Do I need to eject USB devices before removing them?

Yes, it’s generally a good idea to eject USB devices before removing them, though the necessity depends on how your operating system handles the device. 

How to Safely Eject a USB Device

On Windows:

1. Click the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon in the system tray.
2. Select your device and wait for the "Safe to Remove Hardware" message.

On macOS:

1. Drag the USB drive icon to the Trash (which turns into an eject symbol).
2. Right-click the drive on the desktop or Finder and select Eject.

On Linux:

1. Right-click the USB drive in your file manager and choose Unmount or Eject.