---
id: troubleshooting.wasnt-allowed-to-read-or-write-some-files
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/wasnt-allowed-to-read-or-write-some-files
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Moves and copies that didn't finish"
question: "Why wasn't Storage Studio allowed to read or write some files in a folder?"
alt_questions:
  - "wasn't allowed to read or write some files"
  - "check the destination drive isn't read-only"
  - "permission problem copying files storage studio"
  - "some files couldn't be read during move"
  - "What does \"Storage Studio wasn't allowed to read or write some files\" mean?"
  - "Permission error moving a folder"
  - "Move failed: not allowed to read or write"
  - "Drive is read-only"
  - "storage studio permission denied move"
  - "Can't write to external drive"
short_answer: "Either the drive won't accept writes (e.g. NTFS is read-only on a Mac) or Storage Studio lacks Full Disk Access. Check both, then try again — your original is untouched."
tags: ["permissions", "read-only", "full disk access", "message"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/destination-is-read-only", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/mac-wouldnt-let-storage-studio-move"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why wasn't Storage Studio allowed to read or write some files in a folder?

Either the destination drive refused writes, or macOS refused Storage Studio access to some files in the folder. Your original is safe and untouched.

### Check these
1. **Is the destination read-only?** Drives formatted as NTFS are read-only on a Mac. In Finder, select the drive and choose **Get Info** to see its format.
2. **Full Disk Access** — make sure Storage Studio is switched on in **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access**.
3. **Locked files** — a file marked Locked in Finder's Get Info can block a move.

Then try again.