Fix "You don't have permission" for a file or folder on your Mac

Why it happens

Every file and folder on your Mac has a list of who may read it and who may change it. Files copied from another Mac, an old backup or an external drive can still carry their old owner, so your account isn't on the list. Get Info lets you put yourself back on it.

How to fix it

1. In Finder, click the file or folder once to select it. Then press Command-I, or choose File > Get Info from the menu bar.

2. At the bottom of the Info window, click the arrow next to Sharing & Permissions to open it.

   Finder›File›Get Info›Sharing & Permissions

3. Click the lock icon in the bottom-right corner and enter your Mac's password.

4. Find your name in the Name column and change its Privilege to Read & Write. If your name isn't there, click the add button (+), choose yourself and then set Read & Write.

5. For a folder, you can give the same access to everything inside it. Click the action pop-up button at the bottom of the list and choose Apply to enclosed items. Close the window and try again.

Still not fixed?

1. If you can open the file but can't change it, look under General in the same Info window. If Locked is ticked, untick it.

2. On an external drive, select the drive itself and press Command-I. Click the lock in the bottom-right corner and enter your password, then tick Ignore ownership on this volume at the bottom of the window. Your Mac then treats every file on it as yours.

3. If an app, not Finder, says Operation not permitted, it needs access in Privacy & Security. Turn the app on under Full Disk Access, or under Files & Folders, then quit and reopen it.

   Privacy & Security›Full Disk Access

4. Leave folders like System and Library, and other people's home folders, as they are. Changing them can stop your Mac working properly.

5. If your whole home folder or Desktop suddenly says you don't have permission, contact Apple Support. They can guide you through repairing your home folder's permissions safely. This is a software issue, not hardware.