How to Format NTFS on Mac With External Hard Drives?

User case: Trying to format a USB drive to NTFS on Mac

Many Mac users need to use USB drives or external hard drives with Windows computers, which requires the NTFS file system. NTFS is the standard file system for Windows and offers several advantages, including support for very large files, improved security features, and reliable performance for backups or large-volume storage.

macOS can read NTFS drives by default, but it cannot write to them, delete, rename, or move files. It also cannot format drives to NTFS, which is why Disk Utility shows the message: "Formatting is not supported by: NTFS ntfs Windows NT File System (NTFS)." This limitation can be frustrating for users who frequently transfer files between Mac and Windows or need full disk access to NTFS drives.

For anyone who wants complete control over NTFS drives on a Mac, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is the most convenient solution. It allows users to read, write, delete, rename, and move files directly on NTFS drives in macOS without needing to format them. This smooth and reliable performance makes it ideal for users who handle large files, perform regular backups, or need their external drives to remain compatible with Windows systems. With this software, working with NTFS drives becomes seamless, efficient, and worry-free, giving Mac users the flexibility to manage their files exactly as they would on a Windows computer.

How to write to NTFS on Mac without formatting a drive?

Writing to NTFS drives on a Mac has always been a challenge because macOS can only read them by default. Many users have experienced the frustration of trying to copy or edit files on a Windows-formatted drive, only to find that the Mac will not let them make any changes. Previously, this often meant reformatting the drive or using complicated workarounds, which could risk losing important data.

PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac makes this process effortless. With it, you can write, edit, delete, rename, and move files on NTFS drives directly in macOS without reformatting. The software works smoothly and reliably, allowing your Windows-formatted drives to behave just like they would on a PC. Whether you are transferring large files, managing backups, or organizing documents across systems, it gives you full access to your data with no risk of loss. It is the simplest way for Mac users to handle NTFS drives efficiently and confidently.

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

Step 1. Run Partition Assistant NTFS for Mac and connect your NTFS hard drive or USB flash drive.

Step 2. The connected, removable, and external USB drives will be mounted and listed.

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

Step 4. Now you can copy files on your Mac and click "Paste Item" to copy the files to USB drive.

Step 5. You can also copy, delete, and rename files on the USB drive.

Step 6. After all operations are complete, please click "Eject" to disconnect the USB drive from your Mac.

Conclusion

Formatting a USB drive or external hard drive to NTFS on a Mac can be frustrating because macOS does not support writing to or formatting NTFS by default. For users who need full access to their Windows-formatted drives, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac provides an easy and reliable solution. It allows you to read, write, delete, rename, and move files directly on NTFS drives without reformatting. With this software, managing NTFS drives on a Mac becomes simple, safe, and efficient, giving you the freedom to work across Mac and Windows systems without any limitations.

FAQs

Can macOS read NTFS format?
Yes, macOS can read NTFS-formatted drives by default. You can open files and copy them from an NTFS drive to your Mac. However, macOS cannot write to NTFS drives or make changes without third-party software.

Is ExFAT or NTFS better for Mac?
For Mac users, ExFAT is better if you need cross-platform compatibility with Windows because both systems can read and write to it. NTFS is only suitable if the drive is primarily used with Windows, or you use software like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac to enable full access on macOS.

Why can't Mac write to NTFS?
Mac cannot write to NTFS drives because NTFS is a proprietary Windows file system. Apple allows macOS to read NTFS for file access but does not include native write support to avoid licensing issues and potential file corruption.

How to change NTFS to FAT32 without formatting on Mac?
It is not possible to convert NTFS to FAT32 on a Mac without formatting because both file systems organize data differently. To safely switch, you need to back up the files, reformat the drive as FAT32 using Disk Utility or third-party software, and then restore your data.

Which disk format is best for Mac?
For drives used mainly on Mac, APFS or HFS+ is best. ExFAT works well for drives shared between Mac and Windows. NTFS is useful on Mac when using external storage devices like USB drives, SSDs, SD cards, or HDDs that store large files for Windows systems or shared work files, and full access is enabled with software like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac.