Mac system error "File system cannot be mounted"? Easy to solve!

Because of its perfect combination with Apple hardware, macOS is considered one of the most stable and worry-free operating systems. However, Macs are not completely immune to errors. The "Unable to Mount File System" error often occurs when installing third-party applications and is often related to problems with DMG files, a file used to store compression software installers.

It is crucial to understand how to fix this error, because it not only affects the operation of DMG files, but sometimes indicates problems with hard disk or other system applications.

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What does it mean when a Mac prompts "File System Cannot be mounted"?

This error indicates that you failed to attempt to mount the DMG file and cannot access the data stored there.

Why does Mac prompt "File System Cannot Mount" error?

The most common reason is that DMG files are corrupted during downloading, which can be caused by multiple system failures, such as:

• Sudden power outage during download
• System is attacked by malware
• There is a problem with the header file containing DMG file information
• Hard disk boot sector is damaged
• Accidentally delete important system files
• Directory file node corruption, etc.

Other reasons may include corruption of the original DMG file or unrecognized file system format by macOS.

To ensure your Mac system is running properly, CleanMyMac X is the perfect choice for you.

CleanMyMac X is a powerful tool that regularly performs in-depth inspections on macOS to find viruses and system vulnerabilities. Its module designed for protection helps you identify and immediately delete any malicious files detected.

Operation steps:

1. Start CleanMyMac X
2. Select "Malware Removal" in the menu on the left
3. Click "Scan"

CleanMyMac X can also optimize Mac performance, clean up junk files, and significantly improve speed:

• Clean old unused files and application caches
• Uninstall and update the application without leaving any residual files and folders
• Free up disk space occupied by email attachments (even attachments you never downloaded)
• Clean up all browsing and offline activity data to protect your privacy

How to fix the "Unable to Mount File System" error?

Although the error name sounds complicated, the fix is ??actually very simple and does not require any special technical knowledge. Please try the following:

Re-download DMG file

As we have already pointed out, the most common reason is file download errors. So, first try to re-download the file:

• Re-download the same DMG file (don't use any download assistant plugin this time)
• Try different browsers
• Or use the terminal

Open the DMG file from the terminal:

1. Start the terminal from Finder (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
2. Copy the download address of the DMG file (right-click the file in Finder and select "Show Introduction" > "More Information" > "From")
3. Enter the curl –O URL command in the terminal (make sure to replace the URL with the download address of the DMG file you just copied) > Enter

Check the DMG file system

If the re-downloading of the DMG file is invalid, please check if the file you are trying to mount is compatible with your system.

Since Mac only supports specific file system formats— APFS (used with macOS 10.13 or later), HFS (used with macOS 10.12 or earlier), FAT , and ExFAT (used with Windows volumes)—it will not recognize files in other formats.

You can easily find the system format of DMG files in the terminal:

1. Open the terminal
2. Enter diskutil info / command in the terminal
3. Press Enter

Restart your Mac

If you have any questions, please restart your Mac. This is a simple and effective method that is often recommended for solving the "Unable to mount the file system" error.

Use terminal to mount DMG files

If none of the above methods work, you can try mounting the DMG file directly from the terminal:

1. Start the terminal from Finder (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
2. Enter hdiutil attach -verbose and then spaces
3. Drag and drop DMG files from Finder to terminal window > Enter
4. Find your files on your Mac's desktop or in Finder

If you are a heavy user of the terminal and have multiple SSH accounts, you might as well try using the improved SSH terminal - Core Shell.

Core Shell is fully compatible with Apple's native SSH, with advanced features and simplifies the SSH process with custom host tags:

• Access to multiple professional options such as proxy jump or proxy forwarding with built-in OpenSSH support
• Edit advanced settings across different hosts
• One-click login and automatic reconnection
• Secure integration with Keychain to remember your login details
• 9 different color schemes
• Organize and quickly find any host by assigning custom tags

How to avoid the "Unable to Mount File System" error in Mac?

In most cases, you can avoid this error as long as you maintain your Mac properly.

Here are some good habits:

• Make sure to update macOS and the application you are using to the latest version
• Download DMG files only from developers you trust
• Check your Mac regularly for viruses and clean up files that you no longer need
• Restart your Mac regularly

Tip: It is always beneficial to back up your Mac regularly, ensuring you can restore all your important documents, pictures, videos, and files.

To help you avoid data loss, recover corrupted files, and better maintain your hard drive, try Disk Drill.

Disk Drill is a powerful data recovery tool that monitors disks to avoid data loss, creates backups, and can repair files you think have been lost:

• No matter what causes data loss—accidental deletion, disk utility errors, or other types of data corruption—any data can be recovered
• Can be used on a variety of devices – Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, as well as USB and SD cards
• Increase Mac speed by identifying which programs and files take up disk space and managing cluttered files
• Create a byte-byte DMG copy of your hard drive for easy recovery of data
• Receive alerts about potential risks to prevent data loss

How to fix the "Unable to Mount File System" error encountered by macOS?

When you encounter a "Cannot mount file system" error and the file cannot be loaded, there are some simple steps you can take to fix this. Reload the file, restart the Mac, check file system format compatibility or try to mount the DMG file directly from the terminal. Protect your system from malware threats and optimize its performance with CleanMyMac X. Use Disk Drill to take precautions to avoid data loss and recover corrupted files. Or use an improved terminal Core Shell to enhance your terminal experience.

You can try CleanMyMac X, Disk Drill and Core Shell for free with Setapp, a high-performance, top-notch iOS and macOS application platform. Learn how to keep your Mac in good shape and check out over 240 other options for productivity.

FAQ

Why can't I mount DMG files on my Mac?

If the DMG file is corrupt, it may not be mounted. The damage can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as malware attacks, sudden power outages, or hard drive problems (including boot sector corruption). Other possible reasons include incomplete downloads, compatibility issues, or corruption of files during transfer. Use Disk Drill to restore corrupted files and back up regularly.

How to fix DMG files on Mac?

You can try to re-download the DMG file on a different browser, restart your Mac, or use the terminal to mount the DMG file directly. Additionally, Disk Drill can be used to restore corrupted files and perform regular backups.

Can I fix corrupt files on my Mac?

You can use tools like Disk Drill to recover and repair corrupt files on your Mac. Additionally, built-in utilities like Disk Utility can help verify and fix disk errors, which may solve some file problems.

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