Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Finder can burn files and folders to a data DVD, but your Mac needs access to a writable optical drive. Since most modern Macs do not have a built-in DVD drive, you will usually need an external DVD writer, a compatible blank disc, and enough free storage on your Mac.
What you need to burn a DVD on a Mac
- A writable external DVD drive: Make sure it is a writer, not a DVD reader only, and that its manufacturer lists macOS support.
- A connection that works with your Mac: Check whether the drive uses USB-A or USB-C and whether you need an adapter. If it is unreliable through a hub or monitor, connect it directly to the Mac. Some portable drives may also need more power than a hub provides.
- A blank disc the drive supports: Check the drive specifications for the media type you plan to use, including dual-layer discs if needed.
- Enough space on the Mac: Apple says macOS uses about 4 GB of internal storage when burning a DVD, separate from the space on the disc. See Apple’s guidance on burning discs.
- Files that fit: A single-layer DVD is nominally about 4.7 GB; a dual-layer DVD is about 8.5 GB. Usable capacity may be lower because of formatting and filesystem overhead. Verbatim’s media documentation lists these nominal capacities.
To check a connected drive’s capabilities, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > About, click System Report, then select Disc Burning under Hardware. Review the listed media and writing capabilities. Menu wording can vary by macOS version and language. Apple explains how to check drive capabilities.
Burn files directly in Finder
- Connect the external DVD writer to your Mac. Insert a blank disc. If macOS asks what to do, choose Open Finder. You can choose Finder as the default action for blank discs in the prompt.
- Open the disc in Finder.
- Drag the files and folders you want into the disc window. Arrange them and rename them there if needed; that arrangement and those names will appear on the finished disc.
- Choose File > Burn to Disc.
- Confirm the disc name and, if offered, the burning speed. Click Burn and wait for the process to finish.
- Eject the disc from Finder, then reinsert it to check the result.
Adding items to the disc window stages them for burning; it does not immediately write them to the disc or move the originals. The disc is not finalized until you start and complete the burn. A write-once disc cannot be edited afterward; a rewritable disc must be erased before reuse. Apple documents the File > Burn to Disc workflow in its Finder guide to burning CDs and DVDs.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Prepare files with a Finder burn folder
A burn folder is useful when you want to collect files before inserting a disc, keep a repeatable set of items, or make multiple copies. Finder shows aliases in the folder, so the original files remain where they are.
#1 Best Overall
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware.
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Read compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players for convenient recording and playback.
- AZO RECORDING DYE: Optimized recording dye provides reliable read/write performance for home movies, video clips, files, and backups.
- 50-PACK SPINDLE: Includes 50 branded-surface, write-once DVD-R discs and a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- Click the desktop or open the Finder location where you want to create the folder.
- Choose File > New Burn Folder and give it a name.
- Drag the files and folders you want into the burn folder.
- Open the folder and click Burn, or click the burn icon beside it in the Finder sidebar.
- Insert a blank disc if prompted, then follow the onscreen instructions.
If an original file has been moved, renamed, deleted, or is on a disconnected external drive, Finder may not be able to find the alias target. Apple says Finder may ask whether to cancel the burn or continue without the missing item. Apple’s burn-folder instructions describe the feature and this behavior.
Burn a disk image instead of copying it as a file
To write a .dmg disk image to a disc in its intended image format, locate the file in Finder, Control-click it, and choose Burn to Disc. Insert a blank disc if prompted and follow the instructions. Dragging the .dmg into a disc window instead stores the image file as ordinary data; it does not burn the image’s contents. See Apple’s disk-image burning instructions.
Rank #2
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Read compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players and supports DVD-R drives from leading manufacturers.
- ADVANCED AZO RECORDING DYE: Optimized recording dye provides reliable read/write performance, recording quality, and archival life.
- 100-PACK SPINDLE: Includes 100 branded-surface, write-once DVD-R discs and a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Choose the right blank DVD
| Disc type | Use it for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| DVD-R or DVD+R | Finished copies, sharing, or one-time distribution | Write-once media; confirm the drive and intended reader support the format. |
| DVD-RW or DVD+RW | Temporary transfers, testing, or reuse | Both the writer and reader must support the format. Rewritable media can be less convenient for long-term sharing and may be less compatible with older devices. |
| Dual-layer DVD | Data that exceeds the capacity of a single-layer disc | The drive must support dual-layer writing; nominal capacity is about 8.5 GB. |
| M-DISC DVD | An archival-oriented media option | Check that the drive supports it. It does not make a Finder burn a special archival system or guarantee permanence. |
For ordinary single-layer media, the nominal capacity is about 4.7 GB; macOS may show less usable space. Do not assume DVD-RW is the best choice just because it can be reused: write-once discs are often simpler for a finished copy. Format compatibility depends on the drive and the device that will read the disc.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Recover a staged disc you ejected before burning
If you added items to a blank disc window and ejected it without burning, macOS creates a burn folder containing those items on the desktop. Open that folder and click Burn, or Control-click it and choose the burn command. This lets you resume the staged job without rebuilding the file selection. Apple documents this recovery behavior.
Rank #3
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware.
- WRITE-ONCE RECORDING: Provides reliable storage for photos, videos, documents, backups, and other important digital content.
- AZO AND HARDCOAT PROTECTION: AZO technology resists UV light, while the water-resistant HardCoat surface guards against scratches, fingerprints, dust, temperature, and humidity.
- 10-PACK MATTE SILVER DISCS: Includes 10 matte-silver DVD-R discs designed to last up to 100 years when stored properly and backed by a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Erase a rewritable DVD
If the disc and drive support rewriting, insert the disc, Control-click the optical drive in Finder’s sidebar, and choose Erase Rewritable Disc. Follow the prompts. The command will not appear for write-once media. Apple’s disc-burning guide includes the erase procedure.
Troubleshoot Finder DVD-burning problems
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| No “Burn to Disc” or “New Burn Folder” command | Confirm that a writable optical drive is connected and recognized; a read-only drive will not burn. Check System Report > Disc Burning for the drive’s recording capabilities. Apple notes that New Burn Folder may be absent if there is no connected external optical drive capable of burning. Check the drive in System Report and review Apple’s burn-folder guidance. |
| Drive is not detected or keeps disconnecting | Reseat the cable, try another compatible adapter, and connect the drive directly to the Mac instead of through a hub or monitor. If the drive requires more power, use the manufacturer’s recommended powered setup. |
| Disc is rejected or the burn fails early | Use blank media that the drive supports. Check whether the drive can write the exact format and layer count; try another disc or brand. If macOS offers a speed choice, try a slower speed. |
| Not enough space | Check both the disc’s remaining capacity and the Mac’s internal free space. Apple lists about 4 GB of temporary internal storage for a DVD and 8 GB for a dual-layer DVD. See Apple’s storage guidance. |
| Burn folder contains missing items | Reconnect any external volume and locate the original files. If an alias target has moved or disappeared, Finder may offer to cancel or continue without it; cancel if the disc must contain every item. Apple describes missing-file prompts. |
| Disc looks blank afterward | Check whether the burn completed, then eject and reinsert the disc. Confirm that you used Burn to Disc for a disk image rather than merely copying the image file. Try reading the disc on another compatible computer to rule out a reader/media mismatch. |
| Disc cannot be erased | Only rewritable media can be erased. Confirm the disc is DVD-RW or DVD+RW and that the drive supports it; the erase command does not apply to DVD-R or DVD+R. |
If Finder still does not recognize a known-compatible blank disc, restart Finder or the Mac, then test a different blank disc and cable. Apple also advises confirming that the data fits on the disc and checking the drive’s recording capabilities. Apple’s troubleshooting guidance covers those checks.
Rank #4
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Record a complete disc in approximately five minutes using compatible 16X DVD-R hardware.
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Read compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players and supports DVD-R writers from leading manufacturers.
- ADVANCED AZO RECORDING DYE: Optimized recording dye delivers reliable read/write performance, recording quality, and archival life.
- 25-PACK SPINDLE: Includes 25 branded-surface, write-once DVD-R discs and a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Data DVD, movie DVD, or audio CD?
Finder is for data DVDs
Use Finder for documents, photos, installers, folders, and other files that another computer can open. Apple says discs burned on a Mac can also be used on Windows and other computers, but that does not mean every device supports every filesystem or file format. Apple’s Finder guide describes cross-computer use.
A playable movie DVD needs authoring
Dragging an .mp4 or .mov file into Finder burns it as a data file; it does not create a DVD-Video disc with menus, chapters, or guaranteed playback in a household DVD player. For that, use a DVD-authoring application that can prepare compatible video and create DVD-Video structure. Finder’s documented workflow covers files, folders, and disk images, not movie-DVD authoring. See Apple’s description of Finder burning.
Best Value
- 100 high-grade non-rewritable DVD+R discs with a one hundred year archival life and OEM drive certified
- Advanced AZO recording dye optimizes read/write performance allowing to record in approximately 5 minutes
- 4.7GB is ideal for storing digital images, music , video and more. Each DVD+R allows you to store up to 1550 photos or more than 120 minutes of 720p video
- Compatible with most DVD-R and DVD+R drives including Pioneer, Apple, Sony, Dell, LG, HP, Lenovo and others
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
An audio CD needs an audio-CD workflow
A Finder-burned disc containing MP3 files is a data disc, not necessarily an audio CD for a conventional CD player. Apple warns that another app may not recognize a Finder-created MP3 disc as an audio CD. Use an audio application that explicitly supports creating audio CDs when that is the required format. Apple explains the MP3-disc distinction.
Check the finished disc and keep another copy
- Eject and reinsert the disc, then open it in Finder.
- Compare the visible item names and folders with the originals, and check the item count and reported capacity.
- Open a few representative files to confirm they are readable.
- Test the disc on the computer or device that will actually use it, especially for older readers.
- For important files, keep another copy on separate storage. One DVD alone is not a robust backup strategy.
When a DVD is the right choice
A DVD makes sense when someone specifically needs a disc, offline physical distribution matters, or the file set is small enough to fit. For larger or frequent transfers, a USB flash drive or external SSD is usually more practical; network storage or cloud storage can help when both sides have connectivity. A Finder burn folder is convenient for repeated selections, while a disk image is useful when you need a repeatable source for several copies.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
