You are likely to encounter the Osstatus error 47 on your iOS device while deleting some files. This error means that the files you are trying to delete are busy and cannot be removed. Apps such as Mail, Quick Time, and Skype are probably using these files.

However, this error is fixable with some operations. This guide will discuss what this error is, its causes, and possible solutions for it.

What is Osstatus Error 47?

This error indicates that you tried to delete a file currently being utilized by an app in your device. Since the file is busy, the error code 47 pops up, with a message telling you that you cannot delete it. 

The error message reads: This operation can’t be completed because the item (filename, date, and time) is in use.

Once you come across a message like this on your screen, you will have to immediately look for a solution.

What causes this Osstatus Error 47?

Osstatus error occurs when Mac stops you from breaking things by keeping you from deleting the currently used files. I have found out that the following apps are the culprits for this error message:

• Mail
• Skype 
• Preview
• QuickTime etc.

Although there are probably many more to add to this list, I mentioned these apps because they are widely used. The problem occurs when you have image files, text files, or video files open in one of these apps, and then you try to delete the file after you are done with it.

How to fix Osstatus Error 47?

Now you know that you are getting the error code 47 due to a process still using a file in your Trash. Your next concern should be how to fix this issue. Fortunately, there are solutions to fix this issue, and they are not difficult to apply. All you have to do is follow the guidelines below.

Solution 1 – Quit the app that is using the file

This is an excellent method for fixing this error. But it can sometimes be challenging to find out exactly what app is using the file that you wish to delete. Therefore, you will need to try to recall. To perform this solution, you need to follow the guide below.

Step 1: – When you get of this error, you need to open the Trash and find out what file(s) failed to delete. 

Step 2: – After that, you need to try to remember what app(s) you used the file in recent times. For instance, if you recall that you just sent the file in Mail or have it open in a file transfer on Skype, you can easily quit one of these apps to stop any available processes that might be using the file.

Step 3: – Now, you will have to quit the file by right-clicking on the icon in the Dock and then clicking on the Quit option. You can also stop the app from your Menu Bar, or by pressing command + Q simultaneously from your keyboard while the app is running in the foreground.

Once you have quit the app successfully, you may notice that it is still using the file you are trying to delete from your Trash. In this case, you need to empty the Trash again. This operation should work, and the error should be fixed by now.  But if you are still getting it, then it is another app that is using the file. 

You need to find out the app that is using the file and stop it. Just keep going down the line with apps that are running and continue to try deleting the file. Bear in mind that any open processes will be canceled if you delete the source file. These processes could be the reason why the file is too busy to be deleted. 

If this is so, you will have to let your file transfers complete before deleting the file. You may quit everything but still encounter this error. In this case, you will have to try out the next potential fix below.

Solution 2 – Re-launch your Mac’s Finder

You can re-launch your Mac’s Finder in different ways. They include:

• Rebooting your Mac: –  this is the most hands-off approach
• Logging out of your account and logging back in: – which is another relatively hands-off approach
• Force-quitting the Finder: – this is the quickest approach.

Rebooting your Mac is a solution that works for many users. If you have tried quitting all the apps you can think of, you may notice that the file is still busy. When this happens, there is only one other solution for you to try out, and it is to turn your Mac off and on again.

Rebooting your device will quit all of the Mac OS processes. When you stop all the Mac OS processes, your Mac will be forced to restart its services. When this happens, and you log back in, you should have fixed the error.

Now, you will be able to safely empty your Mac’s Trash. You will not be causing any harm because the file is not being used in your apps’ running processes.

To force-quit finder, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1: Access the Apple menu and click on Force Quit.

Step 2: Click on Finder from the Force-Quit window and press the Re-launch button. Or, simply press the Option key and right-click on the OS X Dock to reveal the Re-launch option. 

Step 3:  Run the below-given command to re-launch the Finder:

kill all Finder

Finder windows and desktop icons will vanish and re-appear. The Finder is automatically re-launched when you are done.

Conclusion

Osstatus error 47 can occur on your iOS device while you are trying to delete some files. This error is triggered when apps like Mail, Quick Time, and Skype use the file you are trying to delete.

This guide has provided you with the solutions to help you resolve this error. Now, it is your turn to perform these solutions and tackle it.

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