After the Mac OS Catalina update, when I plug-in my external drive and try searching with Spotlight there are no results from the external drive.

After the Mac OS Catalina update, when I plug on my external drive and try searching with Spotlight there are no results from the external drive. I tried going to System Preferences > Spotlight and checked the Privacy list, the drive was not listed there. I read that I can add (+) my external drive there and then remove it (-) so that Spotlight can start searching in that drive. Well, when I press "+" and select my external drive all I get is "Privacy List Error: The item couldn't be added or removed because of an unknown error."

What can I do about that Spotlight problem with external drive?


Also, previously when I drag my folders from the drive to the left Favourites section in Finder the folders disappear after I remove the drive, logically, but they are back there when I plug-in the drive again.

Well, now with Catalina, when I do all that, after I plug the external driver back in the folders are not showed in Favourites and I have to do it again manually...Any ideas?

Thanks.

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 9, 2019 7:34 AM

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Oct 11, 2019 8:24 PM in response to bojrk

Hey, bojrk!


Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. I understand from your post that you're having trouble with an external drive since updating to macOS Catalina. Specifically you're unable to search the external drive, and folders you move to favorites in Finder don't automatically reappear when the external drive is reconnected. I'm happy to help!


First, quit any open apps on your Mac: Quit apps on Mac - Apple Support, then restart your Mac: How to turn your Mac on or off - Apple Support.


If the issue continues after that, I would suggest resetting the System Management Controller: How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support next. Then if you still have trouble, see if the issue occurs in safe mode: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support and a new, test user: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support. You may also find help in If a USB device doesn’t work with Mac - Apple Support.


Cheers!

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After the Mac OS Catalina update, when I plug-in my external drive and try searching with Spotlight there are no results from the external drive.

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