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What should I do if I find that my Mac can’t recognize the external hard drive full with my important data? Actually, when I realize that the Mac can’t find my external hard drive, I have to export my data at first. So, I connect the external hard drive on other PCs and Macs, but it still can’t be found. It really depresses me. Fortunately, I finally find solutions to export my data and fix the issue "can’t find external hard drive on Mac". Don’t leave away, I will share my experience.

recover data when can't find external hard drive on Mac

1. Recover/export data from the can’t be found external hard drive on Mac

When I connect the external hard drive with my Mac, I can’t find it on the Mac. The first thing is ensuring the safety of my data in the external hard drive. As I can’t access to the data into the unrecognized external hard drive, so I have to find a data recovery solution to export my data from the external hard drive which can’t be found by my Mac.

Download Do Your Data Recovery for Mac

I download a reliable data recovery program – Do Your Data Recovery for Mac. Actually, it is the most correct choice for me. It takes only three steps to recover all my files from the external drive that my Mac can’t find it. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Select the file types.

When I run this software on my Mac, it shows all file types that I can recover. I don’t need to select. Just let find all types of lost files from the unrecognized external hard drive on Mac. So, I just need to click Next to the step 2.

recover data when can't find external hard drive on Mac

Step 2: Select the external hard drive to scan.

The step 2 will show all hard drives and external devices on my Mac. I find the external hard drive which I can’t find it on my Mac. Then select it, and click on "Scan" button. Then Do Your Data Recovery for Mac will quickly scan the external hard drive to find existing files and deleted files into the external hard drive.

recover data when can't find external hard drive on Mac

Step 3: Preview and recover lost files.

After scanning, I just need to preview and recover my files. If I can’t find my files, I need to do the advanced recovery. It will find much more lost files. Simple and quick!

recover data when can't find external hard drive on Mac

2. Make the external hard drive can be recognized by my Mac

As my Mac can’t recognize the external hard drive, I have to find a third-party disk formatting tool for Mac to format the external hard drive to make it can be recognized again by my Mac. Fortunately, Super Eraser for Mac, another great application from DoYourData, can help you securely and easily format the external hard drive which can’t be found on my Mac. The steps are very simple: download, install, run Super Eraser for Mac > choose mode ‘Wipe Hard Drive’ > select the external hard drive and click on ‘Wipe Now’ button.

erase external hard drive

Once the process gets finished, the external hard drive will be formatted and erased. Now, I can use the external hard drive on my Mac again.

Download Do Your Data Recovery for Mac >>
Download Super Eraser for Mac >>

DoYourData Author

Written & Updated by Anderson

Anderson is a big fan of computer technology. He joined DoYourData in 2018 and has been writing 200+ articles about disk clone, data recovery, computer technology, data erasure, Mac system optimization, etc. He loves music, movie, and reading. In his spare time, he’s studying music and playing tennis.

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