OS Monterey 12.0.1 - SanDisks Have Stopped Working

I contacted San disk and they replied that the problem is due to incompatibility of the secure access software with the new macOS Monterey and they are working on the fix.

currently they have released the private access which replaces the secure access.

I have tried it and seems to work just fine. it takeover the previous secure access files. try it through

https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2399/~/sandisk-secureaccess-3.02-support-information-and-download

My Sandisk flash-drive was also not being recognised. I went on the Sandisk website: the 'Secure Access' app no longer works with Monterey, the suggested fix was to download the 'Private Access' app (Mac and PC versions available). I have done this and now have access to my flash-drive as normal. The link to the download page: https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/21996/~/privateaccess-support-information-and-download-page

Hope this helps.

I had the issue after updating to the new OS, "IMPORTANT: SecureAccess has been replaced with PrivateAccess" this update is from the SanDisk website.

i downloaded the PrivateAccess and installed it on the Extreme disk and it worked for me.

FYI; The instructions tell you to download and install it on the HD, this is not correct, it must me installed on the Flash Drive. Download the package, copy it to the Flash Drive then run the install selecting the Flash Drive as the install location.

I did this and all my files were there and the device works as it did prior to the OS Update.

Bring device to another compatible Host system, either Intel based Mac, Previous macOS version or Windows and format the drive exFAT.

Source: https://support-en.g-technology.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/31963

I started another thread before I was pointed over to this topic about the problem I was having with my late model Intel Mac running Monterey 12.0.1, and I was able to confirm the problem is Monterey and not limited to the M1 architecture:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253412693

Here is the last post from that thread confirming the steps that I took to determine why the Monterey Mac was unable to get past the erasing step in disk utility of formatting the drive:

Update: I took it to Apple support and very helpful senior advisor looked over with a screen share and we verify that there was no specific finding in activity monitor or console logs that acknowledged or suggested any kind of hang process; we took it through Recovery Mode version of Disk Utility ("to get the OS out of the way") and had the same thing, where it get stopped at the erasing stage, even with setting it up without encryption.

So I fired up the 2012 Catalina Mac, and it happily formatted the drive to the point where it was mounting in two minutes or less with macOS journaled or AFPS options. Then I took the formatted drive with AFPS, not encrypted, plugged it into the 2020 MacBook Pro running Monterey 12.0.1, and it happily mounted the drive and Time Machine is now backing it up and encrypting as it goes.

This experience demonstrates that the SanDisk the problem is not based in M1 architecture, because this is a very recent Intel Mac (purchased October or November 2020) running Monterey. And this same recent Intel Mac had no problem formatting an identical twin drive for Time Machine before the update from Big Sur (which came on the computer) to Monterey.

Big Thanks. I was worried and PrivateAccess worked for me. Apparently that's the go forward app for Mac devices as per Sandisk.

Install the PrivateAccess directly on the flash drive. It should find the the existing vault and open it.

This issue affects 4 tb disks only and only if I try to reformat and or use as a time machine. Disk worked fine as is for plug and file storage out of the box . 1 and 2 tb drives previously formatted disks for time machine work fine after latest os upgrade. (These are older, slower versions). I called sandisk tech support. They informed me that apple is aware and fix is coming with next os update. Work around suggested by them to reformat 4tb on prior version os worked for reformating, but did not work time machine for me. Had to return it.

Can you try the drives on another computer?

I would contact SanDisk, maybe an updated app is required for Monterey.

PrivateAccess works nicely on my Mac runs Monterey: macOS 12.3.1 (21E258).

Downloaded package from SanDisk:

https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/21996/related/1

Take a stick that you don't really care if you lose everything. Go to Apple disk Utilities and clear everything! Erase it.

Then go back to SanDisk and install "PRIVATE ACCESS" you will see two files with the same name. Then create a folder on the one that works. One will have a row of folders. Then use the one and place a new folder in it. Call it " My Files"> Or whatever you want. Then drag something in it. Close and then reboot - Then add your password and you should be good to go.

Contacted sands support. They are working on a fix with apple. No ETA yet. Heard form others that Sandisk could be reformatted on pre-monterey OS to be used as a time machine. Current format attempts fail to unmount the disk. Out of the box the disk can only be used as a storage devise.

SanDisk has a fix and it works follow there instructions . The new security is called Private Access

James D.