External HD detected as "Media" with no format option.

I got a Toshiba 5 TB HD USB 3.0, with its own power source, so supposedly meets the requirements as an external HD for Xbox One.

Well, when I plug it in, the Xbox detects it, but it reads as a Media drive, and there is no option to format it. It does not automatically ask me to format it, and there is no option to format under settings with the drive selected. My only option is "view
files", and then it opens media player.

Should I return the drive? or is there a way i could get it ready to format by connecting it to my PC first?

:)

 

Trying to Hook up a 2TB USB 3.0 Ext HD

Not used an external HD, but have done the same with a USB stick with no issues, so I suppose my question would be "did you have to format it?" As I say, I have not done, this, but am thinking there might be a difference between wanting to us the external
HD to expand you XBox storage (which might need a format) and using it as a media drive (which should not need a format) Were you offered the option of formatting the drive, or did it happen automatically?

 

Xbox External HDD has right specs but not compatible for storage?!

I kinda had the same issue with my seagate 4tb hd yesterday. When I plugged it in to the console it would be detected as a 'media drive'. You have to tell it to format the drive for 'games and apps'.

I found this post by MISTER STALLONE which was a big help

I had the same issue, and just found how to resolve it. I tried all the resets and different ports etc, but it was still showing media only. For you tech guys out there(which I am not), I'm using a Western Digital My Passport 1TB External HD.

Go to Settings>Manage Storage. The device should be listed next to your internal hard drive, showing like a music note icon. If you hit the "Start/3Line" button all you'll get is a 'help' and 'switch profile' option. HIT THE "A" button instead, and I had
an option plain and simple to "Format for Games & Apps". Only took about 3 seconds to finish.

 

I bought the drive for games and apps

 

Hey there I DONT LYKE YOU!

Let's try the following steps to have that external HDD formatted properly:

• Verify that the external HDD is plugged into the side USB 3.0 port.
  
• Press the Menu button on your Xbox One controller and select 'Settings'.
  
• In the Settings menu, select 'System'.
• Select 'Manage storage'.
• Within this menu, you should see your external HDD pop up and format it to store Xbox One games and apps.
  

Try those steps and post back to let us know if that did the trick!