Error code 100060 on MacBook M3

Since upgrading to macOS Golden Gate, Contacts has stopped responding on my MacBook Pro M3 Pro (November 2023). I’ve also encountered error code 100060 when copying files to an external drive.

The two issues may be unrelated, but it is worth checking whether the macOS upgrade has affected both Contacts and external storage.

1. Get Contacts working again

Try these steps in order:

Force quit Contacts: Press Option + Command + Esc, select Contacts, and click Force Quit. Then try opening it again.
Launch Contacts while holding Shift: Press and hold the Shift key while opening Contacts from the Dock or Applications folder. Keep holding Shift as it launches, then release it. This prevents the app from restoring its previous windows and may help if the saved window state is causing the problem.

Apple Support: Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac

Check your accounts: Open System Settings >> Internet Accounts and check whether Contacts is enabled for iCloud or another account. Don’t remove accounts or disable syncing just yet.

Apple Support: Set up Contacts accounts on Mac

Restart your Mac: If Contacts still freezes, restart normally and try again. Note whether it freezes immediately or while loading or syncing your contacts.

Apple Support: If an app freezes or quits unexpectedly

Avoid deleting Contacts database files or resetting your address book until your contact data is safely backed up.

2. Troubleshoot error code 100060

The error could be related to the external drive’s file system, available space, permissions, connection or software compatibility.

Try the following:

Check the connection: Connect the external drive directly to your Mac. If possible, try another cable or port and temporarily bypass any USB hub or dock.
Test a small file: Copy a single document and check whether the error occurs immediately or only with certain files or larger folders.
Check the drive format: Select the external drive in Finder and press Command + I to open Get Info. Check its format, APFS, Mac OS Extended, exFAT or NTFS , and its available space.

Apple Support: If your Mac can’t save files to an external drive

Note that macOS can generally read NTFS drives but does not natively support writing to them.

Run Disk Utility First Aid: Open Disk Utility, choose View >> Show All Devices, select the external volume and click First Aid. Back up accessible files first if possible.

Apple Support: Repair a storage device with Disk Utility

Check for macOS updates: Go to System Settings >> General >> Software Update and check for a compatible update. Back up your Mac before installing it.

3. Could the macOS upgrade be responsible?

Possibly, but we should not assume both issues have the same cause. I would avoid reinstalling macOS, deleting Contacts data or reformatting the external drive until we’ve narrowed down the problem.

4. Details that will help identify the cause

To determine the most likely cause, please check the following:

macOS version: Are you running macOS 27 Golden Gate or possible macOS 27.0.1

External drive format: Is it APFS, exFAT, NTFS, or are you unsure?

Contacts behaviour: Does the app freeze with a spinning cursor, crash, or open with your contacts missing?

Copying files: Does error 100060 occur with every file, including small ones, or only with certain files or larger folders?

With these details, we can work through the likely causes step by step while protecting your contacts and files.

Important: The Shift-key launch is a safe first test, but it only prevents Contacts from restoring its previous windows. It does not reset the Contacts database or repair a damaged address book

Error code 100060 on MacBook M3

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