using a SanDisk Portable SSD on an old operating system

Memory Cards Compatibility
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I am a very non-techie user and need some advice in layman’s terms, please!

I need to transfer files from my old Mac onto my new portable SSD but am unable to download the software. The operating system of the computer is Mojave 10.14.6 - is this the problem? And more importantly, is there any way to make the transfer?

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@arabee1

Have you checked our knowledge base articles?
(Get Support for Your SSDs and Flash Products | SanDisk)

Try this one.

Have you opened a Support Case?
If not, contact SanDisk Technical Support for assistance.
(Contact Support | SanDisk)

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It sounds like your macOS version (Mojave 10.14.6) might be limiting some software downloads, but you should still be able to transfer files to your new portable SSD without any issues. Here’s a simple way to do it:

  1. Connect the SSD: Plug your portable SSD into your Mac using the provided cable.
  2. Check Compatibility: If the SSD isn’t showing up, go to Finder and see if it’s listed on the left sidebar under “Devices.” If it’s not, try a different USB port or cable.
  3. Drag and Drop Files: Open Finder, locate the files you want to transfer on your old Mac, and simply drag them to the SSD (which should appear as an icon on your desktop or Finder).
  4. File System: If the SSD isn’t showing up, it might be formatted for Windows (exFAT or NTFS). If so, you might need to reformat it to a Mac-friendly format (like APFS or Mac OS Extended) using Disk Utility (but remember, reformatting will erase the data on the SSD).

If you still can’t transfer files, the issue could be with the SSD or how it’s formatted, but this method should work fine for most cases!

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Transferring files from an old Mac to a new one is easy with several options. The simplest way is to use Migration Assistant, which lets you transfer files, apps, and settings directly. Just connect both Macs to the same Wi-Fi or use a cable for faster transfers, open Migration Assistant on both Macs, and follow the prompts.

If you use iCloud, enable iCloud Drive on both devices to sync your files automatically. For smaller transfers, AirDrop is quick and wireless. You can also use an external drive: copy files from the old Mac, then paste them onto the new one.

If you’ve backed up with Time Machine, you can restore everything during the new Mac’s setup. Finally, cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox can help transfer files if you upload them on the old Mac and download them on the new one.

You can also refer to this article for more details.

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The problem does not lie in your operating system, and yes, you can absolutely transfer your files.

To get your files transferred, try the following steps:

Step 1: Check if the Mac sees the drive

Plug your SanDisk SSD into your Mac using the cable that came in the box. Do not use a USB hub or adapter if you can avoid it.Look at your computer desktop screen. You should see a new icon appear that looks like a little white or yellow hard drive.If it is not on the desktop, open Finder and look at the left-hand sidebar. Under the word Locations or Devices, you should see the name “SanDisk”.

Step 2: Try moving a file

Double-click the SanDisk icon to open its window.Find any random, unimportant file on your computer (like a picture or a document).Click and hold that file, drag it over into the empty SanDisk window, and let go of your mouse (Drag-and-Drop).

Step 3: What to do if it says “Read-Only” or won’t let you drag files

If you try to drag a file over and you see a grey “prohibited” circle (a circle with a line through it), or if the Mac tells you it cannot write to the disk, it means the drive was formatted at the factory for Windows computers.Because your drive is empty, you can easily erase and format:

Open your Applications folder, then open the Utilities folder, and double-click Disk Utility.

On the left side of the window that pops up, look for your SanDisk SSD under the “External” section and click on it once.

Look at the top of the window and click the Erase button.

A small window will pop up asking for a Name and Format:Name: Give it a name (e.g., “WorkFiles”).

Format: Click the dropdown menu. If you will only use this drive on Mac computers, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

If you ever need to plug it into a Windows PC as well, choose ExFAT.Scheme (if it asks): Choose GUID Partition Map.

Click the Erase button at the bottom right of that little pop-up window.

Wait a few seconds until it says it is done, then click Done and close Disk Utility.Now, go back to Step 2.

[If you do not want to reformat the Windows (NTFS) formatted hard drive, you may use third-party NTFS for Mac drive to enable full read-write support. This article will provide you with more details about how to read and write NTFS drives on Mac]

Your SanDisk SSD is ready, and will let you drag and drop your files perfectly.