node-mac-permissions
Table of Contents
- Overview
-
API
permissions.getAuthStatus(type)
permissions.askForContactsAccess()
permissions.askForCalendarAccess()
permissions.askForSpeechRecognitionAccess()
permissions.askForRemindersAccess()
permissions.askForFoldersAccess(folder)
permissions.askForFullDiskAccess()
permissions.askForCameraAccess()
permissions.askForInputMonitoringAccess()
permissions.askForMicrophoneAccess()
permissions.askForMusicLibraryAccess()
permissions.askForPhotosAccess()
permissions.askForScreenCaptureAccess()
permissions.askForAccessibilityAccess()
- FAQ
Overview
$ npm i node-mac-permissions
This native Node.js module allows you to manage an app's access to:
- Accessibility
- Calendar
- Camera
- Contacts
- Full Disk Access
- Input Monitoring
- Location
- Microphone
- Photos
- Protected Folders
- Reminders
- Screen Capture
- Speech Recognition
If you need to ask for permissions, your app must be allowed to ask for permission :
- For a Nodejs script/app, you can use a terminal app such as iTerm2 (it won't work on macOS Terminal.app)
- For an Electron app (or equivalent), you'll have to update
Info.plist
to include a usage description key likeNSMicrophoneUsageDescription
for microphone permission.
If you're using macOS 12.3 or newer, you'll need to ensure you have Python installed on your system, as macOS does not bundle it anymore.
API
permissions.getAuthStatus(type)
-
type
String - The type of system component to which you are requesting access. Can be one ofaccessibility
,bluetooth
,calendar
,camera
,contacts
,full-disk-access
,input-monitoring
,location
,microphone
,photos
,reminders
,screen
, orspeech-recognition
.
Returns String
- Can be one of not determined
, denied
, authorized
, or restricted
.
Checks the authorization status of the application to access type
on macOS.
Return Value Descriptions:
-
not determined
- The user has not yet made a choice regarding whether the application may accesstype
data. -
restricted
- The application is not authorized to accesstype
data. The user cannot change this application’s status, possibly due to active restrictions such as parental controls being in place. -
denied
- The user explicitly denied access totype
data for the application. -
authorized
- The application is authorized to accesstype
data. -
limited
- The application is authorized for limited access totype
data. Currently only applicable to thephotos
type.
Notes:
- Access to
bluetooth
will always return a status ofauthorized
prior to macOS 10.15, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version. - Access to
camera
andmicrophone
will always return a status ofauthorized
prior to macOS 10.14, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version. - Access to
input-monitoring
will always return a status ofauthorized
prior to macOS 10.15, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version. - Access to
music-library
will always return a status ofauthorized
prior to macOS 11.0, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version. - Access to
screen
will always return a status ofauthorized
prior to macOS 10.15, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version. - Access to
speech-recognition
will always return a status ofauthorized
prior to macOS 10.15, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version.
Example:
const types = [
'accessibility',
'bluetooth',
'calendar',
'camera',
'contacts',
'full-disk-access',
'input-monitoring',
'location',
'microphone',
'music-library',
'photos-add-only',
'photos-read-write',
'reminders',
'speech-recognition',
'screen',
]
for (const type of types) {
const status = getAuthStatus(type)
console.log(`Access to ${type} is ${status}`)
}
permissions.askForContactsAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Whether or not the request succeeded or failed; can be authorized
or denied
.
Your app’s Info.plist
file must provide a value for the NSContactsUsageDescription
key that explains to the user why your app is requesting Contacts access.
<key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the Contact store</string>
Example:
const { askForContactsAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForContactsAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Contacts is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForCalendarAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Whether or not the request succeeded or failed; can be authorized
or denied
.
Example:
const { askForCalendarAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForCalendarAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Calendar is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForSpeechRecognitionAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Whether or not the request succeeded or failed; can be authorized
, denied
, or restricted
.
Checks the authorization status for Speech Recognition access. If the status check returns:
-
not determined
- The Speech Recognition access authorization will prompt the user to authorize or deny. The Promise is resolved after the user selection with eitherauthorized
ordenied
. -
denied
- TheSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window is opened with the Speech Recognition privacy key highlighted. On open of theSecurity & Privacy
window, the Promise is resolved asdenied
. -
restricted
- The Promise is resolved asrestricted
.
Your app must provide an explanation for its use of Speech Recognition using the NSSpeechRecognitionUsageDescription
Info.plist
key;
<key>NSSpeechRecognitionUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access Speech Recognition</string>
Example:
const { askForSpeechRecognitionAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForSpeechRecognitionAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Speech Recognition is ${status}`)
})
Note: status
will be resolved back as authorized
prior to macOS 10.15, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version.
permissions.askForRemindersAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Whether or not the request succeeded or failed; can be authorized
or denied
.
Example:
const { askForRemindersAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForRemindersAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Reminders is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForFoldersAccess(folder)
-
type
String - The folder to which you are requesting access. Can be one ofdesktop
,documents
, ordownloads
.
Returns Promise<String>
- Whether or not the request succeeded or failed; can be authorized
or denied
.
Example:
const { askForFoldersAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForFoldersAccess('desktop').then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Desktop is ${status}`)
})
<key>NSDesktopFolderUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the Desktop folder</string>
<key>NSDocumentsFolderUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the Documents folder</string>
<key>NSDownloadsFolderUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the Downloads folder</string>
permissions.askForFullDiskAccess()
There is no API for programmatically requesting Full Disk Access on macOS at this time, and so calling this method will trigger opening of System Preferences at the Full Disk pane of Security and Privacy.
Example:
const { askForFullDiskAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForFullDiskAccess()
If you would like your app to pop up a dialog requesting full disk access when your app attempts to access protected resources, you should add the NSSystemAdministrationUsageDescription
key to your Info.plist
:
<key>NSSystemAdministrationUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting Full Disk Access</string>
permissions.askForCameraAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Current permission status; can be authorized
, denied
, or restricted
.
Checks the authorization status for camera access. If the status check returns:
-
not determined
- The camera access authorization will prompt the user to authorize or deny. The Promise is resolved after the user selection with eitherauthorized
ordenied
. -
denied
- TheSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window is opened with the Camera privacy key highlighted. On open of theSecurity & Privacy
window, the Promise is resolved asdenied
. -
restricted
- The Promise is resolved asrestricted
.
Your app must provide an explanation for its use of capture devices using the NSCameraUsageDescription
Info.plist
key; Calling this method or attempting to start a capture session without a usage description raises an exception.
<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the Camera</string>
Note:
-
status
will be resolved back asauthorized
prior to macOS 10.14, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version.
Example:
const { askForCameraAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForCameraAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Camera is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForInputMonitoringAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Current permission status; can be authorized
or denied
.
Checks the authorization status for input monitoring access. If the status check returns:
-
not determined
- A dialog will be displayed directing the user to theSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window , where the user can approve your app to monitor keyboard events in the background. The Promise is resolved asdenied
. -
denied
- TheSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window is opened with the Input Monitoring privacy key highlighted. On open of theSecurity & Privacy
window, the Promise is resolved asdenied
.
Note:
-
status
will be resolved back asauthorized
prior to macOS 10.15, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version.
Example:
const { askForInputMonitoringAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForInputMonitoringAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Input Monitoring is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForMicrophoneAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Current permission status; can be authorized
, denied
, or restricted
.
Checks the authorization status for microphone access. If the status check returns:
-
not determined
- The microphone access authorization will prompt the user to authorize or deny. The Promise is resolved after the user selection with eitherauthorized
ordenied
. -
denied
- TheSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window is opened with the Microphone privacy key highlighted. On open of theSecurity & Privacy
window, the Promise is resolved asdenied
. -
restricted
- The Promise is resolved asrestricted
.
Your app must provide an explanation for its use of capture devices using the NSMicrophoneUsageDescription
Info.plist
key; Calling this method or attempting to start a capture session without a usage description raises an exception.
<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the Microphone</string>
Note:
-
status
will be resolved back asauthorized
prior to macOS 10.14, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version.
Example:
const { askForMicrophoneAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForMicrophoneAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Microphone is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForMusicLibraryAccess()
Returns Promise<String>
- Whether or not the request succeeded or failed; can be authorized
, denied
, or restricted
.
-
not determined
- The Music Library access authorization will prompt the user to authorize or deny. The Promise is resolved after the user selection with eitherauthorized
ordenied
. -
denied
- TheSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window is opened with the Music Library privacy key highlighted. On open of theSecurity & Privacy
window, the Promise is resolved asdenied
. -
restricted
- The Promise is resolved asrestricted
.
Your app must provide an explanation for its use of the music library using the NSAppleMusicUsageDescription
Info.plist
key.
<key>NSAppleMusicUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access the user’s media library.</string>
Note:
-
status
will be resolved back asauthorized
prior to macOS 11.0, as the underlying API was not introduced until that version.
Example:
const { askForMusicLibraryAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForMusicLibraryAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Apple Music Library is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForPhotosAccess([accessLevel])
-
accessLevel
String (optional) - The access level being requested of Photos. Can be eitheradd-only
orread-write
. Only available on macOS 11 or higher.
Returns Promise<String>
- Current permission status; can be authorized
, denied
, or restricted
.
Checks the authorization status for Photos access. If the status check returns:
-
not determined
- The Photos access authorization will prompt the user to authorize or deny. The Promise is resolved after the user selection with eitherauthorized
ordenied
. -
denied
- TheSecurity & Privacy
System Preferences window is opened with the Photos privacy key highlighted. On open of theSecurity & Privacy
window, the Promise is resolved asdenied
. -
restricted
- The Promise is resolved asrestricted
.
Your app must provide an explanation for its use of the photo library using either the NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription
or the NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription
Info.plist
key.
For requesting add-only access to the user’s photo library:
<key>NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access Photos</string>
For requesting read/write access to the user’s photo library:
<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your reason for wanting to access Photos</string>
Note:
You should add the PHPhotoLibraryPreventAutomaticLimitedAccessAlert
key with a Boolean value of YES
to your app’s Info.plist
file to prevent the system from automatically presenting the limited library selection prompt. See PHAuthorizationStatusLimited
for more information.
Example:
const { askForPhotosAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForPhotosAccess().then(status => {
console.log(`Access to Photos is ${status}`)
})
permissions.askForScreenCaptureAccess()
There is no API for programmatically requesting Screen Capture on macOS at this time, and so calling this method will trigger opening of System Preferences at the Screen Capture pane of Security and Privacy.
Example:
const { askForScreenCaptureAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForScreenCaptureAccess()
permissions.askForAccessibilityAccess()
There is no API for programmatically requesting Accessibility access on macOS at this time, and so calling this method will trigger opening of System Preferences at the Accessibility pane of Security and Privacy.
Example:
const { askForAccessibilityAccess } = require('node-mac-permissions')
askForAccessibilityAccess()
FAQ
Q. I'm seeing an error like the following when using webpack:
App threw an error during load
TypeError: Cannot read property 'indexOf' of undefined
at Function.getFileName (webpack-internal:///./node_modules/bindings/bindings.js:178:16)
A. This error means that webpack packed this module, which it should not. To fix this, you should configure webpack to use this module externally, e.g explicitly not pack it.
Q. I've authorized access to a particular system component and want to reset it. How do I do that?
A. You can use tccutil
to do this!
The tccutil
command manages the privacy database, which stores decisions the user has made about whether apps may access personal data.
Examples:
# Reset all app permissions
$ tccutil reset All
# Reset Accessibility access permissions
$ tccutil reset Accessibility
# Reset Reminders access permissions
$ tccutil reset Reminders
# Reset Calendar access permissions
$ tccutil reset Calendar
# Reset Camera access permissions
$ tccutil reset Camera
# Reset Microphone access permissions
$ tccutil reset Microphone
# Reset Photos access permissions
$ tccutil reset Photos
# Reset Screen Capture access permissions
$ tccutil reset ScreenCapture
# Reset Full Disk Access permissions
$ tccutil reset SystemPolicyAllFiles
# Reset Contacts permissions
$ tccutil reset AddressBook
# Reset Desktop folder access
$ tccutil reset SystemPolicyDesktopFolder <bundleID>
# Reset Documents folder access
$ tccutil reset SystemPolicyDocumentsFolder <bundleID>
# Reset Downloads folder access
$ tccutil reset SystemPolicyDownloadsFolder <bundleID>