---
id: external-drives.can-a-mac-read-a-linux-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-a-mac-read-a-linux-drive
category: "External drives"
subcategory: "Using drives with PCs, iPads and other Macs"
question: "Can my Mac read a drive formatted for Linux?"
alt_questions:
  - "Mac read ext4 drive"
  - "Open Linux formatted drive on macOS"
  - "ext4 external disk Mac not readable"
  - "linux drive not readable by this computer"
short_answer: "Not without extra software — macOS can't read Linux file systems like ext4, so the drive appears unreadable. Copy the files to an exFAT drive on a Linux computer, or use a third-party tool. Don't initialize it unless you mean to erase it."
tags: ["linux", "ext4", "compatibility"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/disk-you-attached-was-not-readable", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-a-windows-pc-read-a-mac-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-format-should-my-external-drive-be"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can my Mac read a drive formatted for Linux?

Not on its own. macOS doesn't read Linux file systems such as ext4, so the drive shows as not readable. Third-party tools can add access, or you can copy the files off on a Linux computer onto an exFAT drive, which both systems understand.

Don't click **Initialize** when macOS offers it unless you want to erase the drive — see [the "not readable" message](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/disk-you-attached-was-not-readable).