How to Change Application Permissions on a Mac

A detailed guide on changing app permissions on a Mac

This wikiHow will show you how to change what different apps can access on a Mac.

Quick Steps

  1. Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner and select System Preferences .
  2. Go to Security & Privacy > Privacy and select a permission on the left.
  3. Click the checkbox next to an app to enable or disable that app permission.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-1.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the Apple logo at the top left corner of the menu bar.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-2.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The icon is shaped like a house. [2]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-5.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The services on the left contain apps of that service's function, which appear in the window on the right.
    • For example, "Location Services" on the left might have "Maps" enabled on the right because Maps uses Location Services in order to provide directions.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-6.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Apps that are marked with a blue check mark have permission to the service highlighted in the left pane of the window.
    • If you don't see any apps here, it's because you have none that perform the selected service's function.
    • If the apps and check boxes are greyed out, click on the padlock icon in the bottom, left corner of the window.
    • Type in your password.
    • Click Unlock .
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-7.jpg\/aid8266929-v4-728px-Change-Application-Permissions-on-a-Mac-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your app permission changes will be made!
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Why do programs ask for full access to another program?
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Expert Answer
    If a program needs access to the full disk, such as an antivirus program, the software will ask for full disk access to be able to scan everything.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I give something full disk access?
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Expert Answer
    Look for a specific section under "security." Typically, there's a little plus button that you'd click, which gives you your full list of programs. From there, add the program that you'd like to receive full disk access.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How do I stop Google Chrome from changing the OFF sound on my Mac to ON, without asking me?
    Isaac Welch
    Community Answer
    You are going to have to go to Chrome's settings, go to the privacy settings, and change it so that websites can not change your sound. Thanks for specifying what browser you were using.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Some services, like "Accessibility" allow you to add or remove app permissions directly from the "Privacy" window.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • To add an app, click the + , click Applications in the left pane of the popup window, click on an application, and click Open . Click the - to remove an app from the "Accessibility" permissions list.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tell if Your Mac Is Too Old to Update
      Can You Change Your Apple ID Without Losing Everything? Learn How to Keep What You Need
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      How to
      Install MacOS on a Virtual Machine Using VirtualBox
      How to
      Force Shut Down or Restart a Frozen Mac
      5 Ways to Turn On a Mac Computer - wikiHow
      How to
      Open Executable Files on Mac: Wine, Parallels, and Boot Camp
      How to
      Find Your Internal & External IP Address on a Mac
      How to
      Create a TXT File on Mac
      How to
      Change Your Apple ID Password
      How to
      Install AltStore on an iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Change the Scroll Direction on a Mac
      How to
      Disable Password Login on Mac (Plus Troubleshooting)
      How to
      Quickly Open the Launchpad on a Mac
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Stan Kats. Cybersecurity Expert. Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.
      2. ↑ Stan Kats. Cybersecurity Expert. Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To change application permissions on a mac, click the Apple icon → Click "System Preferences" → Click "Security & Privacy" → Click "Privacy" → Click on a service → Click the check box to add or remove an app's permission to the selected service.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 194,971 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement