Samsung Portable SSD software doesn't work properly on MacBook Air M1

So my findings with my T5 is that it does indeed work but ONLY with the original small black cable. I have 3 other USB-C to USB-C cables that do not work...I see a red and blue flashing lights. For what it is worth, this is on a Mini M1. I even tried disconnecting all other USB-C devices thinking it may be a power issue but to no avail. Would like to find an answer to use other cables.

I have m1 too.

My new T5 SSD is working well from the beginning (exFAT file system). However i want to set a password and the only way to do this on the ssd is samsung portable ssd software which can set/remove pasword from ssd. (I need to use it on PC and Mac both)

Someone may say that i can encrypt it with disk utility but there are not such options on BigSur no matter what file system on flash disk/ssd (already tried to do this).

Also I tried to reinstall this samsung application using Cleanup.ALL.scpt - zero result. Switching off all security in Big sur before/after installation does the same result.

Calling to Apple support is useless (they do not know whats wrong with their own OS), as well as samsung support (donot know whats wrong with their own software). (already tried too, ha-ha)

Both do not know whats wrong.

I suppose we should wait untill samsung updates the software for new OS.

ps On Windows 10 everything works without problems.

I have a MacBook M1 and my Samsung T7 SSD software works fine, no issues and it recognizes my SSD in the app which allows me to setup a fingerprint or password.

I only got it to work by installing the latest version of their software version 1.7.3 this is for Big Sur users only and once the software is installed, you have to allow it in the security and preference. I wrote the steps above.

There shouldn’t be a need for that software. You can just reformat it to APFS and all fixed! You can go to disk utility and erase it, then you should see the option to reformat it.

Good luck!

Hi, I seem to recall a couple off issues with my new T7 too. In order to setup the security for the device, I needed to use an Intel Mac. Now the drive is working fine on both.

However, the software still has issues on the M1. When running the software, the security Samsung software (which we'll use to update or change the finger prints or password for the drive), doesn't think there's a drive attached. The Intel machine doesn't have this issue.

I have a feeling Samsung will need to update the software. Shame really, since it's on the 'read only' portion of the drive before unlocking it with the finger print scanner. It'd be nice to be able to update the software on the drive too somehow.

Seems kinda silly after all this time, an answer to the initial problem:

simply was "Do not install proprietary software from Samsung."

(Or erase & reformat pre-formatted drives, to avoid overzealous pitfalls.)

Macs have always been able to make better use hardware + software.

And nowadays, with layered-protection and walled-gardens. Sheesh!

Samsung over-engineered a fruit-fly and made you buy insecticide.

A few decades of previous experience, have taught those older survivors

to use best practice with good knowledge & get rid of the main problem.

And so I never had the issues that plagued misdirected M1 users here.

Understand: you don't even have to enter into M1 or Big Sur, to answer.

Earlier slams to my initial suggestions (avoid Samsung software/drivers,

Erase if installed, &/or reformat SSD) was based on early timely fact. And

now can be said 'resolved' by Samsung 'latest software' fix? Busywork!😜

The T7 Touch is recognised by my MBP 13 M1, but the Samsung PSSD software cannot find the drive so encrypting the drive is no option for now. Samsung should upgrade the app a.s.a.p.

Hello,

I have four Samsung T5s that are working on my MBA M1 and 2018 Mac mini Big Sur.

Today, I updated the SamsungPortableSSD application to the current version and installed it on both the MBA M1 and Mac mini.

The SamsungPortableSSD application works correctly on the Mac mini, allowing to me set a password on the T5 drive.

However, the SamsungPortableSSD application does not work on the MBA M1 in that I cannot "see" the T5 drive in the SamsungPortableSSD window. Surprisingly, though, a T5 drive with a SamsungPortableSSD set password works on the MBA M1 since I'm getting a pop-up window asking for the T5 password when I connect the drive to the MBA M1. Once the password is entered, the drive shows up in Finder.

I'll do more experimenting tomorrow. Sorry, I don't have a T7 to test, perhaps there's something unique to the newer Samsung drives.

Cheers

Craig

The problem is that many people, like me, would want to use the encrypted drive, over a number of devices.

I have a Samsung T5 which worked perfectly on MacOS High Sierra, my Android Phone and my office PC (Windows).

The drive contains sensitive work documents, so I don't want an unprotected drive.

When I installed BigSur on my MBP (Retina 15 inch Mid 2015) apart from wiping out my earlier versions of Office and the Adobe CS 2016 suite (non subscription) neither the T5 (SW Ver 1.6.7.5.0) or a T7 (SW ver 1.7.2.4) which I bought (in the hope it might have drivers that work) will operate under BigSur. This is very frustrating that Apple updates cause so much trouble.

People use SSDs for various purposes and sometimes we gotta work with Windows PCs as well. that Samsung software offers password protection to your files. without installing that software the drive is 100% usable with any device. even an M1 MacBook. Does the Apple File vault disc encryption compatible with other PCs?

The drive you're referring to doesn't require software. The T5 and T7 drives have security built into them (passwords and finger print sensors). That's the software people are having trouble with.

The drives are fine and can be used, but not the software.

Hey, it’s on their website and seems to have been added within the last week.

the update would resolve the issues for all users on BigSur.

@K Shaffer: how is this an answer to the OP's question? He didn't say anything about using the Samsung T7 as a system drive, or the disk format he's using, or third party software. Where on earth did you pull all of that from???

The OP's problem is that the T7 drive is not recognized when he plugs it in (presumably after booting into Big Sur from the internal drive)

Not sure if this helps but I tried to use a Samsung 840 SSD as a external boot drive and it would error out. Switched to a Samsung 850 series all worked fine. I suspect some drives are not compatible with the new M1 design.

That was what prompted me to ask to be honest, it's all good though.

You could also just copy paste the visible text in the link above.

Or just hit the Samgung page, where you'll see the link for. 1.7.3

https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/portable/t7-touch/

It's all good my friend :)