Overview
- Apple has confirmed it will require “very explicit user action” before apps can get Full Disk Access, a broad permission that can expose files, emails, messages and browsing data.
- A leaker known as pdfu reported that macOS 27.3 will stop logging apps that try to open protected files so they no longer auto-appear in the Full Disk Access list, but that specific change has not been confirmed by Apple.
- Developers can still ask users to add an app manually by dragging its icon into System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, so the reported change would remove one shortcut but not all routes to obtain the permission.
- Reports and early beta notes mention a possible 'Private Folders' concept that would let users grant folder-level access (for example to the iMessage database), but details and availability remain unclear and unconfirmed.
- Users should expect a staged rollout tied to macOS 27.3 and watch for Apple’s official notes because the change could reduce accidental data exposure but will not by itself eliminate the risk of overbroad app access.