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Error code -36 MacBook Air M1 with Big Sur

HELP! I bought a new MacBook Air. I plugged in a USB-C external drive and tried to copy a directory of music (ALAC files) onto the new laptop. I got the error code -36 ... I tried a different external drive, same problem. I tried a different USB-C cable, same problem. I returned the laptop and bought another one, thinking the laptop might be defective. Well, you can see where this is going... same problem! Is this an issue with M1, Big Sur or both? Has anyone had this same problem? I am a mobile DJ and I need to be able to transfer my music onto the laptop. I'm stuck. I tried the dot clean thing with Terminal and it didn't fix the problem. Note: both external drives were formatted using a Mac. They have never been exFat or Fat32 (nothing related to Windows).

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on May 1, 2021 3:12 PM

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10 replies

May 2, 2021 7:46 PM in response to jedisinclair

Did you happen to use some type of a Migration assistant to transfer data from your old computer to both of your new M1 MacBook Airs? I am attempting to draw a common link between both new M1 MacBook Airs. Yes, Big Sur is one of them however that is not an issue that I have heard of.

Do you use any anti-malware, anti-virus type of software on your MacBooks? If YES then try turning those features OFF and try copying data from the external drive again.


Axel F.

May 5, 2021 5:45 PM in response to jedisinclair

And... figured it out! I have a few amazon basic usb-c cables. I decided to try a different brand cable... one that came with a drive once that I threw in a drawer because it's only 18" long. Well, not only did the other cable work, but it's WAAaaaaay faster! Before, the amazon cable was telling me it would take two hours to transfer about 10,000 songs. This cable did it in 12 minutes!!! I'm not sure what brand cable or where I can buy more, but wow, what a difference!

Error code -36 MacBook Air M1 with Big Sur

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