A storage medium life management method, storage device and storage system detect the life of a storage medium. Medium life management information indicating the read/write state of a medium is recorded on the storage medium. A drive reads out the medium life management information from the storage medium when the storage medium is loaded, and updates the medium life management information pursuant to the operation of at least one of the reading and writing of storage medium. Then, the drive writes medium life management information to the storage medium when the storage medium s unloaded. This medium life management information is used for determination of the life of a medium in either a drive or host. Since management information corresponding to an actual read/write state can be obtained, the deterioration of a storage medium can be accurately detected.