# Permissions | ByteSweep Docs

> Which permissions ByteSweep asks for on Mac, Windows and Linux, why, and what happens if you say no.

Canonical: https://bytesweep.app/docs/setup/permissions.html
Last updated: 2026-11-02

## Permissions

ByteSweep asks only when a page needs something. Say no and the rest of the app keeps working.

Show me on

### On this page

- On a Mac
- Allow Full Disk Access
- On Windows
- On Linux

On Mac

### On a Mac

| Permission | What it's for |
| --- | --- |
| **Full Disk Access** | Folders macOS keeps closed, such as Mail and Safari data. |
| **Administrator helper** | Sleep settings and reading a drive for Recovery. |
| **Accessibility** | Hiding and restoring your windows, only while you ask it to. |
| **Notifications** | Alerts you turned on. |
| Location | Only to show your Wi-Fi network's name. |
| Microphone, System Audio Recording | Per-app volume and the sound pages. |
| Bluetooth, Local Network | Bluetooth devices and Send to your devices. |

### Allow Full Disk Access

1. Press **Open Full Disk Access Settings**.
2. Turn on ByteSweep in System Settings.
3. Press **Check Again**, then**Reopen ByteSweep** if asked.

The helper is approved in System Settings → Login Items if macOS asks.

On Windows

### On Windows

ByteSweep runs as a normal user. Pages that need more show **Run as administrator**, which restarts it through the Windows prompt. Say no and it keeps running as before.

On Linux

### On Linux

ByteSweep runs as you. System actions ask through your desktop's password prompt, one at a time, using pkexec. If you see **needs pkexec, which is not installed**, install your distribution's polkit package.

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Updated 2026-11-02. Something wrong here? Write to [support@bytesweep.app](mailto:support@bytesweep.app).