How to Use NTFS Drive on Apple Silicon M-chip (M1/M2/M3/M4) Mac?

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In the world of computing, file systems play a crucial role in how data is stored, accessed, and transferred between devices. If you've ever used a Mac and a Windows PC together, you've probably encountered the NTFS (New Technology File System) format - a file system commonly used by Windows PCs. However, as Apple has transitioned to the M-chip architecture (Apple Silicon), Mac users are left wondering if they can continue using NTFS-formatted drives seamlessly, or if new challenges arise. This article will explore whether you can use NTFS drives on M-chip Macs, the limitations involved, and what options are available to make the experience smoother.

Understanding NTFS and M-chip Macs

Before diving into the specifics, it's important to understand what NTFS and M-chip Macs are, and how they differ from each other.

NTFS is a proprietary file system developed by Microsoft for the Windows operating system. It's the default format for internal hard drives on most Windows PCs and offers several advantages over older file systems like FAT32. NTFS provides features such as file permissions for security, encryption, disk quota limits, and journaling, which helps protect data in case of unexpected shutdowns or crashes. NTFS drives are often used when moving data between Windows systems or for external storage that needs to be compatible with Windows-based computers.

On the other hand, M-chip Macs (or Apple Silicon Macs) refer to the newer line of Macs that run on Apple's custom-designed ARM-based chips, such as the M1, M2, M3, M4 and beyond. These chips represent a shift away from Intel processors, and with that change, Apple has introduced a number of hardware and software improvements, including better energy efficiency, faster performance, and increased integration between hardware and macOS. M-chip Macs are also designed to offer a more seamless and optimized experience for Mac users.

Despite these advancements, the way file systems interact with macOS has not fundamentally changed - meaning NTFS compatibility is still a consideration.

Default Support for NTFS on macOS:

The first question many Mac users ask is whether NTFS drives work out of the box on macOS. Unfortunately, the answer is somewhat limited: macOS natively supports NTFS in a very restricted manner.

macOS has built-in support for read-only access to NTFS-formatted drives. This means that if you plug an NTFS-formatted drive into a Mac, you'll be able to read the files on it but not write to it. This can be useful for transferring files from a Windows computer, but it presents a significant limitation when you want to modify, add, or delete files on the NTFS drive from a Mac.

Why doesn't macOS offer full write support for NTFS? This is primarily due to licensing and technical reasons. NTFS is a proprietary file system owned by Microsoft, and Apple has chosen not to fully implement write support for it within macOS. As a result, unless you use additional software or workarounds, you will be unable to write to NTFS-formatted drives.

Options for Using NTFS on M-chip Macs:

Despite the default limitations, there are several options available to make NTFS drives functional on M-chip Macs. Let's explore these options in more detail.

Read-Only Access:

The simplest option is to connect your NTFS-formatted drive to your M-chip Mac and use it in read-only mode. This means that you can view, copy, and open files on the NTFS drive, but you won't be able to make any changes to them. This setup is ideal if you simply need to retrieve data from an NTFS drive and don't need to modify or add files.

The main benefit of this method is that it works without any additional software or configuration, as macOS supports it natively. However, if you need to do more than just view files (such as editing documents or saving new files), you will need to look for alternatives.

Third-Party Software:

To enable full read/write access to NTFS drives on M-chip Macs, you'll need to rely on third-party software. Several software solutions provide the necessary drivers and utilities to handle NTFS-formatted drives with full write access on macOS. Some popular choices include:

• Donemax NTFS for Mac: Donemax NTFS for Mac is one of the most well-known solutions for enabling NTFS write support on macOS. With Donemax NTFS for Mac, users can read and write to NTFS drives seamlessly. The software is easy to install and offers high-speed file transfer and stability. It's a paid option but offers a free trial for those who want to test it before committing.
• Tuxera NTFS for Mac: Tuxera is another popular choice for NTFS support on macOS. It's similar to Donemax in that it provides full read/write support for NTFS drives and is optimized for speed. Tuxera also includes an extended feature set for power users, such as disk health monitoring and file system repair tools.
• Mounty for NTFS: Mounty is a free utility that offers NTFS write support for macOS. It's lightweight and easy to use, but it might not be as feature-rich or robust as Donemax NTFS for Mac or Tuxera. Mounty works by mounting NTFS volumes with write access through a third-party driver that bypasses macOS's native restrictions.

These third-party applications make it possible to use NTFS-formatted drives in full capacity on your M-chip Mac, with no restrictions on writing, deleting, or modifying files.

For example, you can use Donemax NTFS for Mac to enable writable for NTFS drives on Apple silicon Mac:

Step 1. Download and install the reliable NTFS for Mac tool - Donemax NTFS for Mac.

Step 2. Open Donemax NTFS for Mac, select the NTFS disk, click on Enable Writable button. Then you can read-write any NTFS drive on your M-chip Mac without any limitation.

macOS Terminal Workaround:

For more advanced users, there is a potential workaround through macOS's built-in Terminal application. This workaround involves enabling write access to NTFS drives through the macOS system's underlying command-line tools. However, it's important to note that this method is risky, as it can potentially cause data corruption or other issues if not done carefully.

The workaround requires modifying system settings and installing a third-party NTFS driver to give macOS full write access. While this method is free, it is not officially supported by Apple, and the stability and safety of the process can vary. Therefore, it is recommended only for users who are comfortable with macOS's terminal commands and are prepared for potential risks.

Pros and Cons of Using NTFS on M-chip Macs

Before deciding whether to use NTFS drives on your M-chip Mac, it's important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks.

Pros:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: NTFS is the default file system for Windows PCs, so if you regularly move files between a Mac and a Windows machine, NTFS provides a seamless experience.
• Access to Data: If you have an external drive formatted with NTFS that contains data you need to access on your Mac, the read-only support allows you to view and transfer files without additional software.
• Read/Write Support with Software: With third-party software like Donemax NTFS for Mac or Tuxera, you can gain full read/write access to NTFS drives on your M-chip Mac.

Cons:

• Limited Native Support: macOS only supports NTFS drives in a read-only capacity by default, which may limit your ability to interact with the drive fully without third-party tools.
• Dependence on Third-Party Software: Full write support requires you to install and rely on third-party software, which can incur additional costs, may cause compatibility issues, or may be prone to performance slowdowns.
• Risk of Data Corruption: Using third-party software or manual workarounds to enable NTFS write support can sometimes lead to data corruption if the process fails or is not executed properly.
• Performance Issues: Even with third-party software, NTFS drives may not perform as efficiently as drives formatted with macOS-native file systems like APFS or HFS+.

Alternatives to NTFS for External Drives

If you're frequently working with external drives on both Mac and Windows systems, it’s worth considering alternatives to NTFS that are more compatible with both operating systems.

• ExFAT: ExFAT is a file system that's supported by both macOS and Windows, making it an ideal choice for external drives that need to be used across both platforms. ExFAT supports large file sizes and is free from the 4GB file size limit of FAT32, making it a good option for modern storage needs. Unlike NTFS, ExFAT doesn't require third-party software or additional configuration on either operating system.
• APFS (Apple File System): If you primarily use your external drive with macOS and don't need to interact with Windows systems, APFS (Apple File System) is a better choice. APFS is optimized for SSDs, providing improved performance, security, and reliability. It's also designed to take advantage of the new M-chip Macs' architecture and is the default file system for macOS.
• HFS+: While HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) is an older file system, it is still supported by macOS and can be a good alternative for users who don't need the cutting-edge features of APFS. However, HFS+ is not supported natively by Windows, so it's not a practical choice if you need cross-platform compatibility.

Conclusion

Using an NTFS-formatted drive on a Mac with the M-chip architecture is possible, but it comes with limitations. While macOS offers read-only access to NTFS drives by default, you will need third-party software (such as Donemax NTFS for Mac or Tuxera) to achieve full read/write access. Alternatively, there are workarounds and tools available, though they may come with some risks.

If you find yourself frequently using external drives between macOS and Windows systems, considering alternative file systems like ExFAT or APFS may provide a smoother experience. By understanding the limitations and available solutions, you can make the most informed decision for your workflow and ensure that your data transfer between platforms is both efficient and secure.