Quick Answer
To see which apps have Full Disk Access on your Mac:
- Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Click Full Disk Access.
- Review the list of apps and services. A switch turned on means that item has Full Disk Access.
- To change access, click the lock if necessary, authenticate with your Mac password or Touch ID, and turn an item on or off.
Full Disk Access allows an app to access protected files and data that macOS normally restricts. Only enable it for apps you trust and understand.
What Is Full Disk Access?
macOS protects sensitive locations such as your Mail data, Messages history, Safari data, Time Machine backups, and some user and system settings. Most apps cannot read those areas unless you explicitly grant permission.
Full Disk Access is a privacy setting that gives an app broader access to protected files and information. Some backup tools, antivirus apps, disk utilities, file-management tools, and advanced troubleshooting apps may need it to work correctly.
Full Disk Access is broader than ordinary permission to open a file or folder. Granting it can allow an app to access more of your personal data than you intended, so it should not be enabled automatically for every app that requests it.
How to See Which Apps Have Full Disk Access
The steps are slightly different depending on whether your Mac uses System Settings or the older System Preferences interface.
On a Mac with System Settings
- Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Select System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Scroll down and select Full Disk Access.
- Review the list of apps and services.
Items with their switches turned on currently have Full Disk Access. Items with their switches turned off are listed but do not currently have that permission.
You may see apps, utilities, helper tools, and system services in this list. An item does not necessarily need to be open for its permission to remain enabled.
On a Mac with System Preferences
If your Mac uses System Preferences instead:
- Open the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences.
- Click Security & Privacy.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Choose Full Disk Access in the left sidebar.
- Review the apps shown on the right.
You may need to click the lock icon in the lower-left corner before changing the list. Enter your administrator password or use Touch ID when prompted.
How to Tell Whether Full Disk Access Is Enabled
The setting’s appearance depends on your macOS interface:
- In System Settings, a switch turned on means the app has access.
- In System Preferences, a checked box means the app has access.
- A dimmed or unavailable control may mean you need to authenticate before changing it.
- An app shown in the list is not necessarily approved; check its switch or checkbox.
Do not assume that an app needs Full Disk Access just because it appears in the list. macOS can display apps that have been added to the privacy settings even when their permission is currently disabled.
How to Turn Full Disk Access On or Off
Turn access on
Before enabling access, verify that you recognize the app and downloaded it from a source you trust. If the app is unfamiliar, look up its developer and purpose before approving it.
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
- Authenticate if macOS asks you to do so.
- Find the app in the list.
- Turn on its switch.
On older versions of macOS, use System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Full Disk Access, unlock the settings, and select the checkbox beside the app.
Some apps must be closed and reopened before the new permission takes effect. Save your work first, then quit and relaunch the app if it still reports that access is unavailable.
Turn access off
Turning off Full Disk Access can prevent an app from reading protected data or completing tasks such as backups, security scans, or system maintenance.
- Open Full Disk Access in Privacy & Security.
- Authenticate if required.
- Locate the app.
- Turn off its switch.
On older macOS versions, clear the checkbox beside the app.
Warning: Disabling access may interrupt an active backup, scan, file operation, or other task. Wait for important operations to finish before changing the setting. If an app is open, save your work before quitting and reopening it.
How to Remove an App From the Full Disk Access List
Turning off a switch prevents current access, but it may leave the app listed in the settings. If you want to remove an entry completely:
- Open Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
- Authenticate if necessary.
- Select the app or service.
- Click the minus (–) button, if the button is available.
On some macOS versions, you may be able to select an item and remove it from the list. Removing an app does not uninstall it or delete its files. It removes that privacy permission entry.
If the app requests Full Disk Access again later, macOS may add it back when you approve the request.
Why an App Might Need Full Disk Access
A legitimate app may request Full Disk Access for several reasons:
- A backup app needs to read files in protected locations.
- Antivirus or security software needs to scan a wider range of files.
- A disk utility needs to inspect storage-related data.
- A file-management tool needs to work with protected folders.
- A troubleshooting utility needs access to logs or system data.
- A synchronization tool needs to read data that macOS restricts by default.
The request alone does not prove that an app is safe or unsafe. Consider the app’s developer, download source, purpose, and whether its requested access matches the task it performs.
For example, a basic image viewer generally should not need broad access to your Mail database. A backup application may have a reasonable reason to request it. When in doubt, leave the setting off until you can verify the app’s requirements.
Full Disk Access and Camera or Microphone Permissions
Full Disk Access is separate from access to your Mac’s camera and microphone. An app can have Full Disk Access without being allowed to use either device, and an app can have camera or microphone access without having Full Disk Access.
To review camera and microphone permissions, open System Settings > Privacy & Security, then select Camera or Microphone. For a separate walkthrough, see how to check which apps can access your camera and microphone on a Mac.
This distinction is useful when troubleshooting audio or video problems:
- If an app cannot record sound, check Microphone permissions.
- If an app cannot use video, check Camera permissions.
- If an app cannot read protected files, backups, or system data, check Full Disk Access.
Changing Full Disk Access will not usually fix a microphone or camera permission problem by itself.
Troubleshooting Full Disk Access Problems
The app is not listed
If an app does not appear in the list, try the following:
- Open the app and repeat the operation that requested access.
- Return to Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
- Look for the app again.
- If available, click the plus (+) button and select the app from the Applications folder.
- Authenticate and enable its switch.
Some apps use a separate helper tool rather than the main app. Check the developer’s instructions before adding an unfamiliar helper or system component.
If the app was recently installed, quit System Settings, reopen it, and check again. You can also restart the Mac if the permission list does not update.
The app still says it lacks access
First, confirm that the correct app or helper is enabled. Some software includes multiple components, and enabling the wrong one will not resolve the problem.
Then try these steps:
- Save your work.
- Quit the affected app completely.
- Confirm its Full Disk Access switch is on.
- Reopen the app.
- Repeat the task.
If the problem continues, update the app through its normal update process. An outdated app may not work correctly with current privacy controls.
Also check whether the app needs a different permission, such as Files and Folders, Accessibility, Automation, Camera, or Microphone. Full Disk Access does not automatically grant every privacy permission.
The switch is unavailable
If you cannot change the switch:
- Click the lock or authenticate when prompted.
- Make sure you are using an administrator account if macOS requires one.
- Check whether the Mac is managed by a school or employer. Administrators can restrict privacy settings.
- Restart System Settings and try again.
If the Mac is managed, contact the organization’s administrator rather than attempting to bypass its controls.
The app keeps asking for permission
Repeated prompts may indicate that:
- The app has not been restarted after permission was granted.
- The wrong app component was enabled.
- The app was updated and macOS treats the updated component separately.
- The app needs another privacy permission.
- The application is damaged or incorrectly installed.
Quit and reopen the app first. If that does not help, check the developer’s support documentation and reinstall the app only from a trusted source. Reinstalling can remove app settings or require you to sign in again, so back up or record important configuration details first.
Full Disk Access is enabled, but a backup or scan fails
Full Disk Access does not guarantee that every file can be read. Files may still be unavailable because they are encrypted, stored on disconnected drives, protected by another security feature, or controlled by a separate permission.
Check that:
- The source drive is connected and mounted.
- The app is using the correct backup or scan location.
- The destination has enough free space.
- The app is up to date.
- Any required permissions other than Full Disk Access are enabled.
If only audio or video recording is failing, review the app’s Microphone and Camera permissions instead. You can also review guides for fixing a Mac microphone that is not working or fixing a Mac camera that is not working.
Should You Leave Full Disk Access Enabled?
Leave Full Disk Access enabled only when the app needs it and you trust the developer. If you use a backup or security app regularly, disabling the permission may prevent its scheduled tasks from working.
For an app you use rarely, you can turn access off after completing the task and enable it again when needed. This reduces the amount of time the app can access protected data, but it may also require you to restart the app each time.
Review the list occasionally and remove access for apps you no longer use. Uninstalling an app does not always remove every privacy permission entry, so checking the list manually can help keep it organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check Full Disk Access without opening System Settings?
The normal, supported way is through System Settings or System Preferences. The privacy panel provides the clearest view of which apps are listed and whether each permission is enabled.
Does Full Disk Access let an app control my Mac?
No. Full Disk Access primarily concerns access to protected files and data. It is different from Accessibility, Screen Recording, and other permissions that allow an app to interact with the interface or capture what appears on the screen.
Is it safe to give an app Full Disk Access?
It can be appropriate for a trusted backup, security, or file-management app, but the permission is powerful. Confirm that the app comes from a trusted developer and that its purpose justifies access before enabling it.
Does turning off Full Disk Access delete the app’s data?
No. Turning off the permission does not uninstall the app or normally delete its files. It may stop the app from reading protected data or completing certain operations.
Why does an app need to be restarted after I change the setting?
An app may check its permissions when it launches. Quitting and reopening it forces the app to check the updated setting.
Final Thoughts
You can check Full Disk Access from System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access. Review each entry carefully, enable access only for apps you trust, and remember that Full Disk Access is separate from camera, microphone, and other privacy permissions. If an app still fails after access is enabled, confirm that it needs Full Disk Access and check for a different permission or app-specific problem.