How do I set permissions on macOS for Lightroom Classic? – Sequoia

Over the last few years, macOS has introduced tighter security to limit which apps can access specific files and folders. Issues can include problems importing and exporting photos, missing images, sync issues, and even crashes. As a result, it’s sometimes necessary to set some security permissions for Lightroom manually.

These instructions can also be used for the cloud-based Lightroom Desktop app.

This blog references macOS Sequoia; for previous macOS versions, see this blog.

macOS File and Folders permissions

File & Folder permissions have been needed since Catalina, here’s how to set them correctly:

• Open macOS System Settings (found under the Apple menu).
• Select Privacy & Security.

• Select Files and Folders in the right panel.
• Ensure that all of the switches for Lightroom Classic are enabled.

• Restart your Mac.

Full Disk Access (optional)

• Some have decided they wish to allow Lightroom access to all of the files and folders, rather than just the specific folders. (If you do, then Full Disk Access supersedes Files & Folders, so you don’t need to do both.) Here’s how:
• Open macOS System Settings (found under the Apple menu).
• Select Security & Privacy.
• Select Full Disk Access in the right panel.

• To add Lightroom, click the + at the bottom of the screen and then enter your computer’s password (not your Adobe one).

• Click the + button (under the list of applications in the right pane) and negotiate to the Applications folder.

• Look for the Adobe Lightroom Classic folder and select the app inside (Adobe Lightroom Classic) and then click Open.
• Back in the Full Disk Access section, ensure the switch is enabled.

• Restart your Mac to ensure the changes are applied.

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