Error 8058 appeared on a file I own. Why can't I move it?

File ownership and whether a file is in use are separate questions. Even a file you own cannot be moved while another process has it open exclusively. Check which apps are running and close those that could be accessing the file.

The error appeared when emptying the Trash. Is that the same problem?

Trash errors involving a file in use follow a similar pattern. Quit apps that may be holding those files open and try emptying again. On older macOS versions, a Secure Empty Trash option existed; on current macOS, holding Option while choosing Empty Trash can sometimes clear stuck items.

Is this error related to permissions?

It can be, but it is less commonly a permissions error and more commonly a file-in-use issue. Check Get Info > Sharing & Permissions if the file-in-use checks do not help.

Should I restart the Mac to fix this?

A full restart will close all applications and release any held file locks, which often resolves the error. It is a reasonable step if quitting specific apps has not helped.

Mac Error Code 8058: What It Means and How to Fix It

Symptom

Finder shows Error Code 8058 when trying to move or copy a file.

Error 8058 is a Finder operation failure often related to a file being in use by another process, or a problem with the source or destination volume.
Quitting apps that may be using the file and restarting Finder are the simplest first steps.
The error can also appear when the destination volume has a problem.

What Error 8058 indicates

Error 8058 is a general Finder error code in the 'miscellaneous Finder error' range. It can indicate that the file cannot be read from the source, cannot be written to the destination, or that another process has the file open and is preventing the move.

Like many Finder error codes, 8058 is not precise about the cause. The situation in which it appears — which file, which operation, which volumes — provides more diagnostic information than the number itself.

Check whether the file is in use

If an application has the file open, Finder may be unable to move it. This is common with documents in productivity apps, preview panes in other Finder windows, or media files being played back.

Quit applications that may be using the file
Close any apps that have the file open: Pages, Word, Preview, Music, or any app that previews file contents.
Close other Finder windows
If another Finder window is previewing the same file, close it.
Retry the operation
Attempt the move or copy again with those apps closed.

Restart Finder

Finder can accumulate state problems during a long session. Restarting it is quick and safe:

Hold Option and right-click Finder in the Dock
A context menu appears with a Relaunch option.
Choose Relaunch
Finder quits and restarts. No data is changed.
Retry the file operation
Attempt the move or copy after Finder has relaunched.

Volume and destination checks

Check free space on the destination volume. A volume with very little free space may produce errors on file operations.
Eject and reconnect any external drive involved.
If the destination is a network share, reconnect to the share.
Check the source file for the Locked attribute in Get Info (Command-I).

Test in Safe Mode

If the error persists across multiple files and operations, booting into Safe Mode (which loads a minimal version of macOS with third-party extensions disabled) can help establish whether a third-party extension or background process is causing the interference. If the operation succeeds in Safe Mode, a background process or extension is the likely cause.

Safe Mode varies by hardware

The method for starting in Safe Mode differs between Intel Macs and Apple silicon Macs. Refer to current Apple documentation for your specific hardware.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and further reading

Mac error codes — Apple Developer Documentation

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Ruben Alvarez

Mac troubleshooting writer

Mac troubleshooting writer covering startup behaviour, storage, Finder problems and macOS error messages.

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