Can't view files on flash drive

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Level 1

12 points

Can't view files on flash drive

Hi! So I just bought my first M1 Macbook Air today :) And I was having some trouble reading my flash drive that had a lot of files from my old Windows 10 laptop.

It says that the file size is "---" even though I know it should be like.... 100+ GB LOL. I'm not sure why I can't open it on my Macbook. I've attached some other information, just in case that has relevance to this issue. I'm a bit new to macOS so I'm sorry if this is a basic question!

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Posted on Mar 19, 2021 9:12 AM

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Answer 1

Azayaka_

Level 1

123 points

Mar 19, 2021 9:23 AM in response to kookiechan

Hello!

It sounds like you either have a dead Flash Drive, or the format is incompatible.

Do the following:

Open Disk Utility
Plugin your flash drive if it hasn't been already
Locate the flash drive in the sidebar of Disk Utility
Select the flash drive
Located under the name in the information section you'll see the format

Depending on how this goes for you. You'll see one of a few things.

MS-Dos
No Flash Drive

If you see MS-Dos: you'll want to pull the files off on a Windows device. Then format the flash drive to be: ExFat and then move files back onto your flash drive.

If you don't see a flash drive, try to pull it up on another device(mac, pc, etc). If still unable to see on another device. Your flash drive is dead. :(

Thanks!

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Answer 2

kookiechan Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 19, 2021 12:00 PM in response to Azayaka_

I don't see "MS-Dos" but I could just be lost. I think the drive is formatted to be Windows NT File System (NTFS). Could that be a reason why?

Since I know I can view these files perfectly fine on a Windows device, I suppose I should do that whole thing about reformatting it to ExFat.

Thanks for replying :)

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Answer 3

Mar 19, 2021 12:04 PM in response to kookiechan

M1 Chip Macs can not read NTFS formatted drives.

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Can't view files on flash drive

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