To see which apps have Full Disk Access on a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access on macOS 13 or later. Review the list and switch off access for any app that no longer needs it or that you do not trust. On macOS 12 or earlier, use System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
What Full Disk Access allows
Apple describes Full Disk Access as permission for apps to access all files on your computer, including data from other apps such as Mail, Messages, Safari, and Home; Time Machine backup data; and certain administrative settings for all users on the Mac. Because the grant is broad, it is worth reviewing which apps still need it.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple also distinguishes full storage access from other protected capabilities. An app must be explicitly added to receive full internal storage access; this permission is not a general switch for every sensitive feature in macOS. Apple’s Mac User Guide and Apple Platform Security describe these controls.
Review or revoke access in macOS settings
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security in the sidebar. Scroll down if needed.
- Select Full Disk Access.
- Review the listed apps. Switch off the entry for any app you no longer want to grant this permission.
- If you are unsure why an app requests Full Disk Access, consult its official documentation or ask its developer before changing the setting.
Apple documents this pane as the place to review and change the permission. Its guidance does not name a universal list of apps that should be allowed: whether an app needs access depends on what it does and how you use it. See Apple’s instructions for controlling access to files and folders.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
For macOS 12 or earlier
On older versions, Apple’s security guidance gives the route as System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy. The interface names differ from those in current macOS; use the path that matches your version. Apple Platform Security documents the older route, while the Mac User Guide uses System Settings for the newer interface.
Know which permission you are changing
Full Disk Access is not interchangeable with nearby privacy controls. If an app asks for access to a specific folder or for permission to control the Mac, check the corresponding category rather than assuming Full Disk Access governs it.
Rank #2
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
- Files & Folders: manages access to particular locations, including Desktop, Documents, and Downloads. Review app access to those locations separately; changing Full Disk Access does not automatically change Files & Folders grants.
- Accessibility and Automation: separate permission categories. Apple lists them apart from full internal storage access, so a feature denied under one of these controls may not be fixed by changing Full Disk Access.
Apple explains these distinctions in its Platform Security documentation and Mac User Guide.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What revoking access does—and does not—tell you
Turning off Full Disk Access changes the permission grant shown in macOS settings. It does not tell you what an app may have accessed or retained before you revoked it. Apple says third-party apps and websites’ collection and use of information are governed by their own terms and privacy policies; review those practices separately. Apple’s guidance on controlling access covers the settings, not a history of an app’s past data handling.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Apple’s cited instructions do not establish that every app responds identically as soon as access is changed, or that a restart is always required. If a feature stops working after you revoke access, check the app developer’s guidance and the specific permission the feature needs.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible.Specific uses: Business, personal
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Mac
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.
