macOS 27.3 increases security with changes to Full Disk Access

Apple's macOS 27.3 developer beta, released November 2, changes Full Disk Access so users must manually add apps under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access instead of apps adding themselves to the list and prompting a simple toggle. Apple cited AI risk in a developer blog post, stating that "As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially." The beta also introduces "Private Folders," a folder-by-folder permission configured like Full Disk Access that is not yet fully functional, with the official macOS 27.3 release expected in December.

Back in October, Apple announced https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=p6zjojqw a major security change to macOS. The change involves Full Disk Access FDA , a permission that, when granted to an app requesting it, allows that app to access protected sections of macOS, such as data caches, mail, backups, and more. The change is coming in macOS 27.3, which has recently started its developer beta cycle and should be available as a public beta soon. As itspdfu points out in a post https://x.com/itspdfu/status/2119188478806110423?s=20 , users will need to make the extra effort to allow an app to have FDA. Users will have to go into System Settings Privacy & Securit y Full Disk Access and add the app manually. Previously, the app would be able to add itself to the FDA list and the installer would instruct users to simply toggle on FDA for it. The reason for the change: AI. “As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially,” according to Apple in a developer blog post. “We are committed to ensuring users clearly understand these risks before granting such access, so they can make informed decisions about their own data and privacy.” Itspdfu also states that macOS 27.3 introduces “‘Private Folders,’ a new folder-by-folder permission configured like Full Disk Access.” However, this feature doesn’t seem to be fully capable as of yet. The macOS 27.3 beta 1 for developers was released on November 2. The official release of macOS 27.3 is expected in December.