Mount NTFS read/write in macOS Sierra 10.12

So, you need to use a NTFS formated storage device in macOS Sierra, but your Mac mounts it as "read only".

Since long time you can use several options (free or paid software)

• NTFS-3G (free)
• Paragon NTFS
• Paragon NTFS, OEM Version (free)
  • For Seagate/Samsung/Maxtor drives. Has been reported to work with any other drive.
  • Version 14.2.888, from 2015.
  • Should work from 10.8 to 10.11.
  • Doesn't seem to work on Sierra. (You need version 14.3.318 or later)
  • Local copy.
• Tuxera NTFS

But macOS Sierra kernel can mount NTFS in read/write mode, is just that it defaults to "read only" and there is not an easy way to change this.

You can edit your /etc/fstab file, but you must do that for every device you want to use.

You should use UUID in fstab. You can get the UUID excuting:

diskutil info `df "/Volumes/My disk" |\
awk '/dev/ {print $1}'` |\
awk '/Volume UUID:/ {print $NF}'

where you should replace "My disk" with the actual name of your disk.

But there is another way: hack your "mount_nfs" command

DISCLAIMER: Use this hack at your own risk. If you lose all your files or your mac burst into flames, is not my fault :-)

DISCLAIMER: macOS Sierra NTFS driver is experimental. In fact, it could trash your NTFS filesystem. YMMV.

1. Disable csrutil
2. Open Terminal and execute this as root (use "sudo bash")
   

   cd /sbin
   mv mount_ntfs mount_ntfs.orig
   cat > mount_ntfs << EOF
   #!/bin/sh
   
   IFS=
   LD_LIBRARY_PATH=
   PATH=/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin
   
   exec /System/Library/Filesystems/ntfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_ntfs \
   -o rw \
   -o nobrowse \
   ${1+"$@"}
   EOF
   chmod 755 mount_ntfs
   

3. Enable csrutil

Notes:

• Your newly connected devices won't appear in your desktop. You must navigate to /Volumes and there you will find them.
• You should eject them also from /Volumes
• If you use "Boot Camp" read the comment about it on NTFS-3G page.

Last Modified: December 23, 2016