How to Fix a Corrupted USB Drive on Mac Without Losing Data

If your USB flash drive has become corrupted, it can be frustrating trying to access your files. However, there are several methods you can use to fix a corrupted USB drive on your Mac without losing data. Here’s how to do it:

Use Disk Utility’s First Aid

One of the easiest ways to repair a corrupted USB drive on your Mac is by using the built-in Disk Utility app. Here’s how:

Connect the USB drive to your Mac
Open Disk Utility (you can find it in the Utilities folder)
Select the USB drive from the list on the left side of the window
Click on the “First Aid” tab
Click “Run” to start the repair process

Disk Utility will scan the drive for errors and attempt to fix them. If successful, your USB drive should be readable again.

Recover Data with Data Recovery Software

If First Aid doesn’t work or you’re worried about losing data, you can use data recovery software to retrieve your files before attempting further repairs. Some good options include:

Disk Drill
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac
Handy Recovery

These tools can scan your USB drive, preview recoverable files, and allow you to save them to another location before reformatting the drive.

Reformat the USB Drive

If all else fails, you may need to reformat your USB drive. This will erase all data, so make sure to back up anything important first. Here’s how to reformat a USB drive on your Mac:

Connect the USB drive to your Mac
Open Disk Utility
Select the USB drive from the list on the left
Click “Erase” at the top of the window
Give the drive a name, select a format (such as ExFAT or FAT32), and click “Erase”

Your USB drive should now be reformatted and ready to use again. Just keep in mind that reformatting will delete all existing data.