Follow to learn how to permanently delete files from NTFS drive on Mac. This overview provides helpful methods to gain write access and permanently erase data from your external storage devices.
how to use Mac to erase NTFS external drive
I want to get rid of the WD easy store external drive that I used with a PC in the past; but want to delete all data first. I no longer have a PC. Is it possible to completely erase the data using my Mac Air?
- Question from discussions.apple.com
A real case from the Apple Support Community highlights a common issue. He wanted to get rid of a WD EasyStore external drive that was previously used with a Windows PC. Before discarding the drive, the user needed to erase all data. However, only a MacBook Air was available, and there was no access to a Windows computer. On macOS, deleting files does not mean the data is fully removed.
When a file is deleted, macOS only removes the reference to it. The actual data remains on the drive until it is overwritten. As a result, deleted files may still be recovered. This problem is more serious with NTFS drives. By default, macOS can read NTFS drives but cannot modify or erase their contents. Without proper write access, the drive cannot be fully wiped. With the correct solution, however, a Mac can gain full control of an NTFS drive and permanently erase all stored data.
To permanently delete files from an NTFS drive on a Mac, you must first overcome the operating system's natural limitation, which usually only allows you to view files rather than modify or erase them.
PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac addresses this by granting your computer full read and write permissions for these drives. Once the software is installed, it integrates with your system to give you complete control over external hard drives, SSDs, and USB sticks. This allows you to move, edit, or delete data for free, just as easily as you would on a standard Mac-formatted drive.
The tool is designed with a simple interface that works seamlessly with modern Apple silicon, making it accessible for any user. By enabling these full access rights, you can safely and permanently remove unwanted files from your NTFS drive without any restrictions.
🌟Tip: Please follow to configure Security Policy in iOS Recovery Mode first before the process.
Step 1. Free download and run PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac and connect your external hard drive. Then you can see all the mounted drives of your Mac on this interface.
Step 2. The tool will automatically enable write access to NTFS drives on Mac, and the status will show Read & Write. If it does not, click the three dots and switch the setting to Enable Writable.
Now, you can select the drive you want to operate and click Open.
Step 3. You can copy, delete, and rename files on the NTFS external hard drive on Mac now.
Step 4. After all operations are complete, please click Eject to disconnect the external hard drive from your Mac.
If you want to permanently delete all files from an NTFS drive without using third-party software, Terminal gives you full control. This method completely erases the disk, so be careful. One wrong command can erase the wrong drive.
Step 1. Back up any data you still need and disconnect other external drives to avoid selecting the wrong disk.
Step 2. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities, or press Cmd + Space, type Terminal, and press Enter.
Step 3. List all connected disks by typing the command below and pressing Enter.
diskutil list
Step 4. Find your NTFS drive in the list and note its IDENTIFIER (for example, disk2). Check the disk name and size carefully. Do not choose disk0 or disk1, as these are usually system disks.
Step 5. Enter the erase command using the correct disk identifier.
diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ CleanDrive /dev/disk2
Replace CleanDrive with your preferred name and disk2 with your actual disk ID.
Step 6. Press Enter and wait until Terminal shows that the erase process is finished.
After this process, the NTFS drive is fully erased and reformatted, and all previous data is permanently removed.
If you want to permanently delete all files from an NTFS drive using built-in macOS tools, Disk Utility is also an available option. This method erases the entire drive by overwriting data and changing the file system, so the files cannot be recovered. If you find Mac Disk Utility Erase button greyed out during the process, please click to read this troubleshooting guide.
Step 1. Connect the NTFS external drive to your Mac and make sure it is recognized.
Step 2. Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities. In the left panel, click View and choose Show All Devices.
Step 3. Under External, select the NTFS drive you want to erase. Make sure you select the correct device, not your system disk. Click Erase in the toolbar.
Step 4. Enter a new name for the drive, choose a format such as APFS, macOS Extended Journaled, or ExFAT, and select the appropriate scheme.
Step 5. Click Erase again and wait for the process to finish.
After the erase process is complete, all data on the NTFS drive is permanently removed, and the drive is ready for reuse in the new format.
In short, permanently deleting files from an NTFS drive on a Mac is not as complicated as it may seem. While macOS cannot fully manage NTFS drives by default, the right tools and methods make complete data removal possible. Whether you choose to enable full read and write access with PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac, use Terminal for more control, or rely on Disk Utility for a built in solution, each approach can safely erase your data for good. With a careful setup and the correct steps, you can confidently clean an NTFS drive and prepare it for reuse or disposal.
🗨️ What does Erase do on Disk Utility?
Erasing a disk in Disk Utility removes all files and formats the drive. It deletes the directory structure so the Mac no longer recognizes the old files, and you can choose a new file system and drive name. This makes the disk ready for reuse.
🗨️ Is Mac Disk Utility erase secure?
By default, Disk Utility’s standard erase is not fully secure because it only removes file references, not the actual data. To securely erase a disk, you need to use the Security Options and choose multiple overwrites, which makes the data much harder to recover.
🗨️ Why can't I erase from Disk Utility?
You may be unable to erase a disk if:
The drive is currently in use or contains your macOS system.
You don’t have the proper permissions. To change read-write permissions for the external hard drives, please follow this guide.
The drive is physically locked or corrupted.
The “View All Devices” option is not enabled, so you might be selecting the wrong item.
🗨️ How to restore Mac after erasing disk?
After erasing your Mac’s main drive, restart the Mac and hold Cmd + R to enter macOS Recovery Mode. From there, choose Reinstall macOS, follow the on-screen instructions, and your Mac will be restored with a fresh system installation.