macOS permissions

Saither apps request only the permissions their features need. This page explains why each permission is used and how to enable or revoke it.

Back to support

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security to review grants. If you deny a permission, only the feature that depends on it will stop working.

Screen Recording

Used by: PixelScan

macOS requires Screen Recording before an app can read pixels from a region you select on screen. PixelScan uses those pixels only to run on-device OCR with Apple Vision. Captured images are not uploaded for recognition.

Accessibility

Used by: Snapper, Switchboard

Accessibility access lets an app list, move, resize, focus, and control windows belonging to other applications. Snapper uses it to snap windows to layouts. Switchboard uses it to build a window list and activate the window you pick.

Neither app uses Screen Recording or injects input into other apps.

Input Monitoring

Used by: KeyPulse

Input Monitoring is required for apps that observe key events globally while running in the background. KeyPulse uses it only to play typing sound feedback. It does not log what you type.

Speech Recognition and Microphone

Used by: EchoScribe (when released)

EchoScribe transcribes audio files you import using Apple Speech on-device. Microphone access applies only if you record inside the app. Transcription runs locally after language models are downloaded.

No special permission required

These apps do not ask for Accessibility, Screen Recording, or Input Monitoring for their current features:

Revoke access

You can remove any grant in System Settings at any time. The app will prompt again only if you use a feature that needs that permission.