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Level 1

10 points

Photos "couln't be copied because you don't have permission to access" parent folder

I've been cleaning up multiple photo libraries by deleting duplicates then putting them in one Photos library.

When I do a mass import of the files into the new photo library I receive the error in the screenshot below "[jpg name] couldn't be copied because you don't have permission to access [parent folder]"

I've tried two solutions that did not work

I've tried changing the permissions in the folder.
Dragging the photos to a new folder then importing again.

What else should I try?

Posted on Apr 18, 2020 9:00 AM

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7 replies

Level 1

10 points

Apr 18, 2020 10:23 AM in response to BDAqua

Which folder is the Get Info pointing to??? "New Folder with Items" the folder containing the images. (I may have mistakenly referred to it as the parent folder.) It actually contains all the images.

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Level 1

10 points

Apr 18, 2020 3:37 PM in response to BDAqua

it is on an external drive called “seagate” it’s not nested in any other folders.

another clue is when I drag one of the photo files to the desktop. I get a similar error

“couldn't be copied because you don't have permission to access to desktop folder

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Level 1

10 points

Apr 20, 2020 8:53 AM in response to BDAqua

Whew, Have you restarted yet? Yes

When you do a Get Info on the external drive, look at the bottom, is Ingnore Permissions on this drive checked? Yes

Are you storing your photos in iCloud Drive Perchance? No

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Level 10

239,591 points

Apr 18, 2020 5:01 PM in response to jplingo

Whew, Have you restarted yet?

When you do a Get Info on the external drive, look at the bottom, is Ingnore Permissions on this drive checked?

Are you storing your photos in iCloud Drive Perchance?

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Level 10

239,591 points

Apr 18, 2020 10:03 AM in response to jplingo

Which folder is the Get Info pointing to???

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Level 10

239,591 points

Apr 18, 2020 1:14 PM in response to jplingo

But what path was this "New Folder with Items" created at?

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Level 10

239,591 points

Apr 20, 2020 11:43 AM in response to jplingo

Darn it, doesn't make any sense to me... we need more help in here.

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Photos "couln't be copied because you don't have permission to access" parent folder

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