Summary: Unable to open JPEG files because you don’t have the permission to view it is a common issue Mac users often face and is quite frustrating.Therefore, this blog highlights some ways to eliminate the issue and fix JPEG files.
Mac users often report that at times when they try to access their JPEG/JPG files all that appears on the screen is ‘The file cannot be open because you don’t have the permission to view it’ error.
Nothing can be worse than this, as you don’t have the read and write permission to your own JPEG files, how ironic that is. Well, that’s what the purpose of the blog is as it sheds light on some of the different methods to deal with the error and fix JPEG files.
Figure 1: Illustrates to run ‘’First Aid’ on the affected disk
That said, implement these go-to procedures to fix the error. Prior to initiating the repairing process, it is recommended to backup all your files so that in case something unexpected happens at least you can restore your original files.
If you don’t have the permission to open your JPEG/JPG files, following might be the reasons:
If you’re unable to open JPEG/JPG files, quit the photo viewing application and backup all your photos. Then go to the Finder menu bar, hold down the Option key and select Go < Library. Under the Library folder, delete the following items:
After deleting the items, try opening JPEG/JPG files, if everything works fine, then well and good else proceed with the next step.
The problem could be with your Mac hard drive and to fix the error, you need to run Disk Utility in order to regain the access to your photos.
There might be a probability that your drive is corrupt or damaged and that is causing the issue. Disk Utility is the preferred way to eliminate disk related issues as it scans the disk’s structure for errors and automatically fixes it.
To fix the error, follow these steps:
i. Restart your Mac and hold down ‘Command + R’ until Apple logo appears on the screen. MacOS Utilities is displayed, select Disk Utility
Figure 2: Illustrates the Disk Utility feature
ii. Select the required hard drive and click on ‘First Aid’ followed by ‘Run’
Figure 3: Illustrates to run ‘’First Aid’ on the affected disk
iii. Disk Utility analyzes the Mac hard drive for errors. If Disk Utility finds any error on the drive, then it automatically fixes the error and repairs the disk.
Although it won’t fix the error yet if the error is in the JPEG/JPG files, then it can easily and efficiently repair the affected files. Above all, the repairing process is pretty much simple and within a few clicks, you can repair your photos.
Now the issue is not an issue anymore as you have a solution to repair the error and again have the permission to your JPEG/JPG files. Further, the blog also highlights a JPEG repairing software if the file itself is corrupt or damaged. Above all, the key to safeguard your files is to have a relevant backup.
Sumona is a tech blogger, avid photographer, & technogeek with vast experience in writing about media file recovery tips and tutorials. She has over 10 years of experience in media file recovery/media file repair technology. She is passionate about Photography, Creative Designing, Music, and Exploring lesser-known destinations.
Running Mac OS 10.15.6. What works for me is simply to reboot. Now that’s not a great solution, but at least it’s not dangerous. To me that tells me there is an operating system bug.
Hi Nelson, you need to upgrade your OS. Please follow the below steps:
1. Go to Disk Utility. If you have never heard of this app, just look for it in Spotlight.
2. Select your Mac OS X Startup volume in the left column of the Disk Utility window.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the Repair Disk Permissions button.
I had an issue on my Mac 10.8.2 when I open some photos with the preview app, I get this message and try to finder and choose the file but it not give me any option to change permission. Please help me to fix this problem.
Hi Dale, I would like to suggest you can use the given method and fix the issue. In your situation, you can try the Run Disk Utility method which restores your mac. Thanks!
I used to be able to find good information from your articles.
Hi Teeth, Thanks for your words!
What’s up to every , as I am in fact keen of reading this blog’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
It carries good material.
Hi Kristine, Thanks for your appreciation!
Actually, this happens to me a lot. All I do is shut down preview and when I click on a jpg everything is fine again.
Hi Cathi, Thanks for reading our blog and share your valuable feedback with us!
That was very helpful, cheers Cathi. Worked for me.
Whew, thank you! A client had sent me pictures and I needed to import and export them, and I kept getting the error message. I deleted the folders under Go>Library and it fixed it. I was stressing out! Thank you!
Hi Jenn, Thanks for reading our blog and resolve your problem. Keep reading for the next update!