Mac Tips - Using a USB drive on a Mac – DIY in 5 Ep 99

We will go over how to use a USB drive, thumb drive, flash drive, pendrive, etc, on a Mac computer (aka Apple Macintosh) like a MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro.

A flash drive is a small, portable drive that plugs into a USB port on your computer. They are inexpensive and a great way to transfer or backup files quickly and easily. Simply insert it into a USB port on your computer. Modern MacBooks, like the newer MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro may not have a full-sized USB-A port at all, only offering the smaller USB-C alternative. While this may seem frustrating at first, USB-C offers many advantages, like faster speeds and the ability to plug in upside down or right side up. If you have a computer that only works with USB-C, you can either get a USB-A to USB-C adapter or dock or you can purchase a USB-C flash drive, like the Kingston Data Traveler Duo 3C. These are both relatively inexpensive and pretty commonly available now that USB-C is quickly becoming the new standard.

Once you insert the drive for the first time, your Mac should install the necessary driver software automatically and a USB icon should appear on your Mac display. If the icon does not display, you should also check that your Mac is set to show external drives on the desktop. You can do this by going to Finder, Preferences, General and making sure that there is a checkmark next to External Drives. Another way to access your drive is by going to Finder and clicking the flash drive from the sidebar on the left side of the window. If it still does not show up try unplugging and replugging it in or using a different USB port on the computer.

Once you’ve gotten your USB drive connected to your computer, you can use it the same way you’d use any other folder on your computer. Copy files by dragging them from one location to another and a copy will be saved in both locations. To select more than one file at a time, click and drag the cursor over the files you want to select. Remove a file by dragging it to the Trash, then click and hold the Trash icon and choose empty trash to fully delete the file.

Once you’re finished using your USB drive, you need to safely eject the device before unplugging it. You can do this by clicking the USB icon on the desktop and selecting Eject from the file menu. You can also click Finder and click the upward-pointing arrow to eject your flash drive. Or you can drag the USB drive icon from the desktop to the trashcan. Once the drive is ejected, you can safely remove the flash drive and stow it away for future use.

[sheswellspoken]

Omg! Thank you much! I typically shy away from Apple products but I recently inherited a MacBook Pro and had the hardest time trying to figure out how to use my USB flash drive on it. I decided to go to YouTube university, typed in "how to use a flash drive on Mac" and a video on your channel popped up. After watching the video this so easy to do, a no brainer! Thanks!🙏🏾

[adityajain]

I don't even have a mac, and still I'm watching. 😂

[Ouyk]

Wut? Dragging the USB icon to the trash can to eject? Tim Apple needs to fix that ASAP.

[javtimestwo]

Thank you for the video. I have to admit I know nothing about USB flash drives but I want to get one for my
Mac Air and begin to use it properly. Your explanation made me feel much more comfortable how to use. I had
no idea about finder and checking the box to enable external disks.

[Simply_Deanna_]

I just bought a MacBook and was completely lost on how to find it once I plugged in the attachment. This video helped me. ❤️

[joserafaelmango]

Thank You Ma'am, it's my first time using MacBook 😘

[evameland]

I thought I'd love a Mac but after 20 years with a PC I'm finding it cumbersome

[kuldoxy]

Oh mine! U're a saver.👍🏿 No one could explain it like u did esp what to do when the drive doesn't install or show up on ur screen. Didn't know I had to go to d finder and preferences to select the hard disk and external disk.🤦🏾‍♀️I see it now. Thank you very much!🙂🙌🏿

[guccidaddy]

i feel i like i've seen her on the hub

[patticarpenter]

Great concise video - but how to I download the entire contents of a USB flash drive (from a trusted source) to my MacBook Air?

[paullancaster]

To be honest I had to watch this twice because the first time I never 'heard' a thing that she said !!!! 😍

[MrErhansari]

2:31 i cant copy my files like this. It's like it's getting blocked or something. Can anyone help me with that

[yassinebouaddi]

Flash comment: Love your STAR WARS outfit!

[CR-slbh]

Thank you for uploading this episode. Really helped.

[theresatucker]

This was a great video. Do you have one that tells me how to remove the thumb drive from the adapter? I need to use the thumb drive on a different computer that has full-sized USB ports.

[StacyD-lvli]

thank you for this info- I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE WEARING, AS WELL! Love that- is it a top or dress? Who makes it? you look like a superhero 🙂

[barbaranyhus]

Thank you! I have used mac for a long time, but never really know what Im doing LOL. You made it very easy

[GiveyourselfAraise]

My external drives aren’t anywhere or any of these ways you show to do so

[Brad-k]

I just lol when I see that part of the video where you drag it to the trash can and cringe lol.. Thats why I love these videos. Keep up the great work @Trisha Hershberger

[lukasgraham]

Pay 2000€ and what you got? Can't connect usb flash drive.
On pc laptops no problems, you can do everything.