Mac can't write to your NTFS drive?
Why it happens and three ways to fix it
Your external drive or USB stick opens on your Mac, but you can't drag files in, delete or rename anything — almost always because the drive uses Windows' NTFS format. Confirm the cause first, then pick the fix that suits you.
Works with external drives, USB flash drives and SD cardsNo need to erase dataNo kernel extensionLast updated
Why your Mac can't copy files to an external drive
macOS can read NTFS but can't write to it. Three steps to confirm that's the cause:
Check the disk format
Select the external drive in Finder and press ⌘I to Get Info. The "Format" field shows "Windows NT File System (NTFS)."
Check permissions
At the bottom of the Info window, "Sharing & Permissions" says "You can only read," and Finder won't let you drop files onto the drive.
The drive isn't broken
If the same drive reads and writes fine on Windows, the drive is OK — your Mac just can't write to this format.
Three fixes: which should you choose?
To keep the files on the drive and write to it from your Mac, choose the first. If the drive is empty or can be backed up first, the second also works.
| Install an NTFS tool (such as CrossDriver NTFS) | Format as exFAT | Transfer via a Windows PC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keeps data on the drive | ✓ | Back up first — formatting erases it | ✓ |
| Write directly from your Mac | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Still works with Windows | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single files over 4 GB | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Journaling, safer if unplugged unexpectedly | ✓ | — | — |
| Cost | Free read-only; writing requires Pro (7-day free trial) | Free | Free, but requires a Windows PC |
For a detailed comparison of exFAT and NTFS, see exFAT vs. NTFS: which to choose. Methods circulating online that edit /etc/fstab to enable macOS's built-in write support rely on an undocumented experimental Apple feature; they usually no longer work on recent macOS and can corrupt data, so we don't recommend them.
Write to an NTFS external drive on Mac with CrossDriver NTFS
About 2 minutes. No restart, no changes to your Mac's security settings.
- 1
Download & install
Download CrossDriver NTFS from this site and drag it into the Applications folder.
- 2
Connect your external drive
The drive appears in the app's sidebar automatically. With the free version, you can open it read-only in Finder, preview files and copy them to your Mac.
- 3
Turn on writing
Start the 7-day free Pro trial in the app or upgrade to Pro, and the drive becomes read-write in Finder: drag files in, delete, rename, and save directly from any app.
- 4
Eject when you're done
Click "Eject" in the sidebar or in Finder, and wait for changes to be written to the disk before unplugging.
Still can't write? Check these first
Windows Fast Startup is on
After Windows Fast Startup or hibernation, the NTFS volume isn't fully shut down, so CrossDriver opens it read-only first to protect your data. Go back to Windows and hold Shift while clicking "Shut down," or click "Repair Disk" in the app.
BitLocker-encrypted drives
BitLocker-encrypted drives must first be unlocked with the password or 48-digit recovery key; CrossDriver NTFS has BitLocker support built in.
The drive may be failing
Repeated errors while copying, strange noises or frequent disconnects may point to a hardware failure. Copy important files off first and stop writing to the drive.
Q&A
How can I read and write NTFS on Mac for free?
CrossDriver NTFS Free opens NTFS drives read-only in Finder and copies files to your Mac, with no time limit. Writing requires Pro, which you can try free for 7 days in the app with no payment details required. If you'd rather not install software, you can format an empty or backed-up drive as exFAT.
Does it work on Macs with M1–M6 chips?
Yes. CrossDriver NTFS runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs and supports macOS 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe and later. No need to disable SIP or install a kernel extension.
Could it damage the data on my external drive?
Writing is handled by the native Linux NTFS driver, and drives that Windows didn't shut down properly are opened read-only first. Click "Eject" and wait for changes to be written before unplugging — it's just as safe as on Windows.
What if copying files over 4 GB fails?
If the drive is FAT32 (Get Info shows "MS-DOS (FAT32)"), single files can't exceed 4 GB — that's a format limit, not a Mac issue. You'll need to format the drive as exFAT or NTFS; back it up first.
How do I choose NTFS for Mac software?
It depends on what matters to you: whether it needs a kernel extension or lower security, write speed, repair and formatting, BitLocker support, price and licensing. Try a free or trial version on your own drives first. CrossDriver NTFS Free gives read-only access in Finder, and Pro comes with a 7-day free trial.
Plug in your drive and try it free
Download CrossDriver NTFS and open your NTFS disk in Finder for free.
Download for Mac — Free preview