Unable to access External Drives and Disk Utility after updating to macOS Sonoma.

Since I updated to macOS Sonoma, I've been experiencing issues with my external drives (in ExFAT). I can't access them, nor can I access Disk Utility (which continuously displays a "Loading disks" message). Only when I use the Disk Arbitrator app to prevent the drives from mounting, it allows me to run Disk Utility and "First Aid," enabling access to the external drive. However, the folder icon images are missing, and in the Sharing & Permissions info, it reads "You have custom access." Is anyone else experiencing similar problems, or does anyone know how to resolve this? Thank you very much.

[Re-Titled By Moderator]

Mac mini

Posted on Oct 8, 2023 4:06 AM

Top-ranking reply

r_e_d_oo

Level 1

18 points

Posted on Oct 24, 2023 12:12 PM

For me on M1 PRO MBP the issue looks like Sonoma is somehow reliably corrupting external exFat SSDs on every shutdown. If I unmount my SSDs before shutting down, they mount and work flawlessly on next start. But when I shutt down with the external SSD mounted, then it becomes unusable. To solve this state I... connect the drive to a Windows PC. It works but offers to scan and repair the drive as it detected errors. After the short repair procedure under Windows magic happens! It works again under Sonoma again! Until ofcourse I forget to unmount before the shuttown and let it mess with my drive again. I've lost so much time and some data on this issue. It is absolutely unacceptable and infuriating to release update like this... But if it's by design that is disgustingily outrages eneough for me to ditch the entire Apple ecosystem whatsoever. It doesn't seem to be the software up to any proffesional standards.

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291 replies

udamianu

Level 1

17 points

Mar 12, 2024 1:13 AM in response to srajiv

No. Obviously

Mar 14, 2024 7:52 AM in response to r_e_d_oo

Exactly, and I mean really EXACTLY same behavior, I'm using windows to "fix" external drives to be used on mac again.. you wrote on 24 oct.. today is 14 Mar.. Thanks Apple.

Ross1664

Level 1

2 points

Mar 23, 2024 2:43 PM in response to BungalowBill92

yes it not working with my WD black either....Apple are you going to sort this or what?

meye0399

Level 1

16 points

Mar 25, 2024 6:40 PM in response to meye0399

Another update. Apple have now offered me a full refund on my M3. Service letter provided from Apple Store. But yet no solution to the data I’ve lost.

meye0399

Level 1

16 points

Mar 25, 2024 6:40 PM in response to srajiv

No. It did not.

Mar 26, 2024 2:57 AM in response to BungalowBill92

Me Too! since updating to Sonoma 14.4 ' Disk Utility takes forever to load , External Hard Drives take forever to mount and then disconnect ' its a nightmare ' C'mon Apple '

yvntseng

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2024 11:45 AM in response to coopster247

This is the only thing that worked for me. THANK YOU!

Mar 27, 2024 12:38 PM in response to dragontorc

updated to 14.4.1 and it does not fix. I don't know what to do. I have 4 5T and I can't read any of them

Mar 27, 2024 12:39 PM in response to srajiv

no! nor did the 14.4.1

Mar 28, 2024 5:36 PM in response to BungalowBill92

I just purchased an M2 Mac Mini and Sonoma is causing these issues for me as well. Does anyone know if a fix will ever actually happen?

feketegy

Level 1

19 points

Apr 1, 2024 10:22 AM in response to BungalowBill92

Sonoma 14.4.1 did NOT fix the issue. None of my external drives are visible after the update.

Unbelievable...

Apr 9, 2024 8:16 AM in response to Moy_Flores

and how many times did you have to do this?

G_Daddy

Level 1

4 points

Apr 19, 2024 12:06 PM in response to BungalowBill92

My Disk Utility doesn't even recognize anything! This is amazingly bad.

May 3, 2024 6:02 PM in response to meye0399

So what is everyone doing when their external drives and Time Machine backups are no longer available??

*I need to know because that is exactly the situation I am in…

srajiv

Level 1

15 points

May 13, 2024 5:55 PM in response to BungalowBill92

Did macOS Sonoma 14.5 update fix this issue? or we bound with Ventura to access above 1TB external drives to recognise?

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Unable to access External Drives and Disk Utility after updating to macOS Sonoma.