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On macOS 13 or later, open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access. The pane lists apps whose Full Disk Access permission you can review and switch on or off. On macOS 12 or earlier, find it under System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
Check the Full Disk Access list on macOS 13 or later
- Choose the Apple menu and open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security in the sidebar. Scroll down if you do not see it.
- Select Full Disk Access.
- Review the app names and their switches. An enabled switch means that app has Full Disk Access; you can turn it off or on in this pane. Apple documents this route in its Mac User Guide.
What Full Disk Access allows
Apple describes Full Disk Access as permission to access all files on your computer, including data from other apps such as Mail, Messages, Safari and Home, Time Machine backup data, and certain administrative settings for all users on the Mac. Because the permission is broad, check that you recognize each app and understand why it needs this access before granting it.
Apple also advises considering a third-party app’s privacy practices: how that developer collects or uses information is governed by its own terms and privacy policy. A listed app is not, by itself, proof that the app is malicious.
Full Disk Access is different from Files & Folders
Files & Folders is a separate Privacy & Security control for access to particular locations, such as Desktop, Documents or Downloads. It is not the Full Disk Access list, and the two permissions are not interchangeable. Apple explains both controls in its privacy settings guide.
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Find the setting on macOS 12 or earlier
On macOS 12 or earlier, open Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy, then select Full Disk Access. Apple’s Platform Security guide documents the version split: macOS 13 and later use System Settings, while macOS 12 and earlier use System Preferences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If an app you need is not listed
Apple’s instructions allow you to add an app from the Full Disk Access pane: use the add control, select the app, then click Open. Grant the permission only if the app’s purpose and request make sense to you; not every app needs access to all files.
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