Can’t open an email attachment in Mail for Mac? Try this

Mail has stymied some folks after they improve macOS and attempt to open attachments. As a substitute of the attachment opening within the applicable utility, an app claims “you don’t have permission to view it” or “entry to file title was denied.” Nonetheless, in the event you drag the file out of Mail onto the Desktop or into one other Finder window, you discover you may open it with none error.

The answer could also be so simple as fixing permissions on the deeply nested folder that Mail makes use of to carry attachments. Right here’s the right way to proceed:

1. Within the Finder, select Go > Go To Folder.
2. Paste within the following: ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Knowledge/Library/
3. Choose the folder Mail Downloads.
4. Select File > Get Information.

Underneath Sharing & Permissions, you must see title (Me) and Learn & Write subsequent to it. If you don’t, click on the lock within the lower-right nook of the Get Information window and authenticate as requested by macOS.

Then carry out one of many following actions within the Get Information window’s Sharing & Permissions part:

• Click on the popup beneath Privilege subsequent to the title (Me) entry and select Learn & Write.
• In case your title doesn’t seem within the Title column, click on the + (plus) signal, select your title, and click on Choose. Then choose Learn & Write within the Privilege column to its proper.

Now click on the circled extra button (… in a circle) on the backside, select Apply to Enclosed Objects and click on OK to substantiate.

This could clear up the permissions situation for most individuals. If that doesn’t work, I like to recommend restarting into macOS Restoration and working Disk Utility’s Disk First Help as described in these steps.

If that also doesn’t clear up the Mail attachments downside, I counsel a non-destructive reinstallation of macOS in place. Be sure you create a full Time Machine or related backup earlier than reinstalling macOS.

This Mac 911 article is in response to a query submitted by Macworld reader Value.

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