Your Mac won't eject a disk because it's in use

Why it happens

Your Mac won't eject a disk while something is still reading or writing to it, so you don't lose data. Usually it's an app with a document open, a Finder window showing the disk, or a preview of a file on it. Sometimes it's a background task like Spotlight indexing or a Time Machine backup.

How to fix it

1. Save and close any documents you opened from the disk, then quit those apps with Command-Q. Close Finder windows that show the disk too.

2. In a Finder window, find the disk under Locations in the sidebar and click the eject button next to its name.

   Finder›Locations

3. If the warning names an app, quit that app and click eject again. If it's a backup or Spotlight, give it a few minutes to finish.

4. Still in use? Choose Log Out from the Apple menu and log back in, then eject. Or shut down your Mac, and unplug the disk once it's off.

Still not fixed?

1. If your Mac offers Force Eject after a second try, only use it once you've saved your work. Anything still being written to the disk could be lost or damaged.

2. If the disk is your Time Machine backup drive, wait for the backup to finish. If the Time Machine icon is in the menu bar, you can click it and choose Skip This Backup, then eject.

3. If this happens with the same disk every time, open Disk Utility, select the disk and run First Aid to check it for errors.

   Disk Utility›First Aid

4. If the disk won't eject from any Mac, or First Aid can't repair it, copy your files off it while you can. Then contact the drive maker's support, or Apple Support if it's an Apple drive.