How to Set File Permissions on Mac

Operating systems deny access to certain files for the security of the system. The same is the case with MacOS, which will restrict the access to files following a ‘File Permissions’ procedure.

Usually, the Finder app is used to do the same, but you may also use the ‘chmod’ command in your Mac to set up file permissions.

Using the Finder app to Set File Permissions

Finder application will be used if you want to set file permissions on your MacOS abandoning the terminal. The application is present at the bottom of the Mac with some other icons from where you can launch the same.

The steps to use the Finder application to set the file permissions are:

1. Launch the application from the bottom of the Mac screen.
2. After you open the Finder window, right-click on any file you want to set permission for and go to the ‘Get Info’ screen.
3. The next window will show you all about that particular folder or file.  Click on the ‘Arrow’ icon next to the ‘File and Permissions’ tab.
4. A list of accounts will be displayed under the ‘Privilege’ category.
5. If you want to set permissions for a folder or a file, which is not displayed in the list of options, tap on the ‘+’ icon at the bottom.
6. Tap on the folder and click ‘Select’ to add it to the list of options.
7. Choose the settings for the permissions – For example, a user set on ‘Read Only’ won’t be able to edit any files, while a user set on ‘Read and Write’ can do both.

To do the same, click on the arrow next to the user’s name and select any of them from the two.

Permissions will be set. Close the window once you’re done.

Using Terminal to Set File Permissions

As mentioned above, all you need is ‘chmod’ command to set file permissions. Many of you must’ve used this command on Linux, but it is not restricted to it. This command is also available to use and make changes to MacOS.

The steps to use ‘Terminal’ to set file permissions are:

1. Go to the ‘Terminal’ from the launch icon on the Dock of your Mac. You may also use the ‘Search’ feature of the system.
2. To view all the already existing permissions on your Mac, replace ‘File.txt’ with any other file name.
3. The first 11 characters represent the file permissions, while the next nine characters are split in a group of three.
4. Group 1 shows the levels of access for the file owners; Group 2 represents the permissions and Group 3 represents the permissions for other users.
5. The letters such as ‘R,’ ‘W,’ and ‘X’ represent Read, Write and Execute.

Setting File Permissions

To terminate all the existing permissions, set the user permission to ‘Read and Write,’ while setting only ‘read’ permission for all other users.

Some important characters are:

• To set the permissions for the owner of the file, use the ‘U’ flag.
• To set the permissions for the user group, use ‘g.’
• To set the permissions for all other users, use ‘O.’
• An ‘=’ sign deletes all the existing permissions for that particular category.
• To add access to a user, use the ‘+’ sign.
• To subtract access to a user, use ‘-.’

This was all about adding permissions via the Finder app and Terminal.

John Smith is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cybersecurity. He writes about the latest updates regarding and how it can improve the work experience of users. His articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs, and websites.

Source:- https://noble-antivirus.com/how-to-set-file-permissions-on-mac/