How to Change Application Permissions on a Mac

A detailed guide on changing app permissions on a Mac

Co-authored by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Tested

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

Quick Steps

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

Steps

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It's the Apple logo at the top left corner of the menu bar.
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Click on a service in the left pane. 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.
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Click the check box next to an app to add or remove the permission. 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.
Your app permission changes will be made!

Expert Q&A

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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.

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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.

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Question

How can I change the permission on MS Office (MS Word), which is not showing in on the privacy tab content, the ms office which is not compatible with my new Big Sur, I am trying to uninstall.

Phantom Me

Community Answer

In an Office program, on the File tab, click Options. Click the area that you want (on the left pane) and make the selections you need. For example, to change the privacy settings, click Privacy Options. When changing privacy settings, you should make selections that will help set the level of Office privacy you want.

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Tips

Some services, like "Accessibility" allow you to add or remove app permissions directly from the "Privacy" window.

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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.

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