Search code examples
terminalosx-snow-leopard

How can I get chmod -R to work for me? (operation not permitted)


When I try to do something like:

chmod -R ug+rw files

On a folder with existing content I get:

chmod: Unable to change file mode on [fill in the blank]: Operation not permitted.

It's on a site on my own computer (which I am the admin of).


Solution

  • Do sudo chmod -R ug+rw files. You have to be the owner of all of the files to change the permissions, unless you're operating with root privileges.