File names replaced with random 6 digits

Question

Level 1

4 points

File names replaced with random 6 digits

Some of my files spontaneously have their names replace with 6 random digits. This seems to happen after copying or moving files, but it's not entirely predictable. It is very problematic though. Programs will look for a file and not be able to find it because something changed the name to six random numbers.

I've got new iMac with all the updates, and this problem has been occurring for months across various macOS versions.

Does anyone else experience this problem? Any ideas what could be causing it?

iMac 27″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Feb 2, 2022 2:56 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Eric--F

Community Specialist

Feb 3, 2022 11:48 AM in response to zc-fluidra

Hi zc-fluidra

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. We understand that you are seeing file names change to random digits unexpectedly and we'd like help.

Is this happening in multiple apps? Are you copying or moving the files to or from an external drive?

Have you tried testing this issue while booted up into safe mode or under a test user account? If not, this is the best place to start.

How to use safe mode on your Mac

Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

Delete a user or group on Mac (to remove the test account once completed)

Keep us posted on your findings and if the issue persists, just let us know.

Cheers!

Reply

Answer 2

zc-fluidra Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2022 12:06 PM in response to Eric--F

This issue is happening across multiple apps (macOS Finder, Adobe InDesign, Google Chrome).

I do use an external drive a lot, but I'm pretty sure it happens with files on the internal drive as well.

I'm not sure if I can test in safe mode, and I only have one account I can try since it's a work computer. I'll try booting into safe mode later and post if I find anything interesting.

Not sure if this matters, but I use a wireless Apple keyboard. I've wondered if the keyboard is bugging out, but I would expect to see more problems if that were the case.

Reply

File names replaced with random 6 digits

Similar questions