How to control app access to other apps on a Mac

When you installnew apps on your Mac, you might be asked to give them access to other applications. For instance, if you download anapp for editing images, you’ll likely see a prompt to allow access to your Photos app. This lets that app sync with or retrieve data from these other spots.

Over time, you may forget about all those apps you’ve granted access to. Or, maybe you’re having issues with a particular app and want to troubleshoot by seeing which other apps work with it.

Here, we’ll show you how to control app access onmacOS.

Difficulty

What You Need

Mac computer

See which apps can access others

Because you are asked to give access to an app, you’ll manage these controls in the Security and Privacy settings.

Step 1:OpenSystem preferencesusing the icon in the Dock or by selecting theAppleicon in the menu bar and pickingSystem preferences.

Step 2:Select theSecurity & privacyoption.

Step 3:Choose thePrivacytab at the top of theSecurity & privacysettings.

On the left, you’ll see apps like Contacts and Calendar along with other items on your Mac such as the Camera and Microphone. On the right, you can see which apps you’ve granted access to indicated by a checkmark.

Remove app access to another app

you’re able to remove access to an app from another app without deleting anything or following a lengthy process.

Step 1:In theSecurity & privacysettings, select an app on the left.

Step 2:On the right, uncheck the box next to the app you want to remove access from.

Step 3:If the options on the right are dimmed, you’ll need to unlock the settings to make changes. Select thePadlockon the bottom-left, enter your username and password, and chooseUnlock.

Step 4:As you remove access from apps, you may see one or two that you want to remove from your Mac altogether. If so, right-click the app on the right and pickShow in Finder.

You can then select the app in the subsequent folder and follow the normal process touninstall it from your Mac.

Step 5:When you finish, simply close these settings using theXon the top-left. If you had to unlock the settings to make your changes, you’re able to relock them using thePadlockon the bottom-left. Then, close the window.

For additional help with your Mac, take a look at thebest keyboard shortcutsfor performing actions quickly or some commonMacBook problems and how to fix them.