Unable to open file with file:// url

Question

Unable to open file with file:// url

Using Apple Mac, silicon, macOS 15.1.1.

I wish to use a URL scheme (file://) to create a link to open files. For example:

file:///Users/victor/Desktop/test.txt

or

file:///Users/victor/Desktop/test.pdf

I create a link in Reminders in the URL field or in a markdown file but on clicking on the link I get errors such as:

"The application “iA Writer” does not have permission to open “test.pdf”."

or

"The application “Reminders” does not have permission to open “test.pdf”."

Looking at the Sharing and Permissions for these files and the Desktop in Get Info they are all set to Read & Write.

I would be grateful for any help in solving this issue.

Mac Studio (2022)

Posted on Dec 4, 2024 5:35 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 4, 2024 7:20 AM in response to vW-MacMiniMBA

Once you have eliminated into the obvious, the Classic problem is that the computer is attempting to open the file you told it to, rather than the one you wanted it to.

You should insert code that shows (on the console?) the fully resolved file-name reference, just before you attempt to open the file. It may show a file-name other than the one you expected.

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Answer 2

Dec 4, 2024 8:24 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I got the path and the file name by copy that information from Finder using Command+Option+C, and which is the same as shown in Get Info.

Could you let me know what you mean by insert code and the console?

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Answer 3

Dec 4, 2024 11:54 AM in response to vW-MacMiniMBA

From your description, it sounded like you were running these file references inside a script of some description. Otherwise you would select the Icon of the file you wanted and double-click or choose File > Open

Scripts run in a Terminal environment. From Terminal you can make all sorts of references to files, and you can use its 'console'. If you tell Terminal to 'print' something, it will be typically be printed to the console, which defaults to the Terminal window.

if you are NOT using a script, you may need to form your file references differently. I am not quite sure how to show the fully resolved file references. if these are generated automatically, then as they are generated, you should print them out in some fashion.

Perhaps the addition of a hostname such as 127.0.0.1 or Localhost (which are references to THIS computer) would get the url to resolve properly.

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