Clone Folders with Full macOS Metadata Using ditto

The copy command that keeps Finder flags, ACLs, resource forks, and exact permissions intact.

macOSbackupcopyresource-forkdittoMedium risk

Run `ditto <src> <dst>` to copy a directory tree with all macOS metadata, or add `--sequesterRsrc` when copying onto FAT/exFAT volumes.

01Command

Command

$ sudo ditto /Users/me/Old /Volumes/Backup/Old

02What it does

cp copies file contents and POSIX metadata but silently drops Finder tags, custom icons, and other extended attributes that matter for app bundles and old documents. ditto is the tool Apple's own imaging workflows use, and running it as root preserves ownership even across users. Rerunning the same command acts like rsync-lite, merging into the destination without deleting extra files.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk

Requirementssudo needed when copying system-owned files or to another user's folder.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

macOS ditto — copy files and directories preserving metadata
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents ditto's metadata-preserving copy, --rsrc handling, --norsrc, and -X flags.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Files & Folders

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