- Home
- File Viewer Software
- HFSExplorer
HFSExplorer
What it is
HFSExplorer is a free desktop program for reading Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports HFS, HFS+, and HFSX file systems, and its graphical browser can show volume information, browse volumes, extract files, and create disk images. The program reads most Mac .dmg and .sparsebundle images, including zlib- or bzip2-compressed images and AES-128- or AES-256-encrypted images. It supports Master Boot Record, GUID Partition Table, and Apple Partition Map schemes. HFSExplorer operates in read-only mode, is released under GPL version 3, and is listed as free. It requires Java SE Runtime Environment version 5.0 or newer; the product page says OpenJDK works. Access to physical disks requires administrator or equivalent privileges. A separate minimal text-mode program is described as unmaintained and supports HFS+ only. Bug reports and discussion are directed to GitHub. The listed latest version is 2026.4.9, dated April 9, 2026.
For and against
For
- Supports HFS, HFS+, and HFSX
- Reads many compressed and encrypted Mac disk images
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Can extract files and create disk images
- Free under GPL version 3
Against
- Read-only operation
- Requires Java SE Runtime Environment 5.0 or newer
- Physical disk access requires administrator privileges
- Separate text-mode program is unmaintained and HFS+ only
The verdict
HFSExplorer offers broad Mac file-system and disk-image reading on three desktop platforms at no cost. Account for its Java requirement and read-only operation, especially when accessing physical disks.
Who it suits
HFSExplorer suits users who need to browse or extract files from Mac-formatted volumes or disk images on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It is a read-only option, so it does not suit tasks requiring changes to those volumes.
Plans and prices
HFSExplorer
Free software · GPL version 3 · Read-only
Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
On the record
- Browse and extract
- It provides a graphical file system browser to browse volumes, extract files, view volume information and create disk images.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Command line
- The page describes a minimal, unmaintained text-mode program that supports HFS+ only.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Disk images
- It reads most Mac .dmg and .sparsebundle images, including zlib- or bzip2-compressed images and AES-128- or AES-256-encrypted images.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- File systems
- It supports HFS, HFS+ and HFSX file systems.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Latest version
- The page lists version 2026.4.9, dated April 9, 2026, as the latest release.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- License and cost
- It is released under GPL version 3 and provided for free with no warranties.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The HFSExplorer page identifies Erik Larsson as the contact for bug reports and feedback.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Partition schemes
- It supports Master Boot Record, GUID Partition Table and Apple Partition Map schemes.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Physical disks
- Accessing physical disks requires administrator or equivalent privileges.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HFSExplorer reads Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Read-only
- The program operates in read-only mode.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- It requires Java SE Runtime Environment version 5.0 or greater; the page says OpenJDK works fine.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The page directs bug reports to GitHub issue tracking and discussions to GitHub discussion forums.catacombae.org · read 7 Oct 2026
