How to Get Free NTFS Read and Write Access on Mac

macOS has native read-only support for the Microsoft NTFS file system, so a Windows-formatted NTFS drive appears on your Mac but can't be edited or deleted. You don't need to reformat it — below are seven free methods to unlock full NTFS read/write access on Mac.

Is It True That Mac Can Read NTFS Drives?

Yes, it is true that Mac can read NTFS drives. By default, macOS has built-in support to read NTFS-formatted drives, allowing you to view and copy files from an NTFS drive to your Mac. This read-only support has been available since Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and continues to be present in newer macOS versions, including macOS Sonoma.

macOS has no native NTFS write support, so paid tools like Paragon NTFS, Tuxera NTFS, and Mounty are popular fixes for external hard drive read-only on Mac — but free options below do the same job.

Top 7 Methods to Write to the NTFS on Mac for Free

As mentioned, Mac computers don't support writing to NTFS devices. However, by adjusting some settings, you can use that option and read and write to the NTFS on your Mac. Check out our step-by-step guides to allowing users to write to the NTFS on Mac free of charge.

Method 1. Install NTFS-3G Drivers

One way to overcome the write restriction for NTFS drives on Mac is to install NTFS-3G drivers. They are free to download and use but complicated to install. They mount the Microsoft NTFS drives in read-write mode, allowing you to read and write to the NTFS on your Mac.

Note: macFUSE + NTFS-3G now works on modern macOS including Apple Silicon (M1–M4) and macOS 14/15/26 — the mounting process changed after Ventura, but the current brew-based install path below is verified.

Follow these steps carefully to install NTFS-3G drivers on your Mac:

1. Open Finder and go to Applications.
2. Go to Utilities and open Terminal.
3. Type this command in the Terminal: xcode-select --install. Click Install.
4. Download and install macFuse. Follow the on-screen prompts to install it and use the default options.
5. Return to the Terminal window and type the following command: brew install homebrew/fuse/ntfs-3g. Press Enter.
6. Turn off the SIP (System Integrity Protection), which protects macOS from unauthorized changes. Restart your Mac computer, press Control + R, and hold the keys until you see the Apple logo.
7. Open Terminal and run this command: csrutil disable.

   

8. Reboot your Mac computer.
9. Once your computer turns on, go to Terminal again and run the following command: sudo mv /sbin/mount_ntfs /sbin/mount_ntfs.original sudo ln -s /usr/local/sbin/mount_ntfs /sbin/mount_ntfs.

Method 2. Format Your NTFS Drive to the exFAT or FAT32 in Mac Disk Utility

While the NTFS is compatible only with Windows, the exFAT and FAT32 formats are compatible with Mac and Windows. Thus, if you format your NTFS drive to the FAT32 or exFAT, you can use the NTFS read-write mode.

Which format? Use exFAT if you work with files larger than 4 GB — FAT32 caps individual files at 4 GB. exFAT also works on both Windows and macOS without extra software.

However, formatting will erase all data stored on the drive. You need to back up all essential files using a Windows computer first. If you don't have a Windows PC, you can also use a hard drive recovery software to recover data from the hard drive after formatting.

To format your NTFS drive to the exFAT or FAT32 file system, follow these steps:

1. Go to Utilities and open Disk Utility.

   

2. Select your NTFS drive and click Erase.

   

3. Select exFAT or FAT32 in the Format section and click Erase.

   

If you lost important files after formatting the NTFS drive to exFAT, download and install Wondershare Recoverit and follow the video tutorial below to get them back.

Method 3. Write to the NTFS on Mac Using Virtualization Tools

A Windows virtual machine (VM) gives you native NTFS read/write inside Windows. It needs roughly 50 GB of storage and a Windows ISO — install one of these tools to get started:

1. Download and install the desired virtualization software like VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop on your Mac.

   

2. Launch it and install Windows ISO within the virtualization program.

   

3. Follow the instructions provided by the virtualization software to create a new virtual machine using the Windows installation image. This process will involve configuring the virtual machine's settings, such as allocating RAM and disk space.
4. Once the virtual machine is created, start it up and go through the standard Windows installation process.
5. After installing Windows, plug in your NTFS drive to your Mac and open Windows File Explorer. Your NTFS drive should appear as a connected drive, enabling you to read and write files just as you would on a native Windows system.

Method 4. Enable NTFS Writing in Terminal (Older Mac Versions)

Another free way to use the write mode for NTFS drives on your Mac is to enable it in Terminal. However, this method can work only on older Mac versions, so if you have a newer macOS version, this method won't work.

Remember to back up your Mac computer before proceeding with this method, as it could result in data loss. Follow these steps to enable NTFS writing on a Mac in Terminal:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac and connect your NTFS drive.

   

2. Type the sudo nano /etc/fstab command and press Enter.

   

3. Type the following command: LABEL=NAME none ntfs rw, auto, nobrowse (replace NAME with the title of your NTFS volume). Then, click Control + O to save it and press Enter.

   

4. Go to Finder > Go. Type /Volumes in the Go to the folder section and click Go.

   

5. You'll be able to find your read-write NTFS drive there.

   

Method 5. Use Boot Camp Assistant to Install Windows on a Mac

Boot Camp installs Windows on Intel Macs and gives full NTFS access there. It's not available on Apple silicon Macs.

Follow the video tutorial below to install Windows alongside macOS using Boot Camp Assistant:

Method 6. Move NTFS Drive Files to the Cloud

For quick access to a few files, sync them to iCloud — the cloud reads NTFS content regardless of format. Here's how:

1. Click Finder and open your Windows NTFS drive.
2. Copy the files you need from it and paste them to the iCloud Drive folder.

   

That will sync your NTFS files to your iCloud, where you can share them.

Method 7. Use a Third-Party Mounting Tool to Write to NTFS on Mac

Mounting tools enable NTFS write with one click. Free options like Mounty rely on older FUSE kernels (poorly compatible with new macOS); Paragon and Tuxera are paid but more stable. Example using a mounting tool:

1. Download and install the desired mounting tool.
2. Connect your NTFS drive to the Mac computer where you installed the software.
3. Once you mount it, you can read and write to NTFS files on your Mac computer.

   

For detailed information, you can visit the article Top 8 Free NTFS for Mac Software.

Conclusion

Getting free NTFS read/write on Mac is straightforward: choose by your situation — macFUSE + NTFS-3G for full free access on modern macOS, exFAT reformat for cross-platform sharing (back up first), a VM or Boot Camp for native Windows access, or iCloud for a few files. Free Terminal solutions may need re-applying after macOS updates; paid drivers are the most stable long-term option.