Q: copying files failed, because you don't have permission to change your...

Jolly Giant wrote:

daduser wrote:
"copying files failed, because you don't have permission to change your ITUNES media folder or a folder within it."

check if you have read & write permissions for your iTunes music (or media) folder. in finder, right-click on it and +get info+. unlock the little padlock (you may have to enter your admin password) and change the permission settings. if permissions settings check out, click on the little gear-shaped icon and +apply to enclosed items+ like so



now try consolidating again.

I have started having this same problem after migrating from MacBook Pro to MacBook Air (and from Snow Leopard to Lion). I have tried changing the permission as suggested but the issue is not resolved. Any other ideas?! Thanks...

i found myself having the same problem after i wanted to copy my library to an external harddrive when suddenly my power cut off and the transfer was incomplete!

the problem was, that my library was partly on my mbp party on the hdd and i couldn't continue with the copyprocess.

"copying files failed, because you don't have permission to change your ITUNES media folder or a folder within it."

i found out that a lot of my mp3's weren't connected to its origin (mainly the oldest ones),

my itunes library file was corrupt!

A recover from my time machine backup could resolve the problem. all mp3's have to be connected, no exclamation mark's should be visible (try randomly clicking mp3's to see if they play).

hope i could help

I just began having the problem, too. I upgraded to Lion a month or two ago. The problem just appeared this week. There have been no changes to my iTunes Library other than adding tunes, podcasts, etc.

I am able to discard the iTunes Music Library.xml and stop it for a while but the issue resurfaces after the machine is booted after being powered down.

Mac Pro 2.8 Quad Core, OS 10.7.3, iTunes 10.5.3 (3)

BTW, my problem is "iTunes can't save the library error-54"

Thanks this worked for me....

Awesome! "Apply to enclosed items" did the trick for me. It's not enough to merly change the permissions - you have to apply it! Man, I am so glad I finally got that figured out.

Thank you!  I had tried fixing permissions on the iTunes folder itself -- not the  iTunes Music folder (and contents).

I also had forgotten to click the cog-wheel icon to solemnify the deal.

I rate this answer a 10.  It is too bad that this isn't the default that the installer makes...

Brilliant Answer!!  This was driving me mad!  Your response sorted it out - but...Why did it happen in the first place??  All used to work fine until a few weeks ago.  I wonder if OS upgrade was the key?

Amazing.  Worked like a treat.  Stress levels, disappated in a click.  Cant thank you enough.

I've been experiencing this issue for several months. I knew to try to repair permissions AND changing the Read/Write status on the iTunes folder in the Finder.

However, none of these remedies resolved my issue.

I had to basically setup a brand new iTunes library, download everything from the iTunes Store and setup every single device associated with iTunes all over again.

Now that I've done this, it's been 1 week without any issues...until today.

I've repaired the permissions more than I care to admit. Nada.

I've got the iTunes folder (and everything within it) so writable that my dog has access to write to the folders... (yes that's sarcasm...so you can grin)...

...aaaand still iTunes will NOT let me add any media, downloads, or anything to the library because I do not have access privileges. I want to shoot myself. This has been hours & hours of repairing, restarting, setting another itunes library, moving everything again and again...

Something's got to be wrong at the root level and this is affecting my phone, and all other devices... Can anyone help?

(By the way I'm not a total noob since I've been using and advising with Apple products for over 20 years--so any advice you can bring OTHER than repairing permissions and "Get Info" in the Finder will be most appreciated.)

Not sure if this will help, but the issue can also arise from a missing 'shared' folder.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1277

Oops, posted in wrong discussion

Message was edited by: Sir N.

I agree. Had the same problem with my songs stuck in the void. Tried all kinds of tips from here. Finally changing the permission itunes music folder did that trick. Most of all we need to apply it, so this change is reflected in itunes else it won't work.  Thanks guys.

Check the terminal route. Where you can change permission using chmod You need the Shared folder in your /Users/Shared ....have you tried this ?