macOS may ask you to give an app Accessibility access when it needs to control parts of your Mac, such as pressing buttons, typing for you, managing windows, or responding to keyboard shortcuts. You can allow or deny this permission in System Settings. You can also remove access later if you change your mind.
Quick Answer
To allow or deny Accessibility access for an app:
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Click Accessibility.
- Turn the switch next to the app on to allow access, or off to deny it.
- Enter your administrator password or use Touch ID if macOS asks.
If the app is not listed, click the Add (+) button and select it from your Applications folder. You may need to quit and reopen the app before the change takes effect.
What Accessibility Access Does
Accessibility access gives an app permission to interact with other apps and with macOS itself. Depending on the app, this can allow it to:
- Control the pointer or keyboard
- Press buttons and choose menu items
- Move, resize, or organize windows
- Respond to system-wide keyboard shortcuts
- Automate actions in other apps
- Read certain information displayed on the screen
This permission is different from access to your camera, microphone, files, contacts, or screen recording. For example, an app that needs to control a video conference window may request Accessibility access, while an app that needs to use your camera requires a separate camera permission.
If you are troubleshooting audio or camera problems, check the related privacy settings as well. See our guide on how to check which apps can access your camera and microphone on a Mac.
Only allow Accessibility access to apps you trust. A malicious or poorly designed app with this permission may be able to control your Mac or interact with information in other apps.
How to Allow Accessibility Access for an App
Use these steps when an app displays a message saying it needs Accessibility access or when one of its features does not work.
- Open the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Select System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Scroll down and select Accessibility.
- If the settings are locked, click the lock or authentication control if shown, then authenticate with your Mac password or Touch ID.
- Find the app in the list.
- Turn on the switch next to the app.
- Quit the app and open it again if macOS or the app instructs you to do so.
Some apps are not listed automatically. If you do not see the app, click the Add (+) button below the list. Select the app, usually from the Applications folder, and click Open. The app should then appear in the Accessibility list.
If macOS asks you to open System Settings
Some apps provide an Open System Settings button in their permission request. Select it to go directly to the relevant privacy setting. If the button does not work, open System Settings manually and follow the steps above.
If the app has multiple components
Some apps install a helper app or background service that also needs Accessibility access. The main app may appear in the list under one name while the helper uses another. Check the app developer’s instructions before enabling access for unfamiliar components.
If you are unsure whether a helper belongs to an app you installed, deny access temporarily and check whether the app provides a verified explanation. Do not enable every item in the list simply because an app requests it.
How to Deny Accessibility Access for an App
You can deny access during an app’s initial request or turn off access after it has already been granted.
Turn off access in System Settings
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Click Accessibility.
- Find the app you want to restrict.
- Turn off the switch next to it.
- Authenticate if macOS requests your password or Touch ID.
The app may continue running, but features that depend on Accessibility access may stop working. For example, window management, automation, keyboard customization, or pointer control may no longer function.
Remove the app from the list
Turning off the switch denies access while leaving the app listed. To remove the entry completely:
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
- Select the app in the list.
- Click the Remove (–) button.
Removing an app from the list does not uninstall it or delete its files. If the app requests Accessibility access again later, macOS may add it back to the list after you approve the request.
Warning before uninstalling or force-quitting
You usually do not need to uninstall an app or force-quit it to deny Accessibility access. If you decide to quit the app, save your work first. Force-quitting can discard unsaved changes.
After turning off access, quit and reopen the app normally. If it remains active in the background, you may also need to quit it from the menu bar or restart your Mac.
What to Do When an App Is Not Listed
An app may not appear in the Accessibility list until it requests permission. You can add it manually if the app supports this permission.
- Open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Choose Accessibility.
- Click Add (+).
- Open the Applications folder.
- Select the app.
- Click Open.
- Turn on the switch beside the newly added app.
If the app still does not work, confirm that you selected the correct application. Some apps have a separate launcher, helper, or version-specific copy stored in another folder.
Do not add individual files from inside an app’s package. Select the main application file, which normally ends in .app and appears as a single app icon in Finder.
How to Reset Accessibility Permission for an App
If an app appears to have permission but behaves as though it does not, turning the permission off and on again can help.
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
- Turn off the switch next to the app.
- Quit the app completely.
- Reopen System Settings and return to the Accessibility list.
- Turn the app’s permission on again.
- Reopen the app.
If that does not help, remove the app from the list with the Remove (–) button, quit and reopen the app, and approve the permission request again if it appears.
Save any open work before quitting or restarting an app. If the app is unresponsive, use force-quit only as a last resort because unsaved work may be lost.
Troubleshooting Accessibility Permission Problems
The switch is dimmed or cannot be changed
You may not have permission to modify privacy settings, or the settings may be locked. Authenticate when prompted. If the Mac is managed by an employer, school, or organization, an administrator may control these settings.
If you use a standard user account, ask an administrator to approve the change. Do not attempt to bypass management restrictions.
The app still says permission is missing
First, confirm that the switch is on for the correct app. Then:
- Quit and reopen the app.
- Confirm that you added the current copy of the app, not an older copy in another folder.
- Turn the permission off and on again.
- Restart your Mac.
- Check the app’s own settings for an option related to automation, keyboard control, window management, or permissions.
App updates can sometimes cause macOS to treat the updated app as a different item. If the problem started immediately after an update, remove the old entry and add the current app again.
The app works only after restarting the Mac
This may indicate that the app includes a background helper that starts when you log in. Check whether the app has a separate menu bar component or login item. You may need to allow Accessibility access for the helper as well as the main app.
Only enable entries that clearly belong to the software you trust.
The app is listed more than once
Duplicate entries can appear after an app is updated, moved, or reinstalled. Turn off or remove entries for older copies, then keep the entry associated with the copy you currently use.
If you are unsure which entry is correct, remove the duplicates, reopen the app, and approve its request again. Save your work before closing the app.
Keyboard shortcuts or window controls do not work
These features commonly depend on Accessibility access. Confirm that:
- The app’s Accessibility switch is on.
- The app is running from its current location.
- Its own shortcut settings are correct.
- Another app is not using the same keyboard shortcut.
- The feature does not require a separate permission, such as Automation or Input Monitoring.
Accessibility access does not automatically grant every privacy permission. An app may need more than one approval to perform a particular task.
Audio or camera features still do not work
Accessibility access usually does not control whether an app can use your microphone or camera. Check those permissions separately. If you are troubleshooting an audio issue, follow our guide on fixing a microphone that is not working on a Mac. For video problems, see how to fix a camera that is not working on a Mac.
Also check the app’s selected microphone, camera, and output device. An app can have permission to use a device while still using the wrong device in its own settings.
The app requests access every time it opens
Repeated requests may occur if the app is being launched from a different location, updated between versions, or unable to save its permission state. Try removing the existing entry and adding the current app again.
If the problem continues, update the app from its official source or contact the developer. Avoid downloading replacement copies from unverified websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to allow Accessibility access?
It can be safe when the app comes from a trusted developer and you understand why it needs the permission. Accessibility access is powerful because it may let the app control other apps or interact with information on your screen. Deny the request if the reason is unclear.
What happens if I deny Accessibility access?
The app remains installed and can usually open normally, but features that control windows, simulate keyboard or mouse actions, or automate other apps may not work.
Can I change the decision later?
Yes. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility, then turn the app’s switch on or off. You can also add or remove apps from the list.
Does removing Accessibility access uninstall the app?
No. Removing an entry only changes the app’s privacy permission. It does not delete the app or its documents.
Why does an app need Accessibility access to manage windows?
Window-management apps often need permission to identify windows and move or resize them. macOS treats this as system control, so it requires explicit approval.
Is Accessibility access the same as Screen Recording?
No. Accessibility access lets an app control or interact with macOS and other apps. Screen Recording allows an app to capture the contents of your screen. An app may request one, the other, or both.
Final Thoughts
You can manage an app’s Accessibility permission from System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. Turn access on only when you trust the app and understand why it needs control of your Mac. If a feature stops working, verify the correct app entry, reset its permission, and check whether it needs a separate privacy approval.