Attempting to copy to the disk Macintosh HD failed... error (-54).

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Attempting to copy to the disk Macintosh HD failed... error (-54).

Have seen older versions of this issue, but was crossing my fingers it would fix with iOS 9.3 release and an update for iTunes and el cap. I am currently running the latest of all three: OS X El Capitan 10.11.4 iOS 9.3, iTunes 12.3.3.17.

My issue is when backing up my iPhone 6+ to iTunes. I am doing a full backup, encrypted. Every attempt results in the same error message:

Attempting to copy to the disk Macintosh HD failed. An unknown error occurred (-54).

I successfully backed up my iPad Air 2 (running 9.3) this morning without issue. Tried my phone, same error.

My life is on my phone, so having a backup on my computer of everything (not just iCloud) is very important to me.

I hadn't had issues with updating until upgrading to OS X el capitan.

I find it strange my iPad running the same iOS works fine, but phone on iOS 9.3 fails. Makes me think it is a iPhone issue? but what do I know.

PLEASE ADVISE!!

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.3

Posted on Mar 22, 2016 6:14 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,169 points

Mar 22, 2016 6:42 AM in response to murdock_

== Error -54 ==

From an OS9 reference, error -54 is a software lock on a file or a permissions error. (Although there is no formal list of OSX error code some of the old codes still apply to OSX .)

First, try simply restarting your computer.

Unknown error (-54) while syncing ipod - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1082953 - problem was locked files

Why does iTunes keep showing a -54 error when I sync my iPad? - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3727114

Error -54 possibly related to Touch Copy - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3727114 - cleared by deleting preferences on iPad.

iTunes: Missing folder or incorrect permissions may prevent authorization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1277 = https://web.archive.org/web/20140730222128/http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1277

Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963

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Answer 2

murdock_ Author

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Mar 22, 2016 7:00 AM in response to Limnos

None of this stuff has worked... Any other advice?

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Mar 22, 2016 10:51 AM in response to murdock_

Please sign in to the iTunes Store, and if you use iBooks, to the iBooks Store as well. If you use iCloud, sign in to that, too. Then log out of your OS X account or restart the computer. Test.

If you still get the error, you may have to select

Settings ▹ General ▹ Reset ▹ Reset All Settings

on the mobile device.

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Answer 4

murdock_ Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2016 11:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

Does reset all settings wipe my phone?

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Answer 5

murdock_ Author

Level 1

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Mar 22, 2016 11:57 AM in response to murdock_

better question: Will I have to manually add all my passwords etc to all the accounts I am signed into? tone settings, prompts etc..... there has to be a better way 😮

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Mar 22, 2016 11:59 AM in response to murdock_

Does reset all settings wipe my phone?

No. It removes only preferences but leaves all other content, such as apps and app data, untouched. You should not take that step if you're not willing to recreate your settings. In that case, click the Support link at the top of this page to contact Apple Support.

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Answer 7

murdock_ Author

Level 1

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Mar 22, 2016 12:07 PM in response to Linc Davis

I would rather not, but if I have to... I guess I will 😟

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Answer 8

murdock_ Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Linc Davis

Is doing this a guaranteed fix?

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Answer 9

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Mar 22, 2016 12:13 PM in response to murdock_

Nothing is a guaranteed fix. I think it would be best for you to contact Apple. That's not guaranteed either, but at least someone will be responsible for what happens. Here, no one is responsible.

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Answer 10

marby

Level 2

402 points

Mar 28, 2016 12:08 PM in response to Linc Davis

I'm getting this same error but Itunes shows all my backups (for my iphone and IPAD and my wife's iphone) as being recent ones. So I'm wondering what is not being written to the hard drive.

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Answer 11

DB Tango

Level 1

4 points

Mar 29, 2016 11:32 AM in response to murdock_

I'm getting the same error message as well, I have just updated to the latest version of ITunes and OSX. Never had this problem syncing my iMac (Mid 2011) to any of my iPhones, iPods, or iPads over the past five years. Now both my iPhone 6 and iPad Mini 2 result in the same 'cant find Macintosh HD' error message when syncing.

I guess its a bug in the recent software update of iTunes 12.3.3.17 that I installed today.

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Answer 12

Sep 19, 2016 11:01 PM in response to murdock_

have you got any luck?

i have the same problem and i tried everything still the same!

please advise

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