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To limit Gemini’s access to local files on your Mac, add only the folders you need to Gemini Spark’s Connected folders list, then disconnect them when you are done. Also review the app’s permissions in macOS under Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders. These are separate controls, so check both.
Choose which folders Gemini Spark can access
- Open the Gemini app on your Mac and open Spark.
- In Connected folders, select Add Mac folder.
- Choose only the folder or folders needed for your task. Google says Spark can view files or directories specifically added to this toolbar; macOS may ask you to grant permission before a folder can be added. See Google’s instructions for using Gemini Spark with files.
- When you no longer need a folder connected, select Disconnect beside it in the Connected folders list.
If you want the narrowest scope, connect one task-specific folder rather than a broad location containing unrelated documents. If a task does not need local files, leave folders unconnected.
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Review the separate macOS Files & Folders permission
Open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders, then review the Gemini app’s access to protected locations. Apple’s guide describes controls for locations such as Desktop, Downloads, and Documents: Control access to files and folders on Mac.
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The available locations and switches depend on your macOS version and which permissions the app has requested. Connected folders controls Spark’s documented local-file scope; Files & Folders governs macOS access to protected locations. They are not interchangeable. Apple also describes other permission categories, including full internal storage, accessibility, and automation, which are distinct from a folder connection in Spark. See Apple’s macOS app-access security guide.
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Decide how much to connect
| Choice | When it fits | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| One task-specific folder | The task uses a known set of files. | Usually the narrowest practical choice; check for sensitive or unrelated items inside it. |
| A small set of folders | The task genuinely needs files stored in more than one location. | Connect only the necessary folders, and consider the effect if Spark edits, deletes, or shares their contents. |
| No connected local folders | The task does not require files stored on your Mac, or the content is too sensitive to share. | Do not add a folder merely for convenience if it is not needed for the task. |
Google warns that Spark can edit files in connected folders and may delete files or share them with third parties when instructed. Google says Spark is designed to ask permission before certain delete or share actions, but review what is being changed and who will receive shared material before approving. Avoid connecting files you cannot risk losing or that are too sensitive to share. These cautions also apply to connected public cloud drives: Google says Spark may access, edit, share, or delete files there, and material from other sources may be shared to that drive. Check who else can access the destination. Details are in Google’s Gemini Spark file guidance.
Do not treat Spark’s temporary backups as a backup plan
Google says Gemini Spark creates temporary backup files while working with computer files. They are deleted when a new query or task starts, or after 24 hours. Google also cautions that files may not be recoverable after an operation is completed or a deletion instruction is received. Treat these temporary files as limited recovery aids, not durable backups or version history. For important files, keep a separate backup you control.
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Understand what local-file access means for privacy
Connecting a folder allows you to choose content for Spark to work with; macOS permission settings do not replace deciding whether that content is appropriate to share with Gemini. Google’s Gemini Apps Privacy Hub identifies the macOS app as part of Gemini Apps. Its notice says information users provide can include prompts and shared content such as files, videos, screens, photos, and page content, and describes service purposes including providing, maintaining, improving, developing, and personalizing services. The notice was updated June 29, 2026; the hub was last updated September 24, 2026.
Check Mac app requirements and availability
Google’s published baseline requirements for the Gemini Mac app are macOS Sequoia (15.0) or later, at least 8 GB of RAM, at least 200 MB of free disk space, and a stable internet connection. Google’s desktop page also describes the app as running on Apple Silicon and notes that feature availability varies. Requirements and access can change, so check Google’s Mac app help and Gemini for Mac for current eligibility before installing or relying on a particular feature.
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