Troubleshooting : Unlocking a database

Unlocking a database

If you open DEVONthink and see an icon of a crossed pencil to the right of the database's name, the database has a file permissions issue. This makes the database readable, but not writeable, so you can't modify the contents in any way.

A permissions issue like this uncommon but generally caused by three events, in order from most to least common: restoring from Apple's Migration Assistant, restoring from Time Machine, or an operating system or hardware error. Doing things like using Migration Assistant will not always cause a permissions issue, but if you have a crossed pencil icon and you've recently migrated to a new machine, this would be the likely cause.

To resolve the issue, do this:

Close the database in DEVONthink.
Locate your database. If it's the Global Inbox, it's located in ~/Library/Application Support/DEVONthink 3. For other databases, do a Spotlight search for kind:database dtBase2.
Select the database file and press ⌘I to show the Info pane.
At the bottom, you'll see Sharing & Permissions. Click the lock icon to unlock it. You will be prompted to enter your administrative password. (This is the password you use to log into your account on your Mac.)
Make sure the account marked (Me) is set to Read & Write.
Click the Action menu and choose Apply to enclosed items, if it is available, then close the Info pane.
Double-click the database file to reopen it in DEVONthink.

If this does not resolve the issue, please contact our support team.