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Unknown error (3) when transferring Photos to an external hard drive

Receive a pop up window with "Unknown error (3)" when attempting to transfer photos from my Macbook Air to a WD Elements external hard drive.

Posted on Aug 8, 2021 9:52 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 8, 2021 11:02 AM

What file format is the WD Elements drive in ?? Normally, new external drives maybe formatted in Fat 32 or NTFS which is Windows file format. Apple can read NTFS formatted drive BUT can not normally write to the format. Suggest NOT Installing an WD software that was included on the drive or from any support documentation included with the drive.


Open Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Devices. Now look for the name WD Elements in the left column. That is the drive to verify. On the Right look for what filling system is is formatted as. If it say NFTS - that is the problem. Just reformat as HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map if ONLY using for Apple Computers. If moving between Apple and Windows use the exFat format with Master Boot Record

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 8, 2021 11:02 AM in response to gc105

What file format is the WD Elements drive in ?? Normally, new external drives maybe formatted in Fat 32 or NTFS which is Windows file format. Apple can read NTFS formatted drive BUT can not normally write to the format. Suggest NOT Installing an WD software that was included on the drive or from any support documentation included with the drive.


Open Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Devices. Now look for the name WD Elements in the left column. That is the drive to verify. On the Right look for what filling system is is formatted as. If it say NFTS - that is the problem. Just reformat as HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map if ONLY using for Apple Computers. If moving between Apple and Windows use the exFat format with Master Boot Record

Unknown error (3) when transferring Photos to an external hard drive

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