Moving a file in Lightroom

[JamesInAustin]

I just moved lightroom from windows to a macbook. I installed lightroom on the mac.  I exported the catalog in windows and moved the exported catalog to the mac.  I moved all of my photos to the mac.  In lightroom I opened the exported catalog and linked the catalog to all of the moved files.  Everything looked greate and I could navigate to each photo.  However, when I try to move a photo to a new folder I get the message.      file could not be moved to the selected destination. (1).   I checked all the file and directory permissions  and everything lookled fine.  I used finder to move the file to the new directory and it worked perfectly.  I removed the photo from the lightroom catalog and imported the photo in the new directory.  That allowed me to move the file around in lightroom to any directory.  However, moving any other photo gave me the same error message.  On the mac I granted Lightroom permission for full disk access.  Nothing changed.  I still can not move a file.  Any answers or suggestions?

[Claire H.]

Hi @JamesInAustin, Welcome to the Lightroom Classic forums! I'd like to try a few things to see if it works to fix your issue.

1. Check Folder Permissions: Even though you have already checked permissions, it's worth double-checking. Ensure the folders where the photos are being moved have read and write permissions.

2. Check for Updates: Ensure that both macOS and Lightroom are up to date. Sometimes, updates can fix bugs and compatibility issues.

3. Re-link Folders: If the issue persists, try re-linking the folders in Lightroom. Remove the folders from Lightroom and then re-import them. This can sometimes resolve issues with file paths and permissions.

4. Use Lightroom's Built-in Tools: Lightroom has a built-in tool to fix permissions. Go to Library > Find All Missing Photos and follow the prompts to re-link any missing files.

5. Check Disk Space: Ensure that there is enough disk space on the Mac. Insufficient disk space can sometimes cause issues with moving files.

6. Reset Lightroom Preferences: Sometimes, resetting Lightroom's preferences can resolve unexpected behavior. To reset preferences, hold down the Option and Shift keys (Mac) while starting Lightroom. You will be prompted to reset the preferences.

7. Reinstall Lightroom: As a last resort, try uninstalling and reinstalling Lightroom. This can sometimes resolve issues that other troubleshooting steps do not.

If none of these steps work for you, please send your system info so we can try to troubleshoot further. You can find this by going to Help > System Info, copying and pasting it into a text file, and attaching it here. Thanks! ^CH

[JamesInAustin]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I did the checks that you suggested, except #3. Everything checked out. I did not know how to remove folders and then reimport them without losing all of my photo edits. Finally, I did uninstall Lightroom and reinstall it. It is using the same catalog that the previous installation.

Maybe some additional information. In the macbook setting, Lightroom has full disk access. The MacBook HD and Users folders only have read access at the everyone level.. I am new to the mac, but I think this is probably correct. I do not have permissions that allows me to change access. I edited a couple of photos and Lightroom seemed to save the changes. The modified date of the catalog showed the new modified date and time that corresponds to the time I edited the photos.

I still can not move a photo.


Per your request, this is the system info.

Lightroom Classic version: 14.3.1 [ 202505061331-b063faef ]
License: Creative Cloud
Language setting: en-US
Operating system: Mac OS 15
Version: 15.4.1 [24E263]
Application architecture: arm64
Logical processor count: 14
Processor speed: NA
SqLite Version: 3.36.0
Power Source: Plugged In, 100%
Built-in memory: 49,152.0 MB
Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 195.8MB / 36,864.0MB (0%)
Real memory available to Lightroom: 49,152.0 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 2,513.8 MB (5.1%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 413,046.9 MB
Memory cache size: 812.9MB
Internal Camera Raw version: 17.3.1 [ 2227 ]
Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2
Camera Raw virtual memory: 22MB / 24575MB (0%)
Camera Raw real memory: 24MB / 49152MB (0%)

Cache1:
NT- RAM:0.0MB, VRAM:0.0MB, Combined:0.0MB

Cache2:
m:812.9MB, n:0.0MB

U-main: 108.0MB

Standard Preview Size: 1440 pixels
Displays: 1) 3024x1964

Graphics Processor Info:
Metal: Apple M4 Pro
Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
User Preference: Auto
Enable HDR in Library: OFF

Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: /Users/James/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog-v13-3.lrcat
Settings Folder: /Users/James/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

Installed Plugins:
1) AdobeStock
2) Aperture/iPhoto Importer Plug-in
3) Flickr

Config.lua flags:

[Conrad_C]

I strongly agree that step #3 should not be step #3, but should be a last resort option only. Users should not be encouraged to remove and re-import because it throws out all edits and metadata (all your work) associated with those images. I would only do it if raw image edit metadata was first saved to XMP sidecars, but even that will not preserve catalog-level metadata such as collection membership (which affects slide shows, print jobs, etc.).

[dj_paige]

I agree too. Do not remove folder or photos and re-import from LrC in this process.

[Claire H.]

Hi @JamesInAustin, Thank you for the additional information. This is interesting, so let's try a few more things. Thank you, @Conrad_C, for clarifying the steps.

1. Check Permissions for Specific Folders: While the MacBook HD and Users folders have read access at the everyone level, it's important to check the specific folders where the photos are stored. Ensure that these folders have read and write permissions for your user account.

2. Repair Disk Permissions: Sometimes, repairing disk permissions can resolve issues related to file access. To do this, Open the Disk Utility app. Selecting the startup disk. Clicking on "First Aid" and then "Run" to repair disk permissions.

3. Disable Plugins: Sometimes, plugins can interfere with Lightroom's functionality. To see if the issue continues, please try turning off all plugins. You can do this by going to File > Plug-in Manager and unchecking the plugins.

4. Create a New Catalog: If the issue persists, try creating a new catalog and importing the photos into the new catalog. This can help determine if the problem is related to the catalog itself.

5. Check for Conflicting Software: Ensure that no other applications or background processes might interfere with Lightroom's ability to move files. Temporarily turning off antivirus software or other security applications might help identify if they are causing the issue.

I hope these additional steps help resolve the issue. We will keep trying to get this resolved! ^CH

[JamesInAustin · Accepted solution]

First, let me give a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone that has responded to my plea for help. I have reviewed all of them and tried 99% of the suggestions. Unfortunately, nothing I did fixed the problem.

However, I have found a work around that seems to be fixing the problem. It’s just slow and painful.

My setup is rather simple. I have some of my active photographic sessions stored locally, with each session is in its own folder. Most of my photographs are saved on a removable SSD drive. I discovered (somewhat late because I don’t keep the SSD connected all of the time) that I did not have any problems moving files on the SSD. I only had problems moving files on the local drive.

My solution is to move a local folder and files to the removable SSD using LightRoom. I then created a subfolder called MoveTest. I would move a couple of files into the test folder. So far, this has always worked. I then moved the files back and deleted the test folder. I would then move the folder and files back to the local drive. I went through the same test process as described above. AND IT WORKS! I could move files without any loss of edits to my photos.

I have tested this process with 3 different folders/files. So far the process is working. Now I need to repeat the process on the remaining folders/files. There is lots of GB worth of folders/files, so I will be busy this evening.

I wish I could tell you why this works, but I can’t. My only answer is voodoo magic!

Again a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone!

[Claire H.]

I’m so glad you found a solution—even if it's by way of magic! 😊 Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else. ^CH

[JamesInAustin]

I have now rescued my catalog. Following is a detailed description of what was needed. Hopefully someone in Lightroom development will read my description and determine what caused the problem and fix it.

The problem occurred when I transitioned my Lightroom setup in a Windows 11 environment to a Mac environment. I exported my catalog on the windows pc to a new installation of Lightroom on a MacBook Pro. Both machines had the exact same version of Lightroom installed. All of my Lightroom files were transferred to the Mac using the Mac migration program. When I started Lightroom I opened the catalog that was exported from windows. All seemed well. I had access to all of my photos and all their edits. However, when I tried to move a photo I always received a message that the file could not be moved to the destination folder and the move failed. This happened with all of my photos.

My fix. Please note this fix seemed to work only at the folder lever. I had 5 photos that I tried to fix using the following procedures, but failed.

I have a removable SSD that I use for long term storage of my Lightroom photos. I keep my current projects on the Mac’s local SSD.

1. Using Lightroom, move a local folder to the removable SSD. You will receive an error message that Lightroom could not complete the move. Ignore this error message.

2. Using Finder look at the removable SSD. You will see that a complete copy was made of the files you tried to move. Using Lightroom look at the folders on the removable SSD. You will see the folder you were trying to move. You should find all of the photos in the folder, and identify all of the photos that were modified. Everything should look normal.

3. Using Lightroom create a new folder on the removable SSD under the folder that was moved. Name it anything you want. I used MoveTest. Move a couple of pictures from SSD in the original folder to the MoveTest folder. Everything should work. No error messages. Yea, you can move some files.

4. Move the photos from MoveTest back into the originating folder. Remove the MoveTest folder.

5. Using Finder, check the removable drive to confirm at the files were actually moved and are located on the removable drive.

6. Using Finder, look at the local drive. You will find the folder and files that you tried to move are still there. (Remember that Lightroom gave you an error message that it could not complete the folder move process. As it turns out Lightroom moved the files, but could not delete the files on the local drive - thus the error message.)

7. Using Finder drag the folder (with files) to the Trash. This will delete the files on the local disk. To complete the deleting process you will be prompted for a password.

8. Using Lightroom remove the folder (probably grayed out).

9. Using Lightroom, drag and drop the folder on the removable drive onto the local drive.

10. Do the MoveTest procedure to verify the ability to move folders.

11. Repeat the process for all of the folders on the local drive. Your Lightroom catalog will be completely recovered.

Some final thoughts. Somewhere between exporting the catalog from windows to opening the catalog on the Mac, some corruption was made/found. Possibly because of the different file structures. When you moved the files from the local disk to the removable disk, a new correctly formed entry was made in the catalog. Removing the original folder in Lightroom also removed the corrupted entry in the catalog. Moving the folder back to local disk just moved the new correctly formatted catalog entry. Because Lightroom could not remove or delete the folder and files, you had to use Finder for this process.

Hope the description helps.

[Image Ten Photography]

I had a similar issue but mine was moving from Mac to Windows.  I started a new completely new catalog and fixed all the issues I was having.  Lr on Windows does not seem as robust as the Mac version IMO. 

[dj_paige]

I'm not a Mac expert, but reading in this forum there is (or used to be) a global setting to allow LrC to have certain "rights" to access the hard disk(s). Maybe some Mac user can point @JamesInAustin to the right setting.

[dj_paige]

Another thought: the error message "file could not be moved to the selected destination. (1)" may not be a permissions issue. It may indicate that a file by the same name exists in the destination folder, and so LrC will not do the move in that case. This is something you should check.

[Noel Orridge]

Hi @JamesInAustin I see you have tried reinstalling and installing. Did you try it with Creative Cloud Cleaner tool? Reading this might help: https://adobe.ly/4kqyw3b

[ExUSA]

Where is this new folder located? Are your photos on your internal drive or elsewhere? And are you using cloud storage such as iCloud or Dropbox?

[kentl2170309]

Hi,

I struggle with an equal issue, move LrC from Windows to Mac. I keep my images on a NAS and lrcat local. It did not work to copy lrcat and the other admin files to my mac and re-link the image catalouges. I was directed to the import. I rebuild LrC on Win and used a SSD connected to my PC. I was up and running after move of lrcat etc and the SSD connected to my mac. But, when I moved the images to my NAS inside LrC I got the error message 'Could not complete the folder move...Unknown error...' The images were moved to my NAS and expected shared folder. Even if it seem to work Ok with editing images etc is the error message to risky to ignore. My question to the forum is if the SSD and the NTFS format can be the problem? Just found it and I'm a new with mac.

BR Kent

[JamesInAustin]

My experience tells me that the problem is with the Lightroom catalog.

Try.

1. Move all of our files to the Mac.
2. Make a backup of your Lightroom catalog on your windows machine.
3. Move the backed up catalog to your Mac.
4. Open Lightroom and point it to the backup catalog you just moved to the Mac.
5. Connect an SSD to the Mac as an external device.
6. Using Lightroom, move some files to the ssd. You will probably get the error message that the files could not be moved, Ignore the error message. Using Finder look at the SSD - you should see the files that you tried to see. Using Finder look at you Mac and probably will see the files you tried to move. Delete the files on the Mac that you tried to move. ( I think the error message is because there is corruption in the Lightroom catalog causing a problem with deleting the files that were moved!)
7, You can now move the files from the SSD back to the Mac (using Lightroom) without getting the error message.

Hope this works for you. It worked for me.

___________
James