Can't add tag to some files in Applications - High Sierra - iMac

Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
69
Reaction score
2
Points
8
There is a whole raft on files in Applications to which I can't add a tag. When right clicking on some files the tag options are greyed out.
Do I need to alter permissions somewhere?
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Example? I just tried a half dozen in my Applications folder and didn't see the issue. I'm not going to try them all. So, name one that doesn't work.
 

IWT


Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
10,218
Reaction score
2,175
Points
113
Location
Born Scotland. Worked all over UK. Live in Wales
Your Mac's Specs
M2 Max Studio Extra, 32GB memory, 4TB, Sonoma 14.4 Apple 5K Retina Studio Monitor
@Dave_R

I'm a great fan and user of Tags. Used it for years.

So, as MacInWin asked, can you help us with specific examples please. I'm pretty sure we can get to the bottom of this problem.

Ian
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,745
Reaction score
2,071
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
I'm Catalina and in Finder, the tagging is done with a button on top as opposed to right-clicking each item. I jumped around the apps on in /Applications, both built-in and 3rd party and the tagging button was available and functional for all of them.

What reasons are there to tag applications?
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Did a bit of poking around and it seems that the apps provided by Apple (Calendar, Calculator, Activity Monitor, etc) are greyed out and cannot be tagged. So maybe that's the limitation?

Ashwin, I'm in Catalina, too, but I don't have any button in Finder. Right-click still shows the option as before. Where is this button I'm missing? There is a "Edit Tags" in the optional items for the toolbar, is that what you mean?
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,745
Reaction score
2,071
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
Oh snap! Didn't look at it close enough, can't tag built-in apps, only 3rd party apps. I don't seem to have any tagging options in the right-click menu, but I see the button on top like this:

Screen Shot 2020-01-23 at 4.36.11 PM.png

And selecting Calendar grays out the tag button like so:

Screen Shot 2020-01-23 at 4.39.50 PM.png
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Yeah, that's the added button from the optionals. Which is why I didn't have it. Right-click does still show, for me, the tags options. Wonder if that's a setting, too?
 

IWT


Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
10,218
Reaction score
2,175
Points
113
Location
Born Scotland. Worked all over UK. Live in Wales
Your Mac's Specs
M2 Max Studio Extra, 32GB memory, 4TB, Sonoma 14.4 Apple 5K Retina Studio Monitor
Even in macOS Mojave, using the Finder Window shown by Ashwin, I have the "Add Tags" icon as well. Right Click offers the same option.

Ian
 
OP
D
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
69
Reaction score
2
Points
8
Thanks for the replies.
It is indeed all the Apple apps that can't be tagged, with the peculiar exception of iMovies & Utility directory - although the latter is hardly an app and need permissions changed.
Whether it's r-click or edit tags option at the top of the page, tag options are greyed out when clicking on an Apple app.

I had a similar problem back with El Capitan where the Utilities folder couldn't be tagged without changing permissions - can't remember where now. Anything else could be tagged.

Now it seems that nothing related to Apple stuff can be tagged.
The Utilities folder is open to be tagged but not without changing permissions which I can’t remember offhand – was hoping someone might.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Dave_R, you have not said what version of the OS you are using, but if it is Catalina you may have a larger struggle to tag Apple apps because of the change in security Apple has made in that release. However, to find the permission settings that you might need, right-click on an app that you CAN change and then click Get Info, then right-click on an app and Get Info on one you CANNOT. The result should be two Get Info windows side by side where you can compare the permissions at the bottom of the window.
 
OP
D
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
69
Reaction score
2
Points
8
Just remembered - it's SIP which I can override temporarily with crsutil. Yes I do know the 'dangers' and I woudn't recommend it to a novice.
Thanks again for all your replies.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top