Mac can't read your Linux drive?
Here's how to open Ext4, XFS, and Btrfs
Plug a drive from a Linux PC, Raspberry Pi, server, or Unraid into a Mac and all you get is "The disk you attached was not readable by this computer." The reason is simple: macOS doesn't recognize these file systems. Below we compare the options, then walk through opening the disk in Finder.
Ext2 / Ext3 / Ext4XFSBtrfsF2FSZFSLast updated
Why Macs can't read Linux drives
macOS doesn't recognize them
Natively, a Mac can read and write only APFS, HFS+, exFAT, and FAT32, and read NTFS; it doesn't recognize Ext4, XFS, Btrfs, or ZFS at all.
Click "Ignore" first
When you plug it in and see "The disk you attached was not readable by this computer," click "Ignore." Never click "Initialize"—that erases the disk.
Make sure it's a single disk
Drives from Synology, QNAP, and other NAS devices are usually RAID / LVM members—see Read Synology NAS drives on a Mac.
Which option to choose
| CrossDriver Ext4 / XFS / All in One | Linux virtual machine | Command-line FUSE tools | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use directly in Finder | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Write | Pro, with a 7-day free trial | ✓ | Mostly read-only or experimental |
| Ease of setup | Ready to use after download | Requires a VM and a Linux install | Requires macFUSE and typing commands |
| Kernel extension / Reduced Security | Not required | Not required | Depends on version |
| Check, repair, and format | Built-in e2fsck, xfs_repair, and more | Run commands yourself | — |
Refer to each tool's documentation for details.
Open a Linux drive on your Mac
No restart, and no changes to your Mac's security settings.
- 1
Pick the right app
For Ext2 / Ext3 / Ext4, choose CrossDriver Ext4; for XFS, choose CrossDriver XFS; for Btrfs, F2FS, ZFS, or a mix, choose All in One.
- 2
Download & install
Just drag the app into the Applications folder.
- 3
Plug in and open
The disk appears in the sidebar automatically; click "Open Disk." The free version lets you browse, preview, and copy files to your Mac in Finder, read-only.
- 4
Write when you need to
Start a 7-day free Pro trial or upgrade to Pro to edit and save directly in Finder; click "Eject" before unplugging.
Q&A
Can macOS mount ext4?
Not on its own. CrossDriver mounts Ext4, XFS, Btrfs, and ZFS with native Linux drivers inside an isolated, lightweight Linux environment, then hands the disk to Finder, so it works just like any other disk.
How do I edit files on a Raspberry Pi SD card from a Mac?
The boot (bootfs) partition is FAT, so a Mac can edit it directly; the rootfs partition is Ext4—open it with CrossDriver Ext4 to edit config files and copy photos in Finder.
Can Linux read files written from a Mac without problems?
Yes. Files are written by Linux's own file system driver, just as if they were written on a Linux computer.
What if my Ext4 disk says it needs checking?
Use "Check Disk" (free) and "Repair Disk" (Pro) in the app. They run Linux's official e2fsck (xfs_repair for XFS), and you can watch the progress and full log—no Terminal required.
Does it work on Macs with M-series chips?
Yes. It supports Apple silicon such as M1–M6 as well as Intel Macs, on macOS 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe, and later, with no kernel extension required.
Related products and guides
CrossDriver Ext4
Read and write Ext2 / Ext3 / Ext4 disks and Raspberry Pi SD cards on a Mac.
CrossDriver XFS
Read and write XFS disks from Linux servers and Unraid on a Mac.
CrossDriver Omni
Read and write NTFS, Ext4, XFS, Btrfs, F2FS, and ZFS, all in one app.
Read Synology NAS drives on a Mac
How to read data from a Synology drive on a Mac, read-only.
Plug in your disk and take a look — free
All versions are free to download, with free browsing and preview.
Choose an edition and download