Installing DCP Transfer

DCP Transfer writes Linux EXT2 drives, which macOS can't do on its own. It relies on Paragon ExtFS, which is installed alongside the app and runs as a system extension. macOS blocks that extension until you approve it, and on Apple Silicon Macs you also have to lower the startup security setting first.

Plan on two restarts. If you skip a step, the usual symptom is a drive that formats and then fails to re-mount.

Before you start

• You need an administrator account on the Mac.
• Download the latest installer from the DCP Transfer Help page. Don't reuse an old installer you have saved, because older versions bundle a Paragon build that doesn't work on current macOS.
• If an older version of DCP Transfer or Paragon ExtFS is already on this Mac, see Reinstalling DCP Transfer cleanly first.

Not sure which kind of Mac you have? Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. If it lists a Chip such as Apple M1, M2, M3 or M4, you're on Apple Silicon. If it lists a Processor made by Intel, you're on Intel.

Step 1: Run the installer

Open the installer and follow the prompts. It installs DCP Transfer and Paragon ExtFS together. If macOS shows a "System Extension Blocked" alert during install, that's expected. Click OK and carry on with the steps below.

Step 2 (Apple Silicon only): Allow kernel extensions

Apple Silicon Macs refuse third-party kernel extensions until you change a setting in Recovery. Intel Macs can skip to step 3.

1. Shut the Mac down completely.
2. Press and hold the power button. Keep holding until you see Loading startup options.
3. Select Options, then click Continue.
4. If asked, select your macOS system volume and sign in with an administrator account.
5. From the menu bar, choose Utilities, then Startup Security Utility.
6. Select your startup disk (usually Macintosh HD) and click Security Policy.
7. Select Reduced Security.
8. Check Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers.
9. Click OK, enter your password if asked, then restart from the Apple menu.

This doesn't turn off macOS security. It only lets you approve kernel extensions from signed developers, one at a time, which is what the next step does.

Step 3: Approve Paragon's system extension

macOS Ventura and later (System Settings):

1. Open System Settings and choose Privacy & Security.
2. Scroll to the Security section. You should see a message that system software from developer "Paragon Software GmbH" was blocked from loading.
3. Click Allow and enter your password.
4. Restart when prompted.

macOS Monterey and earlier (System Preferences):

1. Open System Preferences and choose Security & Privacy, then the General tab.
2. Click the lock in the bottom left corner to allow changes.
3. Click Allow next to the Paragon Software GmbH message.
4. Restart when prompted.

The Allow button only appears for a limited time after the extension tries to load. If you don't see it, open DCP Transfer once (or restart the Mac), then go straight back to this screen. On Apple Silicon, a missing Allow button usually means step 2 wasn't completed.

Step 4: Grant Full Disk Access

1. Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Full Disk Access.
2. Turn on DCP Transfer.
3. Turn on Paragon ExtFS (it may be listed as extFS or com.paragon-software.extfsd). If either one isn't listed, click + and add it from the Applications folder.
4. If macOS also asks for Accessibility access for Paragon ExtFS, turn that on under Privacy & Security, then Accessibility.

Quit and reopen DCP Transfer after changing these settings.

Step 5: Activate and test

Open DCP Transfer and enter your license code. Then format a spare drive with File > Format Drive. If the drive formats and appears in the Destination panel, setup is done.

If the drive formats but won't re-mount, see Drive failed to re-mount after formatting.

Moving to a new Mac

Run through every step above on the new Mac. Settings from the old Mac don't carry over, and Migration Assistant doesn't approve the Paragon extension for you. Your license moves with you, within the limits described in Can I use DCP Transfer on multiple computers?