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In our increasingly digital world, it is becoming more and more important to have ample storage space for data and files. The built-in storage capacity of a Macbook Pro may not always be sufficient to meet our needs, which is why many people turn to external hard drives. These devices provide a convenient and reliable way to expand storage capacity and keep our files safe. If you are a Macbook Pro user looking to connect an external hard drive to your device, this guide will walk you through the steps to ensure a seamless and successful connection. Whether you want to back up important documents, store large media files, or simply need additional space, connecting an external hard drive to your Macbook Pro is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your storage capabilities.
This article was co-written by Jeremy Mercer. Jeremy Mercer is the director and principal technician of MacPro-LA in Los Angeles, CA. He has over 10 years of experience repairing electronics, as well as working in retail stores specializing in Mac and PC.
This article has been viewed 24,518 times.
Usually to connect an external hard drive to a computer, you just plug it in and that’s it. However, with a Macbook Pro or any other Mac, the hard drive must be formatted according to a file system supported by the Mac. This process will erase any data on the hard drive. If like most hard drives on the market, your hard drive has been pre-formatted with the NTFS format, with Mac OS X, you can only read but cannot write data on this hard drive.
Steps
Connect the hard drive
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 1](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d8/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-1-Version-3.jpg)
- Some Mac-specific drives come with a Thunderbpt or FireWire cable. In this case, you’ll need to plug in the correct port, or use an adapter if the right port isn’t available on your Mac.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 2](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/09/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-2-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-2-Version-3.jpg)
- The hard drive icon may not appear on the screen even though it is properly connected. You can check the hard drive on the left pane of any Finder window, under the heading “Devices”.
- You can set up your hard drive to appear on the desktop by clicking the Finder menu, choosing “Preferences,” and then clicking the “External disks” box. [1] XResearch Source
- If the hard drive does not appear on the Finder or desktop, refer to the instructions in the next section.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 3](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8e/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-3-Version-3.jpg)
Format the hard drive
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 4](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8a/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-4-Version-3.jpg)
- On the desktop, click the “Go” menu, select “Utilities” then “Disk Utility”.
- Formatting will erase everything on the hard drive. Not a problem with the new hard drive, but if you’re looking to use the old hard drive with the content on it, you’ll have to save the content elsewhere before you start formatting.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 5](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/9a/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-5-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-5-Version-3.jpg)
- If the hard drive cannot be found, skip to the next section.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 6](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/81/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-6-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-6-Version-3.jpg)
- Formatting will erase everything on the hard drive. Therefore, don’t forget to back up any important data on your hard drive. If the hard drive is in Windows format, you can still copy the content to your Mac before proceeding with the format.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 7](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/ce/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-7.jpg)
- If only using the hard drive for Mac, select “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)”. This format allows you to use all the features of your Mac on your hard drive, such as the Time Capsule.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 8](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/95/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-8.jpg)
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 9](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/65/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-9.jpg)
Handling when the hard drive is not found
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 10](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/47/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-10.jpg)
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 11](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/95/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-11.jpg)
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 12](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1a/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-12.jpg)
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 13](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4d/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-13.jpg)
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 14](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0d/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-14.jpg)
- Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
- Select the hard drive and click the “First Aid” button.
- Click “Run” to start scanning for errors on the hard drive.
- Allow error correction utility to find. Thanks to that, you will probably be able to use the hard drive. Note that when errors appear, it can be an early warning sign of hard drive failure.
![Image titled Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro Step 15](https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/af/Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Connect-External-Hard-Drive-to-Macbook-Pro-Step-15.jpg)
- You can try plugging the hard drive into another computer to see if it shows up. If the hard drive is nowhere to be found, it may be time to buy a new hard drive.
This article was co-written by Jeremy Mercer. Jeremy Mercer is the director and principal technician of MacPro-LA in Los Angeles, CA. He has over 10 years of experience repairing electronics, as well as working in retail stores specializing in Mac and PC.
This article has been viewed 24,518 times.
Usually to connect an external hard drive to a computer, you just plug it in and that’s it. However, with a Macbook Pro or any other Mac, the hard drive must be formatted according to a file system supported by the Mac. This process will erase any data on the hard drive. If like most hard drives on the market, your hard drive has been pre-formatted with the NTFS format, with Mac OS X, you can only read but cannot write data on this hard drive.
In conclusion, connecting an external hard drive to a MacBook Pro is a relatively simple process that allows for expanded storage and increased flexibility. Whether using a USB-C, Thunderbolt, or USB interface, Mac users can easily connect and access the data on their external hard drive. By following the steps outlined in this guide, individuals can successfully connect their external hard drive to their MacBook Pro. It is important to ensure compatibility between the external hard drive and the MacBook Pro, as well as to follow appropriate safety measures when disconnecting the device. By utilizing an external hard drive, Mac users can easily manage and store their files, backup their data, and improve overall performance and productivity.
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