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PixelRecorder

Permissions Issues

macOS requires explicit permissions for screen recording, camera, and microphone access.

Required Permissions

PixelRecorder needs these permissions:

PermissionPurpose
Screen RecordingCapture display content
CameraAccess camera devices
MicrophoneCapture audio input

Granting Permissions

Screen Recording

  1. Open System Settings
  2. Go to Privacy & Security > Screen Recording
  3. Find PixelRecorder in the list
  4. Toggle the switch to ON
  5. Click Quit & Reopen when prompted

If PixelRecorder isn’t listed:

  1. Click the + button
  2. Navigate to Applications
  3. Select PixelRecorder
  4. Click Open

Camera

  1. Open System Settings
  2. Go to Privacy & Security > Camera
  3. Find PixelRecorder in the list
  4. Toggle the switch to ON
  5. Restart PixelRecorder

Microphone

  1. Open System Settings
  2. Go to Privacy & Security > Microphone
  3. Find PixelRecorder in the list
  4. Toggle the switch to ON
  5. Restart PixelRecorder

Common Permission Issues

”PixelRecorder would like to record this computer’s screen”

This dialog appears on first launch. Click Open System Settings and grant the permission.

If you clicked “Don’t Allow”:

  1. Go to System Settings manually
  2. Enable Screen Recording for PixelRecorder
  3. Restart the app

Permission granted but still not working

Try these steps:

  1. Toggle permission off and on

    • Disable the permission
    • Wait 5 seconds
    • Enable it again
    • Restart PixelRecorder

  2. Restart PixelRecorder completely

    • Quit from menu bar (right-click > Quit)
    • Or use Cmd + Q
    • Reopen the app

  3. Reset permission database

    • Open Terminal
    • Run: tccutil reset ScreenCapture com.pixelrecorder
    • Restart PixelRecorder
    • Grant permission again

PixelRecorder not appearing in permissions list

  1. Run PixelRecorder at least once

    • The app must request permission first
    • Open and try to record

  2. Add manually

    • Click + in permission settings
    • Navigate to /Applications
    • Select PixelRecorder.app

  3. Check app location

    • App must be in /Applications folder
    • Move it there if it’s elsewhere

System Settings won’t open

If System Settings won’t open from the prompt:

  1. Open System Settings manually (Apple menu > System Settings)
  2. Search for “Screen Recording”
  3. Grant the permission

Permission for System Audio

System audio capture requires Screen Recording permission (not Microphone).

If system audio isn’t working:

  1. Verify Screen Recording permission is granted
  2. Toggle off and on
  3. Restart PixelRecorder

Enterprise/MDM Managed Macs

If your Mac is managed by your organization:

  1. Contact IT department

    • They may need to whitelist PixelRecorder
    • MDM policies can restrict permissions

  2. Check for restrictions

    • Some organizations block screen recording
    • This is a security feature, not a bug

Still Having Issues?

  1. Restart your Mac
  2. Try removing and re-adding permission
  3. Check macOS version (requires 15+)
  4. Contact support with:
    • macOS version
    • Screenshot of permissions panel
    • Error messages received