External hard drives like WD My Passport for Mac are reliable storage solutions for backups, media files, and essential data. However, users occasionally encounter a frustrating issue: My Passport unlocks with the Unlocker tool, but still doesn’t open or mount on the Mac. If you’re facing this problem, don’t panic — this article walks you through the likely causes and practical fixes.
Understanding the Problem
Many Mac users report that WD My Passport for Mac is not opening even though the WD Unlocker successfully accepts the password and shows the “unlocked” status. In such cases, the drive either doesn’t appear in Finder, Disk Utility, or appears greyed out and remains inaccessible.
Possible Reasons:
Corrupted drive partition or file system
macOS not mounting the drive automatically
Outdated or incompatible WD software
Drive errors or mechanical failure
Conflicts with macOS permissions or security settings
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Check in Disk Utility
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. If you see the drive listed but it’s greyed out:
Select the drive and click Mount
If it fails to mount, try First Aid to repair the disk
If First Aid reports errors that can’t be fixed, your drive may be corrupted
2. Update WD Software
Ensure that:
WD Discovery and WD Security/Unlocker are updated
You’re using the latest macOS-compatible versions from Western Digital’s official site
Outdated Unlocker tools may show the drive as unlocked without actually mounting it correctly in newer versions of macOS.
3. Try a Different USB Port or Cable
Sometimes the issue lies in hardware, not the drive. Try:
A different USB port (preferably on another side of the Mac)
A different USB-C adapter or USB-A to USB-C cable
Connecting the drive to another Mac to see if it mounts
4. Check System Preferences > Security & Privacy
macOS might block certain kernel extensions or access rights. To check:
Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security
Look for any prompts to “Allow” apps from Western Digital
Reboot your Mac after allowing access
5. Use Terminal Commands
If the drive shows up in Disk Utility but won’t mount, try Terminal:
Identify your drive (e.g., disk2s1), then:
Replace disk2s1 with the correct identifier.
When to Recover or Format
If nothing works, and the drive is visible in Disk Utility but still refuses to open, consider:
Data Recovery Software like Disk Drill, EaseUS, or Stellar
Professional recovery services if the drive is clicking or failing physically
Erase & Reformat (only if data is not critical or already backed up)
Conclusion
If your My Passport for Mac isn't opening although Unlocker does unlock, the issue may be due to mounting errors, macOS compatibility, or disk corruption. Start by checking Disk Utility, updating software, and using Terminal commands. If the drive is recognized but unreadable, data recovery or professional help might be necessary.
Always back up critical files and keep software updated to avoid future issues.