macOS Cataline does not eject usb stick

[SFeV]

Dear All,

I have upgraded my MacBook (13 inch 2017) to macOS Catalina. After this update a problem arose that I didn't have before. If I want to eject my USB stick, the MacBook always gives a message that it is being used by 1 or more programs, while this is not the case. I can only forcibly eject it.

Are there more people who have this problem or is this just a bug?

 

[coldwaves]

I just updated to Catalina and had no problem ejecting flash drive or external hard drive. If you plug in the USB stick, do nothing, and then try to eject, does the same error message occur?

 

[SFeV]

I just updated to Catalina and had no problem ejecting flash drive or external hard drive. If you plug in the USB stick, do nothing, and then try to eject, does the same error message occur?

Thanks for your reply!

I did what you said. If I don't do anything, I don't get this error.

 

[IowaLynn]

The Finder had a window open to my SD USB disk. Ejected. But then later a notification that it wasn't unmounted properly. MacOS has or is horrible that way. Goes to sleep? Error message. Never an issue and like how Windows has a Safe to eject and I'm not faced with dozen error messaged every morning.

Same with my USB WD 1TB drive used for Time machine.

Maybe 10.15.3+? though I doubt it.

 

[coldwaves]

Thanks for your reply!

I did what you said. If I don't do anything, I don't get this error.

That seems to suggest that indeed some app is using files in the drive. Maybe you can use terminal to see all the hidden files in the drive and that might give you some hint what app is using files on the drive.

 

[SFeV]

That seems to suggest that indeed some app is using files in the drive. Maybe you can use terminal to see all the hidden files in the drive and that might give you some hint what app is using files on the drive.

How can I use terminal to see the hidden files in the drive?

 

[mockford]

I'm having this issue when removing USB's too

 

[SFeV]

I'm having this issue when removing USB's too

I just tried it with a different USB and this gives the same problem. So it is not the USB, but the MacBook / macOS Catalina. When I was still on Mojave, I didn't have this problem either.

 

[coldwaves]

How can I use terminal to see the hidden files in the drive?

First go to the directory of your usb drive. That can be done by cd /Volumes
Then you can list all available volumes by using ls
The name of your usb drive should show up, then you use cd command to enter the usb drive
then you ls -a to show all the files

 

[SFeV]

First go to the directory of your usb drive. That can be done by cd /Volumes
Then you can list all available volumes by using ls
The name of your usb drive should show up, then you use cd command to enter the usb drive
then you ls -a to show all the files

Thanks for your reply! I looked, but couldn't find anything strange. I contacted Apple and I hope that they can help me. Perhaps the problem is solved for me in a future update. Thanks for all your help!

 

[coldwaves]

Thanks for your reply! I looked, but couldn't find anything strange. I contacted Apple and I hope that they can help me. Perhaps the problem is solved for me in a future update. Thanks for all your help!

No problem. Hopefully Apple can help you resolve the issue. Keep us posted on what you find.

 

[SFeV]

I think I'm a little closer to the solution. I am currently using Office version 16.29.1 (19091700). When I open a document on this USB stick, nothing happens, but as soon as I edit something and save this document on the USB stick, nothing is wrong. If I then want to eject this USB stick, MacOS gives the message that the USB stick is being used, I think something is going wrong with saving a document.

It also happens when I edit a document with 'Pages'