cable:<\/span> If you use a cable only suitable for standard charging, it may lack the USB speeds required by modern external drives. Try upgrading your cable.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><span class=\"badge badge-primary\" style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Power issues:<\/span> Many modern external drives require a lot of power to work; if you have several devices connected to your Mac, they may use up power that your drive needs to operate. Keep your Mac connected to a power source and disconnect all external devices, other than your hard drive.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_change_finder_settings\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">4.<\/span> <span id=\"finder-settings\">Change Finder Settings<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Another surprisingly common and easy-to-fix scenario that makes your external hard drive \u201cdisappear\u201d from your Mac is incorrect Finder settings. Finder allows you to choose which folders and external devices show up in the sidebar (under <b>Locations<\/b>) and on your Desktop. We\u2019ll show you how to set Finder to display external devices on your Mac.<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Open Finder.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>On your Mac\u2019s menu bar, click <b>Finder<\/b>. Choose <b>Settings<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58386\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Settings-Option.png\" alt=\"Settings option in a Mac's Finder menu\" width=\"454\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Settings-Option.png 1008w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Settings-Option-300x174.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Settings-Option-500x290.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Settings-Option-768x445.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Navigate to the <b>General<\/b> page, then make sure that the box beside <b>External disks<\/b> is <b>checked<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58387 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-General-Settings.png\" alt=\"Desktop settings in the General page of in Finder's Settings menu\" width=\"1339\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-General-Settings.png 1339w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-General-Settings-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-General-Settings-500x336.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-General-Settings-768x516.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1339px) 100vw, 1339px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Finally, navigate to the <b>Sidebar<\/b> page. Under the <b>Locations<\/b> section, ensure again that the box beside <b>External disks<\/b> is <b>checked<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58388 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Sidebar-Settings.png\" alt=\"Sidebar display options in Finder's Settings menu\" width=\"1283\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Sidebar-Settings.png 1283w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Sidebar-Settings-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Sidebar-Settings-500x351.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mac-Finder-Sidebar-Settings-768x539.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1283px) 100vw, 1283px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_mount_the_drive_manually\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">5.<\/span> Mount the Drive Manually<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>MacOS usually mounts drives automatically, but there are cases when that process encounters an error. In these situations, you can manually initialize the mount process yourself. There are two ways to do it: (a) using Disk Utility\u2019s Mount tool or (b) running the mountDisk command in the Terminal app.<\/p>\r\n<p>We recommend trying Disk Utility first, since you literally only need to click one button to mount your drive (with a bit of setup). However, in case the Mount button is greyed out for your drive in Disk Utility, or your drive doesn\u2019t appear in the app at all (but it shows up in System Information\u2013<a href=\"#system-information\">Step 1<\/a>), Terminal commands can bypass these issues and \u201cforce\u201d your drive to mount.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1; Mount errors overlap with similar issues that can cause your drive to disappear from your Mac, but the approaches to diagnosis and repair are contextually different. You can find more specific information in our guide on <a href=\"\/howto\/fix-external-drive-not-mounting-on-mac.html\">how to fix non-mounting external drives on Mac<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<p><b>Mount your drive in Disk Utility:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Open the Disk Utility app (Finder &gt; Applications &gt; Utilities).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Click the <b>View<\/b> button and select <b>Show All Devices<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58390 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options.png\" alt=\"Show All Devices option in Disk Utility's View options\" width=\"1425\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options.png 1425w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-500x316.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-768x485.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1425px) 100vw, 1425px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>On the left sidebar, select your external hard drive. Then, on Disk Utility\u2019s toolbar, click <b>Mount.<\/b> Make sure to select <b>Mount<\/b> when the confirmation pop-up appears.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58391 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD.png\" alt=\"Greyed out Mount Button for an HDD in Disk Utility\" width=\"1417\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD.png 1417w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-500x318.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-768x488.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1417px) 100vw, 1417px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Mount your drive using Terminal Commands:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Open the Terminal app (Finder &gt; Applications &gt; Utilities).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Use the following command to list all the disks macOS can \u201csee\u201d and find out your drive\u2019s identifier (ours is disk4):\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<pre>diskutil list<\/pre>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58393 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-Diskutil-List.png\" alt=\"Running the diskutil list command in Terminal\" width=\"1326\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-Diskutil-List.png 1326w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-Diskutil-List-300x204.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-Diskutil-List-500x339.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-Diskutil-List-768x521.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>Finally, mount your drive using the following command (replace \/dev\/disk4 with your own drive\u2019s identifier):\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<pre>diskutil mountDisk disk4<\/pre>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58394 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-mountDisk-Command.png\" alt=\"Running the mountDisk command in Terminal\" width=\"1326\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-mountDisk-Command.png 1326w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-mountDisk-Command-300x204.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-mountDisk-Command-500x339.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Terminal-mountDisk-Command-768x521.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1326px) 100vw, 1326px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-success\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1; After mounting your drive, whether through Disk Utility or Terminal commands, give macOS a few minutes to complete its \u201chandshake\u201d with your storage device before trying to use it (you don\u2019t need to do anything\u2013just leave it for a while).<\/div>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_run_first_aid\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">6.<\/span> Run First Aid<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>First Aid is a Disk Utility tool that can <a href=\"\/howto\/fix-corrupted-hard-drive-mac.html\">fix corrupted hard drives<\/a> by repairing minor file system errors and soft corruption. While it can\u2019t fix severe corruption or physical damage, it\u2019s a simple and low-risk step worth trying before attempting harder repair methods.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-warning\" role=\"alert\">&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Using First Aid on your drive may cause data loss as it attempts to repair the file system. If the files on your drive are important, we strongly recommend that you back up or restore your data before proceeding (see <a href=\"#secure-data\">data recovery section<\/a>).<\/div>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Open Disk Utility (Finder &gt; Applications &gt; Utilities).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Click the <b>View<\/b> button and select <b>Show All Devices<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58390 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options.png\" alt=\"Show All Devices option in Disk Utility's View options\" width=\"1425\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options.png 1425w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-500x316.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-768x485.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1425px) 100vw, 1425px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>On the left sidebar, select your external hard drive. Then, click <b>First Aid<\/b> on Disk Utility\u2019s toolbar.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58391 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD.png\" alt=\"Greyed out Mount Button for an HDD in Disk Utility\" width=\"1417\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD.png 1417w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-500x318.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-768x488.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1417px) 100vw, 1417px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>In the pop-up dialog that appears, select <b>Run<\/b> to confirm the action.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58396 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-First-Aid-Run-1.png\" alt=\"Confirmation dialog for running First Aid in Disk Utility\" width=\"1484\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-First-Aid-Run-1.png 1484w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-First-Aid-Run-1-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-First-Aid-Run-1-500x303.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-First-Aid-Run-1-768x466.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1484px) 100vw, 1484px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1; After running First Aid on your external hard drive, we recommend disconnecting and reconnecting it to your Mac (using the safe eject feature) to flush metadata from the old connection. If it still doesn\u2019t work, try restarting your Mac using the shutdown trick in <a href=\"#restart-mac\">Step 2<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_reset_nvrampram_and_smc_for_intel_macs\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">7.<\/span> <span id=\"nvram-smc\">Reset NVRAM\/PRAM and SMC (for Intel Macs)<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Your Mac\u2019s NVRAM\/PRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) and SMC (System Management Controller) are in charge of storing device settings and routing power to your drive. Resetting these components can trigger a re-initialization of your drive\u2019s connection to your Mac, clearing any previous errors and potentially resulting in a successful \u201chandshake.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p><b>To reset your Mac\u2019s NVRAM\/PRAM:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Shut down your Mac.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Turn on your Mac, then immediately press the following keys at the same time: Command + Option + P + R.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Once you hear the second startup sound, release the keys. If your Mac has a T2 Security Chip, wait for the Apple logo to appear and disappear a second time before releasing the keys.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>To reset your Mac\u2019s SMC:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Shut down your Mac.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>If your Mac has a T2 chip, press and hold the <b>power button<\/b> for 10 seconds, then release it. If it doesn\u2019t have a T2 chip, press and hold the following keys: <b>Left Shift, Left Control, Left Option<\/b>. Then, add the <b>power button<\/b> and hold all keys for 10 seconds before releasing.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Press the <b>power button<\/b> again to turn your Mac on.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1; On a Mac Desktop, unplug the power cord for 15 seconds. Then plug the power cord back in, wait 5 more seconds, and press the power button.<\/div>\r\n<h3 class=\"title_sc_bg\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_format_external_drive\"><\/span><span class=\"title_shortcode_bg\">8.<\/span> <span id=\"format-drive\">Format External Drive<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Formatting your external hard drive rebuilds its file system from scratch, which removes any corruption and ensures its compatibility with your Mac. However, it also completely wipes out your data, which means that this method should be your last resort.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-warning\" role=\"alert\">&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; If the files on your drive are important to you, <b>go through the <a href=\"#secure-data\">data recovery section<\/a> first<\/b>. Formatting causes 100% data loss 100% of the time. While you can restore data from an <a href=\"\/howto\/recover-erased-hard-drive-mac.html\">erased<\/a>\/<a href=\"\/mac-formatted-drive-recovery.html\">formatted<\/a> hard drive, total recovery can\u2019t be guaranteed.<\/div>\r\n<p>Note that this method won\u2019t work if your drive doesn\u2019t show up at all (which is why it comes last in this guide). If you can\u2019t see your external drive anywhere on your Mac, start from <a href=\"#system-information\">Step 1<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Open Disk Utility (Finder &gt; Applications Utilities).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Click the <b>View<\/b> button and select <b>Show All Devices<\/b>.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58390 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options.png\" alt=\"Show All Devices option in Disk Utility's View options\" width=\"1425\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options.png 1425w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-500x316.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-View-Options-768x485.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1425px) 100vw, 1425px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>On the left sidebar, select your external hard drive. Then, click <b>Erase<\/b> on the toolbar.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58391 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD.png\" alt=\"Greyed out Mount Button for an HDD in Disk Utility\" width=\"1417\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD.png 1417w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-500x318.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DIisk-Utility-Mount-HDD-768x488.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1417px) 100vw, 1417px\" \/><\/li>\r\n\t<li>In the pop-up dialog that appears, choose a Name for your drive. Then, select a Format and Scheme (we recommend ExFAT and GUID Partition Map, respectively). Finally, click the <b>Erase<\/b> button.<br \/>\r\n<img class=\"border-blue border-radius-10 aligncenter wp-image-58397 size-full\" src=\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-Erase-Dialog-1.png\" alt=\"Disk Utility's Erase dialog window\" width=\"1484\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-Erase-Dialog-1.png 1484w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-Erase-Dialog-1-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-Erase-Dialog-1-500x303.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disk-Utility-Erase-Dialog-1-768x466.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1484px) 100vw, 1484px\" \/><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when_its_time_to_consider_data_recovery_services\"><\/span>When It\u2019s Time to Consider Data Recovery Services<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Professional data recovery services are companies that restore lost files for a fee. Because of their advanced tools and expertise, they can recover data from severely (physically) damaged drives, and even <a href=\"\/howto\/dead-hard-drive-recovery.html\">dead drives<\/a>, safely.<\/p>\r\n<p>If the data on your drive is important, you may want to consider using data recovery services if you fit into the following scenarios:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Scenario 1:<\/b> Your drive was dropped or exposed to fluid, or you noticed any physical damage on your external hard drive or its components. For example, damaged or bent connector pins, unusual clicking or grinding sounds, or a total loss of power.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Scenario 2:<\/b> None of the steps in this guide worked for you, connection and power issues are ruled out, and you were unable to secure your files using data recovery software.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Scenario 3:<\/b> You don\u2019t have the time or confidence to attempt data recovery and\/or disk repair yourself.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Note that data recovery services are more expensive than using data recovery software yourself. But some companies, like <a href=\"\/data-recovery-center.html\">CleverFiles<\/a> (which actually developed Disk Drill, the tool we used in this guide), offer a <b>No Data &#8211; No Charge<\/b> guarantee. This means you only have to pay for the service if the files you specifically requested were restored.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-success\" role=\"alert\">&#x1f4a1; If you have no idea where to start looking for data recovery services, or you want to learn more about what kind of services to expect, we wrote another article on the <a href=\"\/howto\/best-data-recovery-services.html\">best data recovery services<\/a> we could find.<\/div>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>In summary, the key to successfully fixing a disappearing drive is correctly diagnosing the root cause and following the appropriate steps to eliminate it. The best starting point is finding <b>where the drive is visible<\/b>. If your drive only shows up in <b>System Information<\/b>, check your drive connection, restart your Mac, and make sure external devices are enabled in Finder\u2019s settings.<\/p>\r\n<p>If it shows up in <b>Disk Utility<\/b>, run First Aid or mount your drive manually (if it appears unmounted). As a last resort, consider formatting your drive. If it doesn\u2019t show up at all, try using other ports on your computer or connecting your drive to another Mac to isolate the problem.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-warning\" role=\"alert\">&#x26a0;&#xfe0f; Before trying any repair methods, make sure that you prioritize securing your files using data recovery software like Disk Drill or professional data recovery services to avoid permanent data loss.<\/div>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faq\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<div><section itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\">\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 0px solid rgb(213, 217, 217);\" class=\"panel panel-default faq-block\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" role=\"tablist\">\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq1\">\r\n                <div class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\">\r\n                    <a class=\"toggle-link transition-all collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-item-faq1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-item-faq1\"><h3 class=\"panel-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_should_i_do_if_my_external_drive_shows_up_in_system_information_but_not_in_finder_or_disk_utility\"><\/span>What should I do if my external drive shows up in System Information but not in Finder or Disk Utility?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>                   \r\n                    \t<svg class=\"transition-all panel-toggle\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\r\n                            <g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\">\r\n                                <path d=\"M7,7 L7,0 L9,0 L9,7 L16,7 L16,9 L9,9 L9,16 L7,16 L7,9 L0,9 L0,7 L7,7 Z\" fill=\"#000000\"><\/path>\r\n                            <\/g>\r\n                        <\/svg>\r\n                   <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div id=\"collapse-item-faq1\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"\">\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                <p>If your drive appears only in System Information but not in Finder or Disk Utility, then its physical connection to your Mac works; it\u2019s the software layer that is failing to mount it. Do these steps in order to troubleshoot your drive:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Try mounting the disk manually using Terminal commands (<b>diskutil mountDisk \/dev\/diskX<\/b>), which can bypass potential UI errors with Disk Utility.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Restart your Mac w<b>hile your drive is connected<\/b>. This still refreshes any stuck processes without having to non-safely eject the drive.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Reset your SMC and NVRAM (Intel Macs only).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Once your drive appears (at least in Disk Utility), use data recovery software ASAP to secure your files, in case the device fails again.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n              <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 0px solid rgb(213, 217, 217);\" class=\"panel panel-default faq-block\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" role=\"tablist\">\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq2\">\r\n                <div class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\">\r\n                    <a class=\"toggle-link transition-all collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-item-faq2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-item-faq2\"><h3 class=\"panel-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"disk_utility_prompts_me_with_an_error_when_i_try_to_mount_the_drive_how_do_i_fix_it\"><\/span>Disk Utility prompts me with an error when I try to mount the drive. How do I fix it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>                   \r\n                    \t<svg class=\"transition-all panel-toggle\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\r\n                            <g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\">\r\n                                <path d=\"M7,7 L7,0 L9,0 L9,7 L16,7 L16,9 L9,9 L9,16 L7,16 L7,9 L0,9 L0,7 L7,7 Z\" fill=\"#000000\"><\/path>\r\n                            <\/g>\r\n                        <\/svg>\r\n                   <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div id=\"collapse-item-faq2\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"\">\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                <p>Mounting errors in Disk Utility can either mean file system errors or system lag. Follow these troubleshooting steps in order (until your drive works):<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>If the files on your drive are important, use data recovery software (or reach out to a professional data recovery service) before attempting repair. Data loss can occur during the process.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Restart your Mac while your drive is connected to it.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Repair your drive using First Aid in Disk Utility or a third-party tool like DiskWarrior.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Format your drive (causes 100% data loss).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n              <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 0px solid rgb(213, 217, 217);\" class=\"panel panel-default faq-block\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" role=\"tablist\">\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq3\">\r\n                <div class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\">\r\n                    <a class=\"toggle-link transition-all collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-item-faq3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-item-faq3\"><h3 class=\"panel-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"none_of_my_externals_are_showing_up_after_a_macos_update_how_to_fix_it\"><\/span>None of my externals are showing up after a macOS update. How to fix it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>                   \r\n                    \t<svg class=\"transition-all panel-toggle\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\r\n                            <g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\">\r\n                                <path d=\"M7,7 L7,0 L9,0 L9,7 L16,7 L16,9 L9,9 L9,16 L7,16 L7,9 L0,9 L0,7 L7,7 Z\" fill=\"#000000\"><\/path>\r\n                            <\/g>\r\n                        <\/svg>\r\n                   <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div id=\"collapse-item-faq3\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"\">\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                <p><\/p>\r\n<p>If all of your external devices have gone missing after updating macOS, it\u2019s usually a sign of a security permission mismatch, driver conflicts, or system errors. Here are several fixes you can try:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Open System Settings &gt; Privacy &amp; Security. Then, scroll down to the <b>Security<\/b> section and click <b>Accessories<\/b> to change permission settings for external devices.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Completely shut down your Mac. After 30 seconds, turn it back on.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>For Intel Macs, reset your SMC and NVRAM.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n              <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 01px solid rgb(213, 217, 217);\" class=\"panel panel-default faq-block\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" role=\"tablist\">\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\" role=\"tab\" id=\"headingfaq4\">\r\n                <div class=\"panel-title\" itemprop=\"name\">\r\n                    <a class=\"toggle-link transition-all collapsed\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-item-faq4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-item-faq4\"><h3 class=\"panel-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_if_disk_utility_sees_the_drive_but_the_volumes_are_not_showing_up\"><\/span>What if Disk Utility sees the drive, but the volumes are not showing up?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>                   \r\n                    \t<svg class=\"transition-all panel-toggle\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\r\n                            <g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\">\r\n                                <path d=\"M7,7 L7,0 L9,0 L9,7 L16,7 L16,9 L9,9 L9,16 L7,16 L7,9 L0,9 L0,7 L7,7 Z\" fill=\"#000000\"><\/path>\r\n                            <\/g>\r\n                        <\/svg>\r\n                   <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div id=\"collapse-item-faq4\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"headingfaq4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"\">\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\r\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\r\n                <p>When only the volumes of your drive appear in Disk Utility, issues can range from simple UI settings to a lack of power being routed to the drive, or even minor or severe partition map corruption. Do the following steps in strict order to troubleshoot your drive:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Use data recovery software or contact a professional data recovery service before proceeding with any fix.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Ensure <b>Show All Devices<\/b> is <b>enabled<\/b> in Disk Utility (Disk Utility &gt; click <b>View<\/b> &gt; select <b>Show All Devices<\/b>).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Connect your Mac to a power source and disconnect all other external devices except for your drive. If using a USB hub, connect your drive directly to your Mac\u2019s port instead.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Use the First Aid tool in Disk Utility on your drive, which can repair minor partition errors.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>If none of the above fixes work, format your drive.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n              <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Is your external hard drive not showing up on your Mac? This usually points to (a) a connection issue that keeps your drive from being recognized or (b) some form of corruption, resulting in your Mac not recognizing the external&#8230;","protected":false},"author":7896,"featured_media":33336,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2628],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-33295","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-recover-deleted-files-on-mac-os-x"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Recover Files from External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you have an external hard drive (HDD) not showing up on your Mac? If your Finder isn\u2019t showing the info, this guide provides immediate solutions you can use.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-on-mac.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Recover Files from External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Do you have an external hard drive (HDD) not showing up on your Mac? If your Finder isn\u2019t showing the info, this guide provides immediate solutions you can use.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-on-mac.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Data recovery tips. Recover deleted files on Mac, Windows.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rebuild-hfs-catalog-from-your-drive.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1139\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"579\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alejandro Santos\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Recover Files from External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Do you have an external hard drive (HDD) not showing up on your Mac? If your Finder isn\u2019t showing the info, this guide provides immediate solutions you can use.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rebuild-hfs-catalog-from-your-drive.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Cleverfiles\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Cleverfiles\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alejandro Santos\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"24 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Recover Files from External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac","description":"Do you have an external hard drive (HDD) not showing up on your Mac? If your Finder isn\u2019t showing the info, this guide provides immediate solutions you can use.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-on-mac.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Recover Files from External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac","og_description":"Do you have an external hard drive (HDD) not showing up on your Mac? If your Finder isn\u2019t showing the info, this guide provides immediate solutions you can use.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-external-hard-drive-not-showing-up-on-mac.html","og_site_name":"Data recovery tips. 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