How to Copy Protected DVD on Mac with 5 Available Solutions

In this article, we will introduce ways on Mac to copy DVDs free of copy protection with macOS's Disk Utility and explore DVD copy Macintosh apps for backup copy-protected DVDs.

How to Copy a DVD on a Mac with the Built-in App Disk Utility

Backup home movie DVDs is an easy job with the help of Disk Utility. You don't need to install additional DVD copy software for Macs to handle this process. An optical drive needs to be connected to your Mac to read the DVD and initial the Mac copying DVDs. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Insert the disc into the drive. If it starts to auto-play, stop it and exit the player window.

Step 2: Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, you can also open the Dock and search it. 

Step 3: Select the DVD title under the "External" in the left panel and then go to File > New image > Image from [disc title] on the top bar menu.

Step 4: Enter a file name and select a save location in the popup Menu. Leave the format as read-only; If you want to get a smaller size, choose "Compress." Tap "Save" and then "Done."

Step 5: Wait for the compress to complete. Disk Utility will create the disk image file in the selected output path.

More Solutions: Dedicated DVD Copy Software for Macintosh

For commercial DVDs, which are usually copy-protected, you can use dedicated DVD copy software for Macs to bypass DVD copy protections and copy them on your macOS.

In this section, we will introduce four software to show you how to back up and copy DVD movies to your hard drive on a Mac.

Way 1. For Encrypted DVDs - Copy DVD on macOS using DVDFab DVD Copy

Available: Windows 7 and later, macOS 10.10 or later versions

DVDFab DVD Copy is a professional DVD copy Macintosh application, compatible with both Intel and Apple chip versions across macOS 10.15 to 14. This tool provides six Mac copying DVD modes, allowing you to easily copy DVDs more accurately. With Clone/Burn mode, you can make a 1:1 copy of the DVD, while Full Disc and Main Movie allow you to copy the full content or just the main title of the DVD. If you are looking for a stylish way to backup DVDs, you can use Customize mode to keep the titles you want and drop those you don't need; and use Merge mode to combine titles from different DVDs into one DVD, or use Split mode to effortlessly split a single DVD into 2 DVD5s without worry about quality loss.

One of the standout features of DVDFab DVD Copy is its ability to handle both new and old DVD protections, such as region code, CSS, DADC, etc. It also offers the capability to shrink DVDs to save disk space, making it a versatile choice for backups of your DVD collections.

How to Copy a DVD on a Mac Fast with DVDFab DVD Copy

Step 1. Download DVDFab and move it to the Applications folder on your Mac. DVDFab DVD Copy is included as a module in the DVDFab program.

Step 2. Launch DVDFab 13 and choose the Copy module on the left pane.

Step 3. Insert the DVD you wish to copy into the optical drive and wait for DVDFab to automatically load and analyze the DVD. If you want to burn a DVD ISO or folder to a blank DVD, you can use the "+Add" button to proceed.

Step 4. Click the blue mode button to choose the Copy mode as needed.

Step 5. In this case, we will use Main Movie mode as an example to show you how to customize the title. You switch to another movie title on the "Choose Other Titles" panel. Adjust the chapter range, choose the needed audio tracks and subtitles, and then unselect those unwanted. Then set the output DVD size (DVD9/DVD5).

Step 6. Modify the output directory as an ISO file, folder, or drive/burner if you want to burn a blank disc. And then hit the Start button to copy the DVD on your Mac.

Way 2. For Home DVDs - Easy-to-use Xilisoft DVD Copy Macintosh

Available: Windows XP and later, macOS (32-bit/64-bit)

Xilisoft DVD Copy for Mac is a user-friendly home DVD copy software for Macs. It makes the copy process to a hard drive as a folder or ISO file of home DVD movies effortless. You can choose to burn DVD/ISO directly to blank discs (DVD5/DVD9). It also allows for a 1:1 clone of the home DVD to keep the original video quality as well as flexible customization of audio tracks and subtitles for a more personalized backup.

How to Copy a DVD on a Mac [Main Movie Only] with Xilisoft DVD Copy

Step 1. Install and launch the latest version of Xilisoft DVD Copy for Mac.

Step 2. If you want to burn to a blank disc directly, insert one empty DVD disc. Otherwise, you can ignore this step.

Step 3. Select your DVD in the "Source" box.

Step 4. Choose your hard drive path in the "Target" box.

Step 5. Select "Full Disc Mode" or "Main Movie Mode", depending on whether you want to copy the whole DVD content or the movie title of the disc.

Step 6. Press the Start button to start the Mac copying DVD process.

Way 3. Copy DVD Mac to Hard Drive/USB Drive - DVD Cloner

Available: Windows 7 and later, macOS 10.10 or later versions

DVD Cloner for Mac is a DVD copy software for Macintosh with a simple and intuitive interface, which is easy to navigate, even for beginners. With this application, you can copy DVD Mac files as ISO files, and save them as a folder, you can also burn them directly to a blank DVD. Both shrinking and copying in 1:1 are supported, allowing you to freely select the preferred options, either making a compressed DVD5 copy of the full DVD movie or just the main feature.

How to Copy a DVD on a Mac in a 1:1 Ratio with DVD Cloner

Step 1. Install the latest version of DVD-Cloner on your Mac.

Step 2. Launch DVD Cloner and choose the "Copy a DVD or Blu-ray movie disc" option on the main interface.

Step 3. Insert the DVD into the optical drive connected to your Mac, load it with the software, and click "Next".

Step 4. Choose copy mode. If you need only the movie without bonus or special features, use the "Movie ONLY" mode.

Step 5. Select how you want to save the DVD. To save it to a hard drive on your Mac, choose "Saving as folder" or "Saving as ISO" per your preference. Then use the Pen button to browse for the destination path, either a path on your Mac or a USB drive connected to your Mac computer.

Step 6. Click the "Next" and "Start" buttons to begin the mac copying DVDs process.

Way 4. Homemade DVD Copy Software for Macs - 4Videosoft DVD Copy

Available: Windows, and Mac OS X 10.9 or above

4Videosoft DVD Copy for Mac focuses on backup homebrew DVDs to hard drives or blank DVD9 and DVD5. The tool provides flexible options for use, you can copy movies only, copy the full disc, and deselect unneeded titles for backup with ease. It is a helpful tool if you are looking for DVD copy software for Macs to preserve your DVD collections through backups.

How to Copy a DVD on a Mac [Customized Titles] with 4Videosoft DVD Copy

Step 1. Download and install 4Videosoft DVD Copy on your Mac.

Step 2. Launch DVD Copy for Mac. On the lower area of the interface, select the drive that contains the blank DVD in the "Source" field. Choose your burner/writer in the "Target" field.

If you want to save the DVD as a DVD folder or ISO file, then choose the corresponding option.

Step 3. Select a DVD copy mode that meets your needs. There are three options, Full Copy, Main Movie, and Customize.

Step 4. Set the writing speed, and target size to DVD5 or DVD9 and then press the ">Next" button to adjust the options, like keep or remove the menu, remove the region code of the DVD, etc.

Step 5. Press "Start" to start to rip your homemade movies and copy DVD Mac.

FAQ about DVD Copy Software for Macs

Conclusion

There are various solutions available for Mac copying DVDs including the free tools that come with your Mac and professional DVD copy software for Macintosh. You can download one of them on your Mac and then try the features provided by the programs to find the one that works the best for you.