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macOS Sequoia Will Require Users to Update Screen Recording App Permissions Monthly
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This is going to complete dismantle my capabilities of remotely assisting folks who don’t have admin rights to their machines. STOP TELLING US how we want to use our computers!
Honestly I just want a prompt asking me permission every time an app wants to record my screen, and I want the permission to lapse the moment I quit the app. I sometimes have to record lectures for online delivery, but I can't have a security risk of giving any app unfettered access for a long fixed period because I handle confidential information like student records.
I hope this won't affect remote desktop apps like Apple Remote Desktop, TeamViewer, and AnyDesk. Remote support to non-tech savvy users will be more challenging, and administration of unattended Macs will be a lot more difficult.
I think in your case it's a good addition but people in general are asking for flexibility instead one size fits all. Something like "once a month" or "once a year" or "permanently" especially for those who for example travel a lot and need to access their desktop remotely without having to call someone to physically press the allow button.
People will get annoyed by this monthly reminder that they'll hit allow without even reading the context. The same as many of us hit "Agree" without reading the ToS or the Privacy Policy.
It's not clear in the MR article though I think if apps like Teams or Zoom update their apps with the new Sequoia API we won't get this monthly reminder.
Something I strongly disagree with is companies changing ToS midstream. I agree people will just click YES to get rid of the notification. Apple should focus on securing the OS & apps, not resorting to a kop out clauses. Simple premise macOS is either secure or it's not, Apple's job is to ensure it is and do it in a manner that is not intrusive to the user experience...
Q-6
Unless you’re an IT guy and you need these permissions for remote access software. This is hell on wheels!
That's a good point, how is it going to work on our WFH days when the user has gone home and they can't remote into re-enable screen recording because the toggle is on the remote machine in the first place?
They're just prompting on screen recording apps, not remote management.
I'm fine with it as long as it doesn't turn remote management off.
A lot of remote access software uses screen recording permissions to push the desktop virtually to the endpoint.
If an update adds screen recording, you will need to approve that when you install the update. It can't happen in the background.
Lots of different apps use this api for things other than screen recording or sharing. Bartender uses it to see what icons are on the menu bar. Window management apps use it to see where windows are on the screen. Graphic apps use it to allow the app to pick a color from the screen.
OK, this helps. Maybe:
developer.apple.com
macOS 14.4+
com.apple.developer.persistent-content-capture
Type
boolean
Before your app can use this entitlement, request permission to use it by submitting the Persistent Content Capture Entitlement Request form. After receiving permission from Apple to use this entitlement, add it to your app’s profile in Xcode following the instrucitons Apple provides.
I wonder if they are aware that some apps other than VNCs require it.
Persistent Content Capture | Apple Developer Documentation
A Boolean value that indicates whether a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) app needs persistent access to screen capture.
Persistent Content Capture
A Boolean value that indicates whether a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) app needs persistent access to screen capture.macOS 14.4+
Details
Keycom.apple.developer.persistent-content-capture
Type
boolean
Attributes
Default: NODiscussion
The Persistent Content Capture entitlement enables VNC apps to view and record the screen.Before your app can use this entitlement, request permission to use it by submitting the Persistent Content Capture Entitlement Request form. After receiving permission from Apple to use this entitlement, add it to your app’s profile in Xcode following the instrucitons Apple provides.
I wonder if they are aware that some apps other than VNCs require it.
When you have to click yes on pops constantly just to do your work (Zoom and Slack require this for meetings and huddles) it makes you more likely to click to approve bad things that pop up as well, just because you get so annoyed by it that it becomes repetitious.
I'm guessing/hoping this only re-prompts at app launch, and would not revoke permissions and interrupt, e.g., OBS or NDI Scan Converter or whatever mid-stream/performance/presentation. In that case this would just be an increased hassle to use for certain types of professional content creation, rather than completely unsuitable.
Of course I would like to say "Of course this app needs to capture the screen, that's why I installed it, and I built my whole workflow around it! Allow it forever and never ask me again". I wouldn't feel too terrible if the normal prompt only offered to allow it for a month, but I could go into settings and set it permanantly. That would feel like a reasonable approach. Time-limited authorization does make some sense for many common casual uses.
Of course I would like to say "Of course this app needs to capture the screen, that's why I installed it, and I built my whole workflow around it! Allow it forever and never ask me again". I wouldn't feel too terrible if the normal prompt only offered to allow it for a month, but I could go into settings and set it permanantly. That would feel like a reasonable approach. Time-limited authorization does make some sense for many common casual uses.
Some need the access for other things. For example hyperdock need access to generate a snapshot of the app window.
But even 10 app asking it is annoying
Or a permission screen at startup asking macOS to access macOS drive.
I actually want to go so far as to say Apple treat ALL users as newborn who are so forgetful that everyone needs to be taught how to use their computers every single day.
I call this Apple’s stance “condescending“, as if literally no one outside Apple knows how to use computers, including Microsoft engineers and Google engineers.
