A free, open-source NTFS read-write tool for macOS — powered by macFUSE & ntfs-3g. 中文教程 (Chinese Version)

🧩 macOS NTFS Read-Write Made Easy: 100% Free with macFUSE + ntfs-3g

Compatible with Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and macOS 14/15. Verified on macOS 15.7.

---

1. Why macOS Can’t Write to NTFS by Default

macOS natively supports NTFS read-only. When you plug in a Windows drive, you can browse files but cannot edit, copy, or delete them.

To enable write access, two open-source tools are required:

• macFUSE: a file system bridge.
• ntfs-3g: the open-source NTFS implementation.

Together, they enable full NTFS read/write support on macOS.

---

2. Installation and Setup

1. Install Dependencies

brew install --cask macfuse
brew tap gromgit/homebrew-fuse
brew install ntfs-3g-mac

2. Enable Kernel Extensions

1. Shut down → hold the power button → choose Options (Recovery Mode).

2. From the menu: Utilities → Startup Security Utility.

3. Select your system disk, choose Reduced Security, and check:

   • Allow user management of kernel extensions.

4. Restart → open System Settings → Privacy & Security, and click Allow for macFUSE developer Benjamin Fleischer.

5. Reboot again to complete authorization.

---

3. Create a One-Click Script (Mount + Unmount + Eject)

Save the script as ~/Desktop/ntfs-smart.sh and make it executable:

chmod +x ~/Desktop/ntfs-smart.sh

Optional: add a global shortcut

Create a symlink so you can run the script from any terminal:

sudo ln -s ~/Projects/personal/macos-ntfs-smart-mount/src/en/ntfs-smart.sh /usr/local/bin/ntfs-smart

Prefer the Chinese logs? Point the symlink to src/zh/ntfs-smart.sh instead. After this, just run ntfs-smart anywhere (it will still prompt for sudo when needed).

Script Features

• Automatically detect macOS read-only mounts (fskit) and remount as writable.
• Use ntfs-3g for read-write operations.
• Run diskutil eject on unmount to ensure power-off safety.
• Kill Spotlight and QuickLook processes that may block unmount.

Sample Core Command

sudo /opt/homebrew/bin/ntfs-3g /dev/diskXsY /Volumes/MyPassport -o local -o allow_other -o auto_xattr -o auto_cache

Full version includes detection, remounting, and safe eject logic.

---

4. How to Use

▶️ Mount the Drive

Plug in your NTFS disk and run:

~/Desktop/ntfs-smart.sh

Example output:

⚙️ Detected macOS read-only mount (fskit): /dev/disk4s1
➡️  Unmounting and remounting as writable...
✅ Found partition: /dev/disk4s1
📌 Mounting at /Volumes/MyPassport (read-write)...
🎉 Mounted successfully: /Volumes/MyPassport

Finder now allows full read-write operations.

⏏️ Unmount and Safe Eject

Run again to safely unmount:

🔄 Attempting to unmount /Volumes/MyPassport ...
✅ Successfully unmounted /Volumes/MyPassport, safe to unplug.
🔌 Performing full eject: /dev/disk4...
✅ Device safely ejected.

---

5. Hide Windows System Folders (Optional)

Common NTFS system folders:

$RECYCLE.BIN
System Volume Information

These are automatically created by Windows. To hide them in Finder:

echo "$RECYCLE.BIN" >> /Volumes/MyPassport/.hidden
echo "System Volume Information" >> /Volumes/MyPassport/.hidden

---

6. Troubleshooting

Issue	Cause	Fix
read-only	macOS auto-mounted with fskit	Run script to unmount and remount
mount failure	macFUSE not authorized	Allow macFUSE developer in System Settings
still visible after unmount	Finder cache not refreshed	Run diskutil eject /dev/diskX

---

7. Summary

• 100% free and open source.
• Compatible with Apple Silicon.
• One-command automation.
• Safe hardware-level eject.

Run:

~/Desktop/ntfs-smart.sh

for full NTFS read/write and safe eject automation.

---

8. Verification

Example output:

🎉 Mounted successfully: /Volumes/MyPassport
✅ Device safely ejected.

Your Mac can finally write to NTFS — just like Windows 🚀

---

License: MIT © 2025 Yangson