Ultimate Guide: How to Delete Files from External HDD on Mac

Managing storage on external devices is a routine task for Mac users, whether for backing up Time Machine data or transferring large media files. However, a common and frustrating hurdle arises when you attempt to clean up your drive only to find that you cannot remove unwanted items. Knowing how to delete files from external HDD Mac systems effectively is essential for maintaining your storage workflow.

This article delves into the technical reasons behind these restrictions and provides authoritative solutions. If you can't delete files from external hard drive on a Mac, do not panic; your drive is likely not broken. We will walk you through basic hardware checks, system permission adjustments, and how to use professional software to unlock full control over your external storage.

Why Can't I Delete Files from External Hard Drive Mac?

Before attempting to fix the issue, it is crucial to diagnose the root cause. Many users ask, "why can't I delete files from external hard drive on a Mac?" The answer usually lies in one of three areas: physical connection stability, file permission settings, or file system incompatibility.

1. File System Incompatibility (NTFS): This is the most common culprit. Most external hard drives are pre-formatted with NTFS (Windows format). Mac OS can read these drives but cannot write to them or delete files from them natively.
2. Permission Restrictions: If the drive is formatted for Mac, your specific user account might have "Read Only" access, preventing file modification.
3. Connection Issues: A loose cable or faulty port can cause the drive to mount in a "protected" mode to prevent data corruption.

Basic Solutions to Enable File Deletion

Before modifying software settings, perform these fundamental hardware checks. These simple steps can often resolve temporary glitches that make you think you can't delete files from an external hard drive on a Mac.

1. Reconnect the Drive: Safely eject the drive (if possible) and unplug it. Wait a few seconds and plug it back in. This forces mac OS to reload the file system drivers.

2. Change USB Port: Move the drive to a different USB or Thunderbolt port. Sometimes a specific port may not supply enough power, causing the drive to mount improperly.

3. Switch Connection Cable: USB cables can fail internally without showing external damage. Swap the cable to rule out a hardware fault.

4. Test on Another Computer: Connect the disk to a Windows PC or another Mac. If you can delete files on a Windows PC but not your Mac, the issue is confirmed to be file system incompatibility (NTFS).

How to Delete Files from External HDD on Mac PC

If the basic methods can’t help you, you may need to modify permissions on your Mac. Here we have 2 solutions.

Method 1. Ignore Permissions on Mac (For APFS/HFS+ Drives)

If your drive is formatted with a Mac-compatible file system (like APFS or Mac OS Extended) but you still cannot delete files, the issue is likely user privileges. You can instruct macOS to bypass these restrictions.

 Step 1. Right-click (or Control-click) the external hard drive icon on your desktop or Finder sidebar and select "Get Info".

Step 2. Locate the "Sharing & Permissions" section at the bottom. Click the lock icon and enter your administrator password.

Step 3. Check the box labeled "Ignore ownership on this volume".

Note: If this box is missing, your drive is likely NTFS, and you must proceed to Part 4.

Step 4. Once checked, attempt to delete files from the external HDD Mac again.

Method 2. Enable Read and Write Permission to NTFS External Drive

If you check "Get Info" and see "You can only read" with no option to change permissions, your drive is formatted as NTFS. Since Apple does not natively support writing to NTFS, you need a professional driver to bridge this gap. PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is the authoritative solution to this problem.

PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is a powerful utility designed to unlock full capabilities for Windows-formatted drives on Apple computers. It eliminates the need to reformat your drive (which would erase your data), allowing you to delete files from your external HDD Mac seamlessly.

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Tip: Before we start, you need to configure Security Policy in iOS Recovery Mode.

Step 1. Run PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac and connect your USB flash drive.

Step 2. The connected USB drives, whether removable or external will appear and be listed.

Step 3. Select the drive you want to operate and click "Open".

Now you can delete files on your external HDD on Mac.

Ending

Being unable to manage your storage is a significant bottleneck. While basic troubleshooting, like changing cables, can fix hardware glitches, the most common reason users can't delete files from external hard drive on a Mac is the NTFS file system barrier.

For a permanent and safe solution, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is the recommended choice. By using this tool, you can delete files from external HDD Mac without reformatting, ensuring compatibility across Windows and Mac environments. Whether you are using the latest Apple Silicon MacBook or an older Intel model, this software ensures you have full control over your data.

FAQs

Q1: Why is the "Move to Trash" option greyed out on my external drive?

A: This usually indicates the drive is "Read-Only." If the drive is formatted as NTFS (Windows), macOS cannot delete files from it natively. You need third-party software like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac to enable the delete function.

Q2: Will deleting files from the external drive free up space immediately?

A: No. On macOS, when you delete files from an external drive, they are moved to a hidden folder. Trash folder on that drive. You must right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select "Empty Trash" while the drive is connected to reclaim the space.

Q3: Is PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac safe to use on M2 Macs?

A: Yes. PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is fully optimized for macOS 12 and later, which includes native support for the entire Apple Silicon lineup (M1, M2, and M3 chips), ensuring stability and speed.

Q4: Can I format my drive to fix the "cannot delete" issue?

A: Yes, you can use Disk Utility to format the drive to exFAT or APFS. However, formatting erases all data on the drive. If you have files you want to keep, using NTFS driver software is a better non-destructive solution.

Q5: Why can't I delete files even after checking "Ignore ownership"?

A: If checking "Ignore ownership" doesn't work, the drive might have file system corruption. Run "First Aid" in Disk Utility. If that fails, or if the option wasn't there, the drive is likely NTFS, requiring the PartitionAssistant solution mentioned in Part 4.