Many users face issues with WD Elements on Mac being read-only or not showing up. This article explains how to format the drive, add files, and troubleshoot common recognition problems effectively.
External hard drives such as WD Elements are widely used for extra storage, whether for personal files or work data. They are easy to carry and offer fast performance, but many Mac users run into problems when using them. This is mainly because Windows and macOS use different file systems. As a result, a WD Elements drive may not work properly on a Mac. There are some common cases:
❗1. A common issue is that the drive is locked or write-protected, or shows up as read-only. You can open and view files, but you cannot edit, delete, or add new data. These problems usually point to a formatting or compatibility issue.
❗2. The drive may not showing up on your Mac at all.
Such issues are especially common for users who move files between Windows PCs and Macs. Before trying advanced fixes, it is a good idea to check basic things like changing the USB port or scanning the drive for errors. In this guide, you will learn simple and effective ways to fix WD Elements compatibility issues on Mac and format the drive correctly, so you can use your storage device without interruptions.
Most WD Elements external hard drives are designed for Windows, so they may not work properly on a Mac right away. To use the drive on a Mac, you need to format it into a compatible file system. Formatting the drive is easy and does not require any third-party software.
If you only use Mac devices, it’s best to format the drive as Mac OS Extended Journaled, which has no major limitations on file size or partitions. If you plan to use the drive on both Mac and Windows (or even Android devices), choose exFAT, which works across multiple platforms without restrictions.
Step 1. Connect your WD Elements drive to your Mac.
Step 2. Open Finder, go to Go → Utilities, and launch Disk Utility.
Step 3. In Disk Utility, select your WD Elements drive from the list of connected devices.
Step 4. Click the Erase button. A dialog box will appear where you can choose the file format and set a new name for the drive.
Step 5. After selecting the desired format and name, click Erase. The process will complete in a few seconds, and your drive will be ready for use.
This is suitable for a new disk or a drive that does not contain any important data, as formatting will erase all existing data.
When you format a WD Elements external hard drive in Disk Utility, you may find there is no option for NTFS. This is because NTFS is a Windows-specific file system, and macOS does not natively support creating NTFS volumes. If the drive is already formatted as NTFS, macOS will provide read-only access by default. Users can view and copy files from the drive but cannot add, delete, or modify existing data. The file system of the drive can be verified in Disk Utility, where it appears among connected devices along with its current format type.
To fix this, you can use a tool like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac, which enables full write access to NTFS drives on macOS. Once installed, you can safely edit files, add new data, or manage the disk without reformatting. This tool works with HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards, and is compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
Using this method is especially useful if you want to keep the NTFS format for Windows compatibility or avoid losing existing files. After enabling NTFS write access, your WD Elements drive can be fully used on Mac, and formatting or read-only issues are often resolved automatically.
🌟 Note: Please follow the guide to configure Security Policy in iOS Recovery Mode before the steps.
Step 1. Open the installed PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac, then connect your NTFS WD Elements drive, and the software will automatically mount and display all connected external hard drives on your Mac.
Step 2. Find the WD Elements drive you want to write data, and click "Enable Writable".
If the status is already Read & Write, simply click “Open” to start using it on your Mac.
Step 3. You can now copy, move, delete files without formatting the WD Elements drive.
Step 4. After all operations are complete, please click "Eject" to disconnect the external hard drive from your Mac.
Sometimes a WD Elements external hard drive not showing up on a Mac because of Finder settings or outdated firmware. You can follow these methods to make the drive visible and accessible.
Step 1. On your Mac, open Finder and select Preferences.
Step 2. In the General tab, check External disks to ensure external drives are shown on the desktop.
Step 3. Close Preferences and check if your WD Elements drive appears on the desktop or in Finder.
If your WD Elements is still not showing up on Mac, you can follow to update the WD firmware.
Step 1. Open a web browser and go to the Western Digital official website.
Step 2. From the top menu, select Support, then Downloads.
Step 3. Locate your WD Elements model and download the latest firmware update for Mac.
Step 4. Install the update following the on-screen instructions.
Updating the firmware not only helps the Mac recognize your WD Elements drive but also protects it from bugs and improves overall performance. After completing these steps, your external drive should be fully visible and ready for use.
Choosing the optimal file system for a WD Elements external hard drive on Mac depends on your usage needs, device compatibility, and file size requirements. Different formats have distinct advantages and limitations. Selecting the right format ensures smooth operation, proper read/write access, and compatibility with other devices. Below is a comparison of commonly used file systems for WD Elements drives in a professional perspective.
| Feature | FAT32 | exFAT | NTFS | APFS | HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum File Size | 4 GB | ✅ No practical limit | ✅ Very large | ✅ Very large | ✅ Very large |
| Maximum Volume Size | ⚠️ Limited (2 TB) | ✅ Large (up to 16 EB) | ✅ Large (up to 16 EB) | ✅ Optimized for modern SSDs | ✅ Up to 8 EB |
| macOS Read/Write | ✅ Yes (Native) | ✅ Yes (Native) | ⚠️ Read-only (write via driver) | ✅ Yes (macOS 10.13+) | ✅ Yes (Native) |
| Windows Compatibility | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited (needs software) | ❌ Limited (needs software) |
| Linux Compatibility | ⚠️ Limited (requires drivers) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited | ❌ Limited |
| Recommended Use | Small drives or older devices | Drives shared between Mac & Windows | Windows-only drives | Modern Macs & SSDs | Older Macs or Time Machine backups |
For Mac-only use, APFS or HFS+ is recommended, as they provide full read/write support and have no major file size limits. exFAT is ideal for drives shared between Mac and Windows, offering wide compatibility across platforms. FAT32 is best suited for small files or older devices due to its 4 GB file size limit. NTFS, while read-only on Mac without extra software, has several advantages: it supports very large files and volumes, provides strong data security and permissions, and is fully compatible with Windows systems. Choosing the correct format based on your devices and workflow ensures the WD Elements drive operates reliably and remains compatible with all intended platforms.
WD Elements external hard drives are versatile and reliable storage solutions, but Mac users can encounter issues due to differences in file systems between Windows and macOS. Common problems include drives not showing up, being read-only, or lacking NTFS formatting options. By understanding how to format the drive correctly, enable NTFS write access with PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac, and update firmware when needed, these issues can be easily resolved. Choosing the right file system based on your workflow ensures full compatibility, smooth performance, and safe data management. With the proper configuration, your WD Elements drive can be used effectively across Mac, Windows, and other devices, providing a seamless storage experience.
🗨️ Does WD Elements work with Mac?
Yes, WD Elements drives can work with Mac, but they may not function perfectly out of the box because they are usually formatted with NTFS, which is a Windows file system. To use the drive on Mac, you may need to format it to a Mac-compatible format such as APFS, HFS+, or exFAT. To format to exFAT on Mac, you can follow this guide.
🗨️ Why is my Mac not recognizing WD Elements?
Your Mac may not recognize the WD Elements drive due to Finder settings, outdated firmware, or connection issues. Checking that external disks are visible in Finder, trying a different USB port, and updating the WD firmware often resolves this problem.
🗨️ Why is my WD Elements read only on my Mac?
WD Elements drives formatted with NTFS are read-only on macOS by default. This means you can view and copy files but cannot add, delete, or modify them. Using software like PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac allows full write access without reformatting.
🗨️ How to get WD hard drive to show up on Mac?
Open Finder and go to Preferences, then enable External disks in the General tab. If the drive still does not appear, check the USB connection or update the WD firmware. These steps usually make the drive visible on your Mac.
🗨️ Why are my WD Elements not showing up?
Drives may not show up because of hidden Finder settings, outdated firmware, or a faulty connection. Ensure external disks are visible in Finder, try a different USB port or cable, and update the drive’s firmware to resolve the issue.