NTFS for Mac.
Read and write NTFS drives on macOS.
Last updated: · By Grandma Jam, the makers of Easy NTFS
macOS can read NTFS drives but can’t write to them: a Windows-formatted drive opens in Finder as read-only. Easy NTFS adds write access, so you can copy, edit, rename and delete files on NTFS drives right in Finder. It runs on Macs with Apple Silicon and macOS 15.6 or later.
Why is an NTFS drive read-only on a Mac?
NTFS is the file system Windows uses for its drives, and many external drives formatted on a PC use it. macOS mounts NTFS volumes with its built-in driver in read-only mode. You can open files and copy them to your Mac, but you can’t save changes, add new files, or rename or delete anything on the drive.
macOS has no supported setting that turns on NTFS writing. To write to the drive, you need an app that adds NTFS write support, or you have to reformat the drive, which deletes the files on it.
Ways to use an NTFS drive on a Mac
| Option | Read files | Write files | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in macOS support | Yes | No | Nothing to install. NTFS drives open read-only in Finder. |
| Experimental write mode, turned on in Terminal | Yes | Experimental | Apple doesn’t support it. Writing this way can damage files or the drive’s file system, so don’t use it on a drive with data you need. |
| Easy NTFS | Yes | Yes, in Finder | Apple Silicon and macOS 15.6 or later. Free for 7 days, then €15 once for up to 5 Macs. |
How to write to an NTFS drive on a Mac
You set up Easy NTFS once. After that, you use NTFS drives in Finder like any other drive.
Check your Mac.
You need a Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS 15.6 or later. To check, choose Apple menu → About This Mac. Intel Macs are not supported.
Install Easy NTFS.
Download the installer from the download page, open it and follow its steps. macOS asks for your administrator password. Easy NTFS is installed in Applications; open it from there.
Turn on the file system extension.
Open System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions → File System Extensions, then turn on Easy NTFS. On macOS 26 or later, use the “By Category” tab if the switch does not work under “By App”.
Approve the permissions your Mac asks for.
Easy NTFS shows the steps for your version of macOS. On macOS 15, install its helper when prompted and approve it with your administrator password: the helper is required for write access. Allow Removable Volumes or Full Disk Access if the setup asks for it.
Connect your NTFS drive.
Open it in Finder and work with your files: copy, edit, rename and delete. When you are finished, eject the drive before unplugging it.
Each permission is explained in the installation guide.
What Easy NTFS does
- Read and write NTFS drives in Finder: copy, edit, rename and delete files.
- See volumes and free space; mount, unmount and safely eject drives.
- Check NTFS volumes when a drive needs attention.
- Format external drives as NTFS and create volumes.
- No macFUSE needed: its own file system extension is built on Apple’s FSKit.
Requirements and price
- Mac
- Apple Silicon. Intel Macs are not supported.
- macOS
- 15.6 or later.
- Free trial
- The full app for 7 days. No credit card and no automatic charge.
- Price
- €15, a one-time purchase. VAT included where applicable. The final amount and any local-currency conversion are shown before you pay.
- License
- Up to 5 Macs, with all future updates included. No subscription.
Purchasing opens with the first release of Easy NTFS.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Mac write to NTFS drives?
Not on its own. macOS opens NTFS drives read-only, so you can copy files from them but can’t change anything on the drive. With Easy NTFS on a Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS 15.6 or later, you can write to NTFS drives in Finder.
Does Easy NTFS work on Apple Silicon and macOS 26?
Yes. Easy NTFS is made for Macs with Apple Silicon and runs on macOS 15.6 or later, including macOS 26. Intel Macs are not supported.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The full app is free for 7 days. You don’t need a credit card, and the trial doesn’t turn into a paid purchase. Internet access is needed to start it; reinstalling the app doesn’t start a new trial.
How much does Easy NTFS cost?
€15, a one-time purchase. VAT included where applicable. The final amount and any local-currency conversion are shown before you pay. One license covers up to 5 Macs and includes all future updates. There is no subscription. Purchasing opens with the first release.
Will formatting or reformatting erase my files?
Yes. Formatting a drive or volume deletes the files on it, whichever app you use. You don’t need to format an NTFS drive to use it with Easy NTFS. Use its formatting tool only when you want to erase and prepare a drive, and back up important files first.
Do I need to reformat my Windows drive?
No. Easy NTFS reads and writes the NTFS drive you already have. Your files stay where they are, and the drive stays NTFS, so you can keep using it with Windows.
Do I need macFUSE?
No. Easy NTFS has its own file system extension built on Apple’s FSKit, so macFUSE isn’t needed.
Try it with your drive.
Every feature is free for 7 days. No credit card.