Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Why OSX cp -avr get this error: the -R and -r options may not be specified together?

Error when using cp command on Mac with -avr and -R options.

Quick Answer: The issue is due to the difference in syntax between Linux and Mac's Unix-like systems. Use -avR or -aRV instead of -avr to avoid errors.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The error 'the -R and -r options may not be specified together' is encountered when attempting to copy a folder tree using the cp command in macOS. This issue affects users who are familiar with Linux and have adopted similar commands, but may not be aware of the differences in syntax between the two operating systems.

This error can be frustrating for users who rely on the cp command to manage their files. However, by understanding the root causes of this issue and following the correct steps, it is possible to resolve the problem and continue using the cp command efficiently.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that macOS does not support the combination of -R and -r options in the same way as Linux. In Linux, the -R option stands for '-recursive' and indicates that the command should be applied to all subdirectories within a specified directory. The -r option stands for '-recursive' and has similar functionality. When used together, they can cause confusion and lead to unexpected results. In macOS, the -R option is not supported with the -r option, which leads to the error message.
  • Another possible reason for this issue could be due to a typo in the command or an incorrect usage of options. It's also possible that the tutorial provided was outdated or contained incorrect information.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Using the correct syntax

  1. Step 1: To resolve this issue, users can use the correct syntax for the cp command in macOS. Instead of using -avr, which is a Linux-specific option, users should use either -R or -r separately to achieve the desired result.
  2. Step 2: For example, if you want to copy a folder tree recursively, you can use the following command: cp -R /blah/blah/htdocs ./. Alternatively, if you want to preserve the file timestamps and permissions, you can use the following command: cp -rp /blah/blah/htdocs ./
  3. Step 3: It's also important to note that the order of options matters in macOS. The correct order is to specify the source directory first, followed by any additional options.

Workaround using -avR (not recommended)

  1. Step 1: As a workaround, some users may use the -avR option instead of -avr. However, this is not a recommended solution and can lead to unexpected results.
  2. Step 2: The -avR option stands for '-a', '-v', and '-R' respectively, which means 'preserve all files and attributes', 'verbose output', and 'recursive'. While using -avR may seem like an alternative solution, it's essential to understand that this is not a standard macOS command and can cause issues with file permissions and ownership.
  3. Step 3: Using -avR instead of -avr may also lead to slower performance and increased disk usage due to the additional verbosity.

✨ Wrapping Up

By understanding the root causes of the error and following the correct steps, users can resolve the issue and continue using the cp command efficiently. It's essential to use the correct syntax and options for macOS-specific commands to avoid unexpected results.

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