macOS Sonoma 'App Would Like to Access Files on A Removable Volume'

Computer users commonly connect the external hard drive to their Macs/PCs to transfer files, create backups for devices, and even boot the Mac from a USB when the MacBook won't turn on. However, you may encounter problems while you use an external hard drive on a Mac. 

Some users receive the message "(app name) would like to access files on a removable volume on Mac" on macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey when opening certain apps to access the inserted external drives, and there are two options: OK and Don't allow. You can only continue the operation after bypassing the message. Keep reading to know the solutions.

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Why the access files on a removable volume message

Apple thinks users should be thoroughly informed, given our full consent, and be in complete control of how their data is being used by apps. In macOS 10.15, the system enforces this paradigm to ensure that all apps must request user permission before accessing files in Documents, Downloads, Desktop, iCloud Drive, and network volumes. 

Apps that need full storage device access in macOS 10.13 or later must be explicitly put there in System Preferences/Settings. In order to make sure they don't undermine existing safeguards, accessibility, and automation features also need user consent. Users may be prompted or compelled to modify the setting in the macOS System depending on the access policy.

The system asks the user for permission to access removable volumes the first time your app attempts to access a file on a removable volume without explicit user agreement. The messages could also be similar to this one: LaCie RAID Manager requires permission to manage compatible LaCie storage devices. Please go to Privacy & Security Preferences to allow LaCie RAID Manager access to removable volumes.

How to allow access to removable volumes on Mac

When the message "(app name) would like to access files on a removable volume on Mac" pop-up, it means the current app can not directly access the target removable volume on Mac right now, you have to manually allow the app to access the removable volumes so that you can perform further operations on the disk.

When the app asks for permission to access the removable volumes, you can change permission on Mac for the removable volumes as well as the files and folders on your Mac's storage. Here's how:

What if Mac keeps asking to allow access to removable volumes

Terribly, some Mac users have received the allow access to removable volumes message repeatedly after they followed the above steps to grant access to the removable volumes on Mac. Most of them encounter such an error on M1 Mac after updating to macOS Monterey when they attempt to run the MakeMKV app.

The error that "(app name) would like to access files on a removable volume on Mac" keeps popping up and also possibly occurs on Intel Mac and other macOS versions such as Sonoma, and you have to manually allow it again and again. Then there are some fixes you can try:

Other scenarios where removable volumes cannot be accessed

In addition to the "(app name) would like to access files on a removable volume on Mac" message, you may encounter some other situations when the external hard drive is inaccessible. The reasons behind inaccessible removal volumes could be: 

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