Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Will there ever be support for external SSD or is it a non starter? I have a Samsung T7 which is a pretty popular model.
 
For most (all?) external USB 3.x SSD (e.g. Samsung T7) - no. For Thunderbolt - yes.
The problem has no relation with version of USB (USB 3.x, 2.x or 4.x). The problem is related to SSD type - SATA or NVMe. SATA SSD is supported, but NVMe SSD (like Samsung T7) is currently not supported. And the root cause is the stupid architecture of macOS that prohibits apps from sending SMART commands over SCSI interface like in any other OS (Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, etc). On macOS, you need to implement a custom driver. But at the same time Apple doesn't like drivers and kernel extensions, third-party drivers are "second-class citizens" on macOS.
 
Last edited:
The problem is related to SSD type - SATA or NVMe. SATA SSD is supported, but NVMe SSD (like Samsung T7) is currently not supported
I think it is more nuanced than that. Some time ago I would have agreed with you. Samsung T5 (SATA) worked with DriveDx, but Samsung T7 did not. But now neither work with DriveDx. Do you know of USB 3.x SATA SSD which do work with current macOS, DriveDx and SATSMARTDriver?
 
On macOS, you need to implement a custom driver. But at the same time Apple doesn't like drivers and kernel extensions, third-party drivers are "second-class citizens" on macOS.
Or use Windows software in a virtual machine, Parallels & CrystalDiskInfo https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-usb-enclosure-update-there-is-a-way.2383604/
Other virtualisation software is available, for free :)
Free Personal Use License for VMware Fusion https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/evalcenter?p=fusion-player-personal-13
UTM https://github.com/utmapp/UTM
VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
 
  • Like
Reactions: killerovsky
Or use Windows software in a virtual machine, Parallels & CrystalDiskInfo https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-usb-enclosure-update-there-is-a-way.2383604/
Other virtualisation software is available, for free :)
Free Personal Use License for VMware Fusion https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/evalcenter?p=fusion-player-personal-13
UTM https://github.com/utmapp/UTM
VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Does this only work on Intel Macs or Apple Silicon too?
 
Does this only work on Intel Macs or Apple Silicon too?
I can’t test NVMe now, but here is MBA M1, Windows 11 ARM 22H2 installed in VMware Fusion 13.0.2, USB 3 ADATA XPG EX500 & SATA SSD
ssdarm.jpg
 
Does anyone have a problem that cannot be activated? Is it because I'm using macOS Sonoma?
 
DriveDx 1.12.1 was released on September 25, 2023 with full Sonoma support.


This app is fantastic for an OS that should have all this stuff working natively anyway. Glad the app exists though.

For those needing support on externals, make sure you install the SAT SMART driver.

The SAT Smart Driver. I saw the note on their site its 3rd party. I guess what I'm asking is to confirm that its solid and no issues with Sonoma with you guys using it?
 
The SAT Smart Driver. I saw the note on their site its 3rd party. I guess what I'm asking is to confirm that its solid and no issues with Sonoma with you guys using it?
Works for me. No crashes or anything like that.

Don't expect DriveDX to work with all USB 3.x SSDs. In my case, DriveDX used to report on my Samsung T5, now doesn't - something in macOS 13.5 (or maybe 14.3?) onwards I think. SAT Smart Driver is fine with USB hard drives. Thunderbolt SSDs don't need it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kagharaht
Works for me. No crashes or anything like that.

Don't expect DriveDX to work with all USB 3.x SSDs. In my case, DriveDX used to report on my Samsung T5, now doesn't - something in macOS 13.5 (or maybe 14.3?) onwards I think. SAT Smart Driver is fine with USB hard drives. Thunderbolt SSDs don't need it.
Thanksmore the info. I’ll get it. I have 2 Seagate 8TB USB 3 that are going 8 years old. I figure i better have something that may warn me that it’s going to die being so old.
 
Will work fine with them.
I downloaded it and yes, it reads them and overall health rating 97% 82%. Overall Health and Performance rating "Good". This is exactly what I needed to know on these guys. I paid the full license. Maybe one day we can monitor external SSD. Not a deal breaker for me since I use my external SSD for web downloads, temporary work disk and cache stuff. So nothing in there for long term storage. Thanks again. OH took me a few reboots to figure out that Security thingy that instructs you. I couldn't figure out where to start in after holding down the power button and the two icons came up. LOL.... eventually the old brain figured it out and changed the Security to allow user to install extension or something like that. lol

"Currently, there is no NVMe SMART over USB drivers for macOS. macOS does not support this and there are no third-party drivers (kernel extensions). Moreover, currently, there is no official specification for NVMe SMART over USB from NVM Express Workgroup. Currently only vendor-specific workarounds available like JMicron and AMedia but there is no common standard.
Some examples of external USB SSDs that are internally based on NVMe SSDs: Samsung Portable T7 SSD, Samsung Portable T7 Touch SSD, Crucial X8 Portable SSD, Sandisk Extreme SSD, Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD."
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: gilby101
I recently tried the free version, liked it, decided to pay for it. (July 31 2024). It shows to be V 1.12.1 Although it's working fine, I sent 2 email questions, that weren't in the FAQ, and the response is...crickets. It's only been 2 days though. I downloaded it direct from Binary Fruit website. (Ventura 13.6.7)
 

Attachments

  • Dreive DX results-covered up.png
    Dreive DX results-covered up.png
    131.7 KB · Views: 69
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.