Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Start at Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders. This panel shows apps that have requested access to specific locations and lets you change the access shown for each one. For a broader permission, check Full Disk Access separately in Privacy & Security.

Review app access to specific folders

  1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Select Privacy & Security in the sidebar. Scroll if necessary.
  3. Click Files & Folders.
  4. Review each listed app and the locations shown beneath it. Turn access on or off for the locations you want to manage.

Depending on the app and the permissions it has requested, locations can include Desktop, Documents, Downloads, network volumes, and removable volumes. The list reflects apps that have requested access; it is not a complete inventory of every possible way files could be accessed. An empty or short list does not establish that no app can access any files. Apple’s Files & Folders instructions explain the controls and their scope.

Check Full Disk Access separately

Return to Privacy & Security and select Full Disk Access. This is a broader, separate permission: Apple says it can allow an app to access all files on the Mac, including data from apps such as Mail, Messages, and Safari, Home data, Time Machine backup data, and certain administrative settings. Review the listed apps and remove access you no longer want to grant. Apple’s Privacy & Security guide describes this permission.

Use the path for your macOS version

The steps above use the current System Settings layout. Apple’s documented navigation differs by version:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
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SightPro Magnetic Privacy Screen for MacBook Air 13 & 13.6 Inch (2022-2026, M2-M5) Patented Removable Laptop Privacy Filter Shield and Protector
  • 【Instant Removable Snap-on Magnetic Attachment】- The Patented Magnetic Privacy Screen – Protected by U.S. Patents 9,829,669 and D844,012. Simply place the privacy screen protector along the top of your MacBook and let the magnets attach along the top. No need for tricky placement, messy tape, or damaging adhesive. Easily remove and reattach when you need it.
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  • 【Superior Privacy】- Our advanced multi-layered film filter blacks out your screen when viewing from the side, while maintaining a crystal clear screen straight-on. It also protects your eyes from harmful UV and blue light. [Note: It does not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of the distance.]
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macOS version Privacy settings path
macOS 13 or later System Settings > Privacy & Security > Privacy
macOS 12 or earlier System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy

The version-specific paths are from Apple’s macOS security guide. For Files & Folders on current macOS, use the direct panel path at the start of this article.

Know which permission panel answers your question

  • Files & Folders: Controls app access to particular locations.
  • Full Disk Access: A wider app permission for access to all files and certain other data.
  • Finder Sharing & Permissions: Shows privileges for users and groups on a selected file, folder, or disk. In Finder, select the item, choose File > Get Info, then review Sharing & Permissions. This does not show the app privacy permissions. See Apple’s Finder permissions instructions.
  • File Sharing: A network-sharing feature under System Settings > General > Sharing, not the panel for auditing which local apps requested file access.

Decide whether to keep an app’s access

If you no longer use an app, or its access to a listed location is unnecessary for what you do with it, switch off that location’s access. If you are considering granting access, Apple recommends reviewing the third-party app’s privacy practices and terms: information collected by the developer is governed by those terms. Changing a permission may affect features that rely on the location, so reconsider it if an app stops working as expected.

Best Value
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Peslv Magnetic Privacy Screen for MacBook Pro 14 Inch
  • 【SUPER EASY INSTALLATION】Peslv has designed an innovative magnetic mounting method in order to improve the installation of the privacy screen MacBook Pro 14 inch. The top of the MacBook Pro privacy screen has a reinforced magnetic strip, which can be installed in a second by simply aligning it with the top bezel of the screen and gently pressing it. With Peslv privacy screen MacBook Pro 14.2 inch, you'll never be stuck in an awkward situation where you don't know how to install it!
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  • 【Instant Snap-on Magnetic Attachment】- The Patented Magnetic Privacy Screen – Protected by U.S. Patents 9,829,669 and D844,012. Simply place the privacy screen along the top of your MacBook and let the magnets attach along the top. No need for tricky placement, messy tape, or damaging adhesive. Easily remove and reattach when you need it.
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  • 【Superior Privacy】- Our advanced multi-layered film filter blacks out your screen when viewing from the side, while maintaining a crystal clear screen straight-on. It also protects your eyes from harmful UV and blue light. [Note: It does not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of the distance.]
  • 【Perfect for Travel and Open Workspaces】- The MacBook Air Privacy Screen Filter is the ideal solution for healthcare providers, mobile workers, commuters, students, and business travelers. Now you can stay compliant and safeguard sensitive corporate information while working in airplanes, subways, airports, and public areas.
  • 【Package Contents】- Each package includes a magnetic privacy screen filter, a storage folder, and a cleaning cloth. Buy with confidence – located in the US, Sight Pro specializes in providing best-in-class privacy solutions to individuals, small businesses, corporations, government, and educational institutions. Our privacy screens are Section 889 and TAA compliant.
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  • 【WIDELY APPLICABLE】Removable design and comes with a macbook air privacy filter protector storage clip that can be taken and used as needed, perfect for various occasions where screen privacy needs to be protected.Like offices, airports, cafes, trains, etc. Compatible with MacBook Air 13.6 & 13 inch (Released In 2022-2026, M2 M3 M4 M5 Chip) - Model: A2681 A3113 A3240 A3449
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  • 【STUNNING PRIVACY PROTECTION】To ensure that only the +-30° angle directly in front of the screen is visible, we have corrected the angle of the MacBook Air M2 privacy screen more than 5000 times to ensure that other angles of view are not visible. By getting the Peslv privacy screen MacBook Air 2022 13.6 inches, you can ensure that your computer data privacy is not peeked.
  • 【PROTECT SCREEN ALSO EYES】The high-quality materials imported from Japan and the process imported from Germany have greatly improved the performance of the magnetic Mac Air 13.6inch privacy screen. High-quality filter layer that can reduce 95% of blue light and 92% of UV light. Matte surface, anti-glare, effectively intercepts 95% of the reflected light. Anti-scratch layer to avoid scratches from daily use. Protect your screen while protecting your eyesight.
  • 【ULTIMATE HIGH DEFINITION】Modeled in accordance with the real screen size 1:1 restoration, the size is perfectly matched. The magnetic strip that strengthens the magnetic force can make the MacBook privacy screen 13 inch stick to the screen tightly. The light-transmitting layer with advanced material has a super high light transmission rate. So all this will make you have a super high definition mac 13 privacy screen with unparalleled picture quality close to the original picture.
Rank #2
SightPro Magnetic Privacy Screen for MacBook Pro 14 Inch (2021-2026, M1-M5, Pro, Max) Patented Removable Laptop Privacy Filter Shield and Protector
  • 【Instant Snap-on Magnetic Attachment】- The Patented Magnetic Privacy Screen – Protected by U.S. Patents 9,829,669 and D844,012. Simply place the privacy screen along the top of your MacBook and let the magnets attach along the top. No need for tricky placement, messy tape, or damaging adhesive. Easily remove and reattach when you need it.
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  • 【Superior Privacy】- Our advanced multi-layered film filter blacks out your screen when viewing from the side, while maintaining a crystal clear screen straight-on. It also protects your eyes from harmful UV and blue light. [Note: It does not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of the distance.]
  • 【Perfect for Travel and Open Workspaces】- The MacBook Pro Privacy Screen Filter is the ideal solution for healthcare providers, mobile workers, commuters, students, and business travelers. Now you can stay compliant and safeguard sensitive corporate information while working in airplanes, subways, airports, and public areas.
  • 【Package Contents】 - Each package includes a magnetic privacy screen filter, a storage folder, and a cleaning cloth. Buy with confidence – located in the US, Sight Pro specializes in providing best-in-class privacy solutions to individuals, small businesses, corporations, government, and educational institutions. Our privacy screens are Section 889 and TAA compliant.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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