A change to how macOS handles Full Disk Access has turned up in the first developer beta of macOS 27.3, according to a code researcher who goes by pdfu and posted the findings on X. Behind a feature flag, apps refused access to protected files would no longer be logged, so they would stop appearing in the Full Disk Access list in System Settings.
“As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially.”
Apple, in its developer news post · macrumors.com ↗
Today, when an app asks for protected files without the permission, the request is denied and the app is recorded, so it shows up in Settings with its toggle off. Developers use that to guide users. Under the change, a user would have to add an app by hand with the plus button or by dragging its icon into the panel. The flag is off in beta 1 and adds no new warning dialogue. Developers can still tell users to drag an icon in. The beta arrived in early November.
Apple said on 2 October on its developer news site that it would add controls so users who truly want to grant the access can do so only through very explicit action. It added that the permission largely sidesteps privacy controls so backup apps can work. MacRumors tied the move to always-on agents such as Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots.
The researcher also found a "Private Folders" permission that works folder by folder, set up like Full Disk Access and looking unfinished in beta 1. 9to5Mac's Michael Burkhardt suggests it could let users share just the iMessage database folder, but it is unclear whether that will be possible. He doubts the flag counts as very explicit user action or solves the core problem, since agents want iMessage data.
About Full Disk Access
Full Disk Access is a macOS permission that lets an approved app reach protected areas of the system such as mail, backups and data caches. Apple built it largely so backup apps could work, because it sidesteps the system's usual controls on private data.
On 2 October 2026 Apple said some developers use it in ways that expose files, mail, messages and browsing history, and promised extra controls. The first macOS 27.3 developer beta reached testers in early November 2026, with the new behaviour behind a flag that is switched off.
Apple has not said when its new controls will arrive or whether the flag will be on before release. Macworld expects macOS 27.3 to ship in December.
Sources · 3