USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of port, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac computers, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
USB-A
Step 4: Unde File Explorer Options, click Show hidden files and folders. Step 5: Check Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Step 6: Click OK button. Alternatively, you can use CMD to unhide files. ② Unhide files by using CMD while USB not showing files and folders. USB Flash Drive for iPhone 256GB Photo Stick Memory Stick USB 3.0 Thumb Drive External Storage nuiflash Jumb Drive Compatiable with iPhone/iPad/Mac (256GB-silver) 3.9 out of 5 stars 384 $26.86 $ 26.
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2 or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when orientated correctly.
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available as either standard USB-C ports or Thunderbolt 3 ports that also support USB-C connections. They both look the same, and the connector plugs into the port in either orientation.
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPowerUSB 3.1 Gen 2 Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2 Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1 Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3 Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0 Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1 Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications.
Check the System Information app for more details, including about USB devices connected to USB ports on your Mac. Select USB in the sidebar, then select a USB bus on the right.
Memory Stick Not Showing Up Macbook
Get the best performance from your USB devices
USB specifications all work with each other, but speed and power are limited by the cable or device that uses the earliest specification. For example, if you connect a USB 3 device to a USB 2 port, your device is limited to USB 2 speeds, and it can't draw more power from the port than can be delivered over USB 2. In other words, to get the best performance, make sure the USB port on your Mac and the USB cable to your device meet or exceed the USB specification of the device itself.
If your Mac doesn't recognise a USB device after you plug it into your Mac:
Check all connections: unplug the device from your Mac, then plug it back in, and make sure that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends. Test with another cable or adapter, if available.
Plug the device directly into your Mac instead of a USB hub or other device, and if necessary test with a different USB port on your Mac or device.
Some devices need their own software, such as drivers or firmware. Others work without additional software. Check with the manufacturer of your device, and install all available Apple software updates as well.
If your device came with an AC power adapter, you should use it. Some devices can be powered by the USB port on your Mac. Others need more power than your Mac can provide.
Restart your Mac.
Learn more
USB 3 devices can create wireless interference that affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.
Mac notebook computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 can charge over that port using a compatible USB-C power adapter and cable.
Normally when you plug a branded USB stick into a PC it will, after a few seconds, be automatically recognised by the PC and typically it will generate a pop up box that will give you the option to do a number of things including importing any pictures stored on the USB stick, opening or viewing the files stored on the stick or using the USB stick as a back-up.
Memory Stick Not Showing Up Macbook Air
The range of options presented to you in the pop-up dialogue box will depend on the Operating System on your PC and whether the USB stick has any data stored on it – if it’s a brand new USB stick with nothing saved to it then the pop-up box should look something like this:
USB-Stick—No-Files-Loaded
If you plug your USB stick in and nothing happens and you get no pop-up box then you might have a faulty USB stick. The best way to check to see if this is the case is to:
Try taking the USB out of the USB port it’s plugged into and try another USB port on the PC. Ideally use a USB port on the back of the PC rather than a front facing USB port – these tend to be more reliable.
Don’t use a USB hub or extension lead – plug the USB stick directly into the PC (again, ideally into one of the USB ports at the back of the PC – yes it can be fiddly but whilst you’re trying to identify what the problem is it’s best to use a USB port at the back of the PC).
Try a different PC and ideally a different PC with a different operating system on.
Try a PC that is not connected to any work network (LAN) – sometime local IT and LAN administrators will block the use of external storage devices like USB memory sticks.
When doing the above even if you get no automatic dialogue box “popping up” then it’s worth using Windows Explorer to see if the USB stick has been listed and given a Drive Letter – typically it will say something like: Removable Disk (E:) although the letter used can vary.
If at any point the USB stick is listed then “right click” on it and then click on “Properties” -this will hopefully then give you the option to view the size of the USB Stick (memory size), to view the Used space Vs the Free space. You also have the option on this menu list to format the drive. If the you USB stick is not working, is not being recognised then select the Format option and press “Start” – if the stick is OK then it should re-format and once done you can try the drive again (do bear in mind if you do have to format the drive any data stored on it will be erased).
If all of the above fails then it’s likely that you have a faulty USB stick and you should return it under warranty for replacement.
If you’re buying promotional USB memory sticks then be prepared for a typical failure rate of around 1%. Ideally it should be 0% but despite all the QA checks that are done inevitably a few rogue USB sticks always seem to get through. One way of getting around this is to get your supplier to load data onto each USB stick because the simple act of pre-loading data should tease out any rogue sticks because they won’t be able to load your files.
If you experience a failure rate higher than 1% then it might suggest a more fundamental problem and you should consider returning the total order and requesting replacements. Too many suppliers are happy to supply poor quality products at a knock down price knowing that most are destined as give-aways and therefore they can be reasonably confident that most won’t get returned.
To minimise your risk and exposure only buy from trusted and reputable suppliers. Check out on-line forums for customers reviews and feedback and make sure that they are the sort of company that will stand behind any guarantees or warranties they offer.