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So I formatted my SanDisk Extreme 2TB external SSD (new) and I think I messed up? I haven't been able to use it. I can see it in Disk Utility but not on the Finder. Can anybody help me? I'm trying to use it to store my photos library.
Mac mini, macOS 10.14
An APFS container is a group of volumes that share free space. An APFS volume is a (virtual) drive on which you store data. It looks like you have somehow formatted the external SSD so that it has an empty APFS container – one with no volumes.
Add, delete, or erase APFS volumes in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support
What you want to do is either to
When you are in Disk Utility, with the View expanded to "Show All Devices", and you've selected the Container on the external SSD (as shown here), does clicking on the "+" button above "Volume" do anything? I do not want to mess around with my internal SSD, but on my machine, when I select the single Container on my internal SSD, I'm being offered the ability to add a volume ("+" changes color slightly when I move over it, as though it is clickable), but not to delete the existing volume group (which, being the one for the startup disk, is likely protected).
It's probably that simple, but if for some reason Disk Utility does not want to let you do anything with an empty APFS Container, you could wipe the entire external drive (at the drive level), and set it up again, using a GUID Partition Map, and formatting it using APFS. It doesn't appear that you have any data on that drive yet that you would be concerned about losing.
An APFS container is a group of volumes that share free space. An APFS volume is a (virtual) drive on which you store data. It looks like you have somehow formatted the external SSD so that it has an empty APFS container – one with no volumes.
Add, delete, or erase APFS volumes in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support
What you want to do is either to
When you are in Disk Utility, with the View expanded to "Show All Devices", and you've selected the Container on the external SSD (as shown here), does clicking on the "+" button above "Volume" do anything? I do not want to mess around with my internal SSD, but on my machine, when I select the single Container on my internal SSD, I'm being offered the ability to add a volume ("+" changes color slightly when I move over it, as though it is clickable), but not to delete the existing volume group (which, being the one for the startup disk, is likely protected).
It's probably that simple, but if for some reason Disk Utility does not want to let you do anything with an empty APFS Container, you could wipe the entire external drive (at the drive level), and set it up again, using a GUID Partition Map, and formatting it using APFS. It doesn't appear that you have any data on that drive yet that you would be concerned about losing.
I'm not sure what is going on since it appears you are utilizing almost 300MB on that volume, but for some reason Disk Utility is not showing a volume name. You can try running First Aid on the physical SSD, followed by running First Aid on the hidden Container. If this doesn't resolve it, then I would recommend completely erasing the whole physical drive as GUID partition and APFS (or as MacOS Extended (Journaled)). I hope you have a backup of this drive so you can restore its data if it is important.
You may want to see if your SanDisk SSD has a firmware update available here:
https://support-en.wd.com/app/firmwareupdate
Seagate Extreme Pro v2 SSDs have a known issue which can result in data loss (the above link neglects to mention that particular issue).
I noticed that too, but this is a brand new SSD. I bought it last week and formatted the next day after receiving it. I have yet to be able to use it though. I ran First Aid before making this post but everything was ok.
It already is formatted as GUID partition and APFS. Luckily I don't have anything in it, but once I do, how would I create a backup of my photos library that I store in it? I am using a WD 5TB My Passport for Time Machine already and read that I shouldn't keep both Time Machine back ups and pictures in the same external drive.
I initially had formatted in a way that I can't remember now, but then after the second formatting, it gave me what i showed in the screenshot. It does give me the choice to add a volume to the container. Is that what i'm supposed to do? I want to use the whole SSD's storage exclusively for pictures.
I forgot to mention that even if First Aid says everything is "Ok", click "Show Details" and scroll back through the report to see if any unfixed errors are listed. Unfortunately First Aid lies in its summary report.
You can attempt to check the health of the external drive by running DriveDx and posting the full text report here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper. You will need to install a special USB driver in order to attempt to access the health information on the external drive, however, some external enclosures will block the necessary communication even with the special USB driver. Also, some SSDs have very little information in their health reports.
Somehow you did lose an APFS volume within that container, maybe due to a hardware issue with the SSD. Make sure to check whether your SSD is one of the ones which needs a firmware update, even if your SSD is not that exact model. Check the WD/Sandisk website to confirm....I only linked to the one page where it involved the v2 SSDs....other SSD models may have a separate support page. I would be concerned whether this could happen again.
I don't know whether TM will properly back up the library...it may depend on how you moved it to the external drive. I would have to leave that discussion to other more knowledgeable contributors.
Perhaps it has a blank name, try erasing it with a Name given.
Formatting external SSD
