Constant requests for screenshot tools in macOS 15 can be turned off

Apple has built a "feature" into macOS 15 that is likely to annoy some users: In future, apps that allow screen recording will have to ask for permission on a monthly basis. This applies to screenshotting tools as well as video conferencing applications such as Teams or Zoom, as these allow the screen to be shared. The purpose of the function is to better protect the privacy of users, says Apple –. Initially, the request was even made on a weekly basis.

No whitelisting, but a helper app

Apple has not included a form of whitelisting in the final version of macOS 15, which had been requested by many developers. Developers now fear that their users could unintentionally turn off familiar functions due to the rather unintuitive approval dialog – Sometimes the dialog even simply disappears or "hides" behind other windows. However, as we can now see, there are ways to turn off the request. Even if this affects system security in principle, it can be worthwhile – at least if the user knows what they are doing.

The simplest solution comes from Dutch developer Jordi Bruin, known for apps such as MacWhisper. He has written Amnesia, a simple app that detects which applications are affected by macOS screen access reminders – and can then turn off these requests. He distributes the tool free of charge (donations welcome) and uses a simple trick: As it turns out, you can manipulate the timestamp to which macOS 15 then omits the request. At the moment, the app is only compatible with macOS 15.0; there will soon be an update for macOS 15.1, which is currently in beta testing.

It also works via the terminal

If you prefer something a little more complicated, you can get by without the very easy-to-use Amnesia app. Developer Jeff Johnson, who is also the developer of the Safari denervation tool Stop the Madness, lists a number of simple tips in his blog. After giving the terminal application full disk access (via the system settings), use this command to read a PLIST file:

    defaults read ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.apple.replayd/ScreenCaptureApprovals.plist

Then check the app you would like to edit. For example, if it is the Shottr program, you would have to enter the following:

defaults write ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.apple.replayd/ScreenCaptureApprovals.plist "/Applications/Shottr.app/Contents/MacOS/Shottr" -date "3024-09-21 12:40:36 +0000"

The change consists of setting the timestamp from 2024 to 3024 – i.e. 1000 years in the future –. This means that the demand will cease by then. This must be done for each app contained in ScreenCaptureApprovals.plist.

Important: It is necessary to log out after making the settings for these new values to take effect. Johnson ends his blog entry with the words that he would actually always write something nasty to Tim Cook or Craig Federighi at this point, but is happy to refrain from doing so here. "Just enjoy the freedom of not being nagged every month."

(bsc)