Reset App Privacy Permissions on macOS: A Clean Slate for Your Data

Updated at: 19/06/2025

macOS apps access your data – but do you know which ones, and to what extent? Regaining control of your privacy is easier than you think. This article guides you through resetting app privacy permissions on your Mac, offering a straightforward method to revoke unnecessary access and create a clean slate for your data. Learn how to regain control and protect your information.

Methods: Resetting Individual App Permissions

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Access Security & Privacy Settings

    • Open System Preferences and navigate to the Security & Privacy tab.
    • Select the Privacy tab. Locate the permission you want to reset (e.g., Camera, Microphone).
    Select the Privacy tab. Locate the permission you want to reset (e.g., Camera, Microphone). Select the Privacy tab. Locate the permission you want to reset (e.g., Camera, Microphone).
    Access Security & Privacy Settings

  2. Revoke App Permissions

    • Untick the app(s) you wish to revoke access for.
    Untick the app(s) you wish to revoke access for.
    Revoke App Permissions

Tips

  • This method allows granular control, selectively removing permissions for specific apps.

Methods: Resetting All Permissions for a Single App via Terminal

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open System Terminal

    • Open the Terminal.
    Open the Terminal.
    Open System Terminal

  2. Reset App Permissions via Terminal

    • `sudo tccutil reset <bundle identifier>` Replace `<bundle identifier>` with the app's bundle identifier. You can find this by right-clicking the app in Finder, selecting 'Get Info', and copying the value in the 'Bundle Identifier' field.
    • Repeat the command for each permission you want to reset for the app (e.g., Camera, Microphone).
    Repeat the command for each permission you want to reset for the app (e.g., Camera, Microphone). Repeat the command for each permission you want to reset for the app (e.g., Camera, Microphone).
    Reset App Permissions via Terminal

Tips

  • This requires System Integrity Protection (SIP) to be enabled. This ensures a secure environment.
  • The bundle identifier is a unique identifier for each application on macOS.

Methods: Resetting All Permissions for All Apps via Terminal

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open Terminal

    • Open Terminal.
    Open Terminal.
    Open Terminal

  2. Reset All Privacy Permissions

    • `sudo tccutil reset all`
    Execute the command: `sudo tccutil reset all`
    Reset All Privacy Permissions

Tips

  • This completely resets all application privacy permissions, providing a clean slate. Use with caution.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Accidentally Granting Full Disk Access

Reason: Granting full disk access to an untrusted app can expose your sensitive data.
Solution: Revoke full disk access for suspicious apps in Security & Privacy settings.

2. Overlooking Location Services Permissions

Reason: Apps can continue tracking your location even after you think you've reset permissions, if location services are still enabled for them.
Solution: Individually disable location services for apps you don't want tracking your location in the Privacy settings.