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Yes, for voice. Discord uses your Microphone for voice channels and requests Camera and Screen Recording only when you turn on video or 'Go Live' screen sharing. It may request Accessibility for global push-to-talk hotkeys and the overlay. To check on your Mac, open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and review the Camera, Microphone, Screen & System Audio Recording, Accessibility, and Full Disk Access lists for Discord.

Security/App Permissions

Voice & Community Chat

Does Discord access your camera, mic, or screen?

Yes, for voice. Discord uses your Microphone for voice channels and requests Camera and Screen Recording only when you turn on video or 'Go Live' screen sharing. It may request Accessibility for global push-to-talk hotkeys and the overlay.

Discord's permission profile

Screen Recording
Optional
Microphone
Yes — used
Camera
Optional
Accessibility
Optional
Full Disk Access
No

“Used” = needed for a core feature · “Optional” = only for a specific feature · “No” = not normally requested

Why Discord requests these

Microphone powers voice chat; Camera and Screen Recording are for video and Go Live. Accessibility enables the global push-to-talk key and in-game overlay.

What to watch for

If you don't use push-to-talk or the overlay, deny Accessibility — it's a powerful permission. Revoke camera/screen access if you only use voice or text.

How to check Discord's permissions on your Mac

  1. 1Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  2. 2Review Microphone, Camera, Screen & System Audio Recording, and Accessibility for Discord.
  3. 3Turn off Accessibility unless you rely on push-to-talk hotkeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Discord need Accessibility access?

It uses Accessibility for global push-to-talk hotkeys (working even when Discord isn't focused) and the game overlay. If you don't use those, you can deny it safely.

See everything Discord (and every other app) can access

A free CoreLock Security Score lists every app with screen-recording, mic, camera, accessibility, or full-disk access — and flags the risky ones — in about 60 seconds.

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