Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Getting the most from a USB flash drive on a Mac is a matter of correctly storing and sharing files. Whether you call it a flash drive, thumb drive, USB drive, or a memory stick, it functions more or less the same from product to product.
First, plug the USB drive into an available USB port. You may get a notice to allow the USB drive to connect. Click ‘Allow’ for the computer to recognize the drive. The drive will automatically appear on your desktop after a few moments. Double click the drive and you can access any files or documents on it.
Saving files to your flash drive
There are multiple ways to save files (such as documents, photos and music) to your USB flash drive. Drag and drop allows you to select a file (or several files) and quickly drag them to the USB drive with your mouse. Ensure both the files you want to save, and the USB drive are visible. Select the files, click, and then drag to the USB drive window to copy the files over. You can even drag and drop files to the desktop icon for the USB drive.
Copying and pasting is another option. Highlight the files you want to copy. Control-click (or two-finger click) to bring up the menu. Select ‘Copy’, go to the USB drive, and control-click again. This time select Paste. The files will save to the new location. You can paste the items directly to the USB drive icon on the desktop, too.
Save As is for working in apps like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. You can save the document to a specified location like the USB drive. Select ‘File’ from the top menu, then click on ‘Save As’, navigate to the USB drive, then click ‘Save’. Your file will be saved to the USB drive for easy travel or backup purposes.
Deleting files and formatting your flash drive
When using a Mac, deleting files from the USB drive will not free up space unless you also empty the Trash afterwards. Control-click/two-finger click on the Trash icon at the bottom and select ‘Empty Trash’.
Formatting
Formatting your drive will free up space, since it deletes everything on the drive. This might be desirable if you want to change the file system so you can save larger files, to make the drive compatible with other operating systems, or to clear all data from the drive. Navigate to Applications, then Utilities, then Disk Utility (you can also search for Disk Utility in Spotlight). Select the USB drive, then click ‘Erase’. You can change the file system and rename the device. When you’re finished, select ‘Erase’ to format the USB drive and erase all data. Depending on the size of the drive, this will take a few seconds before the drive is accessible again. Learn more here kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/how-to-format-a-usb-flash-drive#windows-mac
Removing your flash drive
To safely eject your USB drive, Control-click on the USB drive’s desktop icon, then select ‘Eject’. When the icon disappears from the desktop, it is safe to remove the drive from the computer.
Thanks for watching. If you have any other questions, please contact kingston.com/support.
Getting the most from a USB flash drive on a Mac is a matter of correctly storing and sharing files. Whether you call it a flash drive, thumb drive, USB drive, or a memory stick, it functions more or less the same from product to product.
First, plug the USB drive into an available USB port. You may get a notice to allow the USB drive to connect. Click ‘Allow’ for the computer to recognize the drive. The drive will automatically appear on your desktop after a few moments. Double click the drive and you can access any files or documents on it.
Saving files to your flash drive
There are multiple ways to save files (such as documents, photos and music) to your USB flash drive. Drag and drop allows you to select a file (or several files) and quickly drag them to the USB drive with your mouse. Ensure both the files you want to save, and the USB drive are visible. Select the files, click, and then drag to the USB drive window to copy the files over. You can even drag and drop files to the desktop icon for the USB drive.
Copying and pasting is another option. Highlight the files you want to copy. Control-click (or two-finger click) to bring up the menu. Select ‘Copy’, go to the USB drive, and control-click again. This time select Paste. The files will save to the new location. You can paste the items directly to the USB drive icon on the desktop, too.
Save As is for working in apps like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. You can save the document to a specified location like the USB drive. Select ‘File’ from the top menu, then click on ‘Save As’, navigate to the USB drive, then click ‘Save’. Your file will be saved to the USB drive for easy travel or backup purposes.
Deleting files and formatting your flash drive
When using a Mac, deleting files from the USB drive will not free up space unless you also empty the Trash afterwards. Control-click/two-finger click on the Trash icon at the bottom and select ‘Empty Trash’.
Formatting
Formatting your drive will free up space, since it deletes everything on the drive. This might be desirable if you want to change the file system so you can save larger files, to make the drive compatible with other operating systems, or to clear all data from the drive. Navigate to Applications, then Utilities, then Disk Utility (you can also search for Disk Utility in Spotlight). Select the USB drive, then click ‘Erase’. You can change the file system and rename the device. When you’re finished, select ‘Erase’ to format the USB drive and erase all data. Depending on the size of the drive, this will take a few seconds before the drive is accessible again. Learn more here kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/how-to-format-a-usb-flash-drive#windows-mac
Removing your flash drive
To safely eject your USB drive, Control-click on the USB drive’s desktop icon, then select ‘Eject’. When the icon disappears from the desktop, it is safe to remove the drive from the computer.
Thanks for watching. If you have any other questions, please contact kingston.com/support.
