Why can't I copy and paste files from Mac Studio internal drive to an external HDD with read-only staff permissions?

Hello,

Why can't I copy and paste files from my Mac Studio internal drive to an external HDD why do I have to drag and drop? Why can't I just copy and paste? I hate to drag and drop!!!

Both drives are APFS.

I copy and paste all the time from my Mac Studio 512GB internal to another 2TB external APFS HDD drive all the time with no problems.

The permissions settings on this 2TB external APFS HDD drive is read and write for administrator (aka my name) and read and write for staff and read only for everyone.

The permissions settings on the 18TB external APFS HDD drive that I can NOT copy and paste to are read and write for administrator (a.k.a. my name) and read only for staff and read only for everyone.

I couldn’t find a paste option anywhere, including by trying a Command-V action.

And when I try to change the staff permissions to read and write like the permission settings are set on the 2TB HDD on this 18 TB drive it tells me I don’t have permission… I’ve tried everything.

I also tried booting to this 18 TB external drive, but it only shows permissions for administrator and wheel and everyone there is no staff permission to change to read and write like on the 2 TB drive settings.

I even tried logging into my other two users on this 18 TB drive and it’s the same as I just mentioned in the previous paragraph.

In users and groups on my Mac, there is one user that is administrator which is my name would adding another user to this help me to do what I’m trying to do?

I’ve spent many days and so much work on this hopefully somebody out there can help me out because I really need it!!!

I hate dragging and dropping!!!

Thank You!!!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Mar 8, 2025 4:20 PM

Similar questions

37 replies

Mar 21, 2025 1:48 PM in response to Zurarczurx

<< while holding on to a bunch of files to avoid having to drop them in the wrong place >>

'The right place' when things are going badly is onto the TITLE area of an opened widow, which essentially says "forgetaboutit" and does not move anything.

Mar 21, 2025 7:00 PM in response to den.thed

Do you think buying and using a different drive enclosure would fix my copy and paste problem?

Right now I’m using a really nice expensive. OWC dual drive dock for my two 2.5 inch HDD’s

I really need to copy and paste and I need to do it now.

Please help

Thank you

Mar 22, 2025 6:50 AM in response to APPLE DREAMER - PC CLINGER

You never responded to my illustrated solution to get the destination window ready to accept the files DIRECTLY, eliminating the drag, open drive, open folder, open another folder, drop ... then call your hand doctor for the aching.

with HWtech's additional suggestions, it should make drag-and-drop doable. Please be sure and try it.

Mar 22, 2025 9:27 AM in response to Zurarczurx

Zurarczurx wrote:

This doesn't answer the OP's question.

After looking through the Apple support document for copying and moving files, I could not easily find a recommendation to use Copy and Paste for this function.

THIS was my answer posted above:

Drag and Drop really is the preferred method for moving files. Copying a file reference to the clipboard is mainly intended for manipulating NAMES of items, not the items themselves.

Mar 23, 2025 12:40 PM in response to HWTech

You said you didn’t think the drives were a problem. What about the drive dock? Should I buy a different drive dock?

I know how to drag and drop but sometimes I make mistakes it works,

But I need to have copy and paste. I’ve been working on this for five weeks now.

Mar 23, 2025 1:52 PM in response to APPLE DREAMER - PC CLINGER

I think if you were to contact Apple Support with this complaint, they would be really nice to you, but say essentially:

"To copy or move files on a Mac, use Drag and Drop. We will not fix 'copy and paste a group of files' because we never proposed, supported, or documented doing it that way. So it's not broken."

Zurarczurx

Level 4

2,581 points

Mar 23, 2025 2:26 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

"To copy or move files on a Mac, use Drag and Drop. We will not fix 'copy and paste a group of files' because we never proposed, supported, or documented doing it that way. So it's not broken."

Copy/Paste of multiple files in Finder works fine on my Mac and, moreover, is described by Apple Support as "the fastest way to copy and paste".

Copy and paste on Mac

Learn the different ways to copy and paste text and other items on your Mac — and how to undo the change if you make a mistake.

To learn how to select the text or items you want to copy, see Select items on your Mac screen.

Use keyboard shortcuts

Using keyboard shortcuts is the fastest way to copy and paste.

On your Mac, select the text or item you want to copy.
Press Command-C to copy the selection.
Go to the place where you want to paste the selection, then press Command-V

Select items on your Mac screen

To move, copy and make changes to items, you usually have to select them first. You can select text, or other items such as documents, files, folders, apps and disks.

On your Mac, do any of the following:

Select text: Click and drag the pointer over the text. You can also double-click to select a word or triple-click to select a paragraph.
Select an item: Click the item. For example, in the Finder, click the icon for a document, folder, app or disk.
Select multiple items: Press and hold the Command key, then click the items (they don’t need to be next to each other).
Select multiple items that are adjacent: Click the first item, then press the Shift key and click the last item. All items in between are included in the selection.

Copy and paste on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Select items on your Mac screen – Apple Support (UK)

Mar 26, 2025 12:23 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the instructions, but my mind is a wreck right now.

I just want to be able to copy and paste from my internal Mac studio SSD to my 2.5 inch HDD in my drive dock

I don’t wanna spend years of dragging and dropping, which I hate. I just want to copy and paste.

I called OWC and they said there should be no limitations to be unable to do what I wanna do.

My next call will be to Western Digital I have two 18 TB western digital gold 2.5” HDD’s in my OWC drive dock

Somebody please help me because this has been going on now for over a month. I’ve got to be able to copy and paste!!!

Thank You!!!

Mar 26, 2025 12:43 AM in response to Zurarczurx

I’ve tried using the command C and command V but command V or paste does not work

I noticed in “get info” for the destination drive in my drive dock. At the bottom under sharing and permissions there’s a box checked that says “ignore ownership of this volume” is checked. Is this OK or is that a mistake? Shall I uncheck that box?

I don’t remember, checking or unchecking that box. I don’t remember doing anything with that box, but I did open it once.

The permissions are for my name is read and write, staff is read only and everyone is read only.

thank you so much for staying with me

I appreciate it

Thank you.

Mar 26, 2025 12:52 AM in response to Zurarczurx

In the two links you sent me copied below. I saw this one line that said the following.

Select all items in a window: Click a window to make it active, then press Command-A.

what is command A?

Select items on your Mac screen – Apple Support (UK)

And

Select items on your Mac screen – Apple Support (UK)

again, thank you for sticking with me.

I really appreciate it

Thank you

Mar 26, 2025 10:48 PM in response to Zurarczurx

Just so you understand, I can easily successfully copy and paste to my other HDD 2.5” external drives. They are the black hard drives that are encased at the factory. They are not bare hard drives like in my dock.

I can copy a folder on my Mac studio and it appears in the clipboard, but there is no paste option anywhere when I try to paste it to the external HDD in the drive dock.

Drag and drop works perfectly, but I hate drag and drop

I don’t want to be dragging and dropping for the rest of my life. I need to be able to copy and paste a folder or file from my Mac studio internal drive to my external HDD in my drive dock.

Please Help!!!

Thank You!!!

Mar 26, 2025 10:51 PM in response to APPLE DREAMER - PC CLINGER

I can copy a folder on my Mac studio and it appears in the clipboard, but there is no paste option anywhere when I try to paste it to the external HDD in the drive dock.

Drag and drop works perfectly, but I hate drag and drop

I don’t want to be dragging and dropping for the rest of my life. I need to be able to copy and paste a folder or file from my Mac studio internal drive to my external HDD in my drive dock.

Please Help!!!

Thank You!!!

Mar 30, 2025 5:55 AM in response to Zurarczurx

I don’t know what you mean by try a different file manager… what is a file manager?

But I did attach a photograph of my sharing and permissions part of the screen of the drive I’m trying to paste to ….as you requested

noticed that ignore ownership of this volume is checked

my other non-bare external hard drives that are not in the dock, but encased at the factory, I can copy and paste fine to them, but not to the bare drive in question in the dock

everything is formatted APFS

should I call Western Digital? Shall I try or buy a new drive dock? Right now I’m using a really nice expensive. OWC dual drive dock.

my drive is an 18 TB Western digital gold 2 1/2 inch HDD in the OWC drive dock

thank you

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,030 points

Mar 8, 2025 4:23 PM in response to APPLE DREAMER - PC CLINGER

You should. Right click, copy then right click paste on your external drive. Do you not get that menu

Mar 12, 2025 1:00 AM in response to APPLE DREAMER - PC CLINGER

I am the original poster of this topic… Is it possible for me to edit my original post? If so, how?

thank you

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Why can't I copy and paste files from Mac Studio internal drive to an external HDD with read-only staff permissions?