Unable to Copy Files from Mac to External Hard Drive

Why can't you copy files to the external hard drive from Mac

There are several reasons why you might have trouble copying files to an external hard drive from your Mac. The most common issues include improper connection, incorrect disk formatting, permissions blocking transfers, low storage, or software glitches on either your Mac or the external drive. All of these scenarios can disrupt your file transfer process.

Important: 

 

Not sure which hard drive will best suit your needs? Check out our guide for the best external hard drives for Mac to find the right one for you.

1. Check disk connections

If your Mac can’t detect an external hard drive or displays errors during file transfer, the issue might be a loose or faulty connection. We recommend you double-check that the drive is securely plugged into your MacBook or computer port.

2. Is there enough space on the external hard drive

Aside from connection issues, we’ve also noticed that a lack of available storage space is another common culprit to file sharing glitches. That’s why we recommend you check the available space on your drive to allow larger files to download.

Advice from our team: 

 

If you’re low on space and unsure how to make more room, you can read our attached guide on how to check storage on Mac. It’ll walk you through easy ways to find and clear unnecessary files.

3. Check permissions on the external hard drive

Our team has also noticed that incorrect permission settings can stop your Mac from linking to your external drive. If the disk is set to read-only, we advise changing the drive permissions before you attempt to copy or move anything onto your USB.

A note from our experts: 

 

Figuring out why your Mac can't copy files to an external hard drive can be frustrating, and troubleshooting the issue yourself can also be a challenge. That’s where MacKeeper’s Premium Services come in. We can provide technical support designed to walk you through step by step to remedy any system errors.

 

Here’s how to access MacKeeper’s Premium Services:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Open the app and go to Premium Services.
3. Click on Chat Now.
4. In the chat discussion, explain the problems you're experiencing to get advice.

How to fix ‘unable to copy files to external hard drive from Mac’ issue

If you're unable to copy files from Mac to an external hard drive, here’s what you can try:

1. Free up space on an external hard drive.
2. Restart your Mac.
3. Check the file system format of the external hard drive.
4. Update your Mac.
5. Run First Aid to repair the drive.
6. Reformat the external hard drive (if necessary).
7. Use other file transfer methods.

1. Free up space on an external hard drive

A common reason you may be having trouble with downloading new files onto your hard drive is that it’s full. That’s why our first tip to you is to check its storage and remove any large or hidden files before you proceed.

Here’s how to check and free up space on your external hard drive:

1. Go to the Apple Icon and click on About This Mac.
2. Press Move Info…
3. Click on the Storage tab.
4. Find your external hard drive to see its available storage.
5. If it’s full, open your hard drive in Finder and delete any unnecessary files.

2. Restart your Mac

Sometimes, a simple restart is all it takes to fix hard drive issues–restarting helps boot new system processes and clears out temporary glitches that may be obstructing file transfers.

Here’s how we recommend safely restarting your Mac:

1. In Finder, go to Locations and look for your external hard drive.
2. Right-click and press Eject.
3. Go to the Apple Icon and press Restart.
4. When your Mac reboots, reconnect your external drive.  

3. Check the file system format of the external hard drive

If there’s plenty of space, but you’re still unable to copy files from Mac to an external hard drive, the problem might be with the file system format. Our team has noticed that some formats, like NTFS, are read-only on macOS, therefore limiting what you can do.

To fix this, follow our steps below to check and reformat your external drive:

1. In Finder, go to Applications > Utilities.
2. Open Disk Utility.
3. Select your external drive.
4. Look to the right panel to find the system format listed (NTFS, exFAT, APFS, FAT32).
5. If it’s NTFS, consider reformatting to exFAT or FAT32 for full Mac compatibility.

An extra hint from us: 

 

In case you need more help to reformat an external hard drive on Mac, our attached blog can guide you through the entire process to ensure a smooth switch.

4. Update your Mac

Believe it or not, running an outdated version of macOS is also known to interfere with compatibility, causing readability and transfer issues. That’s why we advise checking your software is up-to-date before trying to move files onto your USB.

You can follow our steps below to show you how to check and update your Mac:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to the General Tab > Time Machine to first create a backup of your files.
3. Then, go back to General > Software Update.
4. If an update is available, click Upgrade Now.

5. Run First Aid to repair the drive

Still having trouble moving files from your MacBook to your external drive? We now suggest you check for any errors that might be affecting performance. In our experience, running First Aid is the best way to check if your drive is functioning correctly.

Here’s how to run First Aid to repair your external drive:

1. In Finder, go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utilities.
2. Choose your external drive.
3. Click First Aid and then Run.
4. Once the process is complete, Disk Utility will alert you of any errors that it repaired.

6. Reformat the external hard drive (if necessary)

Need to reformat your external hard drive? If so, proceed with caution, as it will delete all your existing data. If you do need to reformat your USB, we’ll show you how, but make sure you have a separate backup of your data before proceeding.

After creating a backup, here’s how to reformat an external hard drive:

1. Open Disk Utility.
2. Select your external drive.
3. Click the Erase button at the top.
4. Choose a format like exFAT or APFS (recommended for macOS).
5. Click Erase again to complete the reformatting.

A helping hand from us: 

 

If your Toshiba external hard drive isn’t working on Mac, check out our guide for detailed troubleshooting tips to get your USB working smoothly.

7. Use other file transfer methods

If you're still unable to copy files from your Mac to an external hard drive, it might be time to consider alternative methods like AirDrop or Cloud Storage. We've noticed that wireless transfers are often more effective than swapping between USBs or third-party NTFS drivers.

Alternative ways to transfer files:

• AirDrop allows you to wirelessly transfer files between Apple devices.
• Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox are excellent cloud storage alternatives that allow you to upload files and download them to your chosen drive.

Resolving USB file transfer issues with MacKeeper’s help

We’ve now shared our tips to help you prepare your Mac for large file transfers to an external drive, including how to fix common problems that might arise–like incorrect permissions or insufficient disk space.

For extra support, you can open up MacKeeper’s Premium Services to live chat with one of our team members. They’ll help you diagnose and resolve any privacy errors or storage boundaries that could be halting file transfers onto your external drive.