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macOS Privileges app to gain temporary administrative rights on your Apple computer

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Privileges for macOS is designed to allow users to work as a standard user for day-to-day use, by providing a quick and easy way to get administrator rights when needed. When you do need admin rights, you can get them by clicking on the Privileges icon in your Dock. Working as a standard user instead of an administrator adds another layer of security to your Mac and is considered a security best practice. Privileges helps enable users to act as administrators of the system only when required.

Before You Start

Privileges is only available on your machine if it is a CIT-managed endpoint (i.e. you are a faculty or staff member). Privileges is not made available for student machines.


For the best experience with Privileges, it is recommended that you drag the application into your Dock. Doing this, as explained in further detail below, will give you an at-a-glance indicator of whether or not you currently have administrative privileges on your machine, right from your desktop.

It is possible to run Privileges from your Applications folder by double-clicking it. You'll still see all steps in the sections below, save for the first step in each section - you just won't have the at-a-glance indicator from your Dock icon regarding whether or not you currently have administrative rights.

Steps to gain administrative rights with Privileges

  1. If the Privileges Dock icon is green with a locked white lock, as pictured below, your user account currently does not have administrative rights.

    2. Alternatively, Privileges can be double-clicked from the Applications Folder if you do not want it in your Dock.

  2. To gain administrative rights, click Privileges in your Dock, then click Request privileges on the resulting pop-up.

  3. Provide your account password at the next prompt (or, alternatively, use TouchID if your Mac supports it and you have it configured).

  4. That's it! Your account now has administrative rights and you'll receive a notification of the change to confirm this.

Steps to remove administrative rights with Privileges

  1. If the Privileges Dock icon is yellow with an unlocked black lock (as pictured below), your user account currently has administrative rights.

    2. Alternatively, Privileges can be double-clicked from the Applications Folder if you do not want it in your Dock.

  2. To remove administrative rights, click Privileges in your Dock, then click Remove privileges on the resulting pop-up.

  3. That's it! Your account no longer has administrative rights and you'll receive a notification of the change to confirm this.

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