How do I set permissions on macOS for Lightroom Classic?

Over the last few years, macOS has introduced tighter security to limit which apps can access specific files and folders. As a result, it’s sometimes been necessary to manually set some security permissions for Lightroom.

Recently, a number of photographers using Lightroom Classic on macOS Monterey have noticed some odd behavior. This can include problems importing and exporting photos, missing images, sync issues and even crashes. The fix is, in most cases, is simply to give Lightroom “Full Disk Access”. But how?

We’ll look at the two steps in this post: first, what needs to be done on macOS Catalina and Big Sur to allow access to files and folders. Then, the new steps that many have found solves unexpected behavior on macOS Monterey. These instructions can also be used for the cloud-based Lightroom Desktop app.

macOS Catalina/Big Sur File and Folders permissions

File & Folder permissions have been needed since Catalina, but if you haven’t upgraded to macOS Monterey yet, here’s how to set them correctly:

1. Open macOS System Preferences (found under the Apple menu).
2. Select Security & Privacy.
3. Go to the Privacy tab.
4. Select Files and Folders in the left pane.
5. Lightroom Classic should appear in the right. (If it doesn’t, click the + button to add Lightroom to the list of apps.) Ensure that all of the checkboxes for Lightroom are checked.
   
6. Click the lock icon to save the changes.
7. Restart your Mac.

macOS Monterey Full Disk Access

If you’re using macOS Monterey, it’s best to allow Lightroom access to all of the files and folders, rather than just the specific folders needed in earlier macOS versions. (Full Disk Access supersedes Files & Folders, so you don’t need to do both.) Here’s how:

1. Open macOS System Preferences (found under the Apple menu).
2. Select Security & Privacy.
3. Go to the Privacy tab.
4. Select Full Disk Access in the left pane.
5. Click the lock in the bottom left and enter your computer’s password (not your Adobe one).
   
6. Click the + button (under the list of applications in the right pane) and negotiate to the Applications folder.
   
7. Look for the Adobe Lightroom Classic folder and select the app inside (Adobe Lightroom Classic) and then click Open.
8. Back in the Full Disk Access section, ensure the checkmark is checked.
   
9. Click the lock to save the changes.
10. Restart your Mac to ensure the changes are applied.

macOS Ventura Full Disk Access

If you’re using macOS Ventura, it’s also best to allow Lightroom access to all of the files and folders. (Full Disk Access supersedes Files & Folders, so you don’t need to do both.)

The process is almost identical to Monterey (above) with minor changes:

1. Open macOS System Preferences (found under the Apple menu).
2. Select Privacy & Security.
3. Select Full Disk Access in the left pane.
4. Proceed as per Monterey above.

When you next open Lightroom Classic, hopefully the odd behaviors will be gone!