I get this error EVERY time I try to eject a USB storage device.
"Failed to unmount [disk name] because it is currently in use."
It doesn't mater if it’s a 12Gb spinning disk or a 256Kb USB thumb drive. Apple says to quit the offending app or restart the Mac.
………………
is this not text?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Air 13″
Why? You would need to ask Apple that directly, but they won't tell you and probably don't know either.
See my instructions in this other post to identify the app/process which is using the mounted volume on the drive that won't eject:
Cannot eject USB drive due to unknown pro… - Apple Community
Most times it is Spotlight indexing the drive and is refusing to stop, but it could be any app which was used to access the drive. If you have anti-virus software, cleaning/optimizer apps, or third party security software installed, then they are also likely candidates.
You can provide Apple with product feedback here:
Thanks for the reply HWTech
My most common trapped drive is are thumb drives I use when scanning with an MF Printer/Scanner. There are usually only ~twenty files/scans on a drive. Could it be the scanners save action causing a change to the drive that causes the Mac to lock on to it? No.
Also, I check for Spotlight. It’s rarely not running. If it is I’ll try to properly unmount in the morning. Today, for example, no luck with a drive containing only six JPEG images (w/o text).
Your CL instructions are helpful but this issue happens with every drive I attach. If I enjoyed typing commands into Terminal that much I’d use Linux sans UI.
Why doesn't the 'Failed to unmount' error message specify which app is using the USB storage?
