Level 1

8 points

Adjusting MacBook security to install Samsung magician software

I’m just needing some advice about installing the Samsung Magician software on a MacBook Air (running sonoma)

Samsung says in order to install this software I have to adjust the security settings to ‘reduced security’ allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers.

I’m worried that if I do this, it will make my MacBook vulnerable to viruses/malware.

Is it safe to reduce security settings to install this software ?

Any advice is much appreciated!

MacBook Air, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jul 11, 2024 7:43 AM

Top-ranking reply

etresoft

Level 9

56,326 points

Posted on Jul 13, 2024 5:28 AM

Chanelle05 wrote:

Can you anyone else on here please recommend a good brand of external SSDs that actually work well with a MacBook and iPad with the apple M chips ?

Samsung's T7 drives are very good, inexpensive, and widely available. I recommend against the "Shield" models because the USB port is loose and the drive constantly disconnects.

You don't need any 3rd party software for an external hard drive. In most cases, you don't need any 3rd party software for any external hardware.

The problem you're experiencing here is cultural and capitalism. 3rd party hardware has always included "drivers" and other various junkware. I don't know why they do that, but they always have. Maybe it's to track or upsell you for additional revenue later on. Maybe it is planned obsolesce because they know the software will stop working before the hardware. The first thing a savvy Mac user does is erase a newly purchased external hard drive.

Same goes for any external device. Never install the software. Just plug it in and see if it works. If it doesn't, then take it back. If you need something really unusual, then do extra research. In rare cases, you may need a 3rd party driver, but think long and hard before you use anything like that. It will be a source of headaches and problems for years down the line.

All things considered, Samsung is one of the best 3rd party manufacturers in this respect. Other manufacturers are much worse. I didn't even know they had a "magician" software. I have several T7s.

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24 replies

Chanelle05 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2024 10:12 PM in response to Chanelle05

Attempted to speak to Samsung support about this software compatibility issue and what the ‘and above’ specifically means. They were unable to tell me this and have referred me to a head technician for further information. Debatable if I will hear back about this, as every interaction I have had with Samsung support has been a joke.

I have also provided screenshots from Samsung support in regards to my question: if you have to install the magician software to do firmware updates on an external Samsung SSD.

Seeing as Samsung external SSDs are quite popular with apple users and in general. I thought this might be interesting for people using or thinking about buying a Samsung external SSD. (The T7 for example).

I find the info Samsung gave me confusing, as I don’t understand how some apple users are even using Samsungs external SSDs with apple products, and not installing this software/not being able to. This seems risky. 😵‍💫

Owl-53

Level 10

102,505 points

Jul 12, 2024 1:13 AM in response to Chanelle05

It would appear Samsung is at least 4 year behind the times regarding Apple Silicon Computer.

The first Apple Silicon Computers have been one the Market since 2020

Yes, their software might be compatible to install for Intel Based computers but Apple Silicon is based upon the ARMS architecture which is way different than the Intel Chip architecture.

So them saying " High Sierra and above " , in this case, would be less than accurate

You may consider the suggestion from @ Matti Haveri as a possible workaround

Chanelle05 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 12, 2024 5:36 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thank you for the information! I don’t even want to install this software and after the information I have been given on here, I won’t be.

How can companies make external SSDs suitable for Macs, but not make a software compatible for Mac OS in order to use it properly!

Is there anyone on here who has personal experience and knowledge using any brand of external SSD’s with apple products ? and if the software the company makes to go with the external SSD is actually necessary for the health of the drive?

I know you can just plug in and use any external ssd if it says its compatible with your operating system. But most companies say you should install their software in case of firmware updates etc.

I’m suspecting this is something most people don’t do with their external SSDs, because I can’t find any information or anyone who knows about this. 😵‍💫

Jul 12, 2024 7:26 AM in response to Chanelle05

Chanelle05 wrote:

Is there anyone on here who has personal experience and knowledge using any brand of external SSD’s with apple products ? and if the software the company makes to go with the external SSD is actually necessary for the health of the drive?

I have personal and corporate experience of decades using many brands of external drives with Macs and Windows. In every case when first connecting the external drive I format the external drive for the computer I will be connecting to. Formatting the drive removes the included unnecessary software that comes with the drive.

Chanelle05 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 12, 2024 7:44 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

When you say you ‘format the drive’ does that mean you change the format to APFS or Mac OS extended?

Why do you say the software that comes with the dive is unnecessary ?

Do you not worry about doing firmware updates on your external SSDs ?

Jul 12, 2024 7:50 PM in response to Chanelle05

Chanelle05 wrote:

When you say you ‘format the drive’ does that mean you change the format to APFS or Mac OS extended?

Depends:

Apple File System (APFS): The file system used by macOS 10.13 or later.

Mac OS Extended: The file system used by macOS 10.12 or earlier.

Why do you say the software that comes with the dive is unnecessary ?

Because the MacOS does a better job than the unnecessary included software.

Do you not worry about doing firmware updates on your external SSDs ?

No. The MacOS manages the drives.

Chanelle05 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2024 3:24 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Thank you for answering my questions. 😊

I’ve never used an external SSD, only flash drives to store documents & photos. So they’re new to me.

I’m wanting to get one, but have no idea what to get, as I haven’t been able to find any SSD companies that actually make a software for their SSD that is compatible with Mac OS. (I thought Samsung did, but apparently not).

Can you anyone else on here please recommend a good brand of external SSDs that actually work well with a MacBook and iPad with the apple M chips ?

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,138 points

Jul 13, 2024 5:19 AM in response to Chanelle05

I’m wanting to get one, but have no idea what to get, as I haven’t been able to find any SSD companies that actually make a software for their SSD that is compatible with Mac OS. (I thought Samsung did, but apparently not).

If a drive needs software you should not buy it. There should be no need for their software. I have never updates the firmware on any drive I have ever owned.

If a drive manufacturer sold a drive where they expected to have to update the firmware, I would definitely not buy it.

Chanelle05 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 14, 2024 4:37 AM in response to steve626

Thanks so much for the info! 😊

Have you or anyone else on here ever used any external SSDs from Sandisk,sea gate,Kingston,Dynabook,crucial or LaCie ?

If yes, were they any good ?

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Adjusting MacBook security to install Samsung magician software