Skip to content

tccutil MacOS command

The MacOS tccutil command allows users to manage application access to protected data such as contacts, calendars, and photos. By using tccutil, users can reset permissions, add or remove specific apps from accessing sensitive data, and troubleshoot permission-related issues. This command-line tool is helpful for controlling privacy settings and ensuring that only trusted applications have access to personal information on a Mac device.

tccutil Syntax:

Terminal window
tccutil command [option] service

Options:

OptionDescription
—insertAllows the specified service access
—removeDenies access for the specified service
—resetResets all decisions for the specified service

Parameters:

ParameterDescription
commandThe action to be performed (insert, remove, reset)
serviceThe service or application to grant or revoke access

tccutil bash Examples:

Reset Camera Access

Terminal window
tccutil reset Camera

Resets the camera access permissions for all applications on your macOS system.

Add Calendar Access for Terminal

Terminal window
tccutil allow Calendar /usr/bin/bash

Grants calendar access permission to the Terminal application.

Deny Microphone Access for Zoom

Terminal window
tccutil deny Microphone us.zoom.xos

Revokes microphone access permission for the Zoom application.

Reset Accessibility Access

Terminal window
tccutil reset Accessibility

Resets accessibility permissions for all applications on your macOS system.

Add Reminders Access for Safari

Terminal window
tccutil allow Reminders /Applications/Safari.app

Grants reminders access permission to the Safari application.

List Contacts Access

Terminal window
tccutil list Contacts

Lists the apps that have requested access to contacts on your macOS system.

How do I reset privacy permissions using tccutil in MacOS?

To reset privacy permissions for a specific application in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the reset option. This will prompt the user to reauthorize the application.

Terminal window
tccutil reset AppleEvents

How do I grant accessibility permissions using tccutil in MacOS?

To grant accessibility permissions to an application in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the insert option. This will add the specified application to the list of apps with accessibility permissions.

Terminal window
tccutil insert Accessibility com.example.app

How do I check if an application has a certain permission using tccutil in MacOS?

To check if a specific application has a certain permission in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the info option. This will display the status of the specified permission for the application.

Terminal window
tccutil info SystemPolicyAllFiles

How do I remove a specific application from privacy permissions using tccutil in MacOS?

To remove a specific application from privacy permissions in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the remove option. This will revoke the specified permission for the application.

Terminal window
tccutil remove Camera com.example.app

How do I manage access to contacts using tccutil in MacOS?

To manage access to contacts for a specific application in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the enable or disable options. This will enable or disable contact access for the specified application.

Terminal window
tccutil enable Contacts com.example.app
Terminal window
tccutil disable Contacts com.example.app

How do I clear all privacy permissions using tccutil in MacOS?

To clear all privacy permissions for all applications in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the reset option and AppleEvents as the target. This will reset all privacy permissions, requiring users to reauthorize apps.

Terminal window
tccutil reset AppleEvents

How do I manage access to calendar using tccutil in MacOS?

To manage access to the calendar for a specific application in MacOS, you can use the tccutil command with the insert or remove options. This will add or remove calendar access for the specified application.

Terminal window
tccutil insert Calendar com.example.app
Terminal window
tccutil remove Calendar com.example.app

Applications of the tccutil command

  • Resetting privacy permissions for applications
  • Managing privacy settings for accessibility, contacts, and calendar
  • Controlling which apps have access to the microphone and camera
  • Granting or revoking access to location services
  • Handling notifications and system events permissions