Final Cut Pro Breaks Without Full Disk Access
After a recent upgrade to the latest major releases of macOS (Tahoe) and Final Cut Pro (12.x), I ran into significant issues with Final Cut Pro when working off an external SSD.
Just to note, I’ve always created, edited, and worked off an external SSD and have never experienced issues doing so in Final Cut Pro.
When attempting to bring in assets from an external SSD for a new edit, Final Cut Pro didn’t recognize or display any of the content stored on the SSD outside of listing the top-level folder.
The external SSD was formatted to exFat. However, during troubleshooting, the contents of the external SSD was backed up, the external SSD was reformatted first to macOS Extended and then to APFS, the contents restored each time to the newly reformatted SSD, and the issue persisted.
When opening an existing project from the external SSD, all video clips displayed as “Missing Plug-in”, audio clips appeared but the audio didn’t play, and fonts used in the project did not load properly even though they loaded properly in other applications.
I did try removing then adding the fonts back, but it did not resolve the issue.
Attempting to relink files (with assets stored on the external SSD) did not resolve the issue.
After several hours of in-depth troubleshooting including resetting / clearing the Final Cut Pro preferences*, I was finally able to identify the root cause of the issues.
During the upgrades, Final Cut Pro somehow lost its Full Disk Access (Apple Menu | System Settings | Privacy & Security | Full Disk Access) which essentially “broke” Final Cut Pro.
Once I restored Full Disk Access, I was back in business!
All existing projects on the external SSD (which I subsequently formatted back to exFat) were fully accessible. No missing plug-ins for the video clips. No issues with the audio clips. Fonts loaded properly.
I was also able to start a new edit and fully access all assets on the external SSD.
Unsure if the loss of Final Cut Pro’s Full Disk Access was a glitch or an oversight but it can certainly create major headaches and stir quite a panic.
If you run into a similar issue, check to make sure Final Cut Pro has Full Disk Access.
*To reset / clear the Final Cut Pro Preferences, do the following:
Close out of Final Cut Pro
While holding down the Option + Command keys, launch Final Cut Pro
A Delete Custom Settings dialog box will appear (applies to Final Cut Pro 12.x on macOS Tahoe … may differ in previous versions of macOS and FCP). Click Delete
Follow on-screen prompts to continue launching Final Cut Pro
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