How to update the locate db in macOS Catalina?

This command always used to work:

sudo /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

Now it produces a string of errors:

% sudo /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

Password:

shell-init: error retrieving current directory: getcwd: cannot access parent directories: Permission denied

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Nov 25, 2019 2:27 AM

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VikingOSX

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Posted on Nov 25, 2019 7:25 AM

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist

This Terminal command works on Catalina 10.15.1 from the zsh shell. I would wait a few minutes before attempting to use the command-line locate command as it takes awhile to generate the locate database in /var/db. Locate now works for me in Catalina, but do check its manual page:

man locate

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VikingOSX

Level 10

123,266 points

Nov 25, 2019 7:25 AM in response to brsm1990

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist

man locate

Nov 25, 2019 7:05 AM in response to brsm1990

not sure if it matters, but have you updated Terminal

to use zsh instead of bash?

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How to update the locate db in macOS Catalina?