Mac Error Code 1407: Understanding File and Finder Problems

Why context matters with Error 1407

Error 1407 is not a highly specific code. It broadly indicates that a file operation in Finder failed. The relevant context — what you were doing, which volume is involved, and whether the error repeats on different files — shapes where to look.

Check for locked items

1. 1

   Select the file or folder

   Click once to select it.

2. 2

   Open Get Info

   Press Command-I.

3. 3

   Check the Locked checkbox

   At the top of the info panel, look for a 'Locked' checkbox. If it is checked, uncheck it and try the operation again.

4. 4

   Check ownership

   Scroll to the 'Sharing & Permissions' section. If your user account does not have Read & Write permission, that may be preventing the operation.

Check the volume

• If the destination is an external drive, check its format. Some formats (such as NTFS) are read-only on macOS without third-party software.
• If the source or destination is a network share, check that you are still connected and have write access.
• Eject and reconnect any external drive involved in the operation.
• Check free space on the destination volume — a volume that is full cannot accept new files.

Check disk health

If the error is occurring on an external drive and affecting multiple files, the drive itself may have errors. Open Disk Utility (in Applications > Utilities), select the drive, and use First Aid to check for file-system errors. If Disk Utility finds errors it cannot repair, copy critical data off the drive and consider its health carefully.

Try an alternative method

If Finder cannot perform the operation, Terminal's cp or mv commands sometimes succeed where Finder fails, particularly for permission-related issues. This approach requires some comfort with the command line and understanding of what the command will do before running it.