"2024 Fix: ExFAT USB Not Showing on Mac Without Losing Data"

Did you format the USB with the ExFAT file system? That's not unusual, as many users opt for the ExFAT file system. However, when your Mac stops recognizing the ExFAT drive, that's when the problem arises. It's only natural to think of the important data on the drive and the possibility of data loss.

There's nothing more nerve-wracking than encountering a situation that might lead to irreversible data loss. Losing important data is unimaginable. In this article, we'll discuss what ExFAT USB is, why your Mac can't recognize it, and possible solutions. Read on!

*** 79% of Mac users are interested in ExFAT vs Mac OS Extended format

What is ExFAT USB?

ExFAT stands for “Extended File Allocation Table.” It's a file system designed for use with SD cards, USB flash drives, and the like. Microsoft introduced the ExFAT file system in 2006.

ExFAT is the successor to the FAT32 file system. ExFAT has been optimized primarily for flash drives. Many of its features make it an ideal file system for flash drives, such as USB.

First of all, ExFAT is a very lightweight system that doesn't require many hardware resources for maintenance. It's compatible with different operating systems and devices. With this file system, you can get support for partitions up to 128 PiB in size. It also has large file size limits (the same as the partition limit).

The ExFAT file system's compatibility with both Mac and Windows makes it more appealing. It facilitates easier transfer of data between different operating systems and devices. This is why formatting a USB in ExFAT format is a good idea.

Why isn't my ExFAT USB drive recognized on Mac?

There can be many reasons why an ExFAT USB is not detected on a Mac. Let's look at some of them.

• Corruption Issue: In some cases, corruption might prevent an ExFAT USB drive from mounting on a Mac operating system, thus blocking the mount process. You'll need to rebuild the directory or run a repair utility on the USB.
• Missing Driver Software: Another reason could be the absence of the necessary driver software to read the ExFAT USB.
• Defective Cable: Sometimes, the USB cable can be faulty. In such a scenario, the best solution is to try a different cable.
• Insertion/Ejection Issues: It's crucial to ensure a firm insertion and ejection of the USB drive. Insufficient power supply can lead to mounting issues with the drive.
• Operating System Compatibility: In certain cases, there might be incompatibility between the operating system and the USB, which can cause the system to fail to recognize the drive.

Solved: USB Flash Drive Not Showing Up on Mac

The reasons for a USB device not showing up can vary, including non-functional USB ports, damaged drive, virus infection, macOS issues, and more. Hence, to find an effective solution tailored to your situation...

5 Ways to Make Mac Recognize ExFAT USB

Have you checked the power source, and made sure that the USB is properly connected to your system? If you've done all of this and are still having issues, you'll need to choose a different solution.

Fortunately, there are several ways to fix an ExFAT USB that your Mac won't recognize. Check out the different methods listed below.

1. Method 1: Restart your Mac
2. Method 2: Check Finder Preferences
3. Method 3: Update your Mac's operating system and firmware
4. Method 4: Use First Aid to fix USB errors
5. Method 5: Modify System Configuration

Method 1: Restart Your Mac

You might be surprised, but the simple act of turning your system off and back on can resolve the issue. It doesn't take long, and it's easy to do. Here's how.

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the corner of your screen, and then choose the Restart option.

Click the Apple logo, then restart.

Step 2: When you log back in, make sure to uncheck the "Restore windows" option. Then choose "Restart" again.

Click on the “Restart” button.

Now your Mac will restart. Wait for it to boot up, and then try using your USB drive again. If that doesn't work, try another method.

Method 2: Check Finder Preferences

The Finder is a great tool for Mac users to check if a particular drive can be mounted on the system. Here's how.

1. Launch Finder. Click the “Finder” menu at the top of the screen. Select “Preferences.”

Open Finder and click on “Preferences”

Step 2. Click the "General" tab. Check "External drive."

Step 3: Now, click on the “Sidebar” tab. Here, check the box next to “External Disks.”

Click “External Disks” in the Sidebar section of the Finder Preferences:

Step 4. Close the window, plug in your USB, and enjoy the show on your Mac.

Method 3: Update your Mac's OS and firmware

One of the easiest ways to open a USB drive on a Mac is to check for updates.

Please see:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen, then select “System Preferences.” From there, click “Software Update.”

If there's an update, click on it immediately.

Note: You can also check the "Automatically keep my Mac up to date" box. This way, you don't have to worry about updates. Remember, it's a good idea to update your OS and firmware. It improves your system's performance.

Method 4: Repair the USB with a Disk Utility

Mac also has a great repair utility called "First Aid." It's an excellent tool for fixing storage devices. You can access it from the "Disk Utility" option. Follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Click anywhere on your desktop until you see the "Finder" menu at the top.

Step 2. Click on "Go" and then select "Applications" from the drop-down menu.

Select Applications from the Go drop-down menu in Finder.

Step 3: Click the “Utilities” folder, and then launch “Disk Utility.”

Step 4: In the list of volumes, select your USB flash drive. Click the “First Aid” button in the toolbar.

Step 5: Select the “Run” option. This will check your USB device for errors. The “First Aid” feature will scan your USB flash drive and fix any errors it finds (if there are any).

Method 5: Change your system settings

To resolve USB drive issues, it's a good idea to reset your system configuration. You need to reset or change two system components to fix the problem.

Reset the SMC (System Management Controller)

Step 1: Turn off the system and unplug the power cord.

Step two: Press and hold the power button for five seconds. Then plug the power back in.

Step 3: Open the system.

Reset the PRAM/NVRAM (Parameter RAM and Non-Volatile RAM stores information about the USB ports you've used on your Mac)

Step 1: Shut down your system, then press and hold “Command,” “Option,” “P,” and “R” while restarting your Mac.

Step 2: Hold both buttons until you see the screen flash and hear a tone.

Now, let's boot the system.

Ultimate Tip: Format your ExFAT USB

If the above solutions don't work for you, the only solution left might be to format the ExFAT USB. However, you should know that formatting the USB drive can be risky. Your best bet would be to back up important data before formatting.

For Mac users, they can choose to back up data with Time Machine. Alternatively, they can also select third-party apps like Todo Backup for Mac and the likes.

However, in certain scenarios, formatting the ExFAT USB drive can lead to data loss. The tension and panic that follow due to data loss are natural. In this case, the ideal solution is to use data recovery software. You can opt for the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool.

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is an excellent data recovery software that helps recover lost data due to various reasons. Whatever the cause of your data loss, you can get it back. With this data recovery tool, you can restore photos, music files, videos, emails, documents, and more.

If you're worried about the size of the deleted files, don't be. The tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can help you regardless of the reason for data loss or the size of the files. Its extensive features make it the best choice for Mac users.

Want to know how to use Data Recovery Wizard for Mac? Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Search for the Lost File

Connect the external hard drive to your Mac correctly. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool, and select the external hard drive. Then, click “Search Lost Files” to look for lost or deleted files on your external device.

Note: Before you proceed with data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar and create a backup of your external hard drive to prevent further data loss. After backing up the external hard drive, the software can recover data from the backup of the external hard drive. You can then safely unmount the external hard drive and use it again.

Step 2: Filter and find the missing files

Once the scan is finished, all file types will be displayed on the left panel. Select the file type to look for the needed files from the external device.

Step 3: Preview and recover

Click on a file to preview it, then select the files you want to restore and click the “Restore” button. You can save your data to both local and cloud storage drives.