By Nathan E. Malpass, Last updated: September 14, 2019
Finally, the Mac OS does not respect some of the rules (incl. Path length) of NTFS filesystems, so a volume may become 'corrupt' to a windows system if used often on a Mac. All in all, this is a good driver, just don't rely on it too heavily. Paragon NTFS for Mac is a driver which gives you full read and write access to Windows partitions under Mac OS X. When working with media files or documents on Mac, you need access to the high performance of your system regardless if the files are located on the Mac's HFS+ formatted volume, or in Window's NT File System.
Mac operating systems can read NTFS drives formatted on Windows. However, they don’t have the ability to write to them directly. In this article, we’ll give you both free and paid methods of getting total read/write access to that of NTFS drives.
This guide can be helpful when you wish to write to a Boot Camp partition within your Mac as partitions for the Windows system must utilize NTFS. If you need something for external drives, it is recommended that you use exFAT instead of NFTS. macOS can directly read and write to drives using exFAT like Windows do.
Three Options to Consider When Writing to NTFS Drives on Your Mac
There are multiple options you should consider when writing to NTFS drives using your Mac device. We will dig into these options later on. Take note that with some options, we’ll give you more than one method of doing it.
Third-Party Drivers (Paid)
Third-party NTFS drivers can be used on your Mac device. Usually, you need to install these drivers and they work perfectly. These paid solutions can be installed easily. Plus, they have better performance relative to free options.
Third-Party NTFS Drivers (Free)
To allow Mac support for writing to NTFS drives, you can opt for free, open-source drivers. They can be difficult to install compared to the paid versions. This is because of Mac’s System Integrity Protection feature. Free drivers are slower compared to paid versions. Plus mounting NTFS partitions automatically in read-write mode can be a threat to your security.
Experimental Apple Support For NTFS-Write
The operating system of Mac offers you experimental support for writing to that of NTFS drives. By default, this support is deactivated. You have to dig into the Terminal to activate it.
Using this method is not guaranteed. Plus, you can even mess around with your NTFS file system and cause issues. Some people who’ve tried it resulted in corrupt data. Thus, it is not recommended to use this method. There’s a reason for it being deactivated by default.
It is recommended that you purchase a third-party driver to write to NTFS drives on Mac as other solutions might be very tedious or dangerous.
Best Paid Third-Party NTFS for Mac: FoneDog’s PowerMyMac
FoneDog’s PowerMyMac is a multifunction tool that allows you to perform a variety of activities on your Mac. Aside from being able to clean your Mac of junk, it can also help youwrite files to NTFS drivesusing your beloved Apple computer.
Below are the steps on how to use this tool to write to NTFS drives on Mac:
Step 01: Download, install and launch PowerMyMac on your computer and select Toolkit.
Step 02: Select NTFS.
Step 03: Press the Write button in order to copy, delete, edit, or perform other instructions on your files from Windows-formatted SDD, HDD, or flash drive.
It is important to remember that when a pop-up window labeled “Fail” is displayed on your screen, it is because you still have to install Osxfuse and NTFS – 3g on your Mac device. This is a prerequisite to using the NTFS tool.
Step 04: Now, you will be able to see USB information located on the left side of the screen. The right column lists the USB’s files and folders. You have to drag the file(s) you wish from the USB to the blank location on the interface.
Step 05: Press the button labeled Write. Now, the files you have dragged into the blank space will be transferred to your USB. Once a message pops up saying the process is complete, then writing to NTFS drives is now done.
Step 06: Unmount the USB drive from your Mac computer.
Now, that’s an easy way of writing to NTFS drives using your Mac. PowerMyMac by FoneDog is our top option as it’s the easiest to use. Let’s get into another paid driver before delving into the free methods for writing to NTFS drives.
Runner-Up Paid Third-Party NTFS Driver: Paragon NTFS for Mac
This tool can be purchased for USD 19.95 and provides you with a free trial for 10 days. It will easily and cleanly install on most recent versions of the Mac OS. For instance, it can be installed on Mac OS X El Capitan version 10.11 and macOS Sierra version 10.12.
It really works and does its job. Thus, it’s our second choice if you’re willing to shell out a small amount of cash to get its feature. With Paragon, you don’t need to fuss about terminal commands just to mount partitions manually, automatically do an insecure mount partition, or handle possible corruption as you might experience with free drivers shown below.
If you really need to write to NTFS drives on a Mac, it is best to pay for the software we have mentioned in this article. We are stressing out that it will definitely be worth it. Also, if you bought a Seagate drive, you can actually have a free download of Paragon NTFS for Mac. Thus, you don’t have to buy anything extra as Seagate offers it for free.
Another option would be Tuxera NTFS for Mac. This tool costs USD 31.00. Plus, they can give you a free trial for 14 days. However, PowerMyMac and Paragon do the same things for more features or cheaper costs.
How to Write to NTFS Drives for Mac For Free: Using FUSE for macOS
This is a free method that requires a bit of effort. Plus, it is less secure. To make your Mac device mount NTFS partitions automatically within a read-write mode, you have to deactivate System Integrity Protection temporarily. Plus, you also need to replace an Apple tool built into the system with a binary. This binary is highly vulnerable to malicious attacks. Thus, doing this is a risk to your security.
But, you can also use FUSE in order to “manually” mount NTF partitions within a read-write mode. This is the case if you’re willing to use the Terminal. This is more secure compared to the one above. However, it requires more work.
The first thing to do is to go to FUSE for macOS website and download it. After then, install the tool on your Mac. During the installation process, select the default options. Then, you’ll also need the command line developer tools of Apple. You can install this by going to Finder and then visiting Applications. After which, select Utilities and launch the Terminal window. In the said window, type the following command:
After this, click Install to begin the installation process.
In addition to the first two installations, you’ll also need to download homebrew if it isn’t in your Mac yet. This is a package manager designed for Mac OS X. Use the Terminal window again to install this package manager. Just type in the following command and then press Enter to start installing it:
After this, press Enter. If it asks for authentication, then type in your password. The script will download and then install Homebrew automatically on your Mac device. Once Homebrew and developer tools are installed using the Terminal window and run the following again in order to install Ntfs-3g:
Now, you can mount NTFS partitions within reading or write mode manually. Run the command below using a Terminal window. In this way, you will create a mount point located at /Volumes/NTFS. This will be done once only.
Once you connect your NTFS drive to the Mac computer, run the command below using Terminal in order to list the disk partitions:
Now, you will be able to determine the device name of your NTFS partition. You simply have to look for the said partition that has the Windows NTFS file system. It is probable that your Mac device has already mounted the NTFS partition automatically. Thus, you have to unmount it before doing anything else.
Run the command below. Replace the /dev/disk3s1 with the actual name of your NTFS partition device.
After unmounting it, you should mount the drive again. To do this, run the command below. Similar to the one above, you should replace /dev/disk3s1 with the NTFS partition device name.
By now, you’ll notice that the file system will be mounted at the location /Volumes/NTFS. It will also be displayed on your desktop as a regular mounted drive. If you wish to unplug the drive, you can eject it through the usual method of doing so.
If you think the above method works for you, then you don’t have to continue reading. However, if you want to use another free method, then read on.
If you want your Mac device to mount NTFS drives automatically within reading or write mode, you have to deactivate System Integrity Protection.
A Word Of Caution
You might not want to perform this method. The official instructions of the software state that this is a risk to your device’ security. When you do this, you will replace your Mac’s NTFS mount tools with that of the NTFS-3g tools. This will run like that of the root user. Because of the actual way Homebrew installs software on your device, the malware within your Mac can overwrite the said tools. It’s not worth it. However, we’ll still explain how to implement this method if you are willing to take risks.
First, you have to reboot your Mac device. Once you are doing so, press and hold the keys Command + R. It will display the recovery mode environment. Go to the utility menu within recovery mode and open the Terminal. Run the command below:
After this, reboot the Mac device again normally. From the desktop, launch Terminal again. Run the commands below in order for NTFS-3g to function:
Finally, reactivate System Integrity Protection. To do this, you simply reboot the Mac, press, and hold the keys Command + R. In this way, your recovery mode will be launched. Open the Terminal within recovery mode and run the command below:
Ntfs Driver For Macos Catalina
Then, reboot your Mac computer once again. By now, the support for writing to your NTFS drive should be functioning.
In order to undo all changes you have made and also uninstall everything, you have to deactivate System Integrity Protection first. After doing this, run the commands below:
Then, you can simply uninstall FUSE by going to its panel within System Preferences. After this, you should reactivate System Integrity Protection. By now, you’ve realized why we recommend using PowerMyMac’s NTFS tool instead.
Experimental Support for NTFS-Writing by Apple(Free)
This method is the least tested. That’s why we seriously don’t recommend you to do it. We’ve warned you. So, do not put the blame on us or even on Apple especially if you run into issues in the future. This method is unstable and it might never be. The method is just included here for educational purposes.
First, you have to make sure that the drive has a label that uses a single word only. This is for convenience. If it has two words or more, then change it. This will ensure that the process becomes easier.
Visit Finder and then go to Applications. Then, go to Utilities and open Terminal. Type the command below using the Terminal. In this way, the /etc/fstab file will be opened. The said file will be used to edit within a nano text editor.
The line below should be added to nano. Replace the word “DEVICENAME” with your NTFS drive’s label:
Once you’re finished, press the keys Control + O in order to save the said file. After this, press Control + X to exit nano. If you wish to write to more than one NTFS drive, simply add another line for each one.
Now, you should connect the NTFS drive to your computer. If it is already connected, just unplug it and plug it back again. You should be able to see it within the directory “/Volumes.” To do this, use a Finder window and press Go. After this, click Go To Folder. Type out “/Volume” within the box to gain access to it. Typically, it will not be automatically displayed within Desktop like that of normal drives.
Later, you can simply undo the change you’ve made. Simply repeat the process above to launch the /etc/fstab file within nano. The line, you’ve placed in the file? Just delete it and save the new changes.
In Conclusion
This guide is here to help you learn how to write to NTFS drives on Mac. Both free and paid methods were outlined here. It is recommended that you opt for the paid methods (e.g., PowerMyMac) in order to get this feature. In this way, you don’t have to risk the performance of your Mac and even potentially face file corruption.
An NTFS, which is short for an NT file system (also known as New Technology File System) is the file system used on the Windows NT operating system. Windows NT (New Technology) was released in 1993, with the latest update in July 2018, with two versions available, one for Servers and the other for Workstations.
Comparable to other file systems, NTFS stores and retrieves files on hard disks. NTFS is the NT equivalent of the Windows 95 file allocation table (FAT) and the improved, OS/2 High Performance File System (HPFS). In Apple terms, NTFS is the NT equivalent of the Apple File System (AFS) for macOS and most of the recent iOS updates.
There are dozens of other file storage and retrieval systems; those are simply some of the most popular, and in this case, although macOS can read from NTFS drives, it can’t write directly to a drive without some extra work and customization. NTFS drives can prove to be invaluable storage systems, making it especially useful for those with large files and Mac devices to connect them together with read and write functions.
Advantages of an NTFS for Mac
- Support to store very large files, up to 16 billion bytes in size (up to 2 to the 64th power). Wow!
- Information about a file’s cluster is stored in each cluster, instead of that staying centralized, as is the case with the FAT file format.
- NTFS drives use a b-tree directory that keeps an accurate record of file clusters.
- An access control list (ACL) that keeps close and accurate record of who can access which files, with the ability to place restrictions on access as needed.
- Integrated and secure file compression.
- Support for file names based on Unicode formats.
- Support in place for much longer - and more secure - file names, including those based on the “8 by 3” name format.
- Data security in place on fixed and removable and remote disks, including those it connects to, such as those on a macOS device.
For anyone running out of space on a Mac, an NTFS drive sounds like an ideal solution. Or if you regularly use a Mac and NTFS drives, you are going to need an easy and effective way to connect both and use read and write functions.
Before or after connecting the two, you might want to make sure that you aren't storing more than you actually need. Storage space on any device or driver costs money. Even though an NTFS drive can store huge volumes, there is no sense passing junk, duplicate folders and things you don't need from one to another. To avoid doing that, try downloading CleanMyMac X. Designed to clear out tonnes of junk and unnecessary files and folders, this app makes your Mac as good as new.
CleanMyMac X can also scan and clear out unwanted junk in external hard drives, so running a scan when connected to an NTFS drive could save you a huge amount of space.
Before connecting and implementing write functions from macOS, let’s take a glance at how an NTFS drive works.
How an NTFS drive for Mac works?
An NTFS drive automatically partitions and divides the physical space within a hard drive once its initialized. Windows NT creates automatic and pre-defined cluster format file sizes, depending on the overall space available, with recommended defaults pre-programmed into the operating system.
Cluster sizes within the NT operating system range from the smallest, at 512 bytes, up to 64 kilobytes. Windows NT puts in place default cluster sizes for hard drives of any given size. For example, a 4 GB drive will have a cluster size of 4 KB. How the system creates clusters depends on what someone is uploading to an NTFS drive.
Mac Os Ntfs Support
Windows NT prefers to make a trade-off between accommodating large files and reducing the work it would take to access those files. Breaking a large file down into a smaller selection of clusters would improve performance, although this reduce space efficiency.
When a file is created or uploaded, a record is kept within the Master File Table (MFT) of the cluster locations within an NTFS drive. Again, in an attempt to ensure efficiency, Windows NT always attempts to allocate contiguous storage space that will hold as much of the file as possible, thereby keeping each cluster near one another in the record and file cluster format.
Assuming an NTFS drive connected to a Mac is a useful solution for your storage needs, there are three possible ways to connect read and write formats.
How to read and format NTFS on a Mac
#1: Third-party drivers (paid)
One of the quickest and easiest ways is to download a paid NFTS third-party driver solution that can support read and write functions.
Compared to other potential solutions for this problem, this is the quickest and safest way, and it involves an easier setup process. Many of them work well and have been tried-and-tested on thousands of Mac devices across the world.
Some solutions worth considering:
- Paragon NTFS for Mac. It costs $19.95 with a ten-day free trial and according to reviews, “just works”, so is considered worth the investment. As it says on the tin, it comes with read and write functions and effectively bridges the gap between macOS and Windows NT.
- Another way to get Paragon NTFS for Mac is to buy an NTFS Seagate drive, which comes with a free download of Paragon.
- Tuxera NTFS for Mac is another way of bridging the gap between macOS and Windows NT, although it costs $31.00, with a 14-day free trial. Similar to Paragon, just a little more expensive.
#2: Third-party drivers (free)
Another way to have read-write functions when connected to an NTFS drive is to download a free driver, known as FUSE. It isn’t as quick or easy as the above option, and there are some security concerns related to this approach, but it should be mentioned in this list.
Here is how you download a free third-party driver (familiarity with Terminal is essential):
- Make sure you've downloaded and installed Apple’s command line developer tools in Terminal before continuing. Input this in Terminal to install them:
xcode-select - - install - Click Install when prompted to ensure they are installed.
- Next, download Homebrew. Homebrew is a “package manager” for Mac OS X and macOS and is pretty useful when using third-party tools such as FUSE.
- Once downloaded, copy and paste the following in Terminal:
/usr/bin/ruby -e '$(curl -fsSLhttps://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)” - Enter and input your password when prompted.
- With all of that done, you can enter the following command - again, in Terminal - to install FUSE:
brew install ntfs-3g.
Now you can manually run and mount read-write disk permissions between macOS and an NTFS drive. Terminal is the primary mechanism through which you can control these permissions and run or divide volumes and clusters.
Once you've connected a drive, you need to input the following command in Terminal once, to create a mount point at /Volumes/NTFS:
sudo mkdir /Volumes/NTFS
To get a list of the petitions, put this into Terminal:
diskutil list
Now every partition within the mounted drive should write and read the same way as any other external drive or device.
#3: MacOS experimental NTFS-Write support
Another way - although one that isn’t recommended because as of macOS 10.12 Sierra, it wasn't stable - and may never be stable, or secure, is to attempt an experimental NTFS-write support within macOS.
Before connecting the drive, make sure it has a convenient single word label.
Next, launch Terminal and enter the following command:
sudo nano /etc/fstab
Now add the following line to nano, replacing the placeholder “NAME” used here with the name of your NTFS drive:
Free programming programs for mac. An audio file converter is one kind of that (surprise!) is used to convert one type of audio file (like an, etc.) into another type of audio file.If you're unable to play or edit a certain audio file the way you want because the format isn't supported by the software you're using, one of these free audio converter software programs or online tools can help.Audio file converter tools are also helpful if your favorite on your phone or tablet doesn't support the format that a new song you downloaded is in. An audio converter can convert that obscure format into a format that your app supports.
Ntfs Driver Mac Os
LABEL=NAME none ntfs rw,auto,nobrowse
Press Ctrl+O after entering that and then Ctrl+X to close nano.
With that done, connect the drive to your Mac and it should show up under /Volumes in a Finder window. It should appear, although with this being an experimental approach and one that isn't considered secure or stable, that can’t be guaranteed.
Of the three approaches mentioned in this article, the safest and most secure approach is to download a paid third-party application. It is the easiest way to guarantee read and write access to an NTFS file.