Disk Utility: Fix 'Operation Canceled' Error When Creating Disk Images

Since the release of macOS Catalina, Apple has made significant changes to Disk Utility and overall system security. If you're trying to create or restore a disk image but keep encountering an error, this guide will help you resolve it.

This error indicates that Disk Utility doesn't have sufficient permissions to access your full disk. Unlike in previous macOS versions, creating images now requires explicit permission.

Why This Happens

Starting with macOS Catalina (10.15), Apple introduced stricter privacy controls. Applications must be explicitly granted "Full Disk Access" to perform certain operations. Disk Utility, despite being a system application, is no exception when it comes to creating complete disk images.

Solution: Grant Full Disk Access

Step 1: Quit Disk Utility

If Disk Utility is currently running, close it completely before proceeding.

Step 2: Open System Preferences

Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura and later).

Step 3: Navigate to Security & Privacy

1. Click Security & Privacy (or Privacy & Security on newer macOS)
2. Select the Privacy tab
3. In the left sidebar, scroll down and select Full Disk Access

Step 4: Add Disk Utility

1. Click the lock icon () in the bottom-left corner
2. Enter your administrator password to make changes
3. Click the + button
4. Navigate to /Applications/Utilities/
5. Select Disk Utility and click Open
6. Ensure the checkbox next to Disk Utility is enabled

Step 5: Restart and Retry

1. Close System Preferences
2. Open Disk Utility again
3. Try creating your disk image - it should now work!

For macOS Ventura and Later

On macOS Ventura (13) and later, the steps are slightly different:

1. Open System Settings
2. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar
3. Scroll down and click Full Disk Access
4. Click the + button and authenticate
5. Add Disk Utility from /Applications/Utilities/
6. Toggle the switch to enable access

Summary

The "operation canceled" error is a common issue caused by macOS's enhanced security model. The fix is straightforward:

1. Open System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Full Disk Access
2. Unlock settings and add Disk Utility
3. Restart Disk Utility and retry the operation

This same solution applies to other applications that need full disk access to function properly.