This article explains reformatting is required for macOS compatibility.*END
Issue:
'Mac OS Compatible' My Passport, My Book and WD easystore drives formatted with NTFS will mount as a Read Only file system when connected to a macOS computer.
Solved WD Passport for Mac not working and making noise! Solved WD Passport only works on mac - need to copy all files (in GBs) to Windows solved WD Passport - Correct Format but won't work on my MAC!
Cause:
Mac OS can read but not write to NTFS formatted drives.
Solution:
- To use the device on macOS and for Time Machine backups, format the drive as HSF+.
For assistance formatting the drive for Mac usage, please see Answer ID 8200: How to Partition and Format a WD Drive on Windows and macOS - To use the device on macOS and Windows OS, format the drive as ExFAT.
For assistance formatting the drive to exFAT, please see Answer ID 20821: How to format a WD hard drive to exFAT or FAT32 file system - My Passport for Mac and My Book for Mac are formatted with HFS+ and are Mac Ready
and are preformatted HSF+
Applied Products:
This Answer explains how to Partition and Format a WD Drive on macOS El Capitan, Sierra, and High Sierra.*END
Critical: The instructions in the article below are designed to help repartition and format a hard drive. This process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. Once the process begins, ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST! |
How to Partition and Format a WD Drive on macOS El Capitan, Sierra, and High Sierra
macOS 10.11.x (El Capitan) and macOS 10.12.x (Sierra) | Click here for Instructions |
macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra) | Click here for Instructions |
Please select the topic from the table above to display the feature steps.
Important:Volumes formatted as APFS can be read by a Mac running High Sierra, but not by a Mac running Sierra or earlier. Please see HT208018 - Prepare for APFS in macOS High Sierra for more information. Please see Answer ID 9968: How to Convert a WD External Drive to Apple File System (APFS) Format If you get the following error message: MediaKit reports not enough space on device for requested operation. Operation failed... Please see Answer ID 20270: macOS Disk Utility Error 'MediaKit reports not enough space on device for requested operation' |
Critical:The instructions in the article below are designed to help repartition and format a hard drive. This process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. Once the process begins, ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST! |
Steps for macOS 10.11.x (El Capitan) and macOS 10.12.x (Sierra)
- Open Disk Utility. Please See Answer ID 3823: How to access Disk Utility on macOS
- Click the Eject button next to the external hard drive volume (My Passport, etc)
- The drive will now be greyed out
- Click the Erase button
- Choose a new Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Choose Scheme: GUID Partition Map - Type the drive new Name
- Click the Erase button
- When finished, the drive will be formatted and repartitioned successfully. Click theDone button
Critical:The instructions in the article below are designed to help repartition and format a hard drive. This process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. Once the process begins, ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST! |
Steps macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra)
- Open Disk Utility. Please See Answer ID 3823: How to access Disk Utility on macOS
- In the top menu bar, go to View, and choose Show All Devices
- Click the eject button next to the drive volume (My Passport, etc)
The drive Volume will now be greyed out - Select the drive (WD My Passport _____ Media, etc)
- Click the Erase button
- Choose a new Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Choose Scheme: GUID Partition Map - Type the drive new Name
- Click the Erase button
- When finished, the drive will be formatted and repartitioned successfully. Click the Done button