Summary
Apple says it will add controls to macOS Full Disk Access, a permission that can expose files, messages and other sensitive data. The company says users will need to take explicit action to grant this broad access.
Apple says it will add controls to macOS Full Disk Access so users must take “very explicit” action before granting an app this broad permission. In an October 2, 2026 developer update, the company said the change is intended to help people understand the privacy risks before allowing access.
Full Disk Access lets apps bypass many of macOS’s usual data protections. Apple says the permission is important for backup apps, but warns that some developers use it in ways that could expose files, email, messages and browsing history without users fully understanding the consequences. For communication apps, that access can also affect the privacy of people who exchange messages with the user.
Why Apple is changing the permission
Apple framed the planned controls as a response to both existing risks and the growing capabilities of AI agents. The company says increasingly capable and autonomous agents could make the risks associated with broad system access substantially greater.
The issue is the scope of the permission: an app granted Full Disk Access may reach sensitive information beyond what is needed for a narrow task. Requiring a more deliberate user action is intended to make the decision clearer while preserving the option for people who want to grant access. Apple specifically noted backup apps as a legitimate use.
The announcement describes a planned change, not a new control that is already available. Apple has not specified when the controls will arrive or exactly how the permission process will change.