# Mac permissions

The two macOS permissions a bot needs to see your screen and use the mouse and keyboard, and how to turn them on.

Canonical page: https://themachine.myapps.ai/docs/desktop/this-pc/mac-permissions

On a Mac, a bot needs two permissions to see your screen and use the mouse and
keyboard. **Files, commands, and the Machine browser work without them.**

| Permission | Why it's needed |
|---|---|
| **Screen Recording** | To take screenshots and read what's on the screen. |
| **Accessibility** | To use the mouse, keyboard, and app controls. |

You only need these if **Apps, mouse and keyboard** is on in the folder menu
(it is by default).

## Turn them on

When a bot first needs them, Machine Desktop shows **Machine needs permission
to control this Mac**, listing what's missing. It shows once each time you
open the app.

### Open System Settings

Click **Open System Settings**. (Or click **Later** to do it another time.)
### Turn on Screen Recording

Go to **Privacy & Security → Screen Recording** (on newer macOS it's called
**Screen & System Audio Recording**). Turn on **Machine Desktop**. If it isn't
listed, click **+** and add it from **Applications**.
### Turn on Accessibility

Go to **Privacy & Security → Accessibility**. Turn on **Machine Desktop**, or
add it with **+**.
### Restart Machine Desktop

Press **⌘Q** to quit Machine Desktop, then open it again. macOS only applies
these permissions after a restart.

## Turn them off

Open the same pages in **System Settings → Privacy & Security** and turn
**Machine Desktop** off. Bots can then still use files, commands, and the
Machine browser, but not your screen.

Or, to stop screen control for a single thread, turn off **Apps, mouse and
keyboard** in its folder menu.

## Microphone and speech

Voice features ask for different permissions: **Microphone** and **Speech
Recognition**. See [Voice](/docs/desktop/chat/voice).