---
id: finder-location.will-a-locked-file-stay-locked-after-a-move
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/will-a-locked-file-stay-locked-after-a-move
category: "Finding things in Finder"
subcategory: "Spotlight, tags and file details"
question: "Will a file I locked in Finder stay locked after Storage Studio moves it?"
alt_questions:
  - "Finder Locked checkbox after moving"
  - "Does the Locked flag survive a move?"
  - "locked file unlocked after relocation Mac"
  - "Get Info Locked lost after moving to external drive"
short_answer: "Not today — Finder's Locked checkbox isn't carried over, so the moved file arrives unlocked. Re-lock it with File → Get Info → Locked, or keep folders full of locked files on your Mac."
tags: ["locked", "get info", "metadata"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/does-moving-a-folder-keep-file-dates-and-tags", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/can-i-edit-and-save-files-through-a-shortcut", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/finder-location/how-do-i-find-the-real-file-behind-a-shortcut"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Will a file I locked in Finder stay locked after Storage Studio moves it?

Not today. Finder's **Locked** checkbox (in **Get Info**) is one of the few attributes that isn't carried over when a file moves, so the copy on your drive arrives unlocked. Contents, names, dates, permissions and Finder tags are kept.

If locking matters for a file, re-lock it after the move:

1. Select the file (through its shortcut or on the drive) and choose **File → Get Info**.
2. Tick **Locked**.

For folders where many files are locked on purpose, consider leaving that folder on your Mac rather than moving it.