How can I resolve error code 8058 on my Mac?

Data Recovery
1

I’m encountering error code 8058 when trying to move files on my Mac. It’s disrupting my workflow and I need a solution quickly. Any advice or steps to fix this issue?

2

Error code 8058 on a Mac usually pops up when there’s an issue with moving files, and it can be a real headache. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and fix it.

Verify File Permissions

First off, you might be dealing with permission issues. Here’s how you can check:

  1. Select the file or folder you’re having trouble with.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) and select ‘Get Info’.
  3. Look for the ‘Sharing & Permissions’ section at the bottom of the info window.
  4. Make sure your user account has ‘Read & Write’ privileges here. If not, click the lock icon to make changes and adjust the permissions accordingly.

Check File Path Length

Sometimes, macOS throws error code 8058 because the file path is too long. Try renaming the file or moving it to a directory with a shorter path.

Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode can sometimes resolve temporary issues causing this error:

  1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Shift key immediately after you hear the startup chime.
  2. Keep holding Shift until you see the Apple logo.
  3. Log in (you might need to log in twice if FileVault is enabled).
  4. Try moving or copying the files again while in this mode.

Disk Utility for Repairing Disk Permissions

If the above steps didn’t work, it might be an issue with your disk permissions:

  1. Open Disk Utility (you can find it in Applications > Utilities).
  2. Select your main hard drive.
  3. Click on ‘First Aid’, then ‘Run’ to repair the disk.

Check for Locked Files

Mac sometimes locks files, and this could be a reason why you’re encountering error code 8058:

  1. Select the file.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) and select ‘Get Info’.
  3. In the ‘General’ section, make sure “Locked” is unchecked.

File System Errors

Disk errors can also trigger this. You’ll want to check your file system for any problems:

  1. Again, open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
  2. Select your main hard drive and click ‘First Aid’.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to repair your disk.

Terminal Commands

For users comfortable with the Terminal, you can try using it to copy or move files. Terminal might succeed where the Finder fails:

  1. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities).
  2. Use the cp command to copy files and mv to move them. For example, cp /path/to/source /path/to/destination.

Reindexing Spotlight

Sometimes Spotlight indexing might be causing issues. Reindexing can fix it:

  1. Open System Preferences and go to ‘Spotlight’.
  2. Click on the ‘Privacy’ tab and add your main drive to the list to prevent Spotlight from indexing it.
  3. Remove it from the list again to force Spotlight to start reindexing.

Third-Party Tools

If you’re still stuck, consider using a third-party tool like Disk Drill. Disk Drill (https://www.disk-drill.com) can help with a range of file-related issues, including file recovery and general disk maintenance.

Here’s a quick summary:

  1. Disk Permissions: Use Disk Utility’s First Aid function.
  2. File Path Length: Shorten the file name or move it to a directory with a shorter path.
  3. Locked Files: Check the file info to make sure it’s not locked.
  4. Safe Mode: Boot into Safe Mode and try moving the files.
  5. Terminal: Use Terminal commands like cp and mv.
  6. Reindexing Spotlight: Reindex your drive through System Preferences.

Error code 8058 is quite common, but with these steps, you should be able to get back to your workflow in no time. Good luck!

3

That’s a lot of steps, but let’s be real—running around changing permissions and messing with Terminal commands can turn into a tech nightmare. Doing simple tasks like moving files shouldn’t require a Ph.D. in Computers.

First off, let’s ditch that whole “Reindexing Spotlight” nonsense. It hardly ever works for these issues and can be a time-consuming process that doesn’t guarantee a fix. Additionally, the suggestion to use Safe Mode? More often than not, it doesn’t resolve persistent problems related to file movement. You can keep booting into Safe Mode, but don’t hold your breath thinking this will magically fix error code 8058.

One option not mentioned enough is clearing the Finder preference files. Finder might have corrupted preference files that are messing things up. Use Terminal to delete these preferences:

rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

After that, force quit Finder using (Cmd + Option + Esc), select Finder, and hit “Relaunch”.

Regarding third-party tools like Disk Drill, they can be very useful, but remember they’re not free forever. Disk Drill has a clean interface and effective tools for resolving disk issues, but it does come at a cost after the trial period. There are alternatives like Data Rescue and TechTool Pro; they perform similar tasks and might offer features that Disk Drill doesn’t cover in its free version.

Disk Drill Screenshot
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Lastly, if all the manual manipulation and third-party tools don’t resolve it, reseting the NVRAM and PRAM could be another way to go:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold `Option + Command + P + R.
  3. Release the keys after about 20 seconds or after hearing the second startup sound.

Just be prepared for some settings in System Preferences to be reset.

Hopefully, you’re able to move those files without having to spend hours or money fixing this issue!

4

The suggestions from @techchizkid and @byteguru are pretty comprehensive, but real talk, some of them can be more hassle than they’re worth. From my experience, the whole process of reindexing Spotlight usually doesn’t cut it for file moving issues, and jumping straight into third-party software can feel a bit premature.

I’d suggest focusing on simpler solutions right off the bat:

Clearing Finder Preferences

Corrupted Finder preferences can often cause these types of issues. Open Terminal and run these commands:

rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

After that, force quit Finder using (Cmd + Option + Esc), select Finder, and hit “Relaunch”. Really straightforward and often effective.

Check External Drives

One thing no one mentioned is to ensure you’re not having issues with external drives:

  • Make sure the drive is properly formatted for use with macOS.
  • Run First Aid in Disk Utility on the external drive.

Resetting NVRAM and PRAM

This is a less common fix, but it does help sometimes:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn it on while pressing and holding Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + P + R.
  3. Release the keys after about 20 seconds or after the second startup sound.

This will reset various settings but can sometimes resolve stubborn system issues.

Third-Party Tools

If you decide to go down the third-party software route, Disk Drill is a good choice. It’s user-friendly and has a good track record for resolving disk issues. Try the free version at Download Disk Drill.

Avoid Overcomplicating

The steps involving Terminal commands to move files (cp and mv) are great if you’re comfortable with Terminal, but not everyone is. If you’re new to Terminal, it’s easy to mess things up. So, only go there if you feel confident about your command line skills.

In a nutshell, stick with the simple fixes first—clear the Finder preferences, check your external drives, and possibly reset your NVRAM, before diving into the heavy tech stuff or third-party tools. Good luck with it!