When installing Paragon NTFS for Mac, its on-screen instructions alert you to enable "kextload" in the Login Items pane and restart the Mac. While installing Microsoft NTFS by Tuxera, the "Kernel extension needs approval" message prompts...
Don't be fooled. You are guided to enable kernel extensions (or system kernel) when installing Paragon, Tuxera, or other brands of NTFS for Mac software. For Apple Silicon Macs, these apps even require you to reduce the security policy in macOS Recovery Mode.
Actually, using NTFS for Mac on a Mac doesn't necessarily require kernel extensions. Here, we will tell you whether it is safe to enable kernel extensions for NTFS for Mac and how to write to NTFS drives on a Mac without enabling kernel extensions.
Is it safe to enable kernel extensions on Mac
A kernel extension (kext) is a small software module that plugs directly into the macOS kernel, the core of the operating system, to add extra low-level features like NTFS drive write access.
Think of the kernel as the brain of macOS, and kernel extensions as "add-ons" that expand the system's capabilities.
Thus, enabling kernel extensions carries risks for the entire system, such as instability, crashes, security vulnerabilities, etc.
Here, we relay the reminder from the Apple support team:
Kernel extension is not recommended for macOS, as they can compromise system stability and security. It's recommended to choose safer alternatives that operate without enabling kernel extensions.
Let more people learn about whether it is safe to enable kernel extensions for NTFS for Mac software.
How to write to NTFS drives on a Mac without enabling kernel extensions
Enabling kernel extensions is not only complicated but also brings unexpected risks. If you don't do that, third-party NTFS drivers like Paragon NTFS for Mac will not work.
Therefore, we suggest you avoid tools like Paragon NTFS for Mac, Tuxera NTFS for Mac, and macFUSE-based free NTFS for Mac programs that rely on kernel extensions to function.
Alternatively, you can write to NTFS drives on a Mac without enabling kernel extensions in one of the two ways.
Use iBoysoft NTFS for Mac
iBoysoft NTFS for Mac is a professional NTFS driver authenticated by Apple. Unlike most other NTFS for Mac software, it doesn't force you to enable the kernel extension.
This tool has two modes: advanced and simple. The simple mode allows you to instantly write to NTFS drives on your Mac, no extra configuration or system changes needed, like enabling the kernel extension.
This NTFS for Mac software eliminates users' system stability and security worries, arising from enabling kernel extensions. Moreover, it greatly simplifies the steps required for reading and writing to NTFS drives on Mac.
Here's how:
- Connect your NTFS drive to your Mac.
- Free download, install, and open iBoysoft NTFS for Mac on your Mac.
- Click the Enable Writable button and select Simple mode > Mount on the prompt.
Now, you can immediately write to your NTFS drives, such as add files from your Mac to the NTFS drive and edit, delete, or rename files on it.
Note: The simple mode doesn't require extra steps, but you need to manually mount the NTFS drive as writable every time you connect it to your Mac.
Conversely, the advanced mode requires more steps to enable system extension, but with it, your NTFS drives can be automatically mounted in read-write mode whenever you connect them to your Mac.
Share this tool with others who want to write to NTFS drives on Mac without enabling kernel extensions.
Reformat the drive to a macOS-compatible file system
Reformatting the drive to a macOS-supported file format is another way to write to NTFS drives on a Mac without enabling kernel extensions.
You can copy the files from the NTFS drive to your Mac, and then reformat it to macOS-compatible file systems such as APFS, Mac OS Extended (HFS+), FAT32, and exFAT. Among them, FAT32 and exFAT are supported by both Mac and Windows computers.
If your NTFS drive contains numerous files, transferring them to your Mac will cost a lot of time. So, I suggest you use iBoysoft NTFS for Mac to quickly get read-write access to the NTFS drive on your Mac.
To reformat the NTFS drive, you need to:
- Connect the NTFS drive to your Mac.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select the NTFS drive (the whole drive, not the partition on it).
- Click Erase.
- Type a name, choose a format, and set GUID Partition Map as the scheme.
- Click Erase and wait for the process to complete.
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