Can Mac Read NTFS External Hard Drives?

Can Mac read NTFS external hard drives?

Yes, your Mac can read NTFS-formatted drives without any problem. You can open files and copy them to your Mac freely. However, macOS does not allow writing to NTFS by default, no matter which version you use. As a result, you cannot save, edit, or delete files on an NTFS drive unless you install additional software.

The main reason macOS cannot write to NTFS by default is that NTFS is a proprietary file system owned by Microsoft. Full write support would likely require licensing and deeper cooperation, which Apple chooses not to pursue. As a result, macOS only includes safe, read-only NTFS support.

Writing to NTFS is also far more complex than reading it. NTFS uses advanced features like journaling to protect data, and without full access to the complete specifications, Apple cannot guarantee reliable write operations. macOS does contain an experimental NTFS write function, but it is disabled because it may cause file corruption or data loss. To protect users, Apple keeps NTFS support read-only unless additional third-party software is installed.

How to write, delete, or move files to NTFS drives?

To enable NTFS write access on a Mac, you need to use third-party tools. Each tool has its own advantages and limitations, so it’s important to choose one that matches your Mac model and macOS version. Some apps may not work well on M1/M2 Macs or the newest macOS releases, so checking compatibility beforehand can help you avoid issues.

If you want fast and full read/write access to NTFS drives, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is a free and reliable choice. It lets you read, write, delete, rename, and move files on NTFS drives directly in macOS. It also supports various storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and CF cards. In addition, it works with NTFS (Windows NT 3.1–11), FAT32, and exFAT file systems, and is compatible with macOS 12 and later on both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs.

Note: Don't forget to configure the Security Policy in iOS Recovery Mode. macOS can only read NTFS partitions by default, not write directly to them. To write data to an NTFS partition on macOS, you need to use a third-party NTFS driver. These drivers are kernel extensions (Kexts), so macOS needs to reduce its system security policies to allow loading kernel extensions from identified developers.

Step 1. Download the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your Mac. Open PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac. 

Step 2. Insert your NTFS-formatted drive into the Mac. The software will automatically detect the device.

Step 3. The software will display your connected drives. 

Step 4. Select the drive you want to operate and click "Open".

Now you can copy files on your Mac and click "Paste Item" to copy the files to USB drive.

You can also copy, delete and rename files on the USB drive.

Step 5. After all operations are complete, please click "Eject" to disconnect the USB drive from your Mac.

Conclusion

Can Mac read NTFS? Mac computers can read NTFS drives without any issue, but they cannot write to them unless extra software is installed. If you need full access to open, edit, delete, or move files on an NTFS drive, using a reliable NTFS software like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is the most effective solution. With the right tool, your Mac can work smoothly with NTFS storage devices and help you manage files without limitations.