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Unable to copy files from MacBook to Seagate external drive. Any fix?

I cannot copy files from my MacBook running Big Sur 11.3.1 to my Seagate external drive because the permission is 'read only'. I downloaded and installed the latest version of "NTFS for Mac" but it's not working. When I go to 'Get Info' and look under 'Sharing & Permissions' it still says 'you can only read'. Also, the checkbox 'ignore ownership on this volume' is missing. How do I fix it without having to reformat my entire disk?

Best Answered by

iBoysoft author Jenny Zeng

Jenny Zeng

Answered on Monday, September 11, 2023

You need a working NTFS for Mac reader to copy files from your MacBook to the NTFS drive.

If you can't copy files from your MacBook to the NTFS external drive, you usually have two ways to fix it.

You can either reformat it with a file system that's compatible with macOS or use NTFS for Mac software. If you don't want to reformat your drive, which will delete all data on it, you need to employ a more reliable NTFS driver like iBoysoft NTFS for Mac.

Apparently, the NTFS for Mac tool you have installed doesn't work on your current operating system macOS Big Sur. Fortunately, iBoysoft NTFS for Mac is capable of enabling read-write support for your NTFS external drive on Mac.

It's fully compatible with Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs running on macOS 13 Ventura ~ macOS 10.13 High Sierra. After it's installed, it will automount your NTFS drive and you don't need to relaunch the software after reconnecting the drive or restarting your Mac.

You can click the button below to download it for free. Then start the free trial to copy files from your Mac to the external drive.

Also read:

How to Fix Seagate External Hard Drive Read-Only on Mac?

How to Copy/Move Files to Read-only NTFS Hard Drive on Mac

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