How To Read & Write NTFS Drives on macOS (incl. Sequoia)

The NTFS file system is a common sight for Windows users.  Microsoft introduced this format in the 1990s, and it has since been the default file system for Windows and Windows Server. However, things are different when you move to a Mac.

Even the latest version of macOS, Sequoia, does not have full native support for NTFS drives. It means you’d face limitations when attempting to read and write NTFS drives on macOS. Fortunately, like most problems that Mac users face, you can find multiple ways to read and write NTFS drives on macOS.

Ways to read & write NTFS drives on macOS (incl. Sequoia)

Let’s look at the three most effective ways to make NTFS drives readable and writeable on macOS.

• Reformat the Drive to ExFAT or FAT32
• Use Virtualization to Open NTFS Drive via Windows
• Use Third-party Apps to Write on NTFS Drives on macOS

#1 Reformat the Drive to ExFAT or FAT32

NTFS isn’t the only file system out there. Instead, you can choose between multiple options, many of which are cross-platform compatible. Sure, if you want the best performance and functionality on macOS, you may consider the AFPS format, but it may cause issues on non-Apple devices.

I recommend choosing ExFAT, which offers the best speeds on both macOS and Windows. ExFAT drives remain readable and writeable on most platforms as well. Fortunately, you can use the macOS Disk Utility to format a drive to ExFAT.

You can follow these steps to reformat the drive.

1. Use Spotlight Search to open Disk Utility.

2. Choose the NTFS drive from the available options on the sidebar.

3. Click Erase and choose the new name and the ExFAT format.

4. Click Erase and wait for a few minutes as macOS reformats the drive.

As you can guess, the problem here is data loss. When you format a drive, the process will remove all stored data from the device. Therefore, it may not be a convenient option if you have sensitive data on the drive.

You can always try backing up data before reformatting. However, this method does not work with a rather large drive, say 1TB or 2TB.

#2 Use Virtualization to Open NTFS Drive via Windows

Virtualization tools have become so accessible, and they allow you to access NTFS drives on your Mac. You’d get this option by installing Windows on your Mac using one of the many virtual desktop utilities. Here are a few options you can try.

• If you need the smoothest way to run Windows on your Mac, you can try Parallels Desktop. It allows you to access a fully-fledged Windows 11 virtual desktop without compromising performance. You’d have to pay for the app and the Windows 11 license, though.
• VMWare Fusion is another great option for running Windows and other operating systems on your Mac. It is free for personal use and offers more customization options than Parallels. You also get the best performance if you have an Apple Silicon Mac.
• You can also try VirtualBox, an OG virtualization tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its Mac version lets you run Windows without worry and access NTFS drives, among other things. VirtualBox is free to use but doesn’t offer as many optimized features as Parallels or VMWare Fusion.

You can use these tools to run Windows, which brings native support for NTFS. So, when you then hook up an NTFS drive to your Mac, it will open through the Windows virtual machine.

The problem? You need to keep the virtual machine running to access the NTFS drive. It is not a convenient option, either.

#3 Use Third-party Apps to Write on NTFS Drives on macOS

Though Apple hasn’t been enthusiastic about bringing NTFS support to macOS, many third-party apps have done that. These apps mostly use kernel-level settings to make NTFS drives readable and writeable on Macs. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose between multiple third-party apps to get this done.

Here are a few options that we can confidently recommend:

1. Mounty

Mounty is a free and open-source solution for reading and writing NTFS drives on macOS. Compared to other tools for the same purpose, Mounty offers the same functionality. That is, you can mount the NTFS drives you like to access and unmount them when you are done.

You might, however, need some more time to sort out the installation and setup. If you need the graphical user interface from Mounty, you need to install two other packages: macFUSE and NTFS-3G for Mac. Things are easy if you already have Homebrew installed on your Mac. It just takes three commands.

While there are a few complexities, you can rely on Mounty when you need a free-of-cost way to read and write NTFS drives.

2.  iBoysoft NTFS for Mac

You can always count on iBoysoft NTFS for Mac for all needs NTFS on your Mac. It comes with an expansive GUI that helps you not only mount but also manage different aspects of an NTFS drive. Compared to Mounty, this iBoysoft option offers more choices.

Like Mounty, iBoysoft NTFS for Mac also requires installing a kernel extension, but you need this if you want the best speed and performance from the NTFS drive. It also offers complete support for Apple Silicon Macs, including M3 and M4.

While a paid tool, iBoysoft NTFS for Mac is a simpler way to read and write NTFS drives on Mac without a lot of steps. The yearly subscription costs $19.95, but you can get it via Setapp as well.

3. EaseUS NTFS for Mac

EaseUS NTFS for Mac is another way to get write access to NTFS drives on a Mac. It is similar to iBoysoft in many ways, but you get a handy menu bar widget to quickly manage the drives you have already mounted. You also get a relatively modern User Interface that makes things easier.

You need to install a kernel extension for maximum functionality, but this tool delivers impressive speeds. It also offers advanced customization options from the menu bar interface. The UI is more optimized for managing multiple drives.

We recommend EaseUS NTFS for Mac if you are new to Mac and want an intuitive way to manage NTFS drives. It offers ample value for most people. It costs $14.95 per month or $49.95 for the lifetime license.

How to Write to NTFS Drives on macOS Using iBoysoft NTFS

As you can guess, using a third-party app is the most convenient way to read and write NTFS drives on macOS. While Mounty is a free option, it poses a few issues in terms of stability. So, I recommend going with a more reliable option like iBoysoft NTFS for Mac.

Here’s how to do it using one of the trusted solutions.

#1 Download and Install iBoysoft NTFS for Mac

First, you need to download iBoysoft NTFS for Mac and install it on your Mac. The installation process takes only a few minutes, but you need to install the kernel extension thereafter.

To install the kernel extension, you need to Shut Down your Mac > access Recovery Mode > Startup Security Utility > Security Policy > and choose Reduced Security. In the options, you should check the option to install and manage kernel extensions from identified developers.

Once this is done, you can go to your Mac’s System Preferences to activate the kernel extension for iBoysoft NTFS for Mac. You can find the instructions when you open the iBoysoft NTFS window.

#2 Connect and Mount your NTFS Drive

In this step, you need to connect the NTFS drive to your Mac. Wait for a few seconds, and the drive should appear on the sidebar of iBoysoft NTFS for Mac. Select the drive to proceed further.

When the drive is selected, choose Mount to initiate the connection.

In a second, iBoysoft NTFS will mount the device, and you can see the Finder window. But this window would now allow you to read and write content to the NTFS drive.

That is, you can drag and drop content to the NTFS drive as you normally would to an ExFAT or AFPS drive.

We tried copying a 5GB+ ZIP file to the NTFS drive, and the speeds were quite impressive.

The best part? In addition to being super-convenient, this method makes the drive accessible from your PC without any speed compromises.

FAQs

What does mounting an external hard drive mean?
Mounting an external hard drive means making it accessible and connected to your computer. This process allows the operating system to recognize the drive as a storage device, enabling you to access its contents.

Can Apple Mac read NTFS?
Yes, macOS can read NTFS drives. However, it does not natively allow writing to them. If you encounter issues where your Mac cannot read an NTFS drive, it may be due to previous operations on the drive. For reliable read and write access, consider using third-party software.

Why can’t I write to my NTFS drive on macOS?
By default, macOS can only read NTFS drives. To write to an NTFS drive, you will need to use third-party software designed to enable write capabilities on these drives.

What should I do if my external hard drive is not mounting on my Mac?
If your external hard drive is not mounting, try reconnecting it, using a different USB port, or checking Disk Utility for any issues. If problems persist, consult troubleshooting guides specific to external drives.

How can I change a file from read-only on my Mac?
To change a file from read-only status on macOS, right-click the file, select “Get Info,” and adjust the permissions under “Sharing & Permissions.” If the file is on an NTFS drive, you may need third-party software for this action.

The bottom line

If you already have an NTFS drive with a lot of data, the easiest option is to use something like iBoysoft NTFS for Mac or EaseUS. This way, you can read and write on the drive without losing any data. The cost of getting a tool is less than what you would have to pay for virtualization software and a Windows license as well.

However, if you recently purchased a new SSD/HDD and want to make it accessible on Windows and macOS, you can format it in ExFAT. This decision will get you the best of both worlds in terms of compatibility and speed.