When using macOS , you sure enough know if you ’ve opened a Pages file or are editing an email . But , below the surface are files that macOS uses that you do n’t see – all the natural action required for scope processes , Time Machine backups , limelight indexing , and other system needs . When you want to force out a mount volume , like a volume on an external SSD or hard drive , you’re able to run afoul of macOS ’s hidden need .
you could endeavor to eject a mass normally in these manner :
( If you do n’t see the bulk in the Finder , either chooseGo > Computeror insistence Command - teddy - C , or chooseFinder > configurations > Generaland chequer all the particular under “ Show these token on the desktop . ” )
If you’re lucky, macOS tells you exactly which apps to quit.
If you ’re lucky , when you endeavor to eject a book , you see a message with specific details , such as this one that come up when I tested ejecting the external driving that houses my chief Photos program library :
If you ’re golden , macOS tell you exactly which apps to discontinue .
metalworks
If you’re lucky, macOS tells you exactly which apps to quit.
quit those two apps did let me eject “ Photos SSD 2 TB . ” If there ’s something happening at a system of rules level , however , you will see a message worded like this : “ The disk [ name ] was n’t eject because one or more program may be using it . you could try on to release the disk again or click Force Eject to eject it immediately . ” Cancel and Force Eject buttons are part of the dialog , and a advancement spinner appear next to the musical phrase “ Trying to boot out . ”
That does not help decide the berth . Here ’s what you may do to narrow down down the job . ( And note that Apple uses the term “ disk ” despite that , in the Finder , you ’re always ejecting a mass , as some disks may have multiple mountable volumes on them . )
Close Finder windows
As odd as it seems , sometimes just have a windowpane out-of-doors in the Finder that present the contents of the mass or a folder on it may make the Finder believe that a “ programme ” is using that mounted detail . exit the Finder window and try again .
Remove the volume from Spotlight
I ’ve found that Spotlight can sometimes seize grip of a volume and mark it as unejectable even when indexing is n’t actively in appendage on that mass .
you’re able to ascertain if that ’s the problem by expire to > System configurations > Siri & Spotlight , scrolling down to the bottom of the purview , and clickingSpotlight Privacy . Drag the volume into the window ( or get across + and pilot to it , then add it ) , and clickDone . This immediately removes the volume from indexing .
strain to eject now . If it work , that was the job . However , if you want to search items on that volume , you will necessitate to off it from Spotlight Privacy later .
Check if Time Machine is backing up
If Time Machine is actively back up the volume , you may be ineffective to eject it . Check the condition of Time Machine either through its arrangement menu or by going to > System preferences > General > Time Machine . If it ’s underway , you could chooseSkip This Backupfrom the Time Machine organisation carte or click the “ x ” boxful next to the active session in the System configurations view and wait for Time Machine to wind down .
you may exclude the volume from Time Machine by using the options view : clickOptions , click the + ( plus ) star sign at the bottom ofExclude from Backups , and add the volume while ride . ClickDone .
Head for the Terminal
There ’s a tweaky agency to travail more deeply using the Terminal . In Terminal , replicate and paste the keep an eye on command after replacing “ Name of volume ” with your accurate book name , include spaces , and press Return :
lsof | grep ' /Volumes / Name of volume '
Make certain there are neat exclusive quotes before the / at the front of / Volumesand at the destruction of the line after your volume name .
Thelsofcommand shows all file in use by apps and system processes;grepis a filter alternative that , with’Volumes ' , let you only see files in employment by a mounted effort .
The lead output is full of technical particular , but understand through it , you may be capable to identify which programs are the publication , or what system process have grabbed handgrip .
For my outside Photos library volume , for instance , I saw dozens of entries , which include these two lines :
mediaanal 38659 glenn txt REG 1,38 32768 42399710 /Volumes / Photos SSD 2TB / Photos Library.photoslibrary/database/Photos.sqlite-shmAdobe\x20 855 John Glenn 84u REG 1,38 7134511104 62657146 /Volumes / Photos SSD 2TB/.TemporaryItems / folders.501 / TemporaryItems / Adobe Photoshop 2024 / Photoshop Temp1442699855
From this , I could have guessed Photos and Adobe Photoshop were active , even if the Finder had n’t told me . You may be able-bodied to figure out from the list what app or apps to quit – or even that you do n’t jazz why a given procedure is using the loudness . In which case …
Force Eject
If you have a Force Eject release usable in the dialog note at the start of this clause , you could click that now . However , I ’m not a big fan of it : using Force Eject can cause a problem when the loose file on the mass being boot out is n’t properly updated and closed . That might corrupt a data file that you postulate without lie with it . I seek to save Force Eject for when I know macOS is ludicrous and there ’s no publication or it ’s a position in which I do n’t have the fourth dimension to choose the most prudent class , note next : shutting down or restart .
Shut down
If none of the above help , then :
This Mac 911 article is in response to a query submitted by Macworld reader Cliff .
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