Summary
Apple says it will add controls requiring more explicit user action before an app receives Full Disk Access in macOS. The company cites the sensitive data exposed by the permission and says risks will grow as AI agents become more capable and autonomous.
Apple says it will introduce additional controls for Full Disk Access in macOS, requiring users to take “very explicit” action before granting an app this broad permission. In a developer update dated October 2, 2026, the company said the change is intended to help people understand the privacy risks before deciding to grant access. Apple did not describe the controls’ design or give a release date.
Why Full Disk Access matters
Apple says Full Disk Access largely bypasses macOS privacy controls. The permission helps backup apps work, but the company warns that some developers use it in ways that could expose sensitive information across a Mac, including files, mail, messages and browsing history, without users’ full knowledge.
The potential impact can extend beyond the person using the Mac. Apple says that, for communication apps, access to this data can also compromise the privacy of the people users communicate with.
Apple links the change to AI agents
Apple says the risks will grow substantially as AI agents become more capable and autonomous. Its announcement does not describe a separate permission system for AI tools; the planned change concerns how users grant Full Disk Access to apps.
For now, Apple has announced an intention to add stronger permission controls, rather than detailing a feature in a specific macOS release. The stated goal is to make the decision to grant this level of access more deliberate and informed.