macOS Security

Gatekeeper and app permissions on macOS

Understand why macOS blocks some apps and how to grant permissions without disabling security.

11 min read Beginner Updated 9 Jun 2026

Step-by-step guide

Work through each section in order. Stop when your issue is resolved — you do not need every step for every situation.

Warning

Create a Time Machine backup before major updates, disk operations, or security changes on macOS.

What you will achieve

Understand why macOS blocks some apps and how to grant permissions without disabling security.

1) Check app trust state

When opening blocked apps, use Privacy & Security to review developer and notarisation prompts.

2) Manage privacy permissions

  • Review Camera, Microphone, Full Disk Access, and Accessibility lists.
  • Grant only to apps you trust and actively use.

3) Verify Gatekeeper policy

spctl --status

Related guides

gatekeeper macos privacy