How to Convert MacOS Extended (Journaled) to NTFS?

What is MacOS Extended (Journaled) (HFS+)

MacOS Extended (Journaled), or HFS+, is Apple’s older file system that many users still find on external hard drives, backup disks, and devices that were set up years ago. It works smoothly within the Apple ecosystem and offers journaling, a built-in protection that helps prevent file corruption during unexpected shutdowns or disconnections. However, this format becomes limiting when you need to use the same drive across different platforms, especially Windows. Windows computers cannot read or write to HFS+ without extra software, so the drive becomes practically unusable if you switch between macOS and Windows. This is why many users want to convert MacOS Extended (Journaled) to NTFS, especially if the drive is now needed for a Windows PC, gaming console, smart TV, or Android device that requires NTFS for large files or reliable performance.

Before converting the drive, it helps to understand how HFS+ compares with other formats.

APFS is Apple’s modern file system designed for SSDs and newer Macs, offering fast cloning and better performance, but it is not recommended for drives you plan to use with other operating systems.

NTFS is the native Windows file system, supporting large files and strong stability. If you need to work with Windows PCs, smart TVs, or devices that require NTFS, using this format is essential. If your drive mainly serves Windows or NTFS-based devices, switching to NTFS is the practical choice. However, MacOS can only read NTFS but cannot write to it without third-party tools.

exFAT is the best cross-platform format because both macOS and Windows can read and write to it without extra software. This is a common choice for users who frequently share drives between both systems. Understanding these differences helps you decide whether converting HFS+ to NTFS is necessary or whether another format like exFAT might better meet your needs.

How to convert MacOS Extended (Journaled) to NTFS?

If your drive is formatted as MacOS Extended (Journaled) and you need to use it on Windows PCs or other devices that require NTFS, you must reformat it. Since macOS can only read NTFS and cannot write to it, you will need a tool like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac to format the drive and unlock full NTFS support. Before you begin, remember that formatting erases all data, so make sure to back up your important files to another location.

MacOS can detect NTFS drives but limits them to read-only access. Without additional software, you cannot save, delete, move, or rename files. PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac removes these restrictions by giving your Mac complete read and write access to NTFS volumes. Once installed, you can manage NTFS files just like any other files on your Mac, including open, edit, copy, move, rename, and delete them with no limitations. The tool runs quietly in the background, maintains smooth performance, and makes NTFS drives fully usable on macOS without complex settings or commands.

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. Run PartitionAssistant 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 the 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.

Summary

MacOS Extended (Journaled) is ideal for use within the Apple ecosystem, but it is not compatible with Windows without extra software. If you need to use your drive on Windows or other NTFS-based devices, converting it to NTFS with a tool like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac makes it fully accessible for reading and writing on macOS. Choosing the right file system depends on your needs, and understanding the differences between HFS+, NTFS, and exFAT helps ensure smooth file sharing across devices.