Sandisk Extreme SSD Unlocker not working on MacBook after macOS Tahoe update

Perhaps you just need to "Allow" the USB drive and other accessories to connect to your MacBook...

see > Allow USB and other accessories to connect to your Mac - Apple Support

BinksterMan wrote:

Sandisk Extreme SSD Unlocker not working on MacBook after macOS Tahoe update

Since my MacBook has loaded Tahoe it won't read the Sandisk unlock software on a Sandisk Extreme SSD.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: SANDISK Unlocker not working.

For your third party proprietary software—if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates…

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

ref: SanDisk Extreme SSD Unlocker support is ending

, as the original SanDisk Security software (which includes the unlocker) was discontinued on July 31, 2025. You can still use the drive, and the software may continue to work for a while, but no further updates are guaranteed.

ref: https://forums.sandisk.com/t/i-need-to-remove-the-unlocker-partition-from-my-sandisk-extreme-external-ssd/414177

I have always recommended erasing/initializing/reformatting any new drive to remove any and all pre-installed proprietary software—exactly for this reason. Especially those drives which purport to be "Mac ready" or some such— and typically charge more $$.

You are at the mercy of the third party vendor.

ref: Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

You need to check with SanDisk for updated software from them. Or find someone with a Mac still running Sequoia to unlock your drive then remove the encryption (if the software allows) or copy the data somewhere else then reformat the drive with DU and copy it back.

Another lesson here is never have just one copy of important data. 3-2-1 strategy, three copies of your data, two as backups and one of those stored offsite.

You can thank SanDisk, not Apple. It’s the job of 3rd party developers to make their software compatible with macOS, not the other way around. Contact SanDisk for an update, or find a Mac running older software.

When you buy a new drive, always completely erase/ reformat it with Apple’s Disk Utility. If you want encryption, select that option. That way, you’re not dependent on 3rd party tools. Now you’ve learned the reason for that advice, though not in the easy way.