How to Copy a DVD to Your Mac: Methods That Work

The fastest way to copy a DVD on a Mac

The simplest method is to use Mac DVD Player (built into older Macs) or a free third-party tool like HandBrake, which converts the DVD to a video file your Mac can store and play without the disc. HandBrake works on Macs running macOS 10.5 or later and handles most commercial DVDs, though it cannot bypass copy protection on newer discs.

If your Mac is very new (2015 or later), it may not have a DVD drive at all. In that case, you will need an external USB DVD drive, which costs between $20 and $60. Once connected, the process is the same: insert the disc and use HandBrake or another conversion tool to create a video file.

The entire process—inserting the disc, converting it, and saving the file—typically takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on the DVD length and your Mac's speed. The resulting file will be 700 MB to 4 GB, so make sure you have enough storage space before you start.

Key Takeaways

HandBrake is a free, legal tool that converts DVDs to video files on your Mac without requiring the disc to play them later.
Macs made after 2015 do not have built-in DVD drives, so you will need to buy an external USB drive if you want to copy physical DVDs.
The conversion process takes 30 minutes to two hours and creates a file between 700 MB and 4 GB in size.
HandBrake cannot bypass copy protection on newer commercial DVDs, so some discs may not work with this method.

Installing and using HandBrake on your Mac

read HandBrake from handbrake.fr (the official website). Click the macOS link, then open the .dmg file that downloads. Drag the HandBrake icon into your Applications folder. Open Applications, find HandBrake, and double-click it to launch the program.

Insert your DVD into your external drive or built-in drive. In HandBrake, click the folder icon at the top left and select your DVD from the list of drives. HandBrake will scan the disc and show you the titles it found—usually one main title (the movie or content) and several smaller ones (bonus features, menus). Select the title you want to convert.

Choose your output format using the preset buttons on the right side. For most purposes, click Very Fast 1080p30 or Fast 720p30. These presets balance file size and quality. Then click the folder icon next to "Save As" at the bottom, choose where you want to save the file, give it a name, and click Start. HandBrake will begin converting the DVD to an MP4 file.

Alternative tools if HandBrake does not work

VLC Media Player is another free option that can play DVDs directly without converting them. read it from videolan.org, insert your DVD, and open VLC. Go to File > Open Media > Open Disc, select your DVD drive, and click Open. VLC will play the DVD, but the file stays on the disc—you cannot store it on your Mac without a separate conversion step.

If you want to convert using VLC, go to Media > Convert/Save, select your DVD drive, click Convert, choose an output format, and start the conversion. This process is slower than HandBrake and offers fewer quality options, but it works on almost every Mac.

MakeMKV is a paid tool ($50 one-time purchase, with a free trial period) that converts DVDs to MKV files, which preserve higher quality than MP4. It is more powerful than HandBrake but also more complex. Use it only if you need professional-grade video quality or if HandBrake fails on your disc.

What to do if your DVD has copy protection

Most commercial DVDs use a copy protection system called CSS (Content Scramble System). HandBrake can bypass CSS on older DVDs, but Apple's legal position on this is unclear, and newer discs may use stronger protection that HandBrake cannot handle.

If HandBrake scans your DVD but shows no titles, or if it starts converting but stops partway through, the disc likely has protection HandBrake cannot read. In this case, try VLC instead—it has built-in libraries to handle CSS. If VLC also fails, the disc uses newer protection, and no free Mac tool will convert it.

For DVDs you own but cannot convert, consider whether the content is available through a legal streaming service or digital purchase. Many studios sell digital copies of films you already own on DVD through iTunes or other platforms.

Storing and playing your converted files

Once HandBrake finishes, you will have an MP4 file in the location you chose. This file plays in QuickTime Player (built into macOS), VLC, or any other video player on your Mac. You can also move it to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a media server if you want to free up space on your Mac.

If you plan to watch the video on other devices—an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Windows PC—keep the MP4 format. If you converted to MKV using MakeMKV, you may need to convert again to MP4 for compatibility with phones and tablets, which adds another 30 minutes to two hours of processing time.

Store your converted files in a folder you can find easily, such as Movies or a dedicated folder on an external drive. Label them clearly so you know which file is which, especially if you convert multiple DVDs.

When to use an external DVD drive

If your Mac does not have a built-in DVD drive, buy a USB external drive. Apple's USB SuperDrive costs around $80, but third-party drives from brands like LG, ASUS, and Verbatim cost $20 to $40 and work just as well. Plug it in via USB, wait for it to appear on your desktop, and proceed with HandBrake or VLC as normal.

External drives are also useful if your Mac's built-in drive is failing or if you want to convert DVDs on multiple computers without moving the drive. They are small enough to fit in a bag and do not require a power adapter—the USB connection provides all the power they need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert a DVD I borrowed or rented?

Legally, no. Copy protection laws in the United States and most other countries make it illegal to bypass CSS even on discs you do not own, regardless of whether you intend to keep the copy. Converting DVDs you own is a gray area; converting borrowed or rented discs is not.

Will the converted file play on my iPhone or iPad?

Yes, if you saved it as MP4 using HandBrake's presets. Move the file to your Mac's Photos app or use iTunes to sync it to your device. MKV files will not play on iPhones or iPads without conversion to MP4 first.

How much disk space do I need?

A typical two-hour DVD converts to 1 to 2 GB as MP4. Make sure your Mac has at least 5 GB of free space before you start—HandBrake needs room for the original scan, the conversion process, and the final file. External drives work fine for storage once the conversion is complete.

Why does HandBrake say "no titles found"?

The disc either has copy protection HandBrake cannot read, or the drive is not reading it properly. Try ejecting and reinserting the disc, cleaning it gently with a soft cloth, or trying a different DVD. If multiple discs fail, your drive may be failing and needs replacement.

Can I convert a DVD faster than 30 minutes to two hours?

Not significantly. Conversion speed depends on your Mac's processor and the DVD's quality. Newer Macs with faster processors convert faster, but the process cannot be rushed without losing quality. Closing other programs frees up processing power and may speed things up slightly.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.