MacOS -36: Resolving File Copying Issues in Finder

The -36 error in macOS occurs when you're trying to copy files using Finder, and it indicates that the system is unable to read or write some data in the file.

This error is typically caused by hidden files or disk permissions issues that interfere with file transfers.

To fix this, begin by revealing hidden files in Finder by pressing Command + Shift + . and checking for any .DS_Store or .AppleDouble files, which are created by macOS to store metadata for files.

If these files are present, delete them and try copying the file again.

If this doesn’t work, check the file system of the device you're transferring data to, especially if you're using an external hard drive.

MacOS uses HFS+ or APFS file systems, while Windows uses NTFS, which can cause compatibility issues.

If the external drive is formatted in NTFS, you may need to reformat it to exFAT or FAT32, which is compatible with both Windows and macOS.

Another possible solution is to use the Terminal to copy the file, as this method can bypass Finder-related issues.

Open Terminal and type the cp command followed by the path to the source and destination files.

Finally, run First Aid in Disk Utility on both the source and destination drives to repair any potential disk issues that might be causing the -36 error.