How do I enable USB devices on Mac?

Last Updated on Jun 28, 2022

in this post, I’ll share with you Tips to Block or Disable USB storage Devices on Your Mac in 2022.

The most common reason behind the block or disabling USB port on macOS [macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, high Siera] is security. I am not talking about remotely tracking data by attacking and cracking security. I am not criticizing apple’s security. Because apple always serves to lock security on data.

So, People have the best option to cheat useful files, Folders, and Applications using the USB slot. Normally apple device has three to four USB ports, But using the below steps you can disable or turn off all ports at once.

Note: if you are using a USB Keyboard or Mouse then don’t try, Otherwise you would be put in trouble. So first arrange USB accessories then disable them.

Suggestion: Keep backup before removing the USB system file from Mac.

• Step for the block or Disable USB Port on Mac, MacBook and Unblock it
  • Second Alternate Way Using Terminal: Block or Disable USB port on Mac
  • 6 Solutions to Re-Enable or Unblock USB Port on Mac
    • Solution 1: Move Backup Files to the Extensions folder
    • Solution 2: Reset SMC or PRAM/NVRAM
    • Solution 3: Reinstall lateset MacOS
    • Solution 4: Repair DISK Drive on Mac
    • Solution 5: Clean Install MacOS
    • Solution 6: USB Port on Mac Not Working

Step for the block or Disable USB Port on Mac, MacBook and Unblock it

Now, you have to find two files on below name,

• IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext
• IOFireWireSerialBusProtocolTransport.KEXT

Right-click on the desktop, And Select “New Folder“. Give a name Backup to easily find. Now Move/Copy these files to a backup folder and Both files you have to delete from there, again I repeat that backup files before moving to trash.

1. First Covert your File system in Grid view.
2. Now Search IO.. in the Search box. and Hit the Return button from the keyboard.
3. Then, Select Search from Extensions only, and Select it and Again Keep the cursor on the search box and hit return to search again in the desired folder.
4. Now File the files IOUSB.. and IOFIRE.. select these two files and move them into a backup folder before deleting them from the Extensions folder.

Note: Files you have to move into the trash and also clear trash.

Once you are done,

Reboot your Mac by simply restart it. And test once the USB drive is detecting or not.

Second Alternate Way Using Terminal: Block or Disable USB port on Mac

Run below three common commands from the terminal, To open the terminal, Search easily from spotlight search by type “Terminal”.

CP /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBMassstorageClass.kext ~/backup/  

Sudo srm -rf /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext 

Sudo touch /Sytem/Library/Extensions 

Important [In lateset MacOS EI Capitan or Newer macOS have to disable sip using Terminal in Recovery mode], here, access Terminal in macOS Recovery.

1. Turn off your Mac, and turn it on again. After that Startup sound Press and Hold the Command + R key from the keyboard. Until you see the Disk Utility window on Mac Screen. From the top Mac menu bar, Utilities > Terminal. Now Run csrutil disable command.
2. enter “csrutil disable” and Hit the return button to run the command.
3. After successfully run, Restart your Mac and Test once.

6 Solutions to Re-Enable or Unblock USB Port on Mac

Solution 1: Move Backup Files to the Extensions folder

To unblock locked USB port on Mac Running the latest version of macOS. Place back backup iOUSB port files from the backup folder to the extensions folder. After that Restart your Mac. Go to Apple Logo > Restart.

Solution 2: Reset SMC or PRAM/NVRAM

Follow the resetting SMC/PRAM/NVRAM process on Intel Mac, But M1 Mac needs to Restart only [Click on Apple Logo > Restart]

Resetting the SMC on a MacBook

1. First Shutdown (Apple logo > Shut Down..) your MacBook.
2. Now, Connect your MacBook with the power adapter.
3. After that use these keyboard keys and Hold Shift+Control+Option and the Power button at the same time.
4. Then Release all the keys at the same time.
5. Now your MacBook Restart/Turn on itself after SMC reset.

Resetting the SMC on an iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro [None Battery Mac System]

1. First Shut down your Mac (Apple logo > Shut down).
2. Now Disconnect the power cord from the plug.
3. After that press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds and release.
4. Then, Reconnect the original apple power cord and switch the Mac back on using the turn-on button.

Reset PRAM/NVRAM [Battery & Non Battery]

1. First, turn off your Mac (Apple Logo > Shut Down).
2. Now, Turn on again, holding down these keys, Command+Option (ALT)+P+R at the same time.
3. Hold down the keys until you hear a startup sound and the mac screen will flash.
4. Listen sound for the chime sound and your Mac will boot up.

Solution 3: Reinstall lateset MacOS

still not fixed or Don’t have a USB port backup on your Mac. Sometimes internet software issues unable to detect your Mac Accessories on the USB port. So people are using Bluetooth accessories. Otherwise, fix all the problems with Reinstall the Latest version of macOS on Mac. This reinstallation process never loses the data from your mac.

1. Restart your Mac.
   • On M1 Mac:- Shutdown your Mac, and after 10 seconds, Press and Hold on the Power button until you see the Startup volume and Options on Screen. Click on Options > See MacOS Recovery screen and log in to your Mac > Now, Click on, Reinstall macOS from the macOS Recovery screen.
   • On intel mac:- After the Mac Startup sound press and hold command + R key from the keyboard. Next, press and hold until you see the macOS Utility window on the screen.
2. The second option is Reinstall macOS. Click on it and Continue the process.
3. Follow the on-screen instruction and hope you get a fixed USB port not working or unblock again.

Solution 4: Repair DISK Drive on Mac

Sometimes corrupted MacOS Version or Buggy software installed on Mac changes the file system of Mac. So I recommend Repaid DISK macOS without Reinstall or Erase your Mac.

On your Mac, use Spotlight searches and Try the Disk Utility window. From the Sidebar, select your macOS drive partition and Select First aid.

Tap on Run to start the repairing process. Follow this tutorial on How to Repair macOS on Mac. Read on more, Repair Hard Drive on Mac.

Solution 5: Clean Install MacOS

The clean install process will Erase all the data from your Mac Hard Drive and reset all file systems that causing serious problems like this.

To do that, Before you start we can backup user data to External Drive or Backup on Time Machine.

After that, Restart your Mac then Quickly press and hold the Command + R key after startup sound, Until you see MacOS Utility windows on the screen.

Now Go with the Disk Utility > Select Drive from sidebar > From to Tab click on Erase to remove all drive data > After erasing compare close this window.

Now you will see the MacOS Utility window on-screen > Select Install macOS second option. Click on it to start installation in the desired drive. Check the full tutorial on Clean install MacOS.

Solution 6: USB Port on Mac Not Working

Still not fixed, then you should check and diagnose the problem with the hardware of mac. Take away your Mac nearby the apple store and ask for the genius bar to support and possible solutions to fix the Mac USB port disabled issues.

Also, Write back us about what are you looking for in the solutions, and Helpful suggestions from your end.

Here I experienced macOS by Disable USB Port on Mac. Make sure it’s working on the older version, I am not sure. most probably works if I believe.

HowtoiSolve Staff

Jaysukh Patel is the founder of howtoisolve. Also self Professional Developer, Techno lover mainly for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iOS, Jaysukh is one of responsible person in his family. Contact On: [OR]

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