App allowed in Accessibility but still not working? How to fix it

The switch is on in Privacy & Security, but the app still says it is not allowed. Why that happens after updates, and the steps that fix it.

Guide · Updated 13 October 2026

Open System Settings, Privacy & Security, Accessibility, select the app, click − to remove it, then open the app again and turn its switch on when asked. This clears an entry that no longer matches the app.

Why the switch can be on but not work

macOS ties the permission to the exact app that asked for it. After an update, or if a copy of the app runs from a different folder, the old entry no longer matches. The switch still shows on, but for an app that is not the one running.

Steps, in order

  1. Quit the app.
  2. Make sure the app is in your Applications folder, not running from Downloads or a disk image.
  3. In Accessibility, remove the app with −.
  4. Open the app; when asked, turn the switch on.
  5. If it still does not work, restart the Mac and try once more.

With ClutterFreeMac

The welcome window and Settings, Mac Setup, both have a button for this case: click it, turn the switch on once more, and the app picks it up straight away. Read more on why window managers need Accessibility.

Questions

Why does my Mac app say it needs Accessibility when the switch is already on?

The permission belongs to an older copy of the app. Remove the app from the Accessibility list with −, open it again, and turn the switch on when asked.

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