"You are not allowed to copy this file" but I own the file?

Hey ​@Memphis MacPherson 👋 Thanks for the post. Let's try to narrow it down.

The single most helpful thing would be a screenshot taken in the browser where the error happens: open the file, click Share in the top right, and expand the Advanced section so the full panel is visible. That one view tells us a lot about what the file thinks your permissions are.

A couple of things worth checking while you're there:

• First, your browser's clipboard permission for figma.com. A blocked or "ask first" clipboard setting can break copy on the web version while leaving the desktop app untouched, which lines up with what you're seeing. In your browser settings, search "clipboard" and make sure figma.com is allowed (Let me know what browser is your main browser and I’ll look for a help doc)
• Second, does the same thing happen in an incognito/private window? If it works there, it points to a browser extension or a stale session rather than the file itself
• And just to confirm — is the account email shown in the web version the same one you're signed into on the desktop app?

There's also a file-level setting that can restrict copying, sharing, and exporting, it normally only affects people with view access rather than the owner: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040045574-Restrict-copying-and-sharing-on-files Can’t hurt to take a quick look.

Once I can see that Share screenshot and hear how the incognito test goes, I should be able to point you in the right direction. Talk soon! — Jaycee

Hello,

I just had the same issue. Was off for vacations, and I came back I couldn’t copy elements.

I had to logout/login again. Then Google login was asking me for permissions, I guess that was the problem.

Just do this and you should be good to go.

Hello!

I'm running into an issue in Figma: when trying to copy a frame/layer, I get the message "You are not allowed to copy this file".

Key details:

• I'm the owner of all affected files, with full (Editor) permissions
• The issue isn't tied to a specific file — it happens across ALL of my projects
• It occurs in the Figma desktop app (not just in the browser)
• It's not related to other users' access or my plan — this is my personal account

What I've already tried:

• Fully quit and relaunched the app (Cmd+Q)
• Checked Share → Advanced settings on the files — no copy restrictions are enabled there
• Checked status.figma.com — no incidents reported

Could you let me know what might be causing this and how to fix it? Happy to grant access to a file for review (support-share@figma.com) if that helps with diagnosis.

Thank you!

[Moderator note: This post was merged from Can't copy files — "You are not allowed to copy this file" error across all projects into You are not allowed to copy this file" but I own the file? on 27-Jul-2026.]

me too!!! I thought I was going insane.

[Moderator note: This post was merged from Can't copy files — "You are not allowed to copy this file" error across all projects into You are not allowed to copy this file" but I own the file? on 27-Jul-2026.]

This feels like a bug? I’m just getting a spinning wheel when I go to my share settings now. 

I’m just running into this now too. 

Same - fix this bug please Figma overlords!

[Moderator note: This post was merged from Can't copy files — "You are not allowed to copy this file" error across all projects into You are not allowed to copy this file" but I own the file? on 27-Jul-2026.]

seems to be related to share - I am not able to open the share menu on any of my files either it just times out and the modal closes.

[Moderator note: This post was merged from Can't copy files — "You are not allowed to copy this file" error across all projects into You are not allowed to copy this file" but I own the file? on 27-Jul-2026.]

Same here... 😭 

[Edit] It’s back! I have no idea what helped, though.

edit: found a work around, login the browser, it let’s you export from there.