Plug a Windows drive into a Mac and you can open files but cannot save to it. That is how macOS handles NTFS. This guide shows the free ways around it first, then the paid drivers for people who need to write to NTFS directly.
What macOS does with each format#
| Mac reads | Mac writes | Windows reads and writes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| APFS | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mac OS Extended | Yes | Yes | No |
| exFAT | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FAT32 (4 GB file limit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NTFS | Yes | No | Yes |
Which route is right for you?#
Choose your NTFS route
What do you need to do with the NTFS drive?
Before you buy a driver#
Back up the files on the drive. A driver that misbehaves mid-write can corrupt data, so keep a copy. Our backup software guide covers options.
Comparison table#
| Software | Best for | Price | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paragon NTFS for MacParagon Software | Writing to Windows NTFS drives | Price not yet verifiedCheck the vendor for current pricing | Not yet rated | Visit |
| Tuxera NTFS for MacTuxera | Reading and writing NTFS drives on Mac | Price not yet verifiedCheck the vendor for current pricing | Not yet rated | Visit |
These links go to the official sites; none are affiliate links yet. Ratings appear only after we have tested a product. See how we test.
The drivers#
Paragon NTFS for Mac#
- Best for
- Writing to Windows NTFS drives
- Developer
- Paragon Software
- Price
- Price not yet verified · check the vendor for current pricing
- Our testing
- Not yet hands-on tested
Links to the official site. We earn nothing from this link.
Pros
- Read and write NTFS
- Works with Apple silicon, per the vendor
- Automatic mounting
Cons
- Paid
- Needs a system extension macOS may block until approved
- Updates can lag after big macOS releases
Tuxera NTFS for Mac#
- Best for
- Reading and writing NTFS drives on Mac
- Developer
- Tuxera
- Price
- Price not yet verified · check the vendor for current pricing
- Our testing
- Not yet hands-on tested
Links to the official site. We earn nothing from this link.
Pros
- Read and write NTFS
- Disk manager for checking and formatting
- Supports Apple silicon, per the vendor
Cons
- Paid
- Requires approving a system extension
- Similar to Paragon, so differences are small
Approving the extension#
Drivers use a system extension. After install, macOS asks you to allow it in System Settings → Privacy & Security, and you may need to restart. If a driver stops working after a macOS update, check for a driver update first.
Eject properly#
Always eject an NTFS drive before unplugging. Pulling it mid-write is the quickest route to corruption.
Pricing and compatibility#
Prices appear in the table, marked unverified until checked on each vendor site and dated. Always confirm that the current driver supports your macOS version and Mac chip before paying.
How we test#
See our review methodology. Testing plan: write, read back and verify a set of large and small files on a real NTFS drive, test safe eject and an interrupted copy, and record the extension approval steps.
Frequently asked questions#
Can a Mac write to NTFS without software?#
Not natively. Reading works. Writing needs a driver or a different format.
Is exFAT better than NTFS for sharing?#
For Mac and Windows sharing, usually yes. It works on both with no software.
Will a driver work with Apple silicon?#
Both vendors describe support. Confirm on the vendor site for your macOS version.
My drive does not show up. Is NTFS the cause?#
Rarely. Read how to fix an external SSD not showing up.
Written by
Guides are researched, written, and maintained by the Atypical Mac User editorial team. Every procedure is checked against the current version of macOS before it is marked as published.
Last updated . First published .
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