How to Fix: rsync error: failed to set times on "/foo/bar": Operation not permitted

The 'rsync error: failed to set times on "/foo/bar": Operation not permitted' error occurs when the rsync command is unable to set the access and modification times of a file or directory. This issue primarily affects users who are using rsync for synchronization purposes, particularly in environments where file permissions and access control are tightly regulated.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents the successful completion of the rsync operation, even if the majority of files have been synchronized correctly. In this troubleshooting guide, we will explore the root causes of this error and provide two primary methods for resolving the issue.

⚠️ Common Causes

• The 'Operation not permitted' error typically occurs when the user running the rsync command lacks the necessary permissions to modify the file or directory's access times. This can be due to various reasons, such as the file being located on a network share with restrictive permissions or the user account not having the required 'write' and 'modify' permissions.
• Another possible cause is that the file system itself has restrictions in place that prevent modifications to the access times of files and directories. For example, some file systems like ext4 have a feature called 'noatime' which prevents modification of the last access time, while others may have specific settings or policies that limit these capabilities.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

🎯 Final Words

In summary, the 'rsync error: failed to set times on "/foo/bar": Operation not permitted' issue can be resolved by either using the '-a' option with the '--set-times' flag or running rsync as a different user account that has sufficient permissions. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully synchronize files and directories while avoiding this error.