Every item on your Mac, whether it’s a file or folder, has a set of permissions. Those determine who can view and modify data on your computer. If at some point you need to restrict access to some of your files, you can easily do that by changing permissions.
Hold down the Command and R keys on the keyboard and turn on the Mac. Let go when the Apple. Click the Reset button at the bottom of the window in the Reset home folder permissions and ACLs section. Quit the Password Utility and go back to the main recovery screen. On your keyboard, press Cmd ⌘ Q and restart your computer (or Select Restart from the menu bar).
In this article, we’ll show you how to view and change file permissions, as well as how to stay in control of your application permissions. Let’s start!
What permission types are on Mac?
There are several types of permissions users can have on macOS:
- Read only — Allows a user to open the file, but not change it.
- Write only — Makes a folder into a drop box. A user can copy items to the drop box, but cannot open it. Only the owner of the drop box can open it.
- Read & Write — Allows a user to open the file and change it.
- No Access — Blocks access to the file.
How to view file permissions
Any user can view the file permissions using the Finder’s Info window. In Finder, right-click the file or folder and choose Get Info from the menu. Click the Sharing & Permissions triangle to see the item permissions.
How to change permissions for files, folders, or disks
The next step is to actually change the item permissions to whatever you want. Below are a few examples of how you can adjust permissions to your needs.
Assign permissions to users and groups
- On your Mac, choose a file or folder.
- Right-click it and select Get info.
- Click the disclosure triangle in the Sharing & Permissions block.
- Click the lock icon to unlock it.
- Enter the administrator name and password.
- Choose the user in the Name column and then choose Privilege setting from the pop-up menu.
Apply permissions to all files in a folder/disk
- Choose a folder or disk.
- Select File > Get Info.
- Click the lock icon to unlock it.
- Enter the administrator password.
- Click the Action pop-up menu and choose Apply to enclosed items.
Change a file’s owner
- On your Mac, choose the file.
- Click the lock icon to unlock it.
- Enter the administrator password.
- If the new owner’s name is not listed in the Name column in the Sharing & Permissions block, click the Add button to add the new owner.
- Choose the new owner in the Name column, click the Action pop-up menu, then choose Make_the owner.
How to control application permissions
The latest macOS versions introduced new security controls. Now apps have to request permission before accessing certain parts of your drive. For example, if you open Skype for the first time, you’ll get a pop-up asking permission to access your camera and microphone.
You can easily check what programs are allowed to use your webcam, microphone, files and folders. There are two ways to do that — via System Preferences or using a third-party app like CleanMyMac X.
Change app permissions via System Preferences
If you have a strange feeling that someone is watching or listening to you, you can check what apps have access to your camera or microphone. Here’s how to do that:
- Go to the Apple menu.
- Choose System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Choose Camera from the left menu.
- Check what apps are allowed to use your camera.
- Uncheck the box next to the apps you don’t want have access to your camera.
Note:
You can limit access to your camera or microphone only for third-party apps. Apple apps and bundled system apps will not show up in the camera access control list. So, for example, you won’t see FaceTime in the app permissions panel.
Control all permissions easily with CleanMyMac X
If you don’t feel like browsing your System Preferences in search of app permissions, there is an easier and faster way to manage them. Get yourself the app CleanMyMac X and use its freshly-baked feature “Application Permissions.” You’ll be able to view and manage all permissions from one place, in a matter of seconds.
Here’s how it works:
- Download and install CleanMyMac X (it has a free trial version)
- Launch the app.
- Go to the Privacy module.
- Click Scan.
- Choose Application Permissions.
- Check your permissions and adjust the ones you want.
As simple as that!
As long as you’ve already installed CleanMyMac X, we recommend you trying its other tools. Start from Smart Scan — a one-button solution for checking your Mac for unneeded junk files, viruses, and suitable speedup tasks.
That’s it. Now you know everything about permissions on your Mac and can adjust the settings to your personal needs. May your personal data be always safe and untouched!
Reset your password
Use the steps below to reset your password from any trusted iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. You can also use a friend or family member's iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If that doesn't work, you may not be signed into iCloud on an eligible device or have two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID. Follow these steps instead.
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Go to Settings.
- Tap [your name] > Password & Security > Change Password.
- If you are signed into iCloud and have a passcode enabled, you will be prompted to enter the passcode for your device.
- Follow the onscreen steps to update your password.
On your Mac
With macOS Catalina:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Apple ID.
- Click Password & Security.
- If you're asked to enter your Apple ID password, click 'Forgot Apple ID or password' and follow the onscreen instructions. You can skip the final steps below.
- Click Change Password. Before you can reset your Apple ID password, you'll be required to enter the password you used to unlock your Mac.
With macOS Mojave, High Sierra, or Sierra:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click iCloud.
- Choose Account Details.
- If you're asked to enter your Apple ID password, click 'Forgot Apple ID or password' and follow the onscreen instructions. You can skip the final steps below.
- Click Security > Reset Password or Change Password. Before you can reset your Apple ID password, you'll be required to enter the password you used to unlock your Mac.
Use a trusted phone number, trusted email, or a recovery key
In some cases, you may be able to reset your password using a trusted phone number and trusted email. If you use a recovery key for account security, you can use it to help reset your password on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Learn more about using a recovery key.
If you can't access any of your devices
You can reset your Apple ID password on a friend or family member's iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using the Apple Support app or the Find My iPhone app.
Use the Apple Support app
To reset your password using the Apple Support app on a friend or family member's iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12 or later, the device owner will need to download the Apple Support app.
Ask the device owner to open the App Store on their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, then search for Apple Support and download the app. Then open the Apple Support app and follow these steps:
How To Reset Macbook Pro Password
- Under Topics, tap Passwords & Security.
- Tap Reset Apple ID password.
- Tap Get Started, then tap 'A different Apple ID.'
- Enter the Apple ID that you need to reset the password for.
- Tap Next, then follow the steps on your screen until you receive confirmation that your Apple ID password is changed.
Any information that you enter will not be stored on the device.
Use the Find My iPhone app
If your friend or family member uses iOS 9 through 12 and they can't download the Apple Support app, use the Find My iPhone app instead.
- Open the Find My iPhone app.
- When a Sign In screen appears, make sure the Apple ID field is empty. If you see someone else's user name, erase it.
- Tap Forgot Apple ID or Password, then follow the onscreen steps.
Don't see a Sign In screen? Tap Sign Out. After you sign out, make sure the Apple ID field is empty. Then tap Forgot Apple ID or Password, and follow the onscreen steps.
If you tried the previous steps or live in a country or region where Support App is not available, you can still reset your password and regain access to your account with account recovery. In some cases, you might have the option to speed up the account recovery process or reset your password immediately by verifying a six-digit code sent to your primary email address. Learn more about account recovery.
If you can't change or reset your password
If you tried the previous steps and were unable to change or reset your password, you may not be signed into iCloud on an eligible device or have two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID. You'll need to try these steps instead.
Accounts with or without security questions
- Go to your Apple ID account page and click 'Forgot Apple ID or password.'
- Enter your Apple ID. Did you forget your Apple ID?
- Select the option to reset your password, then choose Continue.
- Choose how to reset your password:
- If you have an account with security questions set up, you can select 'Answer security questions' and follow the rest of the steps.
- To get email instead, select 'Get an email.' To reset your password, use the email that we send to your primary or rescue email address. Didn't get the email?
- If asked for a Recovery Key, use the steps for two-factor authentication or two-step verification instead.
After you reset your password, you'll be asked to sign in again with your new password. You also might need to update your password in Settings on your devices.
Accounts with two-step verification
- Go to your Apple ID account page and click 'Forgot Apple ID or password.'
- Enter your Apple ID, select the option to reset your password, then choose Continue. Did you forget your Apple ID?
- Enter your Recovery Key for two-step verification.*
- Choose a trusted device.* We'll send your device a verification code.
- Enter the verification code.
- Create a new password, then select Reset Password.
Permissions Reset For Mac Windows 7
After you reset your password, you'll be asked to sign in again with your new password. You also might need to update your password in Settings on your devices.
* If you permanently lost your Recovery Key or access to your trusted device, you can't change your password.
Get more help
Permissions Reset For Mac Shortcut
- To reset your password, you need to know the email address for your Apple ID. Don't know the email address for your Apple ID?
- If you still can't sign in with your Apple ID and password, make sure that you entered the correct Apple ID. In most cases, your Apple ID is also the primary email address of your Apple ID account.
- In some cases, you might be able to speed up the account recovery process or reset your password immediately by verifying a six-digit code sent to your primary email address.
- Still need help? Contact Apple Support.