In order to replicate the issue just connect any external SSD wait for a while and it will be disconnected with message "Disk Not Ejected Properly". SSD is connected to M1 MacBook Pro. It's neither a cable issue because I tried multiple cables, nor an SSD issue as everything worked just fine before upgrade.
Drives like the MyBook came with software, and the manufacturer suggested you install that software.
What that software does is to "spare you the annoyance of having to re-initialize the drive" from its factory set Windows New Technology File System (NTFS, the W is silent because there are no other Operating Systems) or similar unusual (on a Mac) format. Instead, the software they provided would simulate a MacOS drive inside an NTFS file for your Mac.
The downside of using the manufacturer's software is that if the manufacturer's software is not loaded, the Macintosh Volume may not be readable, or may not be writable. This means that in startup manager, Installer, and in Recovery such as after a data loss, the Macintosh Volume may not be visible.
The standard advice given here to all users, including novice users, is to discard the manufacturers software and NEVER use it. "Best Practice" is to erase the physical device when new, using only MacOS Disk Utility, and create the fundamental data structures needed for consistent, reliable use by MacOS.
Be sure to "show all devices" which will allow you to ERASE the entire Physical Device by its immutable manufacturer-given device-name, not just user created Volume-name such as ‘Macintosh HD’.
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The litmus test for 'what format is that drive' is to run this Terminal command, and look for the NAME of your drive in the list. This is the output for an Apple File system drive, first for the (Physical), then for the (synthesized) APFS container-scheme:
diskutil list
...
/dev/disk6 (internal, physical):
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: GUID_partition_scheme *240.1 GB disk6
1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk6s1
2: Apple_APFS Container disk7 239.8 GB disk6s2
/dev/disk7 (synthesized):
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: APFS Container Scheme - +239.8 GB disk7
Physical Store disk6s2
1: APFS Volume X14-SSD240 97.5 GB disk7s1
2: APFS Volume Preboot 26.5 MB disk7s2
3: APFS Volume Recovery 507.6 MB disk7s3
4: APFS Volume VM 20.5 KB disk7s4
my MacOS volume named X14-SSD240 is on a physical SSD drive about 240 GB in size.
I can confirm that this is happing in Sonoma for me occasionally.
Same thing is happening for me after upgrading to Sonoma today. M2 Mac mini keeps randomly disconnecting my external Kingston SSD. Very annoying
Same here on Mac Mini. Tested with TB ports so far. Freshly formated NVME. I hope it will be fixed soon. Installing/downloading large libraries is barely possible now
Is it possibly Apple is writing code to steer customers from buying cheaper storage and avoiding the expensive options Apple offers, (most especially with the 2023 Apple M-2 MacMini?$$$) IMHO
I understand why you might ask that question, but I have experienced the same issue with the very hardware that Apple sells instore, although I bought it elsewhere.
Same problem, annoying to the point that beginning to regret switching to mac
Also, I just made and sent a detailed report like the original post author said, and hopefully Apple will react to this problem.
the link to your feedback to apple does not work.
seems that reports are private Victor is right
EXACTLY, it's all about the money. They live from harware.
It could also be the drive accessory (not cable) you're using for IO between your laptop in the drive, for instance a Sabrent NVME enclosure.
(if you have been using it for a while) Maybe some FS issue or it could be disk has been used a lot and is reaching its lifespan, you can use some utility to check its life.
There is also a possibility the drive is dead, it happens even with new ones from time to time, you can check this by wiping it on some other device with a FAT partition and trying to use it. If possible.
It could be many things, so it's up to you to figure it for the most part. I just said what I think could help you!
External SSD keeps disconnecting after upgrading to Sonoma
