Unable to Delete Files from External Hard Drive on Mac? 6 Solutions

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If you've ever tried deleting files from an external hard drive on your Mac and faced frustration, you're not alone. This issue is common and often stems from compatibility issues, file permissions, or hardware restrictions. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the causes of the problem and offer step-by-step solutions to fix it.

External hard drives are invaluable for storing and transferring files. However, Mac users sometimes encounter difficulties when trying to delete files from these drives. This issue can be due to the way the drive is formatted, system settings, or hardware limitations. Resolving this problem is crucial for effective storage management and ensuring your drive remains functional and clutter-free.

Reasons Behind Why Cannot Delete Files from an External Drive on Mac

Understanding why you're unable to delete files is the first step toward fixing the problem. Here are some common causes:

Drive Format Incompatibility:

External hard drives come in different file system formats, such as NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, HFS+, and APFS. Macs handle these formats differently:

• NTFS: This is a Windows-specific format. macOS can read files from NTFS drives but cannot delete or modify them without additional software.
• FAT32 and ExFAT: These are universal formats, but FAT32 has limitations, such as a 4GB maximum file size.
• HFS+ and APFS: These are Mac-native formats. Drives using these formats work seamlessly with macOS.

If your external drive is formatted in NTFS, you'll face a read-only restriction.

File Permission Restrictions:

Permissions determine whether a file or folder can be read, written, or executed. If the file permissions are set to "read-only," macOS will prevent you from deleting or modifying files.

Drive Lock or Protection:

Some external drives have physical locks or built-in write protection that prevents any changes to the files.

Software or System Issues:

Occasionally, the problem may lie with a corrupted drive, outdated macOS software, or glitches in Finder.

👍6 Solutions to Fix Unable to Delete Files from External Hard Drive on Mac

Let's dive into detailed solutions to address the issue:

Solution 1: Check and Adjust Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can block you from modifying or deleting files. Adjusting these permissions is often the quickest fix.

Steps to Check and Change Permissions:

1. Identify the problematic file or folder.
   • Locate the file or folder on your external drive that you cannot delete.
2. Access the file's properties:
   • Right-click the file or folder and select "Get Info" from the context menu.

3. Inspect the Sharing & Permissions section:
   • Scroll to the bottom of the info window and look for the "Sharing & Permissions" section.
   • Check if your user account is listed with "Read & Write" access.

4. Modify permissions if needed:
   • Click the lock icon in the bottom-right corner to make changes. Enter your admin password if prompted.
   • Select your user account and change the access level to "Read & Write."

5. Apply changes to enclosed items (if applicable):
   • If you're modifying a folder, click the settings gear icon and choose "Apply to enclosed items" to ensure all files inherit the new permissions.

6. Attempt deletion:
   • Close the info window and try deleting the file again.

If permissions are not the issue, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Reformat the Drive

If your external hard drive is formatted in an incompatible file system (like NTFS), macOS may only allow read access. Reformatting the drive to a compatible file system resolves this problem but erases all data, so back up important files first.

Steps to Reformat the Drive Using Disk Utility:

1. Open Disk Utility: Use Spotlight Search (Cmd + Space) and type "Disk Utility." Select it from the results.
2. Locate your external drive: Find the drive in the left-hand sidebar. Select the root drive (not the indented partition).
3. Backup your data: If you haven't already, copy important files to another location before proceeding.
4. Start the reformatting process: Click the "Erase" button at the top of the Disk Utility window.

5. Select a new file system:
   • For cross-platform use (Mac and Windows): Choose ExFAT.
   • For Mac-only use: Choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

6. Name the drive: Enter a name for the drive in the Name field.
7. Erase and reformat: Click "Erase." Wait for the process to complete.
8. Verify the format: Once done, click the drive again to ensure it has been formatted correctly.
9. Reconnect and test: Try deleting files to confirm the issue is resolved.

Solution 3: Use Third-Party Software for NTFS Drives

If your drive is formatted in NTFS and you prefer not to reformat it, third-party software can enable write access on macOS. These tools act as a bridge, allowing macOS to interact with NTFS drives seamlessly.

Donemax NTFS for Mac is one of the best NTFS for Mac tools. It grants full read-write access to the NTFS drive so that you can delete files from your external hard drive.

Step 1. Download and install Donemax NTFS for Mac and connect your external hard drive to the Mac.

Step 2. Open Donemax NTFS for Mac, select the NTFS external hard drive, click on Enable Writable button.

Step 3. Open the external hard drive, try to delete files from it.

Solution 4: Disable Write Protection

Write protection can prevent any modifications to your external drive. Some drives have physical write-protect switches, while others may have software-based protection.

Steps to Disable Write Protection:

1. Check for a physical switch:
   • Examine your external drive for a small toggle switch. Move it to the unlocked position if it's enabled.
2. Use Terminal to disable write protection:
   • Open Terminal (use Spotlight Search to find it).
   • Type the following command:

     sudo chflags nouchg /Volumes/YourDriveName

   • Replace YourDriveName with the name of your external drive.
   • Press Enter and input your administrator password if prompted.
3. Restart your Mac and test:
   • Eject the drive, reconnect it, and attempt to delete files.

Solution 5: Repair the Drive

A corrupted or damaged drive may restrict file deletion. Repairing it using Disk Utility can help.

Steps to Repair the Drive:

1. Open Disk Utility:
   • Use Spotlight Search to locate and open Disk Utility.
2. Select your external drive:
   • Find your drive in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Run the First Aid tool:
   • Click on "First Aid" at the top of the Disk Utility window.

   • Confirm the operation by clicking "Run."

4. Wait for the repair to complete:
   • Disk Utility will scan the drive for errors and attempt to fix them.
5. Review the results:
   • If Disk Utility reports success, eject the drive and reconnect it.
   • Try deleting the files again.

If the repair fails, the drive may have significant damage that requires professional intervention.

Solution 6: Restart Mac in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in Safe Mode disables unnecessary extensions and software, which can sometimes interfere with drive operations.

Steps to Restart in Safe Mode:

1. Shut down your Mac: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "Shut Down."

2. Start your Mac in Safe Mode:
   • For Intel-based Mac: Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key. Release the Shift key when you see the login screen.
   • For Apple silicon Mac: Press and hold Power button when turning on the Mac until it boots into macOS Recovery mode. Then select the Macintosh HD, press and hold the Shift key, click Continue in Safe Mode.

3. Log in and test: Once in Safe Mode, connect your external drive and attempt to delete the files.
4. Restart normally if successful: Restart your Mac without holding any keys to exit Safe Mode.

Preventative Measures

Preventing this issue in the future can save time and frustration. Here's how:

Choose Compatible Formats for Drives:

• Format drives in ExFAT if you frequently switch between macOS and Windows.
• Use APFS or HFS+ if you're exclusively using macOS.

Regular Drive Maintenance:

• Periodically use Disk Utility to check for and repair errors.
• Avoid filling the drive to its maximum capacity, as this can lead to corruption.

Avoiding Improper Ejections:

• Always eject your external drive safely by right-clicking it in Finder and selecting "Eject."
• Avoid unplugging the drive while data is being transferred.

When to Seek Professional Help:

If none of the above solutions work, the issue may be hardware-related. Indicators of physical damage include:

• The drive doesn't show up in Finder or Disk Utility.
• You hear unusual clicking noises from the drive.
• Files appear corrupted or inaccessible.

In such cases, consult a data recovery specialist or the manufacturer's support team.

Conclusion

Dealing with an external hard drive that won't let you delete files can be frustrating, but with the right approach, it's often fixable. From checking permissions to reformatting drives and using third-party NTFS for Mac tools, there are several effective solutions available.

Taking preventative measures, such as formatting drives appropriately and maintaining proper ejection habits, can help you avoid these issues in the future. If all else fails, don't hesitate to seek professional help.