This permission setup will allow you to access the data in the form of files on the external hard drive. While operating a Mac device, you need to access some permissions. A default format in the NTFS filing system, which is only compatible with Windows, will not work on macOS. This error is associated with the formatted filing system of the external hard drive.
Once you are confronting Mac's external HHD read-only error, the next step is to find out the exact cause, which will allow you to fix the read-only disk appropriately. Step 5: Click the button of 'Share&Permissions', and you will know whether your hard drive is read-only or not. Step 4: Now in the 'Get Info' prompt, check the drive format in the file system. You can do this from the desktop by right-clicking the drive or launch Finder to look from the drive. Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your Mac device. It will confirm the actual reason behind the error. If your files are only readable but not editable on macOS, then firstly, check the hard drive status. Verify the Read-Only Status of an External Hard Drive on macOS Part 4: Fix External Hard Drive Read-Only without Losing Data.Part 3: Three Free Solutions: Resolve External Hard Drive Read-Only Error on Mac.Part 2: The Causes of 'Read Only' Disk Error.Part 1: Verify the Read-Only Status of an External Hard Drive on macOS.