I first ran into the errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4 problem on a Tuesday morning. I was trying to run a shortcut I had built months earlier. It had always worked fine. That day, the icon blinked once, and a small error window appeared. The shortcut stopped before it even started. At first, I thought it was a small glitch, maybe from my Mac waking up from sleep. After a second try, the same message appeared.
This error means your Mac or iPhone could not find the file or resource linked to your shortcut. The shortcut might be gone, renamed, or sitting somewhere your system no longer has access to. It can also happen if permissions changed or if iCloud failed to sync properly.
In this guide, I will walk through what the error means, how to figure out why it is happening, and practical ways to fix it. The steps move from the simplest checks to more advanced solutions. If you work through them in order, there is a good chance you will have your shortcut working again before you reach the end.
What the error actually means
When you see errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4, it comes from Apple’s Cocoa framework. This part of macOS and iOS handles a lot of the behind-the-scenes work for apps, including file locations and automation.
The system is basically saying, “I looked for this shortcut, but it’s not where I expected it to be.” That could mean the shortcut itself has been deleted. It could also mean the file or app the shortcut needs is missing or in a different location. Sometimes nothing is missing at all—the link between the shortcut and its target is just broken.
I’ve seen this happen after macOS updates, after restoring from a backup, or even after moving files around on the desktop.
Common causes
This mistake is frequently caused by a few factors. From my own troubleshooting and helping others, these are the ones I see most:
- The shortcut was moved or renamed in Finder
- The app it depends on was uninstalled or updated
- iCloud syncing was interrupted
- Permissions changed after a system update
- The shortcut was stored on an external drive that is no longer connected
Knowing the cause will make fixing it much faster. But you can still work through the solutions even if you are not sure.
Step 1: Check if the shortcut still exists
On your Mac, launch the Shortcuts app. In the search box, type the shortcut’s name. If it appears, click on it and run it from inside the app.
If it functions there, the problem most likely stems from the alias or icon you were using. Delete the broken one and drag a fresh copy of the shortcut to your dock or desktop.
If it does not appear in Shortcuts at all, it may have been deleted or failed to sync. In that case, you will need to check your backups or other devices.
Step 2: Look on another device
If you use the same Apple ID on more than one device, open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad. If the shortcut shows up there, it means it is still saved to iCloud. In that case, make sure iCloud sync for Shortcuts is turned on in your Mac’s System Settings. One option is to turn off sync, wait a short while, and then turn it back on. That often forces the missing shortcut to reappear.
Step 3: Rebuild the shortcut
If the shortcut is gone and you have no backup, the only option may be to recreate it. It’s not as horrible as it sounds. Open Shortcuts, click the plus button, and rebuild the steps from memory or from any notes you might have.
When I had to do this for a file renaming automation, I actually made it better the second time. It took fifteen minutes and saved me from frustration every day after.
Step 4: Check permissions
Sometimes the file is still there, but macOS will not run it because of changed permissions. Open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and review the Automation, Full Disk Access, and Files & Folders sections.
If the app your shortcut uses is blocked, enable it. This single step has fixed the errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4 problem for me more than once.
Step 5: Make sure the storage location is available
If the shortcut depends on files from an external drive, network share, or cloud folder, make sure that location is connected and mounted. If you unplugged the drive or signed out of a network location, the shortcut will not work.
Reconnect and try again. If you want to avoid this problem in the future, move the shortcut and any related files to your local drive.
Step 6: Fix sync problems
iCloud is great when it works. However, the sync may delay if your internet connection is erratic or slow. Turn off Shortcuts syncing in System Settings, then wait a minute before turning it back on.
Although it takes longer, you may alternatively log out of iCloud and then back in again. Just keep in mind that a complete resync may take a while, particularly if you have a lot of data.
Step 7: Repair disk permissions
If nothing else has helped, open Disk Utility. Click First Aid after selecting your primary disk. This will scan for and repair permission issues and minor file system errors.
While this is a broad tool, I have seen it solve cases where the shortcut file existed but the system refused to open it.
Step 8: Reinstall Shortcuts
This is rare, but sometimes the Shortcuts app itself can have a corrupt setting. Reinstall the program from the program Store after deleting it from Applications and restarting your Mac. Your shortcuts stored in iCloud should come back automatically.
Preventing the problem
Once you fix the issue, it is worth taking a few small steps to avoid seeing it again. Keep your shortcuts in their default folder. Avoid renaming them in Finder. Let iCloud finish syncing before shutting down or moving to a different network. Additionally, maintain a backup of the ones you use on a daily basis.
A quick personal note
The first time I fixed this error, I was sitting at my desk in the house, coffee going cold, trying to automate a boring file export. I thought the shortcut was gone for good. In the end, it was just pointing to a folder I had moved. Once I put it back, everything worked again.
That small fix saved me hours that week. Sometimes the solution really is that simple.
Final thoughts
The errordomain=nscocoaerrordomain&errormessage=could not find the specified shortcut.&errorcode=4 error can look intimidating, but it almost always comes down to a missing file or broken link. By checking location, restoring from backup, fixing permissions, and making sure storage is available, you can usually get back to work quickly.
Even if you have to rebuild from scratch, the process is straightforward. Additionally, you will be more equipped to handle any future occurrences once you are aware of the probable causes.
Shortcuts are meant to save time. A few careful habits will keep them doing just that.