
Change permissions for files, folders or disks on Mac
Permission settings determine who can view and alter files on the computer. You change permission settings at the bottom of the Info window for a file, folder or disk in the Finder. For example, you can change permission settings for a folder so that other users who log into your Mac, or connect to it for file sharing, can view but not change files in a folder.

Assign permissions to users and groups
On your Mac, select a disk, folder, or file, then choose File > Get Info.
If the information in Sharing & Permissions isnβt visible, click
. (You may need to scroll down.)
Click
to unlock permission settings.
Select a user or group in the Name column, click the pop-up menu, then choose a privilege setting.
Read & Write: Allows a user to open the item and change it.
Read only: Allows a user to open the item, but not change its contents.
Write only (Drop Box): Makes a folder into a drop box. Users can copy items to the drop box, but canβt open it. Only the owner of the drop box can open it.
No Access: Blocks all access to the item.
You can undo any changes to privilege settings for a user or group in the Sharing and Permissions section since opening the Info window. Before closing the Info window, click at the bottom of the window, then choose βRevert changesβ.
Apply permissions to all items in a folder or a disk
On your Mac, select a folder or a disk, then choose File > Get Info.
If the information in Sharing & Permissions isnβt visible, click
next to Sharing & Permissions. (You may also need to scroll down.)
Click
at the bottom of the window, then choose βApply to enclosed itemsβ.
Change an itemβs owner
On your Mac, select the item, then choose File > Get Info.
If the information in Sharing & Permissions isnβt visible, click
next to Sharing & Permissions. (You may also need to scroll down.)
If the new ownerβs name isnβt listed in the Name column in the Sharing & Permissions section, click
to add the new owner.
Select the new owner in the Name column, click
at the bottom of the window, then choose βMake [username] the ownerβ.
You can undo any changes to an itemβs owner in the Sharing and Permissions section since opening the Info window. Before closing the Info window, click at the bottom of the window, then choose βRevert changesβ.
Add or remove a user or group in the Name column
On your Mac, select an item, then choose File > Get Info.
If the information in Sharing & Permissions isnβt visible, click
next to Sharing & Permissions. (You may also need to scroll down.)
In the Sharing & Permissions section, do any of the following:
Add a user or group: Click
below the list, select a user or group, then click Select.
Remove a user or group: Select the user or group, then click
below the list.
You can undo adding or removing a user or group in the Sharing & Permissions section. Before closing the Info window, click at the bottom of the window, then choose βRevert changesβ.