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I recently purchased a MacBookPro running 15.7.7 to replace an older version of the MBP. I copied all the files I wanted to put onto my new computer to either iCloud or Dropbox and then I moved (or copied) them to my new computer. Now I am having issues in opening files where it says "you do not have permission to open the documents". Contact your computer or network administrator. for assistance. I have tried going to "Info" and changing the permissions on each file, but have not been able to make them all work, and I can't seem to be able to check the box that says "open all like files with this app". I fear I have done something wrong in setting up my new computer and will now have to fight this issue as long as I have it. One more thing....I can' delete certain items either, even an empty folder. And these items also say under Sharing & Permissions "you can only read".


Is there a workaround?

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Jun 27, 2026 2:29 PM

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7 replies

Jul 3, 2026 12:56 PM in response to rebeccakw

If you erase the new one, that should leave it in the condition in which you purchased it. Amazon Renewed should be ok, but not to be confused with "seller refurbished" or sold on Amazon Marketplace by some third party, which is always asking for trouble.


Follow these instructions, despite the fact you are not actually selling it: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac.


When it is finished, I recommend migrating from the older one's Time Machine backup, which will result it resembling the older one as close as possible. The setup assistant will prompt you for that choice.


After that, if you have newer files backed up elsewhere, copy them one by one to their respective locations in your Home folder's Documents, Desktop and so forth.

Jul 3, 2026 11:13 AM in response to rebeccakw

rebeccakw wrote:
Apple mid 2019 macbook Pro “renewed” from Amazon.
If I just wipe the new one and then copy the old files from my backup sources will that fix the ownership question?

Time Machine migration either during post-reset first boot and related setup, or performed later via Migration Assistant, will resolve file ownership issues, assuming you don’t next meet Activation Lock.

Jun 28, 2026 9:55 AM in response to rebeccakw

The usual way of transferring content to a replacement Mac is to use Migration Assistant, which will obviate those concerns. Besides, it's a lot easier than selectively copying documents.


Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support


Did you purchase that Mac new? From Apple? The reason for asking is that you wrote it is running Sequoia. If that Mac was previously owned or configured, then correctly preparing it for sale prior to selling it would have been a fundamental prerequisite.

Jul 2, 2026 7:47 PM in response to John Galt

It sounds like I really screwed up. Now that my old Mac has been pretty much scrubbed of it’s documents, the only things left are applications and ~Library. I have all my documents either on my new Mac or in iCloud or DropBox, and in Time Machine. If I do a backup on my old machine, effectively restoring it, then can I do a migration to the new computer after clearing it of all the documents I copied to it? That’s the only thing I can think of. In the end, will it work?

Jul 3, 2026 3:27 AM in response to rebeccakw

If your older Mac's contents are no longer available, or not useful, then there is no reason to create a backup of it.


Similarly, if the new Mac's contents are unusable for whatever reason, you might as well erase it, followed by populating its contents from whatever sources remain available.


You should still clarify whether you bought that Mac new from Apple, or from some other source.

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