Scratch disk not recognized with Photoshop 2020 update - macOS Catalina

[habrin]

 After the most recent update PS doesnt recognize my external SSD. I have used this same SSD as my scratch disk prior to the update with no issue.  It simply does not show on the list as an option to check.

Space is not an issue.  The SSD is also up to date.  It is formatted correctly (Mac OS Extended Journaled) unless the requirement has changed with the update? 

Driving me crazy....please help.

Running on a

Mac Book Pro (2016)

macOS Catalina

{Thread renamed by moderator}

[Sahil.Chawla · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

That does not sound good, please go to the "System Preferences" of your Mac, then "Security and Privacy" and select the "Privacy tab". Once there, please select "Accessibility" from the list on the left and add Photoshop to the list by unlocking the window using the lock icon on the bottom left. Also, grant permissions to Photoshop under "Full disk access". Once done, restart the computer and let us know if that helps.

You may also have a look at this article: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/photoshop/using/scratch-disks-preferences.html

Regards,

Sahil

[habrin]

Sahil!! 

Your genius!  Thank you so much, that worked perfectly.  You made my day 🙂

Best to you,

Mic

[devino]

Hi Sahil!

I appreciate the insight given. Unfortunately, I have a MBP 2018, and this did not work for me. I am on Photoshop 2020, and I am simply trying to get my SanDisk SSD to register as a scratch disk that is available.

Any thoughts on why it wouldn't be working even after your instruction. Any help is appreciated. I've been stranded for weeks!

Best,

Devin

[Misswinkle]

I am having the same issues. Any update on how to fix this?

[devino]

Not that I know of! It really sucks!

[user8045922]

Hello Devin!

I had the same issue and I figured it out for me, maybe it shall work for you.  Here is what I did:

1. Open a file, any file.

2.  Save that file on the disk you want to use as the scratch disk.

3. Go into your Photoshop preferences under scratch disk and it should appear now 🙂

[user8045922]

I forgot to mention to open the file in Photoshop!  Sorry!

[Misswinkle]

Sahil,

I'm having the same problem my WD My Book did show up before and now it will not. How can I get it back? I'm doing a lot of graphic work and I need this terribly. Is anyone with Adobe working on this?

[user8045922]

I had the same issue and I figured it out for me, maybe it shall work for you.  Here is what I did:

1. Open a file, any file in Photoshop.

2.  Save that file on the disk you want to use as the scratch disk.

3. Go into your Photoshop preferences under scratch disk and it should appear now.

[Misswinkle]

It did not work.:(  I am seeing some drives, but not the one I need to use which is the WD My Passport SSD 2 TB.

[shabnamf68347759]

Oh thank you so much, it worked for me after several hours of trying!

[Krasnovsky]

This method didn't work on the latest max OS update
photoshop 2022
in illustrator and after effects, the external drive is visible...

[ahamiltondesign]

I was having the same issue and reformatted my external drive to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" following the directions here.

Then I restarted Photoshop and my extrnal drive appeared. Hope this helps!

[lucio.donini@sicer.it]

same problem here

bought two different type of SSD 

SAMSUNG first, SCANDISK  EXTREME 500GB

Catalina 10.15.6

changed so EXFAT MS DOS journaled, and every way was not working, but computer is recognizing it.

changed to WINDOWS and photoshop recognize it.

WHY?

I can't understand way, and i have every topic on adobe about this.

[user8045922]

Hello Lucio!

I had the same issue and I figured it out for me, maybe it shall work for you.  Here is what I did:

1. Open a file, any file.

2.  Save that file on the disk you want to use as the scratch disk.

3. Go into your Photoshop preferences under scratch disk and it should appear now 🙂

[user8045922]

Hello Habrin!

I had the same issue and I figured it out for me, maybe it shall work for you.  Here is what I did:

1. Open a file, any file.

2.  Save that file on the disk you want to use as the scratch disk.

3. Go into your Photoshop preferences under scratch disk and it should appear now 🙂

[Test Screen Name]

What's with posting AI generated replies Michael?