iMac 2024 model two ports- apple superdrive not working

How do I update my apple superdrive, I pressed wrong keys and removed all data from my superdrive?




I have a problem I removed all data from my Apple superdrive, and it does not work now help


iMac 24″, macOS 26.4

Posted on Apr 11, 2026 9:06 PM

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Posted on Aug 14, 2026 12:41 AM

You cannot erase or delete data from an Apple USB SuperDrive using keyboard shortcuts, because it is a read-only hardware optical drive with no internal writable user storage. Pressing wrong keys did not delete any data or software off the drive itself. 


The Apple USB SuperDrive uses a USB-A plug, but your 2024 iMac has USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. The SuperDrive requires precise power (900mA) and typically fails when connected through third-party USB-C hubs or multi-port adapters. I have a 2021 iMac, and use a native apple USB A to USB C and with that it is working flawlessly

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 14, 2026 12:41 AM in response to lambertj41

You cannot erase or delete data from an Apple USB SuperDrive using keyboard shortcuts, because it is a read-only hardware optical drive with no internal writable user storage. Pressing wrong keys did not delete any data or software off the drive itself. 


The Apple USB SuperDrive uses a USB-A plug, but your 2024 iMac has USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. The SuperDrive requires precise power (900mA) and typically fails when connected through third-party USB-C hubs or multi-port adapters. I have a 2021 iMac, and use a native apple USB A to USB C and with that it is working flawlessly

Aug 14, 2026 5:47 PM in response to lambertj41

I have a problem I removed all data from my Apple superdrive, and it does not work now help


Does that mean you ejected the disk and now the drive does not show up in the Finder or on the Desktop?? If so, that's normal. It's been like that since Apple made Macs capable of using optical drives.


Optical drives on Macs ONLY appear on the desktop or in the Finder sidebar when a readable disk is inserted.


Try this: a connected working external optical drive WILL show if you launch System Information, an app in your Utilities folder, unless you have the lower-power problem that my wise colleague Nick mentions.


Is System Information shows the drive it attached, you may need to use a cleaning disk to remove dust from the lenses inside the drive. Old slot-loading drive get filthy.


The last update of the SuperDrive was in summer 2012 😱. Some are simply too far beyond their "best by" date. There are plenty of workable USB-C external optical disk drives for under US$50 on Amazon and similar sites.

iMac 2024 model two ports- apple superdrive not working

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