Cannot Upload Files From Mac – How To Fix

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can't upload file from mac

There have been many complaints about users being unable to upload their files using Chrome or Safari on their Macs. No action is performed when you press the camera, clip, or add button, and there is no alert or any sort of browser crash.

You can try two major methods if you cannot upload files from Mac. Click on System Preferences on your Mac and go to Security & Privacy tab. Here tap on Privacy on the menu option above and then look for Files and Folders on the left menu list. Now, under the Chrome option, uncheck the box that says Downloads folder.

This can be very frustrating as it can put a hold on your work, not allowing you to upload important files. This issue is more prevalent in Macs running with the new M1 chips and the Chrome browser. This article guides you on how to fix this issue.

Cannot Upload Files From Mac- How To Fix

1. For Chrome Browser

This issue is most common with the Chrome browser and is much less common among other browsers like Safari and Firefox. Refer to the instructions provided below to see how it can be fixed. There are two different methods using which this issue can be resolved; try out both of them and see which one works out for you. 

  • Power on and sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to the Security & Privacy tab and select Privacy. 
  • From the menu on the left-hand side, click on Files and Folders.
Cannot Upload Files From Mac
cannot upload files from my mac
  • From the section on the right side, search from Chrome and uncheck the box below the Downloads folder.
cannot upload files from my mac
  • Once the permissions have been disabled, rerun the Chrome browser and check to see if you can upload files now. 

If that does not fix the issue, you can try adding the Chrome browser to full disk access. 

  • To do this, head back to the Privacy section within the Security & Privacy tab. 
  • Select the Full Disk Access option from the menu on the left-hand side. 
  • Click on the small lock icon at the bottom of the screen and enter your password to allow for changes. 
  • Click on the “+” icon and add Google Chrome to the list. 
  • Open Google Chrome and check to see if this fixed the issue. 

2. For Safari

Safari is not known to have this upload issue. However, when safari 14.0.1 was released, a bug caused problems uploading files and documents on web pages. However, this issue was fixed with the release of the 14.0.3 update. So, if you’re facing this issue on Safari, try updating it to the latest version to fix it. 

There is another fix to this issue, if, for some reason, you cannot update to Safari 14.0.3 from 14.0.1, you can simply drag and drop the files over the upload button icon in the Safari browser. 

If the website supports the drag-and-drop feature, the button will change colors to indicate it. Furthermore, almost all websites nowadays have this drag-drop feature, even the ones using a basic HTML button with no JavaScript coding. 

How To Fix the Drag And Drop Feature Not Working On Mac?

There can be several reasons for the drag-and-drop feature not working on Mac, like improper settings or outdated software. Other causes can be changes in the mouse and trackpad preferences, affecting how a file is selected and moved. 

  • For starters, you can try using alternate finger combinations, like using the thumb to select the file and the index finger for dragging it.
  • If that does not fix the issue, you can try restarting your Mac and checking to see if there are any available updates. Outdated software can be one of the major reasons for this issue, so if you have a general update, download and install it as soon as possible.
can't upload file from mac
can’t upload file from mac
  • If you use an external Apple mouse, check if the battery is charged. Improper power flow to the mouse can also interfere with its functions. You might need to change the mouse settings if you use an external mouse with a multi-button configuration.
  • You can also try disabling the force click and haptic feedback to see if it fixes the issue. 
  • Try changing the cursor speed and altering the preferences for the left-click to allow for easier dragging and dropping.
  • You can also enable the three-finger drag, which allows you to drag and drop files by using a three-finger gesture which some people prefer over the regular way. To do this, head to the system preferences and open the Accessibility tab. Select Pointer Control and head over to the Trackpad Options. Furthermore, within the trackpad options, click on Enable Dragging and select the Three finger drag option. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to enable file transfer on Mac?

You can share files and folders among your private network or a public one, depending on your preference. To enable file sharing, head to the System Preferences from the Menu bar and click on the Sharing tab. 

Check the box next to the File Sharing option from the list on the left side. You can add a specific folder by clicking on the “+” icon from the bottom of the Shared folders list.

2. How to enable permissions on Mac?

Following these steps, you can set different permissions for a specific folder on your Mac. Select a disk, file, or folder and use the two-finger gesture to display more options. From the dropdown list, click on Get Info and click on the lock at the bottom of the window to enable editing the permissions. Choose a user or a group and edit its permissions per your preference.

Conclusion

That’s it for this article, folks; hopefully, the methods mentioned here will help you resolve the upload issue on your Mac. This issue is more prominent on M1 Macs but can also be seen in other models, usually due to outdated software. Both of the solutions mentioned above have shown to resolve the issue satisfactorily. However, adding the browser to the full disk access list is a way to resolve this issue.

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