How to Fix SD Card Read-Only Mac | 2024 Step-by-Step

Mac users commonly use SD cards to increase storage capacity or move data between devices. However, running into the SD Card Read-Only on Mac problem can be annoying. It is challenging to utilize the SD card due to this issue, which prevents users from writing, deleting, or altering files on it. 

EaseUS will help you explore the common causes of this problem and offer five workable fixes. Follow this comprehensive instruction if your SD card shows read-only permissions on Mac.

What Does It Mean When an SD Card Is Read Only

When an SD card is restricted as read-only means the administrator can only access the data; no files can be written, erased, or copied. Write-protection mechanisms, file system faults(such as the Mac read-only file system), or permission settings are usually the potential cause of this restriction.

SD card write protection is caused by more than one reason. We have written a special article about this. If you are interested, click on the link below to read it.

How to Fix SD Card Read-Only on Mac

This issue of an SD card can be resolved using different solutions. This guide will explain the following five potential solutions to this problem:

1. Quick Guide: Check SD Card State 
2. Method 1. Run First-Aid to Fix Read-Only SD Card
3. Method 2. Ignore Permissions
4. Method 3. Enable Writable on SD Card
5. Method 4. Format SD Card on Mac
6. Method 5. Add Write Support via Mac Terminal

If you think these solutions are helpful in solving the Mac SD card read-only issue, click the social buttons and share this tutorial with more people.

Quick Guide: Check SD Card State 

It's essential to evaluate the condition of your SD card before trying to fix problems with it on a Mac. Please connect the SD card to the Mac computer correctly first, and then, check the given conditions and follow the required solutions:

• Internal Error Message: Use "Method 1" to run Disk Utility's First Aid to fix any possible internal errors.
• SD Card Permission Error: Consider checking and modifying the card's permissions through the Mac finder. You may also move the data to a location with writeable access.
• SD Card Format Error: If your Mac shows a format error, you may use Disk Utility to reformat the SD card to a compatible format (such as exFAT). 

Method 1. Run First-Aid to Fix Read-Only SD Card 

First Aid is an integrated tool you may try to fix read-only SD card protection on Mac. Follow the instructions here:

Step 1: Link the SD card to your Mac. 

Step 2: Select the magnifying glass from the top-right corner.

Step 3: Type "disk utility" and select the first result from the list.

Step 4: Click your SD card and select the "First Aid" option from the top menu.

Step 5: Select "Run" and wait till the process is complete.

Disk Utility will scan and repair potential issues from the SD card. It will display the outcomes if it encounters any issues. 

Method 2. Ignore Permissions

macOS allows the administrator to ignore the external device's permissions. This way, you can access and use your SD card restricted with read-only permissions. Below are the steps to bypass the permission on your SD card.

Extend Reading: Change Read Write Permissions Mac

Step 1: Click the "Finder" icon and select "SD card" from the sidebar.

Step 2: Press "Cmd + I" and click "Get info."

Step 3: Click the "Lock" icon and select the "Sharing & Permissions" tab from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Tick the checkbox next to the "Ignore ownership on this volume" option.

Step 5: Save changes and exit the permission window.

Check if the SD card is writable. Follow the coming methods if the issue still exists.

Method 3. Enable Writable on SD Card

Enabling writable access on the SD card allows users to access its data without restriction. An automated tool like EaseUS NTFS for Mac can help you so far. This tool works amazingly, especially on NTFS-formatted SD cards.

This software helps Mac users overcome the default read-only limitation of NTFS-formatted devices, including SD cards and drives. This tool integrates seamlessly with all macOS versions, making it a universal tool for all Mac users. It is easy to work with NTFS-formatted SD cards without reformating them. You will get an easy-to-use interface, so you don't need to be an expert to use it.

Download the EaseUS NTFT for Mac and follow these quick steps to enable writable on the SD card.

Step 1. Launch and activate EaseUS NTFS for Mac. Click "I already have a license" to unlock this software.

Step 2. Connect an NTFS drive to Mac, EaseUS NTFS for Mac will automatically detect the device. Select your drive and you'll see it's now marked as 'Read-only". Click "Enable Writable" to add read and write rights to the drive.

Step 3. When the state of NTFS drives turns into "Writable".

Step 4. EaseUS NTFS for Mac will pops up a window to help Mac get access to the NTFS drive:

1. 1. Select "Full Disk Access", click the Lock icon and enter admin password to unlock it.
2. 2. Select the two icons of NTFS for Mac.
3. 3. Drag them to the "Full Disk Access" list.
4. 4. Click " Quit & Restore" to re-launch EaseUS NTFS for Mac.

Step 5. When EaseUS NTFS for Mac restarts, you can then open to check, read, write, and even modify saved data on the NTFS device.

Method 4. Format SD Card on Mac

Please note that formatting the SD Card will erase everything from the SD card. Please skip this method to fix the SD card read-only issue on Mac without losing the data. 

Choosing a formatting approach that is easy for users to use is crucial. Assuming you are ready to format your SD card, let's discuss the easiest and most efficient method. 

EaseUS NTFS for Mac is the best way to format SD cards. It is a professional format tool with a clear interface. Even a non-computer savvy can format an SD card with easy on-screen instructions and a few clicks.

Follow the instructions if you've already installed this tool using the earlier method.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS NTFS for Mac on your Mac, click "I already have a license" and enter your code to activate this software.

Step 2. Connect the target external hard disk to your Mac, locate it and choose "Erase" to move on.

Step 3. In the Format box, select the "APFS" option in the scroll down menu as the new file system.

Step 4. Hit on the "Erase" button to confirm the format action and erase all data stored on this external storage device.

Method 5. Add Write Support via Mac Terminal

The Mac Terminal commands may help you turn the read-only permission into a writable SD card. Please follow all the instructions carefully:

Step 1: To open Terminal, first, locate the Launchpad icon in the Dock, enter "Terminal" into the search field, and then select the Terminal application.

Step 2: Type the command below and press Enter:

nano etc/fstab

Step 3: Insert the next command in Terminal and replace "DRIVENAME" with your SD card's name.

LABEL=DRIVENAME none ntfs rw,auto,nobrowse

Step 4: Press "Ctrl + O" to save the file.

Step 5: Close the Terminal window.

Step 6: Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder > Enter /Volumes and click "Go."

You will have access to your SD card and can modify it by copying files, editing data, deleting content, or even formatting the card using a Mac.

You can effectively resolve the SD card read-only on Mac by systematically implementing the solutions provided above. Feel free to share this guide to assist others in writing data to their SD cards.

Why SD Card Read-Only on Mac

A few possible causes exist for an SD card to be read-only on a Mac. The following are some major causes of this issue:

• USB Port Failure: The Mac might be unable to write to the SD card correctly if there is a malfunctioning USB port.
• SD Card Contains Internal Errors: As a precautionary measure against data loss, an SD card with internal errors may enter read-only mode.
• SD Card Has Permission Restrictions: The SD card may have read-only or restricted write access due to incorrect or restricted file permissions.
• SD Card is in NTFS Format: Can Mac use NTFS? NTFS-formatted SD cards usually only allow read-only access on Macs due to restricted write access.
• SD Card Is Physically Damaged: A read-only state can be caused by physical damage, such as a damaged card or a broken connection.
• Logical Corruption: To preserve data integrity, logical problems such as file system corruption may require the card to be in read-only mode.
• SD Card Reader Malfunction: A malfunctioning SD card reader on the Mac may break the communication of the card and system, leaving it in read-only mode.

Given these possible reasons, conducting a thorough troubleshooting process is critical to identify and fix the precise issue of SD cards on Mac.

Conclusion 

We hope the article helps you disable SD card read-only on Mac, enabling you to access your data completely. All the solutions are reliable and address the frequent read-only issues. However, EaseUS NTFS for Mac stands out with its capability and compatibility. It provides a trouble-free solution with its advanced feature set. 

FAQs About SD Card Read-Only on Mac

Please follow this FAQs section if you have further inquiries about the topic discussed on this page.

1. Why can't I edit my SD card on my Mac?

Your SD card might be restricted with read-only mode. It prevents the admin from editing, moving, and copying the data it contains. You may need to modify the permissions or check the physical write protection switch on the SD card.

2. How do I remove write protection from my SD card on Mac?

You can remove the write protection by toggling the physical switch or modify the permission by exploring Mac's "Get info" section. If you want an easier solution, use a third-party tool to make the SD card writable.  

3. How do I change permissions on an SD card?

To change permissions on an SD card using Disk Utility on a Mac:

• Insert the SD card into your Mac.
• Open Disk Utility and select the SD card in the left sidebar.
• Click the "Erase" tab and choose NTFS format.
• Select "Erase" to reformat and adjust permissions.