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FTP Read only issue on Finder app

I am currently experiencing an issue with the Finder app while attempting to connect to FTP, as it is not allowing me to write files i only have Read permissions.


Although, I am able to connect to the same server with read-write access using third-party applications such as FileZilla, I am unable to establish a connection with write access using the Finder application.


Thank you for your assistance.


Please refer the below image for reference:


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.3

Posted on Apr 29, 2023 3:23 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 2, 2023 3:26 AM

IIRC macOS Finder only supports read only access for any FTP Server. This has been the case for years. If you want read/write access you either use a browser that supports it or use a 3rd party app instead.

7 replies

Apr 30, 2023 12:46 PM in response to rajdhinge

Your second screenshot clearly explains the problem. You are trying to modify a file on a read-only volume. Unfortunately you blocked out too much of the path in the third screenshot to show which volume you are accessing.


You are unable to make any modifications to the system area of macOS beginning with macOS 10.15+ which uses a read-only APFS volume for the macOS system files. With macOS 11.x+, this APFS system volume is also a signed & sealed volume. Even with admin/root privileges it is impossible to modify the macOS system volume. There are certain parts of the macOS system area which will provide links to the writable "Data" volume, but only certain areas. See these two Apple articles regarding the new drive layouts used by macOS 10.15+:

About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina or later - Apple Support


Signed system volume security in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS - Apple Support


You will definitely need to provide the exact path of the document you are trying to modify.

May 2, 2023 1:18 AM in response to HWTech

Hello thank you for your reply,


The volume I'm trying to make changes is a server volume not the volume that belongs to the MacBook disk I've connected the server volume through the FTP.


The problem is that i can connect with the volume as read only on finder app

whereas, if i connect FTP through the third party app like FIleZilla i can read and also write.


I've also used the same credentials to connect to the same server on finder as well as FileZilla but the Finder app only reads the files does not modify them.


I also found this discussion which is very old from 2011 I'm not sure if its still relevant in 2023

Finder connect to FTP server no write acc… - Apple Community


I'm still not sure if im doing something wrong and if finder app supports writing the files on the server side like third party apps.


My aim is to read and write file on the server side using Finder in the similar way as third party software like FileZilla can do.


Please let me know if you need any more details.


Thank you for your assistance.

May 2, 2023 1:22 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you for your response, I tried connecting and disconnecting to the server but sadly it didn't help me i used the same credentials i used for the finder app its not able to write the files on the server Whereas, if i use the same credentials on the third party app like FIleZilla i can write the files on server.


I'm puzzled what do I do to read write files on server using the Finder App.

May 2, 2023 1:29 AM in response to kaz-k

Hey thank you for your reply,


I see the images or description in my post are not self explanatory sorry for that.


so, to explain I'm modifying the files on the server I've connected a server volume through FTP on the Finder app.


You should download .txt file in Download or Public folder where you can read/write files.


The problem is i can write using FileZilla on the same location but, not using the Finder app.


Thank you!

FTP Read only issue on Finder app

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