How to Manually Mount an External SSD (USB) on macOS

Hello!

Today, I'll walk you through how to manually mount an external storage device on macOS.

I'll break down each command step by step, explain when you might need this approach, and show you how to do it safely.

The Problem: When Auto-Mount Fails

Usually, macOS automatically recognizes and mounts external storage devices when you plug them in. However, auto-mount can sometimes fail due to:

• File system errors or corruption
• History of improper disconnection
• Permission issues
• Compatibility issues with certain file systems (exFAT, NTFS, etc.)

That's when manual mounting comes in handy.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a Mount Point

sudo mkdir /Volumes/ssd

Step 2: Identify the Disk

diskutil list
**What this command does:**
Displays a list of all disks and partitions connected to your system.
**Example output:**
```
/dev/disk5 (external, physical):
#:                       TYPE NAME                    SIZE       IDENTIFIER
0:     FDisk_partition_scheme                        *500.1 GB   disk5
1:               Windows_FAT_32                       209.7 MB   disk5s1
2:               Windows_NTFS                         499.9 GB   disk5s2d

Here, /dev/disk5s2 is the partition we want to mount.

Step 3: Mount the exFAT File System

sudo mkdir /sbin/mount_exfat /dev/disk5s2 /Volumes/ssd

What each part means:

• sudo: Run with administrator privileges
• /sbin/mount_exfat: The mount command specifically for exFAT file systems
• /dev/disk5s2: The disk partition to mount (device file)
• /Volumes/ssd: The mount location (the folder we created in Step 1)

---

What is exFAT?

exFAT is a file system compatible with both Windows and macOS. It supports large files (over 4GB), making it widely used for external storage devices.

---

What About Other File Systems?

Different file systems require different commands:

# NTFS (read-only)
sudo mount -t ntfs /dev/disk5s2 /Volumes/ssd

# FAT32
sudo mount -t msdos /dev/disk5s2 /Volumes/ssd

# HFS+ (Mac only)
sudo mount -t hfs /dev/disk5s2 /Volumes/ssd

---

Unmounting the Drive

When you're done, make sure to safely unmount the drive:

sudo umount /Volumes/ssd
# or
diskutil unmount /dev/disk5s2

⚠️ Important Notes

• Identify the disk correctly: Mounting the wrong disk can lead to data loss
• Permission caution: Using sudo gives access to system files, so use it carefully
• Safe removal: Unplugging the cable without unmounting can corrupt your data
• Write permissions: NTFS is read-only by default on macOS

---

Wrapping Up

Manual mounting is a useful technique when auto-mount fails. However, it's best used for troubleshooting rather than everyday use.

If you're experiencing frequent issues, consider:

• Running a file system check with Disk Utility
• Checking for cable or port problems
• Backing up your data and reformatting if necessary

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions! 😊