What Is Screen Recording Permission?

macOS 10.15 Catalina introduced a privacy permission called "Screen Recording" (also referenced in some macOS versions as "Screen Capture") that gates any app's ability to read and encode the pixels on the display. Before Catalina, any app could capture the screen without explicit user consent. Starting with Catalina, apps must declare screen recording intent in their entitlements, macOS prompts the user for approval on first use, and the user's decision is recorded in System Settings. This applies to all screen recording apps, browser extensions, and any tool that reads display content — including some accessibility and remote desktop tools that capture the screen as part of their function.

Granting Screen Recording permission is a one-time action per app. On macOS Sequoia and later, go to System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen Recording and toggle the switch next to the app you want to allow. On Ventura and earlier, the same setting is in System Preferences › Security & Privacy › Privacy › Screen Recording. After granting permission, the app typically requires a restart to activate the new access level. Some apps prompt you through this flow automatically on first launch if they detect they do not have permission; others present an in-app message directing you to System Settings.

The permission is scoped per-app and can be revoked at any time. Revoking it prevents the app from capturing any new screen content but does not delete previously recorded files. It is worth reviewing the list periodically, especially after installing new software — some apps request Screen Recording permission beyond what their primary function requires. Limelight requests Screen Recording permission because it is a macOS screen recorder. When you first launch Limelight, it directs you to grant the permission in System Settings; once granted, you can record immediately with no additional setup.