Which Mac apps use your camera, mic and screen?
Popular Mac apps often ask for Screen Recording, the microphone, the camera, Accessibility or Full Disk Access, and most have a real reason to. The table shows what each app typically requests for its features, and each app's page explains why and how to check it on your Mac.
At a glance
| App | Screen Recording | Microphone | Camera | Accessibility | Full Disk Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Password | Optional | No | No | Optional | No |
| Arc | Optional | Optional | Optional | No | No |
| Bartender | Optional | No | No | Used | No |
| CleanMyMac | No | No | No | Optional | Used |
| CleanShot X | Used | Optional | No | Optional | No |
| Discord | Optional | Used | Optional | Optional | No |
| Dropbox | No | No | No | Optional | Optional |
| Figma | No | Optional | No | No | No |
| Google Chrome | Optional | Optional | Optional | No | No |
| Grammarly | No | No | No | Used | No |
| Loom | Used | Used | Used | Used | No |
| Microsoft Teams | Used | Used | Used | No | No |
| Notion | Optional | Optional | No | No | No |
| OBS Studio | Used | Used | Used | Optional | No |
| Raycast | Optional | Optional | No | Used | Optional |
| Rectangle | No | No | No | Used | No |
| Signal | Optional | Used | Used | No | No |
| Slack | Optional | Used | Optional | No | No |
| Spotify | No | No | No | No | No |
| Telegram | Optional | Used | Used | No | No |
| Optional | Used | Used | No | No | |
| Zoom | Used | Used | Used | Optional | No |
“Used” = needed for a core feature · “Optional” = only for a specific feature · “No” = not normally requested. These are typical requests; what an app may use on your Mac is set in System Settings › Privacy & Security.
Every app
Does 1Password have access?
Password Manager
1Password uses Accessibility to fill in logins in other Mac apps, Automation only if you let it fill in Terminal or iTerm2, and screen recording only to scan a setup code or QR code on your screen.
Does Arc have access?
Web Browser
Like any browser, Arc asks macOS for the camera, microphone and screen recording so websites can use them, and each site still asks you inside Arc.
Does Bartender have access?
Menu Bar Manager
Bartender needs Accessibility to move and arrange your menu bar items, and uses screen recording to read the menu bar so it can show each item's image, which Bartender 7 made optional.
Does CleanMyMac have access?
Cleaner & Utility
CleanMyMac asks for Full Disk Access so it can scan your whole Mac for junk files and malware, which also means it can read protected data such as Mail and Messages.
Does CleanShot X have access?
Screenshots & Recording
CleanShot X needs screen recording to take screenshots and record your screen, and the microphone only if you record your voice with a video.
Does Discord have access?
Voice & Community Chat
Discord uses the microphone for voice chat, and the camera and screen recording only when you turn on video or share your screen.
Does Dropbox have access?
Cloud Storage
Dropbox asks for Accessibility for the Dropbox badge, seeing who viewed your files and better sync prioritization, and its fix for files not syncing adds Full Disk Access.
Does Figma have access?
Design
Figma asks for the microphone when you join an audio conversation in a Design, FigJam or Slides file, and design work on its own needs no special permissions.
Does Google Chrome have access?
Web Browser
Chrome asks macOS for the camera, microphone and screen recording so websites such as Google Meet can use them, and each site still has to ask you in Chrome.
Does Grammarly have access?
Writing Assistant
The Grammarly app for Mac uses Accessibility to read and suggest changes to what you type in other apps, and Grammarly says it can't give writing help without it.
Does Loom have access?
Screen Recording
Loom needs screen recording to capture your screen and the camera and microphone for the face bubble and narration, and Loom's help says to keep Accessibility on too.
Does Microsoft Teams have access?
Video Conferencing
Microsoft Teams uses the camera and microphone for calls and asks for screen recording the first time you share your screen.
Does Notion have access?
Notes & Docs
Notes and docs need no special permissions, but Notion's AI Meeting Notes asks for the microphone and for screen and system audio recording so it can transcribe everyone on a call.
Does OBS Studio have access?
Streaming & Recording
OBS Studio asks for screen recording to capture your display, windows and apps, the camera for webcams and capture cards, and the microphone for audio.
Does Raycast have access?
Launcher & Productivity
Raycast uses Accessibility to switch windows, search menu bar items and read the app in front for Screen Awareness, and it asks for the microphone, screen recording or Full Disk Access only for Dictation, Screen Awareness screenshots and its Screenshots command.
Does Rectangle have access?
Window Manager
Rectangle uses Accessibility to move and resize your windows with keyboard shortcuts and snap areas.
Does Signal have access?
Private Messaging
Signal Desktop uses the microphone for calls and voice messages, the camera for video calls, and screen recording only to share your screen or a window on a call.
Does Slack have access?
Team Chat
Slack asks for the microphone, camera and screen recording for huddles and for recording audio or video clips, so if you only use text chat it needs none of them.
Does Spotify have access?
Music Streaming
Playing music needs none of the camera, microphone, screen recording, Accessibility or Full Disk Access.
Does Telegram have access?
Messaging
Telegram uses the microphone and camera for voice and video calls and for voice and video messages, and screen recording only when you share your screen on a call.
Does WhatsApp have access?
Messaging
WhatsApp uses the microphone for calls and the camera for video calls, and screen recording only when you share your screen during a video call.
Does Zoom have access?
Video Conferencing
Zoom uses the camera and microphone for meetings and Screen & System Audio Recording to share your screen, and it asks for Accessibility only so someone can remote-control your Mac.
With Full Disk Access, CoreLock's free Privacy report lists the apps macOS has granted Screen Recording, Accessibility, Full Disk Access, Input Monitoring, camera and microphone.
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