As technology has advanced, user data has become very valuable, but data leaks still occur. To address this, Apple introduced “Full Disk Access” in macOS 10.14.
Table of Contents:
- What is Full Disk Access on macOS?
- When do You Need to Grant Full Disk Access?
- Should I Enable Full Disk Access?
- Pros and Cons of Enabling Full Disk Acess
What is Full Disk Access on macOS?
Full Disk Access is a macOS security feature that provides applications with comprehensive read and write permissions across your entire Mac’s storage. This powerful access is carefully controlled to protect your system and personal data.
What if an application tries to access any data that is part of one of the protected categories? the system will automatically terminate it. i.e., perform a forced crash.
When do You Need to Grant Full Disk Access?
Granting full disk access is not always essential, it depends on the application’s functionality and the tasks you are trying to perform. Here’s how it works:
Is it essential? No Most applications like browsers, word processors, or media players do not require full disk access. However, specialized applications like backup software, antivirus tools, data recovery programs, or system utilities require full disk access.
How to Give Full Disk Access on Mac?
Here is how to grant full disk access for an application on Mac:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings
- Now scroll down to Security & Privacy and Select the Full Disk Access option
- Click the “+” button below the applications list, add the application to Finder, and click on OK.
Finally, Restart the Mac and launch the application.
Should I Enable Full Disk Access?
You can enable full disk access when the application comes from a well-known and trustworthy source and the request for full disk access must be reasonable.
For example, an offline game application requesting full disk access might raise concerns, whereas a data recovery tool or backup software would require such access it for critical functionality.
Pros and Cons of Enabling Full Disk Acess
PROS:
Enhanced System Access and Functionality: Full disk access allows applications to interact with system directories and files to function effectively.
Improved data backup and Recovery capabilities: Granting full diak access to backup tools can create more complete backup and recovery tools that can more easily restore entire system states, including system-level configurations and protected files.
Advanced System Diagnostic and Monitoring Tools: Security software can perform deep scans to detect hidden malware or vulnerabilities in protected system directories.
Full Disk Access allows system monitoring tools to access and fix problems in sensitive directories, improving the chances of resolving critical system errors.
CONS:
Privacy Risks: Granting full disk access to nonreliable applications can increase the potential attack surface for malicious software, these tools can read, modify or delete sensitive system or personal data.
Broken Permissions: Incorrectly configured or broken permissions can prevent apps from functioning properly, even if Full Disk Access is enabled.
Conclusion:
While the internet is now more heavily regulated than it used to be, users should still remain aware of their actions, particularly when it comes to enabling full disk access.
It’s essential to carefully consider which applications truly require this level of access and whether it is necessary for their functionality. If an app works effectively without these permissions, it’s best to avoid granting them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
To disable Full Disk Access on macOS, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, find the app, and toggle it off. You may need to enter your admin password to confirm.
To remove full disk encryption on your Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault, and click Turn Off FileVault. Enter your admin password to confirm and decrypt the disk.
To unlock permissions on Mac, right-click the file or folder, select Get Info, click the padlock icon under Sharing & Permissions, enter your admin password, and adjust the permissions as needed.
