macOS no longer includes iDVD, but you can still burn video DVDs using third-party apps like Burn, DVD Creator, or Toast Titanium.
Using the free app “Burn”:
- Download and install Burn (free, lightweight).
- Open Burn and go to the Video tab.
- Select DVD-Video from the drop-down menu.
- Click Add and choose your movie files (Burn may convert them to the right format).
- Insert a blank DVD.
- Click Burn.
This creates a disc that works in standard DVD players.
Troubleshooting Common Issues (2025)
- “The disc can’t be burned because the device failed to calibrate the laser power…” → Try a different brand of blank discs or lower the burn speed.
- Mac doesn’t recognize the external drive → Use a powered USB hub or different USB port/cable. Some cheap third-party drives require additional drivers (check manufacturer website).
- Burning Blu-ray discs → macOS has no native Blu-ray burning support. You’ll need third-party software like Toast Titanium or BurnAware (via Parallels or CrossOver).
- Can’t burn button is grayed out → Make sure you have a blank disc inserted and that it’s not already finalized.
Final Tips
- CD-R and DVD-R are the most universally compatible formats.
- Always use high-quality discs (Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, or Sony are reliable).
- After burning important data, verify the disc works on another computer.
That’s it! Even without a built-in drive, burning discs on a Mac in 2025 is still simple and reliable when you need that physical backup or classic mixtape vibe.