Sync folder not accessible: restore access safely

If SimpleumSafe displays “Sync folder is not available or accessible.”, Folder Sync remains configured, but your Mac cannot currently reach the previously selected folder safely. This applies to the Folder synchronization type on Mac, not iCloud/CloudKit or direct device-to-device synchronization.

Protect your synchronization data first

Do not delete, move, or rename the sync folder, the Safe, or any files inside the sync folder. Do not create a new or same-named replacement folder while the cause is unclear.

Keep the Folder sync provider selected. If a dialog offers to remove synchronization data, never choose Remove Cloud Data.

1. Check the existing storage location

  1. Keep the affected Safe open.
  2. Open the folder previously used for synchronization in Finder without changing anything inside it.
  3. For a USB stick or external drive: connect the same device and wait until it is mounted in Finder.
  4. For a NAS or network drive: reconnect the previous share in Finder. Use the same server, share, and mount path as before.

Expected result: As soon as the same storage location is reachable again at its previous path, SimpleumSafe detects the mounted volume automatically. The message should disappear after a short time. Then start synchronization once; it should begin without the inaccessible-folder warning.

Finder reports missing permission

In Finder, choose Get Info > Sharing & Permissions and check whether your Mac user can read and write the existing folder. For a NAS, the share must also be connected with an account that has read and write access.

Next step: Ask the responsible person or NAS administrator to correct missing access. Do not modify synchronization files or grant broad permissions to everyone as a precaution.

Storage location is not available in Finder

Check the cable, power, network connection, and availability of the previous drive or NAS. A disconnected server share can also make a network folder unavailable.

Next step: Restore the previous storage location first. Do not replace, move, or recreate the sync folder.

2. Renew only the app’s access to the same folder

Follow these steps only when the existing folder is accessible in Finder but SimpleumSafe continues to display the message:

  1. In SimpleumSafe, choose SimpleumSafe > Safe Preferences…
  2. Open Synchronization, then the Sync Provider tab.
  3. Confirm that Folder remains selected. Do not select another sync provider.
  4. Click Choose Sync Folder.
  5. Select exactly the shared root folder that was used before. Do not select an internal subfolder created by SimpleumSafe, and do not create a new folder.
  6. Confirm with Assign.
  7. If the “You are changing the Synchronization Type” dialog appears, choose Proceed without removing Cloud Data. Do not choose Remove Cloud Data.

Expected result: SimpleumSafe stores renewed access permission for the same folder and sets up the existing Folder Sync path again. The error message disappears, and a manually started synchronization should run normally.

If the folder picker shows a different path than expected, you cannot identify the previous folder with certainty, or another delete or replacement dialog appears, cancel and contact support.

If the problem remains

Do not try additional repair, move, or delete operations. Leave the Safe and sync folder at their existing locations.

Contact Simpleum Support and include:

  • your SimpleumSafe version and macOS version,
  • the exact message,
  • whether the folder is local, on an external drive, or on a NAS,
  • whether you can open the existing folder in Finder,
  • which checks you have completed and when synchronization last worked,
  • whether other Macs can still reach the same sync folder.

Never send your Safe password, recovery password, synchronization configuration file, or any other secret. Redact personal folder, server, and user names in screenshots unless they are needed for diagnosis.