# macOS Permissions

macOS has many privacy gates. Some Octoclip capabilities (auto paste, global input, background monitoring) require OS-level permissions. This page explains **what each permission enables, where to grant it, and how to verify**. Only enable what you need.

## Who this is for

- Users setting up auto paste or background monitoring on macOS for the first time
- Users whose features stopped working after an OS upgrade and need to re-grant

> [!NOTE] Defer to the system prompts
> Exactly which permissions are needed, the prompt wording, and toggle names vary by macOS version and app version. Defer to Octoclip's runtime system prompts and the actual items under System Settings → Privacy & Security.

## What each permission enables

| Permission (System Settings → Privacy & Security) | What it enables |
|---|---|
| Accessibility | Auto paste, simulated paste/insertion into the target app, global input behavior |
| Input Monitoring | Global shortcuts, listening for trigger input |
| Screen Recording | Possibly needed only for screenshot/text-grab features `[待确认：whether the current version requires it]` |
| Files and Folders | Grant as needed for file-type clips or import/export |

> [!WARNING] Auto paste depends on Accessibility
> Without Accessibility granted, auto paste / direct insertion into the target app usually won't work, often showing as "the clip is in history but won't paste."

## Granting steps

:::steps
:::step{title="Open privacy settings"}

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.

:::
:::step{title="Enable per capability"}

Under categories like Accessibility and Input Monitoring, find Octoclip and turn on the toggle. Enable only what you use.

:::
:::step{title="Restart the app if required"}

Some permissions take effect only after restarting Octoclip.

:::
:::step{title="Confirm the app stays resident"}

Confirm Octoclip runs in the menu bar; confirm **local** clip capture works before testing cross-device sync.
:::
:::

## How to verify after fixing

- Copy a plain-text string and confirm it enters the local clip history.
- Trigger an auto paste into an ordinary text field and confirm it inserts.
- If you use a global shortcut, confirm it invokes the expected capability.

## Still not solved

Please include:

- macOS version
- App version and install source
- Affected capability (auto paste / global shortcut / background monitoring)
- Permissions granted vs denied
- Whether you recently upgraded the OS
- Reproduction steps (shortest path)

For working through OS-level permission problems, see [Permission Issues](/advanced/troubleshooting/permission-issues).

## Next steps

:::cards{cols=2}
:::card{title="macOS platform overview" icon="lucide.layout-grid" href="/advanced/macos/"}
Return to the macOS overview for general considerations.

:::
:::card{title="macOS Limitations" icon="lucide.triangle-alert" href="/advanced/macos/limitations"}
Understand boundaries from the sandbox and system policy.

:::
:::card{title="Cannot paste" icon="lucide.clipboard-x" href="/advanced/troubleshooting/cannot-paste"}
Debug when a clip is in history but won't paste.

:::
:::card{title="Permission issues" icon="lucide.shield-alert" href="/advanced/troubleshooting/permission-issues"}
The cross-platform entry for OS-level permission problems.
:::
:::