---
id: troubleshooting.couldnt-finish-checking-which-apps-use-folder
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/couldnt-finish-checking-which-apps-use-folder
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Moves and copies that didn't finish"
question: "Why does it say \"We couldn't finish checking this folder. Nothing has been moved\"?"
alt_questions:
  - "we couldn't finish checking this folder nothing has been moved"
  - "storage studio won't start a move it can't verify is safe"
  - "couldn't finish checking which apps are using this folder"
  - "move refused couldn't check folder"
short_answer: "The safety check for apps using the folder didn't finish, and Storage Studio won't move what it can't verify. Quit the folder's app yourself and try again."
tags: ["safety check", "in use", "move"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/folder-in-use-right-now", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/couldnt-finish-moving-original-safe"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why does it say "We couldn't finish checking this folder. Nothing has been moved"?

Before a move, Storage Studio checks which apps are using the folder. That check didn't complete, and Storage Studio won't start a move it can't confirm is safe — so nothing was moved.

### What to do
1. Quit the app the folder belongs to yourself.
2. Try the move again.
3. If the check keeps failing, restart your Mac and retry before opening other apps.