macOS troubleshooting
Screen recording permission not working on macOS: every fix, in order
Updated 2026-07-23
Screen-recording permission problems on macOS come down to four causes: the app wasn't restarted after granting (most common), the permission list has a stale entry from an app update, the app isn't in the list and the + button is locked, or a managed Mac blocks the permission by policy. Work through the fixes below in order - each takes under a minute.
1. Restart the app - fully
macOS delivers the screen-capture grant only at app launch. Granting while the app runs does nothing until you Cmd+Q and reopen. Closing the window is not quitting - check the dock for the running indicator.
2. Toggle off, toggle on
- 1
System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording.
- 2
Turn the app OFF, wait a second, turn it ON.
- 3
Quit and reopen the app.
3. Remove and re-add the app
- 1
Select the app in the list, click the − button.
- 2
Click +, pick the app from /Applications.
- 3
Authenticate with the padlock if the buttons are greyed out.
- 4
Quit and reopen the app.
4. Reset the permission from Terminal
When the toggle flips back off by itself or the app never appears, the TCC database entry is stale (typical after app updates change the code signature). Reset it:
tccutil reset ScreenCapture <bundle-id> - e.g. tccutil reset ScreenCapture us.zoom.xos. Don't know the bundle id? osascript -e 'id of app "AppName"' prints it.
Relaunch the app; macOS prompts fresh. Grant, restart the app once more.
5. Managed Macs: when IT policy blocks it
On company machines an MDM profile can pre-deny screen capture. If System Settings shows the toggle greyed out with a 'managed by your organisation' note, only IT can change it - tccutil will not override a management profile.
Frequently asked
I granted permission but the capture is a black screen. Why?
The app was running when you granted. The grant applies at next launch - quit fully and reopen. If it's still black, remove and re-add the app in the permission list (fix 3).
Why did the permission break after an app update?
macOS ties grants to the app's code signature. An update that changes it makes the old grant stale - macOS shows the app as allowed but treats it as unknown. tccutil reset plus a fresh grant fixes it.
Is 'Screen & System Audio Recording' the same as the old 'Screen Recording'?
Yes - macOS Sonoma renamed the section when system-audio capture moved under the same permission. Apps that record system audio (call recorders, screen recorders) need this single permission for both.